Now that the U.S. has elected its first (and I hope last) reality television President, perhaps the publishing world is now ready for my novel. Is that how it works?
My book is about a teacher whose school is the subject of a new reality show. It doesn't go well and the damage caused is long-lasting. That probably isn't really shocking to people. Just the same, there are dozens of similar shows on television and each of them have some sort of following. Many of those watchers even believe that the shows are real, unscripted.
With Donald Trump in office, has the time come for my book to be relevant? Characters in the book behave cruelly to each other, just like the President has done. The school has to deal with the policies that have been pursued by the current Secretary of Education, when she was a private, wealthy donor, though she isn't mentioned. On a weekly basis, people tune in to follow the drama, as if real people aren't on the screen. People retweet the President's rants and insults, like it's a game.
There is only one way to find out, start sending it out to agents and publishers.
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Monday, July 3, 2017
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
In a Failing School
Education reformers and policy makers have labeled my school a failing school. In order to save ourselves, we have implemented a number of changes.
We hired a turnaround company that has worked heavily with our curriculum, especially in math, science, and social studies. They have forced the teachers to make in those content areas that have been quite drastic.
They call these changes Mastery Teaching. This style requires that students take frequent five-question quizzes (checkpoints). Students can take each quiz up to three times. To earn an A, students only have to earn four out of five. The scam is that students have learned that they can skip the final question, which is the most difficult, and still get an A.
I can no longer ignore it. The grades are grossly inflated. Students are not learning appropriate study skills. But, more will graduate, making us look better.
Welcome to education reform.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
School Isn't Out - Yet!
The final highlight of 2013 is the fact that my school has not yet been shut down by the anti-public education privatization pirates.
This is a minor miracle, though it may have to do with a lack of process as opposed to a lack of desire on the pirates behalf.
The Koch/DeVos backed right-wingers/tea baggers had hoped to push through a last minute bill that would have expanded the powers and scope of a state-wide "turn around" district, or the EAA. Please do not be fooled by the pretty charts. How can any statistician claim those numbers are valid when the "district" has lost 24 percent of its student population since last year?
A bill passed the state Senate but could not muster enough votes in the House. The bill would have given the EAA authority to take over an unlimited amount of "low performing" schools (like mine), denied workers the right to collective bargaining, stripped teachers of the ability to pay into the state pension fund, and never let a school leave the EAA's control. Sound great, doesn't it?
Would it surprise you to find out that, when pressed for information, the EAA was a little reticent to comply? Nah, because this venture has nothing to do with helping schools.
My school has terrible test scores. I won't even go into the myriad of reasons for our scores. Some tea bagging troll will come in here and call me a union thug who should be fired. Of course, my 20 years of experience means nothing and I won't get into an intellectual, factual, and philosophical battle with an unarmed opponent. We are, however, still an official public school . We are not out of the woods yet.
The state superintendent Mike Flanagan promised to move more schools under the EAA's authority. Those schools will be announced in January and I suppose we could be one of them. For now, we wait. Also, the EAA bill will come back for a vote. The wealthy and the powerful will not be satiated until it has been fed with more profits from the public trust.
This is a minor miracle, though it may have to do with a lack of process as opposed to a lack of desire on the pirates behalf.
The Koch/DeVos backed right-wingers/tea baggers had hoped to push through a last minute bill that would have expanded the powers and scope of a state-wide "turn around" district, or the EAA. Please do not be fooled by the pretty charts. How can any statistician claim those numbers are valid when the "district" has lost 24 percent of its student population since last year?
A bill passed the state Senate but could not muster enough votes in the House. The bill would have given the EAA authority to take over an unlimited amount of "low performing" schools (like mine), denied workers the right to collective bargaining, stripped teachers of the ability to pay into the state pension fund, and never let a school leave the EAA's control. Sound great, doesn't it?
Would it surprise you to find out that, when pressed for information, the EAA was a little reticent to comply? Nah, because this venture has nothing to do with helping schools.
My school has terrible test scores. I won't even go into the myriad of reasons for our scores. Some tea bagging troll will come in here and call me a union thug who should be fired. Of course, my 20 years of experience means nothing and I won't get into an intellectual, factual, and philosophical battle with an unarmed opponent. We are, however, still an official public school . We are not out of the woods yet.
The state superintendent Mike Flanagan promised to move more schools under the EAA's authority. Those schools will be announced in January and I suppose we could be one of them. For now, we wait. Also, the EAA bill will come back for a vote. The wealthy and the powerful will not be satiated until it has been fed with more profits from the public trust.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
A crazy law for no reason
Somehow, this slipped under my radar when it first passed the Michigan legislative body. Under our teachers' contract, a teacher may opt out of the district health insurance plan and receive a stipend. This move saves the district probably $8,000 per person who opts out. Under the new law, the stipend must be divided up among all members of the union and paid by them.
This is not educational reform. This strips away local control and will ultimately cost districts more money. So, why does it exist?
Union busting in the form of divide and conquer.
I cannot, in good conscience, encourage anyone to go into teaching. Find something where at least politicians will basically leave you alone.
This is not educational reform. This strips away local control and will ultimately cost districts more money. So, why does it exist?
Union busting in the form of divide and conquer.
I cannot, in good conscience, encourage anyone to go into teaching. Find something where at least politicians will basically leave you alone.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Opt out!
This post is for parents of high school juniors in the state of Michigan. Of course, others are more than welcome to stick around for my plea.
On March 5, 6, and 7, high school juniors in Michigan will endure state mandated testing. Day one will be the ACT, day two will be the Work Keys (by the ACT people), and day three will be the Michigan MME. These tests determine a school's grade and rank in the state. Eventually, they will also determine if individual teachers keep their jobs. If you read my blog regularly, you know that I will likely lose my job because of these tests. You also know that I work in an impoverished area with an extraordinarily. high number of non-English speaking students.
The state spends a ton of money on these tests. If my laptop were not in the shop, I would provide links galore to show you. I'm on my phone, so this will have to do. I am asking parents of high school juniors to keep your kid home on those days. Tell the school that you do not want your child participating in the state testing. Do it especially if your child attends a primarily white district. Then tell your representation in Lansing what you've done and that you're disgusted by the waste of taxpayers money.
This is the only way to stop the madness. If teachers in primarily minority schools refuse to test, we will be viciously attacked. Called parasites and lazy. Someone will demand that we all lose our jobs. But, if you,the parents, refuse to play the game, the game will have to change.
What's the worse that can happen? The district tells your child he/she can't walk the stage on graduation day? That's not exactly like voluntarily walking over a bridge in Selma, knowing full well you were going to take a beating to the head.
I already know what my fate has in store for me. I know that my school will be taken over and that I will be fired for organizing the staff when the for-profit company tries to prevent a union. That is my Selma Bridge. I want to urge you just to keep your kids home, and take a very small stand. You won't lose your job for it.
Keep your high school juniors home on March 5, 6, and 7. It's a small act that could ripple into real change.
On March 5, 6, and 7, high school juniors in Michigan will endure state mandated testing. Day one will be the ACT, day two will be the Work Keys (by the ACT people), and day three will be the Michigan MME. These tests determine a school's grade and rank in the state. Eventually, they will also determine if individual teachers keep their jobs. If you read my blog regularly, you know that I will likely lose my job because of these tests. You also know that I work in an impoverished area with an extraordinarily. high number of non-English speaking students.
The state spends a ton of money on these tests. If my laptop were not in the shop, I would provide links galore to show you. I'm on my phone, so this will have to do. I am asking parents of high school juniors to keep your kid home on those days. Tell the school that you do not want your child participating in the state testing. Do it especially if your child attends a primarily white district. Then tell your representation in Lansing what you've done and that you're disgusted by the waste of taxpayers money.
This is the only way to stop the madness. If teachers in primarily minority schools refuse to test, we will be viciously attacked. Called parasites and lazy. Someone will demand that we all lose our jobs. But, if you,the parents, refuse to play the game, the game will have to change.
What's the worse that can happen? The district tells your child he/she can't walk the stage on graduation day? That's not exactly like voluntarily walking over a bridge in Selma, knowing full well you were going to take a beating to the head.
I already know what my fate has in store for me. I know that my school will be taken over and that I will be fired for organizing the staff when the for-profit company tries to prevent a union. That is my Selma Bridge. I want to urge you just to keep your kids home, and take a very small stand. You won't lose your job for it.
Keep your high school juniors home on March 5, 6, and 7. It's a small act that could ripple into real change.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
We'll fight them in the Senate!
Today, workers in the state of Michigan suffered a considerable set back when the state house vote to pass "Right to Work" legislation. If you remember my entreaty to vote yes on Proposal 2, there are many problems with "right to work" states. Well, here we are Michigan.
The Senate will take up the bill next week. According to the AFT, there are a number of state senators who are on the fence about this legislation. We must put the pressure on now to help them decide which side of the fence to choose. Call the following senators and please call them often.
District 15 - Mike Kowall 517-373-1758
District 16 - Bruce Caswell 517-373-5932
District 17 - Randy Richardville 517-373-3543
District 20 - Tonya Schuitmaker 517-373-0793
District 22 - Joe Hune 517-373-2420
District 24 - Rick Jones 517-373-3447
District 26 - Phil Pavlov (don't get me started on this guy) 517-373-7708
District 29 - Dave Hildenbrand 517-373-1801
District 31- Mike Green 517-373-1777
District 32 - Roger Kahn 517-373-1760
District 33 - Geoff Hansen 517-373-1635
It doesn't matter where you live, just call these senators to let them know that "right to work" for less legislation is bad for Michigan.
Here is the phone list for all senators. Heck call as many as you can and keep them on their toes. If you want to know about your specific senator, take a peek at this map to find your senator.
While you're at it, look at what's coming down the road for public education in Michigan - a parent trigger bill.
I wonder, once public education is fully in the hand of private, for-profit companies, how long will it be before parents are nickled and dimed on everything except tuition. Uniforms, you know because we fear children expressing themselves through fashion choices. Books. Extra-curricular activities. Locker rentals. I mean, the Steinbeck says, the monster "breathe (sic) profits"
The Senate will take up the bill next week. According to the AFT, there are a number of state senators who are on the fence about this legislation. We must put the pressure on now to help them decide which side of the fence to choose. Call the following senators and please call them often.
District 15 - Mike Kowall 517-373-1758
District 16 - Bruce Caswell 517-373-5932
District 17 - Randy Richardville 517-373-3543
District 20 - Tonya Schuitmaker 517-373-0793
District 22 - Joe Hune 517-373-2420
District 24 - Rick Jones 517-373-3447
District 26 - Phil Pavlov (don't get me started on this guy) 517-373-7708
District 29 - Dave Hildenbrand 517-373-1801
District 31- Mike Green 517-373-1777
District 32 - Roger Kahn 517-373-1760
District 33 - Geoff Hansen 517-373-1635
It doesn't matter where you live, just call these senators to let them know that "right to work" for less legislation is bad for Michigan.
Here is the phone list for all senators. Heck call as many as you can and keep them on their toes. If you want to know about your specific senator, take a peek at this map to find your senator.
While you're at it, look at what's coming down the road for public education in Michigan - a parent trigger bill.
I wonder, once public education is fully in the hand of private, for-profit companies, how long will it be before parents are nickled and dimed on everything except tuition. Uniforms, you know because we fear children expressing themselves through fashion choices. Books. Extra-curricular activities. Locker rentals. I mean, the Steinbeck says, the monster "breathe (sic) profits"
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Numbers rule my life
I teach English, so the title of this post might confuse a few people. Words should rule my life - beautiful words that stir the soul. Sadly, that is less true than I wish. As a teacher in the state of Michigan, I am the sole cause of the decline of civilization. If a high school student fails, blame falls on me alone. The student is not responsible, nor are the parents - just me.
The state has mandated a new teacher evaluation process. This new process must include data from tests given to the students. Our building has chosen to given the same test, twice in one semester. How the students score on this test will then be factored into my evaluation. This year, the percentage that is tied to my performance is 2.5 percent. In about three years, that will jump to a whopping 40 percent. The test the tenth grade English students took included a short story by Ernest Hemingway and 25 multiple choice questions. It was hard. How did they do? Look for yourself.
It looks like a mixed bag of numbers. The are a number of students who added or dropped by one or two. A handful of kids made big jumps and two had disappointing tumbles.
You know what's actually missing here? The kids themselves.
Do I get bonus points for the increase in score by the student who lost both parents this year? Or the student who was kicked out of her house earlier this year? Can I take credit for the increase in score by the student who just told me that the gas and electricity has been cut off, thus suggesting that it has been a rough year at home? How about that kid that lost 11 points? That student is patently dishonest and has been caught plagiarizing - do I really have to take the blame for that score?
It's funny. Every time a college-educated adult has given me a hard time about my summer's off, I counter by asking why he/she didn't become a teacher if the job is so easy. Their universal reply: I don't want to deal with those kids. Same with my own student. If I venture to ask if anyone would want to be a teacher, they exclaim in unison, "These kids are too rotten! I'd kill someone!" But on these kids, and how they might do on a test on any given hormonally-challenged day, my career hinges.
The state has mandated a new teacher evaluation process. This new process must include data from tests given to the students. Our building has chosen to given the same test, twice in one semester. How the students score on this test will then be factored into my evaluation. This year, the percentage that is tied to my performance is 2.5 percent. In about three years, that will jump to a whopping 40 percent. The test the tenth grade English students took included a short story by Ernest Hemingway and 25 multiple choice questions. It was hard. How did they do? Look for yourself.
Coral – English 10 Pre/Post Test Scores Total
Points Possible - 25
February 2012 and May 2012
1st hour
|
Name
|
Pre-test # Correct
|
Post-test # Correct
|
Change +/-
|
|
1
|
9
|
12
|
+3
|
|
2
|
7
|
10
|
+3
|
|
3
|
7
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
4
|
9
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
5
|
10
|
9
|
-1
|
|
6
|
8
|
6
|
-2
|
|
7
|
9
|
12
|
+3
|
|
8
|
13
|
11
|
-2
|
|
9
|
19
|
17
|
-2
|
|
10
|
13
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
11
|
20
|
21
|
+1
|
|
12
|
6
|
8
|
+2
|
|
13
|
16
|
16
|
No Change
|
|
14
|
8
|
17
|
+9
|
|
15
|
11
|
10
|
-1
|
|
16
|
9
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
17
|
16
|
16
|
No Change
|
|
18
|
15
|
10
|
-5
|
|
19
|
13
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
20
|
10
|
18
|
+8
|
|
21
|
15
|
13
|
-2
|
|
22
|
9
|
9
|
No Change
|
|
23
|
5
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
24
|
13
|
12
|
-1
|
|
25
|
2
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
26
|
11
|
12
|
+1
|
|
27
|
6
|
10
|
+4
|
5th hour
|
Name
|
Pre-test # Correct
|
Post-test # Correct
|
Change +/-
|
|
28
|
17
|
17
|
No Change
|
|
29
|
17
|
18
|
+1
|
|
30
|
17
|
18
|
+1
|
|
31
|
19
|
17
|
-2
|
|
32
|
14
|
14
|
No Change
|
|
33
|
10
|
19
|
+9
|
|
34
|
8
|
15
|
+7
|
|
35
|
12
|
16
|
+4
|
|
36
|
13
|
13
|
No change
|
|
37
|
16
|
15
|
-1
|
|
38
|
13
|
9
|
-4
|
|
39
|
15
|
14
|
-1
|
|
40
|
18
|
16
|
-2
|
|
41
|
11
|
17
|
+6
|
|
42
|
18
|
19
|
+1
|
|
43
|
11
|
14
|
+3
|
|
44
|
11
|
10
|
-1
|
|
45
|
13
|
15
|
+2
|
|
46
|
18
|
15
|
-3
|
|
47
|
12
|
13
|
+1
|
|
48
|
14
|
12
|
-2
|
|
49
|
13
|
13
|
No Change
|
|
50
|
11
|
18
|
+7
|
|
51
|
16
|
5
|
-11
|
|
52
|
Did not take
|
14
|
NA
|
|
53
|
Did not take
|
10
|
NA
|
|
54
|
19
|
16
|
-3
|
|
55
|
3
|
6
|
+3
|
|
56
|
16
|
14
|
-2
|
|
57
|
14
|
13
|
-1
|
|
58
|
17
|
19
|
+2
|
|
60
|
16
|
11
|
-5
|
|
61
|
12
|
11
|
-1
|
|
62
|
8
|
15
|
+7
|
7th hour
|
Name
|
Pre-test # Correct
|
Post-test # Correct
|
Change +/-
|
|
63
|
6
|
15
|
+9
|
|
64
|
19
|
16
|
-3
|
|
65
|
9
|
16
|
+7
|
|
66
|
16
|
17
|
+1
|
|
67
|
7
|
6
|
-1
|
|
68
|
Did not take
|
18
|
NA
|
|
69
|
5
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
70
|
18
|
18
|
No change
|
|
71
|
15
|
15
|
No change
|
|
72
|
13
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
73
|
Did not take
|
17
|
NA
|
|
74
|
10
|
Did not take
|
NA
|
|
75
|
2
|
Did not take
(class change)
|
NA
|
|
76
|
20
|
14
|
-6
|
|
77
|
Did not take
|
15
|
NA
|
|
78
|
Did not take
|
5
|
NA
|
|
79
|
Did not take
|
7
|
NA
|
|
80
|
10
|
14
|
+4
|
|
81
|
20
|
20
|
No Change
|
|
82
|
16
|
15
|
-1
|
It looks like a mixed bag of numbers. The are a number of students who added or dropped by one or two. A handful of kids made big jumps and two had disappointing tumbles.
You know what's actually missing here? The kids themselves.
Do I get bonus points for the increase in score by the student who lost both parents this year? Or the student who was kicked out of her house earlier this year? Can I take credit for the increase in score by the student who just told me that the gas and electricity has been cut off, thus suggesting that it has been a rough year at home? How about that kid that lost 11 points? That student is patently dishonest and has been caught plagiarizing - do I really have to take the blame for that score?
It's funny. Every time a college-educated adult has given me a hard time about my summer's off, I counter by asking why he/she didn't become a teacher if the job is so easy. Their universal reply: I don't want to deal with those kids. Same with my own student. If I venture to ask if anyone would want to be a teacher, they exclaim in unison, "These kids are too rotten! I'd kill someone!" But on these kids, and how they might do on a test on any given hormonally-challenged day, my career hinges.
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