This past Thursday I went to the Central Office to inspect some school records that were ready for me to view. Mr. Johnson walked out into the hall to greet me and took me back to Dawn Creason’s office to get the documents that were ready to inspect and to show me the ones they were still compiling. One set of documents that were finally compiled was the database indexes that I had requested months ago.
Brady invited me into his office and said that he wanted Pam Schiffman to describe what was included in the indexes. Pam said that as far as they knew, I-SS was the first school system to complete the indexes as required by NC law. Brady said it was an obscure part of the Public Records law and that most institutions probably don’t know about it. As a side note, I did not have any problems noticing it when I read the NC Public Records Law that is available one of the State’s web sites.
The indexes show the files and fields included in the School’s database and state whether or not the information is available to the public. As you might suspect some of the databases have information about students and some have information about employees. Some of the databases that the system uses are owned and maintained by the State. Pam told me that if I wanted to see the indexes for those databases, I would have to request that information from the NC Department of Instruction.
Some time ago, Brady had informed me that he would be willing to have Pam explain the formula that I-SS had developed to rank the NC school systems. Since Pam was already meeting with us I asked if she could ahead and explain the formula, which she did. She showed me the categories that she uses to produce the ranking and how she puts them together to determine the final ranking. I must say that I now feel more confident about the process even though I-SS determines what goes into the formula and the weighting for each category. Pam said that she is currently in the process of compiling a ranking based on the latest test scores and that she will share the ranking with me when it is completed. I will post that information when I receive it and will explain more about the formula at that time.
While I was in Brady’s office he showed me a number of binders of documents that Dr. Holliday had left behind. Brady said that any time I wanted to look through them, I could make an appointment to do so. He said that he wants to assure everyone that he believes in complete transparency and that all school documents are available for inspection. Of course that would not apply to confidential information. Brady also asked me what I-SS could do to improve the transparency of the system and I said that one way would be to place more information on the I-SS web site. As an example, I recommended that all documents that are presented to the School Board before and at their meetings should be made available on the web site.
As we were talking, Brady mentioned that he did plan to let teachers take the survey that was presented to the principals just before school started. This is the survey that lists various school procedures and allows the person taking the survey to indicate whether that procedure was working and should be retained as is, or useful but in need of improvement (tweaking), or not useful and should be abandoned. Brady said that the survey would be administered sometime around the beginning of November. He also told me that Larry Rogers, SHS Principal, had taken it upon himself to administer the survey to his faculty. Brady shared the results of two items on that survey. One was the item relating to the IFs. Of the SHS faculty, 11% said to keep it as is, 39% said to abandon it, and the greatest percent said to keep it but to tweak it. The other item was the one relating to PDSAs. I do not remember the breakdown for that one but the largest percentage of the SHS teachers said to abandon it.
At the community meeting, Brady had said that he planned to meet with the IFs and talk to them about what he thought their role should be. This past Thursday, Brady told me that he will be having that meeting with the IFs on this coming Thursday. He said that one of the things he was going to tell them was that with the budget the way it is, come this spring principals may have to decide just how important is it to have an IF and whether that money is needed to retain a teacher or some other staff person.
Brady also said that he wanted to again reassure everyone that he is willing to meet with anybody and to listen to his or her concerns. He said that he has heard that some individuals are still afraid to come forward and speak to him. Brady said that he does not want it to be that way. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I went to the Central Office expecting to just inspect some school records. But, I spent most of my time in Brady’s office talking to him and to Pam Schiffman. I think that this is indeed a true example of how willing Brady is to meet with individuals.
I think that it is very telling that the staff at SHS sees no need in PDSA's. The fact that most if not all schools are still having to do 2 a week tells how busy the teachers are. With school only 20 days into the school year, teachers are already feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work that there is to do. I hope that Brady will continue to investigate exactly how Baldrige impacts a classroom and listens to what teachers have to say.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul for continuing to work for better schools for our children.
Teachers should know by now that when they ask for stuff to be "tweaked" it only means more work for them.
ReplyDeleteOf course they will keep the IFs! Who thinks the principals want to do all the data stuff the Ifs do? That can and probably would just be passed on to teachers, but remember, teachers in this district apparently don't know what they are doing in the classroom - thus the reason we have to "learn" about homework for 6 hours....principals don't want to do the PD presentations mandated by the district. Teachers apparently can't use homework or use teaching techniques correctly, so it doesn't make sense to let them do the presentations. But if they did, it would be just one more thing on a teacher's already overflowing plate.
Our staff development Tuesday was only from 11:30 until 4:30. It was not needed. We can read by ourselves. I don't know who it is for, but most of the reasearch is on the internet about homework. It is also on the internet about remediation which most all teachers do automatically. We know who needs extra help and attention.
ReplyDeleteIf we did not to have so much paperwork to get on our walls, we as teachers cvould get on the internet and do our own research. We have been doing research on our own for a long time and sharing what we find with our colleagues.
IFs need to go back into the classroom and let our students share their wealth of knowledge. Most teachers already have more knowledge, education, experience ,and strategies than the IFs at our school. Those who need them are our students. We no longer need a guide at our PLCs.
The IFs will become the teachers and over 30 new teachers will lose their jobs next year. That is the reality of the situation if the position goes away. And yes, teachers and administrators will take on the burden of the IF position. They will also have to take on the financial obligations for finding professional development to assure themselves 15 CEUs within 5 years for renewal.
ReplyDeleteIf the IFs weren't teachers to begin with, what position did they hold before that? Other school systems have IFs that cover three or four school not one on one.
ReplyDeleteI used to get my 15 CEOs easily at MCC with 3 hour credit courses that were teacher offered renewal courses. We also get a credit each year we teach, so really you need 10 credit hours in a 5 year span. At this time in my renewal cycle, I have 34 credit hours in a span of 4 years. Now those credits will be thrown away by the state, because they only use 15. I still haven't had this years added on. So think of the time and hours that are wasted on staff development when it is over and above what is needed by a teacher.
Teachers don't have time to waste.
three or four schools corrected
ReplyDeleteRetirement is coming for many teachers next year. In fact, there are a lot of teachers that are going to retire in 2009 and 2010. It will be more than 30.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing about the renewal credits offered by the system is that they are not useful information. The state gives each system monies to be used for staff development. Brady Johnson told me at the citizens meeting that monies alotted to schools for staff development are to be spent by the school improvement team. I informed him that schools had not had the chance to spend the money in years because the central office staff decided what staff development would be offered in the district. Since all the monies are spend, if you ask to attend a conference or workshop dealing with your subject area, you are told that there is no money available. According to Mr. Johnson, it is against state law for anyone other than the SIT to develop staff development. I intend to find out. I am going to e-mail the state tomorrow and find out the legal issues about staff development money. I believe that alot of the IF's are paid with staff development money so they have to do the workshops.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janey! We have been told that district has mandated the staff development that IFs must come back to the schools and "teach" us. I don't have the list at home, but last year I remember it was cooperative learning and non-linguistic learning, so far this year it is Homework. I can't remember the other years, but one semester was Summarizing/Notetaking.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is, we've been required to have PD on specific topics for the last few years and there's a new area of study each semester. I believe it is a 5(?) year plan, all set by district. I'm not even sure if the IFs even go to actual workshops, or if they just get all their training from their Thursday meetings at central office.
Teachers can go to other PD specified by the district, like L to J training, (a data collection technique) but they cannot go to things they request.
I'm sure Mr. Johnson is right in how PD money is supposed to be spent, even though that's not the way it's done here. Let us know what you find out from the state.
Thanks Janey! I'm getting the feeling that 'we've been had' over the past several years! None of the so-called PD that the IF's have provided hasn't been worth a hoot.
ReplyDeleteIf the SIT should be in control of PD, then teachers will actually have a voice in the PD that they have available. Finally! This is how it should have been done all along!
Most of us are sick and tired of wasting our time on the useless, redundant 'so-called' PD that we have been, and are being subjected to.
Send the IF's back to the classroom where they should have been all along!
*correction
ReplyDeleteHAS been worth a hoot...
Quote from September 27, 2009 3:59 PM
ReplyDelete"The IFs will become the teachers and over 30 new teachers will lose their jobs next year. That is the reality of the situation if the position goes away. And yes, teachers and administrators will take on the burden of the IF position. They will also have to take on the financial obligations for finding professional development to assure themselves 15 CEUs within 5 years for renewal."
Anyone want to bet that this comment came from one of the IF's who was dying to get out of the classroom?
As has been said numerous times, if returning to the role of classroom teacher is too difficult for you, then change professions.
Time walk the talk.....
Thank you Janey! Now if we could only get the county, state or BOE to send the same message Mr. Bowles sent to UNCC. If we had a real newspaper, maybe we would be able to put pressure on someone to stop all the waste on administrative positions at CO. If 28% administrative growth is "an absolute embarrassment", I can only imagine what ISS's would be considered, and IFs aren't even included as administration, even though they work directly for CO.
ReplyDeleteDouble ditto!! September 27, 2009 7:06 PM
ReplyDeleteCorrection for September 27, 2009 7:04 PM post:
ReplyDeleteTime to walk the talk....
IFs were not returned to the classroom because after the admin changed the positions from retirees, leaving teachers etc. were already cut. They knew going in how many would retire this coming year. No teachers will be laid off, but I'd put money on the IFs being back in the classroom. The board is just waiting for the next round of openings from retirees.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how many posts here begin with "Thanks, Janey." Why, it's almost as if all of those posts were written by the same person - and I'm thinking - ummmmm, maybe it's Janey! Surprise! Janey Munday seeking attention for Janey Munday!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny!
ReplyDeleteI am NOT Janey, but I wrote one of those posts. Some of us appreciate someone taking the iniative to find out about how money should be spent. She of course knows I am not her, but I hope that she sees people appreciate her efforts. I had no idea the state says SIT teams get to spend the PD money. She asked Brady about it, and I trust the he at least knows the laws if not how ISS is violating them.
ReplyDeleteIf I post something on this blog, I put my name to it. I am just trying to get the message out there to the public about the way I-SS does things. All you have to do is talk to teachers from other systems to find out how staff development money is used. I don't feel the need to seek attention or draw notice to myself. Sorry if that disappoints some people.
ReplyDeleteI can count on 1 hand the number of teachers who want to pay MCC for their professional development instead of getting it site based.
ReplyDeleteAlso, these complaints about the professional development, did you share these complaints at your school?
I am sick and tired of wasting my time on IF-led so-called PD! I would MUCH rather pay for REAL PD...IF's go back to the classroom ---that is where you are needed...teachers do NOT need you.
ReplyDeleteTo September 28, 2009 6:34 PM :
ReplyDeleteYou have taken a poll of ALL the teachers in I-SS?
Really??
Typical IF BS.... enjoy your last bit of 'Little Hiterdom', your dictatorship is nearly over....
should be 'Little Hitlerdom'....
ReplyDeleteSorry, don't need a poll when I have this crazy thing called common sense. Why would teachers choose to pay a community college to attend afterschool hours when they can have PD on site during school hours for free?
ReplyDeleteCommon sense? Whose? Teachers want QUALITY---not a more convenient waste of time! Someone does not have their priorities straight. PD should be about improving instruction....not what is easiest!
ReplyDeleteAgain, hope all the IF's who found classroom teaching too difficult will be able to find new professions...either go back to the classroom where you can benefit students or say sayonara.
So a teacher has their priorities wrong if they don't want to pay money to attend community college for PD? You really think what MCC has to offer is of superior value? Funny..but I guess you are entitled to your opinion. I personally would rather have PD at my school as opposed to travel to a college campus and paying money out of my already small paycheck.
ReplyDeleteCry me a river---you obviously aren't interested in classroom teaching (and don't bother trying to sell the load that you ARE a classroom teacher!)
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the IF's who was dying to get out of the classroom and have no desire to teach students!
....I-SS could for PD that is actual effective. They are paying over a million dollars a year for ineffective PD!
*pay for PD
ReplyDeleteThere are those that would like to take classes at MCC. There are also a lot of teachers that would like the district to use the PD money they are given by the state to provide QUALITY PD. And by quality PD, we don't mean standard college teaching techniques. We want to attend workshops on things like technology, science, mathematics, and literacy. We want to learn from other experts in our individual fields...not about homework.
ReplyDeleteThis is the only year the school has set aside any time for PD. Every other year, it has been required after school hours, so teachers in this district have been and are more than willing to spend their own time on PD.
No I'm not an IF, sorry to burst your bubble. I just think it is funny that you constantly state that people would rather go to MCC to get professional development. Anyone on this blog think that teachers would choose to go to a community college and pay for PD afterschool to get renewal credits? Teachers on the blog, does this sound like something you want to do?
ReplyDelete"There are those that would like to take classes at MCC. There are also a lot of teachers that would like the district to use the PD money they are given by the state to provide QUALITY PD. And by quality PD, we don't mean standard college teaching techniques."
ReplyDeleteSo you won't get "standard college teaching techniques" at a community college?
Why should teachers be forced to pay for PD out of their own pocket when the state already provides money for it? Specifically, the state provides money to the SIT teams to decide their own PD. Teachers shouldn't have to pay for something the state is willing to provide. It's just here, the district gets in the way.
ReplyDeleteI think that September 28, 2009 8:27 PM answered your question, September 28, 2009 8:28 PM ...
ReplyDeleteTeachers want QUALITY, from a source that actually knows more than we do...and that category does not include IF's,...sorry to burst your bubble, IF.
I highly doubt a teacher with a bachelor's degree at MCC would be taught homework for six hours, or even cooperative learning especially in a technology class. That's expected to be learned already through the obtainment of a bachelor's degree. The concept of homework hasn't changed since we've been in school...technology and science have...that's the stuff that would be useful.
ReplyDeleteTeachers want to attend workshops like those provided at the NC Reading Association conference. Workshops are where teachers get more practical ideas and activities they can use in the classroom. They are based, but not focused in theory. Their focus is on the instruction of specific suject areas, not general teaching techniques.
MCC...are you serious?? If I am made to go to MCC as a teacher I am quitting. I went to UNC and have a masters degree in education. I refuse to go to MCC to re-learn concepts I was already taught and have experienced in the classroom. I don't mind PD occasionally during my planning but I have a life people. I'm not attending classes at MCC I will just have to be fired.
ReplyDeleteUhhhh...September 29, 2009 12:00 AM
ReplyDeleteEver heard of universities offering programs via local community colleges? Several of them (including UNCC and Appalachian) have offered courses at MCC....
uhhh yeh...those are for degrees!!!! I'm certainly not paying a community college for classes when I can get the same type of material in meetings. During school is where I would like it because if I want to go home and spend time with my 2 year old and enjoy my kids then I want to do that. I may be a teacher, but I am a father first and I refuse to spend the rest of my free time listening to a professor. That is why I went to school so I would not have to go anymore.
ReplyDeletethis message is for the teachers that read this blog. I have been in contact with the state about staff development. According to them, PD's should be based on teacher reviews. I want to know if your SIT committees chose the PD's or are they decided at the CO level?
ReplyDeleteSeptember 29, 2009 10:36 PM ... yes you are so right! I'm sure none of the classes offered by UNCC and Appalachian at MCC could ever be taken unless one is seeking a degree! ...... You have GOT to be kidding, no one could possibly that naive!
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is quite obvious that you are not being forthright as to your true agenda. In all likelihood, you are yet another IF posing as a teacher. Or maybe, you are aspiring to be an IF. Not a good idea, as the position is almost certainly getting ready to go the route of the dinosaur.
It is time for I-SS to begin doing what is best for students...time to put these wonderful teachers (IF'S) back in the classroom so that they can EARN their salaries.
*correction...could possibly BE that naive
ReplyDeleteThey are decided at CO. I'm not an IF so I have no idea if they had any say in developing the district's 5 year plan.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Mr. Rogers survey, I know for a fact that the IF was the person the info went to and the IF could change etc the info. SO what if anything did the IF change???? An independent course needs to ask those questions not the IF at the school.
ReplyDeletepretty sure that survey was a select your answer kind of survey and not a response survey. Anyone who has done a survey in schoolwires and reviewed the results would know those answers can not be changed...
ReplyDeleteAlso, the guy up there is trying to put his family first and you try to call him an IF or an aspring IF...where have all the kind people gone in this world...
I am a teacher and I would much rather get my PD at school and learn from other teachers. Most of the time people presenting at workshops have great ideas but nothing I can come back and try without help. I forget half of it by the time I get back and it's terrible getting ready for a sub. Then when I get back I have to play catch up. Then I'm to busy to try what I learned anyways. Plus I think it's been mentioned a million times on here that teachers don't make crap, so I would rather not pay for my PD. On the other hand I have really enjoyed using HYIS in the classroom and feel that it has benefited my students.
ReplyDeleteThe people on here saying "Homework hasn't changed for years" and "I don't need to know anything about homework" are probably the reason we are having the training, maybe you need to consider changing your practices. Things change, get used to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat is amazing is how some schools have piles of homework and other kids in the same grade, same classes have none and are getting A's and B's. Incidently the many of the kids with all the homework are having trouble passing. Same state, same school system and two totally different approaches.
ReplyDeleteThis statement above is exactly why the PD is needed.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a PD?
ReplyDeleteProfessional Development
ReplyDeleteI'm a parent so I still don't understand. How does this affect my childs homework?
ReplyDeleteGee, thanks for answering my question. Apparently the teachers on here have as much concern for the parents as the Superintendant and the BOE has for them!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, the Professional Development does NOT affect your child's homework. I'm quite sure the IF's would say differently, but that is just not true. Different teachers use homework in different ways to accomplish different learning goals. Education can not and should not be "one size fits all" ...
ReplyDeleteIf I understood October 4, 2009 12:20 PM correctly, they are saying that the PD is needed to help deal with issues like that one. I will say that the homework is overload at some schools. When a child has been sitting in classes all day, they need to come home and do something else. My son switched schools this year, has no homework and is getting all A's & B's. He stayed on the AB honor roll before but had to really work at it due to all of the homework. Now he is doing really well AND enjoying his learning. If all the teachers at one school can do it, all of the schools can do it. One of his friends who is still at the other school (same grade level) came home with 75 math problems to work out which is insane.
ReplyDeleteAgain, a parent with a question and no response. I have read numerous posts on here about caring upset teachers who love their children and love their job. Where are they now? It just goes to show that the teachers on here are here for themselves not their students. I aplogize that my concerns related to students and not IF's, CO salary or Baldrige.
ReplyDeleteOctober 8, 2009 8:27 AM : Clean your glasses and look again .....
ReplyDeleteOctober 7, 2009 6:44 PM responded to the parent's question.
I am the parent that posted the question. Saying that different teachers have different ways is enough to explain the extreme difference in our childrens education is like saying some people handle things better than others to explain a murder commited in the heat of an argument. Thats okay, just go back to complaining about how everything is stacked against you and you are treated unfairly. I understand. The school system revolves around teachers, not the students. And I will clean my glasses to wipe off the BS you just slung at me. What really gets me is that having a child in the third grade means I have to deal with arrogant people like you for another nine years. That is okay what goes around comes around.
ReplyDeleteI loved going to MCC for credits and it was always something that pertained to the classroom and teaching. The technology was great. I loved being with other teachers and learned also from them.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Teacher Academy twice and it is the greatest experience. I received 3 credits each time, and best of all, you do not pay for it. It was a learning vacation.
You asked your question on a Monday and didn't get an answer until Wednesday. Gee, let's not consider that every school has meetings on Tuesday, some that last 2 hours in some schools, and they have to prepare for the week. I was personally at school until 5 each day and have a family to cook for and come home to, as well as things to prepare for my lessons each night, a PDSA to fill out and graph on Mondays, my own parents to speak to in my classroom, etc. This blog isn't getting nearly the attention it did in the summer from teachers - we're busy doing things for YOUR children!
ReplyDeleteThe response was correct - teachers use homework in different ways to accomplish different goals. Sometimes children have more homework than others in the same class. The reason - they choose not to complete it during the class time that is given to complete an assignment.
Hmmmm, sounds like we have an IF who is also a parent......
ReplyDeleteOctober 8, 2009 7:17 PM;
ReplyDeleteNo one slung any Baldrige (BS) at you....
10:15 OH MY...anytime someone says something you guys don't agree with they are an IF. I'm so sick of you posting this. You are adding nothing to the conversation other than making yourself look stupid with 3rd grade insults. Oh, you don't agee "must be an IF".
ReplyDeleteTo quote the illustrious Aunt Esther:
ReplyDelete"The truth will set you free!"
Let's see, we begin school at 7:35 and end at 2:15. Our IF meets with 3 grade levels on Monday for 45 minutes each and 3 on Tues. What does she do on Wed.? Oops, that's right she attends the AP mtgs. She's gone to ADR all day on Thurs for the IF mtg and spends all day Friday planning for the next week. No wonder they are fighting for their jobs and why do you all think if 35 IFs went back to the classroom that 35 teachers would not have a job next year? If anything instead of 29 students perhaps I would have only 25 if the IF was assigned to my grade level.
ReplyDeleteOctober 14, 2009 5:58 PM ,
ReplyDeleteyou have 'busted' the IF's! They really should be called "HBCT's" (that would be 'Hate Being Classroom Teachers' because that is the real truth.) Or maybe, "CHBCT's", (Can't Handle Being Classroom Teachers). One thing they definitely are not is Instructional Facilitators......They are more like II's ---Instructional Inhibitors.
The sooner the BoE, new superintendent, or whomever can/will get rid of this superfluous position, the better it will be for I-SS students. For the good of the students (and shouldn't that be everyone's top priority?) class sizes must be reduced---this is especially critical in schools that have large percentages of 'At Risk' students. The longer I-SS waits to correct its mistakes, the greater the negative impact on student learning.
Again, have to ask this. How do you know that they hated being in the classroom or that they can't handle being classroom teachers? You are just spouting off garbage with nothing to back it up.
ReplyDeleteIf they WANTED to be classroom teachers...they would be.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it doesn't matter, because very soon they won't have a choice...the easy street gig is just about up.
According to Brady Johnson the IFs are here to stay so forget about having less students in your classroom.
ReplyDeleteBTW he also says they are very valuable because they help the classroom teachers by providing resources and works with small groups. YEAH RIGHT!!! Who is telling him all these lies. Brady needs to talk to classroom teachers.