Fixing broken or ineffective school systems

[Here4Good]

All of them got fired because they were all represented by the union that refused to negotiate on these points. The School Superintendent is not just making arbitrary decisions - she is following recommended courses of action from higher up.

And one of the 6 items they refused to budge on was more rigorous evaluations.

"A month ago, Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist mandated that the district adopt one of four models to fix the troubled school, which has some of the lowest graduation rates and test scores in the state.
Gallo?s first choice, the ?transformation? model, was consistent with her conditions on how to improve the high school. But if the teachers would not agree, the superintendent said she would select her second choice, the ?turnaround? model, which requires the removal of the entire staff of the school. The turnaround model allows the district to hire back no more than 50 percent of the old staff.
?I am saddened and shaken at the core by the enormous ramifications of my responsibilities,? Gallo said. ?The only solace I have is that I know I provided every opportunity possible, in fully public and transparent ways, the means to avoid this.?

You know, I went out and read more about this, and the most depressing aspect of all of this is the inability of anyone, apparently, to find any common ground anywhere, on any topic. I'm disappointed in the union, of course, but I'm disappointed in the administrators for having such a poor relationship with the union that the disagreement came to this.

I expect more of elected officials and professionals, and yet I am constantly disappointed.

Each of us has an instinct for selfishness - that voice that tells us that we're getting screwed, that Danny got more ice cream, that voice that says "Mine!", but our parents spend a lot of effort to train us out of that tendency between the ages of 2 and 4. Since there's no public shame in letting our inner 2-year old out anymore, everyone is only worried about their corner of the world.

 

[scooterbug44]

I totally agree - there is just no accountability, shame, or responsibility anymore.

And one of the most disappointing parts of this is that the focus in not on the students or HOW INCREDIBLY BAD THIS SCHOOL FUNDED BY TAX DOLLARS IS, but on which group is right.

I actually approve of this superintendent - she called the union's bluff when they refused to negotiate.

 

[30ashopper]

Teaching salary summary page for the state of Florida
Salary range: $32,879 - $59,138
Average teacher salary: $45,296
Average beginning teacher salary: $30,700
Median household income: $42,433
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Don't forget that teachers can get stuck with some unpaid overtime for extra-curricular activities.

What types of retirement benefits do they receive? I've never been able to find that information.

 

[beachFool]

Google Florida retirement system

 

[Mermaid]

The students who are caught in the middle are the biggest losers here. Shame on both parties for not hashing out an agreement to better serve them!

There are lots of school districts across the country similar to this one in Rhode Island and I don't see them resorting to mass firings as a solution to the problem. What's going to happen when new teachers are hired and they walk into the same union vs. administration mindset? Is this same scenario going to be repeated a few years down the road? Sheesh. Sometimes I think the more educated you are, the more stupid you are.

 

[Susan Horn]

Sounds a lot like what's going on in Washington DC with our venerable senators and US reps. Systemic failure to conduct the business of governance.