The proposed $200 million bailout, partial that is, of the Chicago Teacher's Union Pension fund has already faced mounting criticism. State Senator Andy Manar has put forth a funding plan that would greatly augment the CPS teacher pension shortfall. Mayor Emanuel saying that the current plan, funded through Chicago property taxes, is largely at odds with how other teacher pension plans are funded is patently unfair, the Manar idea has stoked disapproval from different quarters.
Downstate legislators who need funds for small colleges and schools, where they live, are largely in opposition to the plan as is Governor Rauner. Even House Speaker Madigan doesn't seem to be lining up behind the Manar idea. Then there are lots of different people, inside state government and on the outside, who aren't supportive mostly due to the fact that an overall state budget isn't in place.
Make no mistake about it, the state budget stalemate is tied to the whole issue of teacher pension funding and the overall funding of schools throughout the state. It's April and if things don't soon change then the start of education, overall, in August will be jeopardized.
Dick
Friday, April 8, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Opting out of PARCC Test
Spring is here, if not weather-wise, certainly its arrived as the Illinois test season is in full swing. And the desire of some parents to have the right to opt their children out of the PARCC state assessment test remains in the headlines. In fact, a small group of parents went to the north side office of State Senate President John Cullerton to protest over the issue.
What is at stake, according to the parents, is the fact that a bill passed (64-47 last May)in the State House last year is languishing on the desk of the Senate President. The bill would clarify the rights of parents to prevent their children from having to take state standardized tests. Right now, only the students can choose to undertake such a move. Parents feel they have the right to make this decision and they don't want to have the kids subjected to undergoing such a move during the school day.
However one feels about the issue of students, anywhere in Illinois, from opting out of state standardized testing, one thing ought to take place and that is that the State Senate should vote on the bill. Give it an 'up or down' vote.
Dick
What is at stake, according to the parents, is the fact that a bill passed (64-47 last May)in the State House last year is languishing on the desk of the Senate President. The bill would clarify the rights of parents to prevent their children from having to take state standardized tests. Right now, only the students can choose to undertake such a move. Parents feel they have the right to make this decision and they don't want to have the kids subjected to undergoing such a move during the school day.
However one feels about the issue of students, anywhere in Illinois, from opting out of state standardized testing, one thing ought to take place and that is that the State Senate should vote on the bill. Give it an 'up or down' vote.
Dick
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
More Ugliness
However you cut it, the Chicago Teachers Union rally last Friday has sparked a good deal of support in many quarters and a fair amount of negative press or attention. To some, blocking streets at the end of the rally went a bit too far. Another incident involved an individual, towards the end of the speeches, barking nasty comments towards the Chicago Police.
The Chicago Police? Whatever ones feeling about the police this rally was calling attention to school issues and concerns as well it should.
The Fraternal Order of Police, Dean Angelo, is none too happy about the incident and it has made its way to the press and social media. The CTU may certainly have not known such provocative comments would be made about the police but, nonetheless, the incendiary language 'happened on their watch.'
At a time when so much is at stake regarding education in Chicago, having an incident like this simply adds to the perceived (or real) woes which encumber CPS.
Dick
The Chicago Police? Whatever ones feeling about the police this rally was calling attention to school issues and concerns as well it should.
The Fraternal Order of Police, Dean Angelo, is none too happy about the incident and it has made its way to the press and social media. The CTU may certainly have not known such provocative comments would be made about the police but, nonetheless, the incendiary language 'happened on their watch.'
At a time when so much is at stake regarding education in Chicago, having an incident like this simply adds to the perceived (or real) woes which encumber CPS.
Dick
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Part II - Finding Teachers
The other day I mentioned that in order to obtain top flight teachers in the future some significant efforts by many will have to be undertaken right now. We can't wait and just hope that some magical manner will suddenly come about and that numerous students will enter the field of education.
I've advocated that the NEA and AFT have to be proactive in making the case for young people to enter the profession of teaching. As part of the way of growing the pool of candidates to major in education in college I'm also encouraging high schools to have an intern program where the students spend a semester or entire year working in a elementary or middle school setting. It's being done in some schools but there is plenty more that needs to take place with regard to this option.
Other means of encouraging young people to join the path of becoming a teacher are out there. To those who graduate from high school and show a propensity for becoming a teacher universities should offer various incentives. These might include partial or full scholarships, grant-in-aids, subsidized housing and more. In short, colleges who have strong departments of education need to be as creative in 'recruiting' as are sports programs at those universities.
I'm dead serious about this notion. Unless schools of education take recruiting seriously then the prospects of a dwindling number of people entering the profession of teaching will continue.
Dick
I've advocated that the NEA and AFT have to be proactive in making the case for young people to enter the profession of teaching. As part of the way of growing the pool of candidates to major in education in college I'm also encouraging high schools to have an intern program where the students spend a semester or entire year working in a elementary or middle school setting. It's being done in some schools but there is plenty more that needs to take place with regard to this option.
Other means of encouraging young people to join the path of becoming a teacher are out there. To those who graduate from high school and show a propensity for becoming a teacher universities should offer various incentives. These might include partial or full scholarships, grant-in-aids, subsidized housing and more. In short, colleges who have strong departments of education need to be as creative in 'recruiting' as are sports programs at those universities.
I'm dead serious about this notion. Unless schools of education take recruiting seriously then the prospects of a dwindling number of people entering the profession of teaching will continue.
Dick
Monday, April 4, 2016
What to Do About the Teacher Shortage
Some ten days ago I put together a story outlining the dire need for teachers going forward. The shortage is already affecting many states and, in turn, in some cases, it means more students per class, fewer course offerings and even dropping various courses/programs of study.
There are plenty of ways the trend can be turned around and I'll discuss these over the next few days. But, to put it quite bluntly, a concerted effort must be undertaken to stem the tide. Nothing less than an educated society is at risk.
Allow me to offer a couple of ideas. First of all, for the those high schools with the funds and foresight, a course called 'Invitation to Teach' needs to be offered. I know of one high school in the Chicago area that has such a program and it really has promoted good students to pursue a degree in education. The great news is this...there are a number of students from this program who are now out in the teaching field and making a difference.
The NEA and IFT, along with other professional organizations, need to help schools foster the types of programs I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Such organization need to take an active role in making the case for students to entire the field of education. This has to be a sustained and significant effort.
In the coming days I'll offer other means of trying to induce excellent students to enter the field of education. Much is at stake!
There are plenty of ways the trend can be turned around and I'll discuss these over the next few days. But, to put it quite bluntly, a concerted effort must be undertaken to stem the tide. Nothing less than an educated society is at risk.
Allow me to offer a couple of ideas. First of all, for the those high schools with the funds and foresight, a course called 'Invitation to Teach' needs to be offered. I know of one high school in the Chicago area that has such a program and it really has promoted good students to pursue a degree in education. The great news is this...there are a number of students from this program who are now out in the teaching field and making a difference.
The NEA and IFT, along with other professional organizations, need to help schools foster the types of programs I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Such organization need to take an active role in making the case for students to entire the field of education. This has to be a sustained and significant effort.
In the coming days I'll offer other means of trying to induce excellent students to enter the field of education. Much is at stake!
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Battle Lines
Yes, this morning's Chicago Sun Times got it right...sadly. With yesterday's Chicago Teacher's Union 1 day work stoppage/strike/job action (call it what you wish) the stage has been set for a greater erosion of trust and the ability of both sides to find a way forward on any number of issues..
There are so many problems and issues involved in the ongoing tussle, it's difficult to untangle them. As time has gone on, the chasm has only widened. The Board of Education is now calling for sanctions against the union as they contend that the action yesterday was illegal. The CTU wants to call attention to the fact that schools aren't properly resourced. Both sides have other arguments about the many financial woes besetting the school system.
With both sides set to return to the bargaining table on Monday to work on a new contract, yesterday's teacher strike is not likely to be a harbinger of a smooth session.
By the way, calling Governor Rauner a "terrorist" is disgraceful and serves no positive purpose. I am in support of teachers everywhere but unless all parties are respectful of each other then more harm will come about.
As I have said before, the teachers could well use the upcoming furlough days, set by the Board of Education, to make a stronger point with the city's residents, students, their families and the public at large.
Dick
There are so many problems and issues involved in the ongoing tussle, it's difficult to untangle them. As time has gone on, the chasm has only widened. The Board of Education is now calling for sanctions against the union as they contend that the action yesterday was illegal. The CTU wants to call attention to the fact that schools aren't properly resourced. Both sides have other arguments about the many financial woes besetting the school system.
With both sides set to return to the bargaining table on Monday to work on a new contract, yesterday's teacher strike is not likely to be a harbinger of a smooth session.
By the way, calling Governor Rauner a "terrorist" is disgraceful and serves no positive purpose. I am in support of teachers everywhere but unless all parties are respectful of each other then more harm will come about.
As I have said before, the teachers could well use the upcoming furlough days, set by the Board of Education, to make a stronger point with the city's residents, students, their families and the public at large.
Dick
Friday, April 1, 2016
Education NOT Schooling
As I continue to work with various schools, observe the real disparities which exist in so many realms and follow events as they unfold regarding education in America, it is clear that the robust push for nearly everyone to attend college is misguided to a very large degree. My point is that the push 'to get ahead' in life seems to be largely focused on going to school rather than getting young people to understand that no matter who they are or what path they choose to follow they have to educate themselves.
No, this is not a quarrel over semantics. This has everything to do with promoting education. If someone wants to be a carpenter, mechanic, farmers, electrician, baker or any number of other occupations, it might well be that a trade school or some other form of education will fill the bill. A college degree might very well not be suitable.
I simply think the push for college for far too many people who do not want to go down that road is at an ill-fated one for far too many young people. In my view, the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of attending college at the expense of other options. I believe that the pendulum has been stuck in this position for far too long and it harms many...sadly.
Dick
No, this is not a quarrel over semantics. This has everything to do with promoting education. If someone wants to be a carpenter, mechanic, farmers, electrician, baker or any number of other occupations, it might well be that a trade school or some other form of education will fill the bill. A college degree might very well not be suitable.
I simply think the push for college for far too many people who do not want to go down that road is at an ill-fated one for far too many young people. In my view, the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of attending college at the expense of other options. I believe that the pendulum has been stuck in this position for far too long and it harms many...sadly.
Dick
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