Open Thread
I have about 4 threads in the hopper but it's a beautiful day and I'm going out. If you have something on your mind, here's the time and place to say it.
Tuesday Open Thread
The speaker list is up for the Board meeting tomorrow; not as packed as I thought with just four people on the waitlist. The majority of the speakers are speaking on high school boundaries (with several wanting to talk about Ballard High). There are only three of us speaking about the Green Dot resolution asking the City to not grant the zoning departures that Green Dot has requested. It's me, long-time watchdog, Chris Jackins, and the head of the Washington State Charter Schools Association, Patrick D'Amelio. (I knew Mr. D'Amelio when he headed the Alliance for Education and Big Brothers and Big Sisters; he's a stand-up guy.)
Comments
The Central Office is building a system for teaching teachers instead of students.
This is, of course, consistent with the myth that "teacher quality" is the problem. Teacher quality is NOT the problem. The teachers, for the most part, are just fine. However they are overburdened and undersupported by the people who are supposed to be supporting them.
That is because she is not teaching a class ..... so it makes no difference to her.
That being said, the are only two literacy coaches for all middle schools. We have seen our 'coach' once. She arranges the TC visits but we don't get coaching. Where are the other 100+? In math? Are they part of the EDM fiasco?
Just out of curiousity, with regard to WW, how was writing being taught before? Was it being taught in any depth in grades other than 4, 7, and 10 by more than a few teachers here and there? Have scores improved or started to decline since the program began?
I know that principals have a lot going on, but this is their highest priority. Some of that other work could (and should) be delegated. I have long thought it would be a great idea if the principals' business, budget, HR, and administrative work were assigned to a sort of "School Business Officer". I would think that one School Business Officer could handle the work for three schools.
As for some teachers not accepting peer coaching very well, I guess they need some of those 21st century skills, eh?
EDM is IMHO better than what they had before, but our teachers still regularly talk about how hard it is to differentiate instruction. Especially with the mainstreaming of special ed kids, differentiation is critical.
Eric
I can't say as I've ever met the teacher who wanted a coach. Don't they all already have degrees? And continuing ed? If we have a hiring problem, it seems we should address that the hiring level. Or require specific continuing ed requirements.