Comments on: New Ohio Plan Aims to Retest Teachers in Failing Schools

By: mcp_43

mcp_43 — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:50:44 +0000

It is not “trendier,” it is easier. Since there usually more teachers than administrators, the teachers make a bigger target. It is harder to attack administrative procedures that adversely affect education. Political correctness avoids the mention of anything outside of school that could affect the results inside of school.

By: Shameful and Degrading Evaluations of Teachers by Politicians

Shameful and Degrading Evaluations of Teachers by Politicians — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:41:25 +0000

[...] Ohio governor wants teachers in the bottom 10% of schools to re-take the state licensing exam. According to the Governor, this will hold these teachers more accountable by giving schools the ability to fire teachers [...]

By: Maxwell Powers

Maxwell Powers — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:22:34 +0000

Testing teachers in poor performing schools is a complete waste of time and especially money. Most of Ohio’s poorest performing schools are already taking steps to remove under-performing teachers through provisions pushed through in order to qualify for Race to the Top. The whole concept is idiotic. Look at it a different way: what if we required ALL of Ohio’s teachers to be retested and then ASSIGNED the HIGHEST SCORING TEACHERS to the lowest performing schools? Would that change things? Seriously! And for the pittance most teachers make? I can’t believe anyone would ever consider teaching right now!

By: MattW

MattW — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:52:27 +0000

Marshell really did get me. I mean he really demoralized me with his cuting comments and insight. It’s amazing how clever he really is. I’m glad Joe brought him on to the board to support his case.

And Marshall, I’ll still put my teaching record against your yammering any day of the week. Aside from attacking my spelling and insulting me, you’ve done nothing to further any point that you have made. You sir are a walking strawman.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:40:04 +0000

Marshall, so are you suggesting by solving those variables for each and everyone an individualized plan for each student? If so, what are the resources required? Can a school with one teacher per department teaching 6 different courses possibly plan 120 seperate lessons, grade the assignements, provide feedback, develop 120 seperate assessments, and spend any time at all with a family? Don’t read this with any contempt or hate, just questions, because I don’t honestly believe it is possible to do that and allow a teacher to have any life with a family (or otherwise actually). So, the alternative would be to hire more teachers i.e. spend a lot more money. Something we are not willing to do. It just seems to me that so much research shows that early childhood education if vital. Where do they get or not get this? At home. I think it is very evident we as a society are flat out unwilling to pay anymore for education, so the only place to turn it to the home. But, if rejected there what other doors do you suggest we open? Boarding schools seem to work better for kids in bad situations. Why? Because the school then has total control. Do we usurp parental powers? It goes on and on. If I teach a class that prepares Drs and lawyers and engineers did I not cover the materials? What if I differentiate my instruction give choices as to assignments, use multiple assessment methods and students still fail? Am I the problem?

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:31:01 +0000

“Based on your spelling, grammar, attitude and self-esteem, I can see why you would shy from taking a teach to prove your competence.” Too funny to leave off here. Throwing stones, ha ha. Please don’t check my grammar and spelling on a blog I realize it most assuredly represents my soul. (read with sarcasm)

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:26:51 +0000

As long as schools can sue for bad parenting, I’m in.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:25:34 +0000

Finland is also a homogenous culture, with active parents that value education. That is a BIG problem in the US, and you can say it is nothing more than a variable, but all you have really done is diminish its actual importance. Nice work with language, but doesn’t fix anything. A student comes to school hungry, abused, hooked on drugs, not knowing if they will eat when they get home, if mom will be there, if dad will be there (if any of them are in the picture) if there will be a home, etc. etc etc. and they are worried about reading??? Its just a variable uh huh. Furthermore, is forcing a student to be college ready a good idea? Some don’t want to go to college, some wont’ need to go to college and lets say for a minute they all do go to college. Now what? Who pays for that? Where do the extra profs come from? I think there may be some larger issues here. And in our hayday (sorry probably spelled wrong dont want spelling cops after me), didn’t we actually recognize the fact (even though all kids can learn) not all kids can go to college and it was okay? Everyone can learn, but how much?

By: Marshall

Marshall — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:59:34 +0000

Linda – I had a feeling we might disagree on this one but isn’t that how we solve differences.

The person I talked about was not from Finland. He was 100% American with several degrees from universities in this country. In addition, she spent 30 years studying the issue of literacy.

The explanation does account for the high rates of illiteracy in China and Japan. Can you imagine any harder languages to learn than those?

I agree with your third point. The social safety net, homogeneous nature of the population and the income of parents certainly plays a role.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:48:26 +0000

Matt, Matt, Matt ….

proove is spelled prove
obbiously is spelled obviously
copncept is spelled concept
wioth is spelled with

I could go on but no need. And I accept your apology as you certainly misjudged me.

I don’t drink coffee nor hinnd (sic) behind a fancy suit. You are judging me based on my ability to write!?

Shame on you … do you judge children when they come to your classroom dirty and hungry?

You have also assumed I have a political agenda … not so. There should never be partisan politics when it comes to our kids and their future,

You stated, “I’ve been in front of classrooms since 15 years …’ which has me a bit baffled – from the age of 15 or for 15 years?

You see Matt, it does make a difference. Your students see the same lack of preciseness as everyone else does on this board and by inference and actions (I presume) you give your students permission to be lazy and opinionated without the facts.

Based on your spelling, grammar, attitude and self-esteem, I can see why you would shy from taking a teach to prove your competence.