As we previously posted on the more testing portion of the board meeting, we needed to do some more data gathering to make sure we were on the right track and understand more about why you need to test students every three weeks. We requested that since it must have been thought out and planned, there is a plan in place that board members can see and also the main people who will be working it, us the teachers and admin of FWISD.
We do have conflicting information which means that it does not seem organized or at least a buy in from even the people in central office who are tasked with implementing it at the campus level.
Well the whole idea came from Sorum in his infinite wisdom and guess why?
"monitor the teachers closer instead of students"
So many questions popped up. You mean to tell me:
*Sorum is now in charge of school leadership and teacher evaluation?
*Sorum and/or school leadership have no idea of the quality of teachers we have?
*Sorum and/or school leadership need another evaluation instrument to monitor teachers?
*So this means that teacher effectiveness will be measured by two weeks of instruction and a test?
They have also decided to keep the 9 weeks CBA.. tell me how all this data, of two three weeks tests and 9 weeks CBA will be used to improve. Sounds more to us like an idea to justify your job.
So as we have requested, where is the plan? How will it look like and when will it take effect and training? Teachers return next week and when are we supposed to know specifics. We were at the principal meeting and the specialists nor anyone around could answer our questions about how it will impact Dual Language students since they do it in both languages.
Does the plan include the participants, did you include bilingual/ESL/SPED, etc?
We went around asking principals and most agreed no game plan was given, just more questions with no answers as usual. Then some network specialists said they haven't seen much of it and others say they have heard or at least seen something. So when you get one or the other it doesn't bode well.
But the best part of this is that Sorum wanted this 3 week testing but not curriculum. We think rightly so because they will have to come up with the exams which I am sure are not done yet and will be put together sloppily. So here we have the CAO giving the orders with no clear direction because obviously his people did not want it.
Board members ask them for the plan, what research is behind this plan, where hast it been successful in a district such as ours... We need you to help us... we have enough on our plate.
P.S.
Also please ask school leadership to stop the threats about losing our jobs if we don't improve things when they are the ones that tell us what to do most of the time and yet they are not held accountable either. Just look at our evaluation, we get a set criteria on how our school improves or not and that's how we get evaluated. So where is leadership's evaluation and are they held to the same standard of achievement as we are? I bet you they don't have anything like us because they still have their job after 24 schools are not performing even at the minimum level but you will all be ready to ax us if we don't. With that Sorum and Company don't feel like they have any stake because their job is secure, you as a board continue to allow it. We have become the punching bag!
