I believe Rhee. I went to one of the sessions where George Parker declared that no agreement had been reached, but when presenting the plan, he highlighted a couple of issues as still being "under discussion." Well, if those issues are still under discussion, it must mean that the other issues - probably 95% of what was presented - have been finalized.

Let us vote!

Bill,

Could you please get the details correct for once? It is not factual to say that teachers would be required to spend a year on probation. Teachers can CHOOSE that plan, but they can also choose the red plan and keep their tenure, while still getting big raises (28% over 5 years).

To hell with the unions. They have done more to hurt students than any other entity.

So as a teacher I show up and get $100k. If noone will hire I stil get to collect a salary for a year? Hot dog! Do I need to pick that up in person or can my butler come by. Is this the same union that had all of the fraud? How much is the new "leader" getting and who is paying for those spiffy suits?

I would suggest to those DC teachers who can actually read ,as few of their students, that is a subtle Rhee way os saying that your job's are on the line and it is produce or get canned. As Rhee is the one who appoints principals my guess is those who are on the hit list already know it and are just for a better deal.

"To hell with the unions. They have done more to hurt students than any other entity."

After ten years of teaching for DCPS, I think one could reasonably substitute "parents", "the DC School Board", the "DC City Council" and just to be fair "Congress" for "unions" in the above statement.
Blaming "unions" for the state of public education in DC fails to take into account the wide range of responsible parties. Virtually all of which have failed the children of DC for decades.

Teachers in DCPS deserve to be treated like professionals. They have to bear all the blame for a school system that is broken and will remain that way under young Rhee. What does she know at her age on running a school system like that in DC. She too will be gone soon and leave another mess for someone older to clean up. In life you need experience to make these kind of decision. Take a look at the boy mayor that we have. He does not know what good government looks likes.

Parents more than teachers make the difference in test scores.

Most of the senior or smart teachers can read between the lines. This is not a good deal. The carrot is the money. Trust me your "seniority" and or your "tenure" status is far mor valuable, but I'm sure you know this. She is slick. Please read between the lines. The mayor's goal is to get rid of every teacher that he and Ms. Rhee did not hire. It's a game, pay very close attention to your opponent.

To hell with the unions. They have done more to hurt students than any other entity.

Posted by: Karl | July 25, 2008 11:58 AM
__________________________________________

I beg to differ. The parents sit on that throne.

Hopefully in the near future Karl of "to hell with the unions", will find a "teachable moment" and reflect on the big picture.
By the way Karl, if I may be so bold, how much time have you spent working or volunteering in your local school? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?
You can only be one or the other. Problem or solution. Which are you?

Keon,
You make no sense whatsoever.
The proposed contract has two tiers or pay scales. If I want the current system of tenure and seniority, I choose the Red schedule.
If I choose to have one year of being on the bubble (with ten years in, I get only one year) and stand to gain significant financial reward for my work, I can choose the Green schedule.
I'm on good terms with my Principal and entire administrative team, with Exceeds Expectations for every year I have taught in DC. Do my fears of being summarily fired are rather small.
So what's the downside for me, if the new contract is implimented?
Saying somebody is "slick" has no meaning. If you are going to try to smear someone, please be specific and tell us about personal experiences. No hear say, no third hand blah blah.
If you're going to try to fire up a fear campaign, please give us some facts to back it up.

In most jobs, if you do poorly, you get fired.

If you do poorly and are part of the teacher's union, you get a raise.

This, in a nutshell, is why the teacher's union is bad for kids.

Keon,

You are the type of teacher I am worried about. You OBVIOUSLY have not taken the time to research the proposals, so your description of them is wrong. Teachers like you will do your best to fight this plan, without ever bothering to educate yourselves on it. Don't you understand that there are tons of young teachers like me (five years experience) who have been looking to move on to another area of the country because we can't afford to buy property here? These salaries allow me to stay put, be a home owner, and continue serving the children of DC for my entire career. This salary plan is good for children.

Without this plan, we get NO significant raise.

I also think that most teachers are misinformed about the proposal being put forth by Rhee and the Union. If you read the lines and between the lines, you can clearly see that not only is this a good deal for those who want to stay put (Red Tier), it's also a great proposal for those who want to prosper and move forward (Green Tier). Please stop inciting fear in teachers and playing on their distrust of Rhee. Read the plan and make an informed decision on what YOU think, not hearsay.

In most jobs, if you do poorly, you get fired.

In most jobs you are not given undocumented mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, physically abused, drug impacted, developmentally delayed people to move intellectually from point A to point B WITH NO SUPPORT.
If I gave you a class with 30-50% of the kids needing outside support, and you failed to get them to pass a 3rd or 8th grade math test, and your employer fired you because of it, would you consider that fair?
Would you consider it a good way to cultivate skilled educators?
Yes, union contracts protect the jobs of people with teaching certificates that should probably be doing something else. Blaming the union for that is misguided.
These contracts are negotiated between the teacher's union and your elected government officials.
The reality is its very difficult to figure out how to be fair to all parties. College educated teaching professionals, needy students, parents, government officials, etc. The blame is shared. There's plenty to go around. This is a national problem. And has been for decades.

If you do poorly and are part of the teacher's union, you get a raise.
This, in a nutshell, is why the teacher's union is bad for kids.

Union contracts, student performance and teachers doing well are connected, but not in such a linear fashion. Reason being so many other factors impact each element. If you don't factor in parents, governmental leadership and responsibility, funding, etc you're just not looking at the big picture.
Looking at a tidy small picture will never lead you to a solution.
Congratulations to Fenty, Rhee and Reinoso (the often ignored third part of the troika) for shaking things up.
Fortunatley, they have some clue as to the complexity of the problem we face.

It is quite apparent that George Parker is in Rhee's back pocket. The proposed contract is designed to get rid of tenured positions so that the administration (Fenty included) can fire anyone it wishes "at will" (read: without cause). Remember the 98 IT employees who were unceremoniously fired and when they asked why they were being terminated, they were simply told, "the contract allows it."

There is NO WAY I will accept any contract that places me on probation. In addition, where is the written and endorsed agreement between the so-called private companies and DCPS that guarantees these companies will subsidize the raises? Please be smart, colleagues. In case you have not noticed, there is a movement in this country to privatize/contract out government (federal and local) positions so that those in charge can run an autocracy. The employees will have no rights. The administration would then be able to fire the higher paid employees and bring in non-protected workers at much lower salary levels. It is very difficult to regain rights once they have been conceded. Therefore, I implore DCPS teachers to exercise caution in voting on the proposed contract. If none of the options suits our needs, we should VOTE NO. Then the powers-that-be will be forced to go back to the bargaining table and proffer a contract that will be more palatable to the WTU membership. It's a no-brainer that we all want what's best for D.C. students. People like to hide behind that idea as if fighting for a fair contract is against said idea. Sorry, Rhee, Parker & Company, but we see through that ruse very clearly.

George Parker, your time is running out. The next move will be to oust you!!

Huh?
There's barely a sentence in your post that you back up with facts. Rants are cool. I have no problem with them. But you're saying stuff that you conveniently choose not to back up with facts.
Like "those in charge can run an autocracy. The employees will have no rights."
Where in the proposed contract did you read that?
I want to know.
What elements of the contract do you want changed so its better for students and teachers?
I find this sentence interesting.....
"Then the powers-that-be will be forced to go back to the bargaining table and proffer a contract that will be more palatable to the WTU membership."
How would you make the contract more palatable?
Your post just sounds like more unconvincing fear mongering.
I don't mean to denegrate your obvious concern for the teachers and students of DCPS, but the post you give us is sadly lacking in compelling information.
The concern on your part is obvious. And I'm very open to learning about your insights into the ongoing process.
But you'll need to be a lot more specific and provide facts before you have any weight with me.

I'm a DCPS veteran teacher who had suspicions about Rhee before I met her and heard her speak. She could have just offered a proposed contract with one tier, everyone is green. But this red tier protects veteran teachers and those in schools which may close next year due to severely declining enrollment or other factors. I really hope this contract goes up for a vote. Despite the complainers and conspiracy theorists, I predict the contract will be ratified with over 50% of the members' voting for it.
As for teachers not doing their jobs, it has always been possible for principals to get rid of such individuals. Now there is more and more pressure by Rhee and her assistant superintendents to make sure principals do their jobs and follow through with the paperwork to terminate ineffective teachers.

...is a complete "you know what". Yes, really. She is currently under investigation for misuse of federal funds for the program she ran for former NBA star Kevin Johnson's Sacramento organization. They hired illegal immigrants in the program and even falsified documets to receive funding. It's a shame that she was portrayed on abc news as this hard working single mother since she was the one who ruined her marriage and would even miss her kids birthdays to pursue her own power grabbing endeavors.

Just last month, Rhee eliminated many of the principals who she believed were ineffective. She made them at-will and limited them to a year to year contract. Principals now have to really step up and follow procedure to get rid of teachers not doing their jobs. Though there are hundreds of excellent teachers, as a DCPS teacher I have seen some who don't do their jobs. They assign workbook pages, put the tv on, sit on their computers (those who are computer literate) and don't teach. I'm not making this up. I honestly believe that teachers who are doing their jobs have nothing to fear. I'm a little insulted that I'll have to be made probationary again, but my principal has always given me excellent evaluations. I trust her to make sound educationally-based judgments. On the green tier, we have to have our principals' approval to be back to permanent status. Rhee is really transforming DCPS. Bring on the contract, let's vote on it.

TeacherTen,

I really couldn't care less if I have any "weight" with you. I've worked in this system long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. As there is already a procedure to terminate ineffective teachers, what, then, would be the point to revoke tenure and make everyone probationary again? I, too, have received "exceeds expectations" evaluations in the past, but I have also encountered several "vindictive" principals during my tenure. DC is a very political city, and Rhee is not above politics. Have you wondered why she has chosen to speak in so many public platforms (National Press Club, Time magazine, PBS, etc.), unlike any of her predecessors? She obviously has a personal, political agenda. She will likely do her "hatchet" job (like she did in NY) and leave DC to pursue her political aspirations. I don't trust her and I, again, urge teachers NOT to endorse a contract that would revert our permanent status to probationary. That's regression, not progression!!

Sasha, you mention teachers who may not be computer literate in DCPS. This is absolutely astounding, but it's true. I too teach for DCPS and recently took a grad course for certification in a nearby university. One of the assignments was to find a professional journal article on the computer and critique it. Also, the professor communicated to us via email. There was another DCPS teacher in the class who was near retirement age. She did not know how to check her email or use the computer to find a journal article. Her grandson had to go into their computer to get her email. Much to the professor's creidt, she taught the lady how to find an article. This is the reality in DCPS. I don't know how this lady is in the classroom, but it's 2008 and she just learned how to use a search engine. She teaches upper grades. How does she tell students to look up things? In the encyclopedia?

Michelle Rhee is a union buster. She is not an educator. By her own admission, she could not handle the second graders she had for a year during her short tenure (3 years) as a Baltimore teacher. She claimed to have raised her student's scores from the 13th to the 90th percentile in one year, but when asked to provide proof, she was unable to do so. She is a fraud, a charlatan who is all bark. She was recommended to Fenty by the NY school system, who did their own dismantling of the union. Fenty is an egomaniac who wants to sit atop his throne while everyone kisses his boots. He repeatedly disrespects the weak-kneed DC city council by pushing initiatives that they were not consulted on. After some minor mumbling, they ultimately green-light his proposals.

Well, as a member of the WTU, I submit we are not a weak-kneed bunch. Admittedly, there are some poor teachers in the classrooms. I've personally seen them. One principal confided to me that there's "too much paperwork" involved in getting rid of teachers. So the solution is to go the other extreme by revoking tenure and seniority? We won't go for that. If the termination process is too complex, by all means tweak it. Our children deserve the best. But I do not believe we will be blinded by the promise of a few extra dollars (which may or may not materialize over the long term) in exchange for less protection. We are a politically savvy bunch and see through your empty rhetoric, Ms. Rhee!! Try it in another city.

*students'*

Am I the only one that sees a pattern of name calling and personal attacks by those posting that are opposed to the new contract?
They consistently choose NOT to post provisions of the contract. They consistenly choose not to back up their accusations. Give us the background references or material, please.
It sounds as if they are afraid for their jobs, and perhaps should be. Maybe DCPS is not the best fit for some of you.
If you are afraid, just choose the Red Schedule, and all your protections remain the same. If you think you can survive one year of probation, and want a very significant raise, choose the Green Schedule.
What matters is the ink on the contract, not anyone's opinion of the players. I don't trust any of the principals to do anything except promote and protect their self interest. They are ALL politicians. It's not rocket science to figure that out.
But so what!! That's what you get in a Mayor and school superintendant (regardless of the title change, that is what Rhee is).
If you want somebody not to trust, take a look at Reinoso. Egad, he makes my skin crawl.
But all that is irrelevent.
Its only about how does the ink on the paper improve education for our students.
We have a chance to be the first school system in the country to actually try the often mentioned theory that one way to cotribute to student performance is to pay teachers something like what the job is worth.
Is it sustainable? Probably not. I just don't believe Congress is going to pay teachers in DC over $100,000/yr. Sorry to tell you, but that just ain't gunna happen.
It will play out like every other ground breaking initiative.
And while that's going on, some dead wood is going to get disposed of.
I say lets fight about the contract once its available for review. Until then, all the nay sayers just look like a bunch of fearful name callers.

DC Teacher,

If you do not want to give up permanent status for just one year, DON'T. Go with the red tier plan. But don't deny me,a younger teacher, the opportunity to make a salary that allows me to buy a home and start a family in this city, while serving the childen of DC.

The red tier involves NO change to tenure. If it is so valuable to you, go with that plan. You still get a 28% raise over five years, which is more than the 0-2% we will probably get if we vote down this proposal.

Do us all a favor and READ the proposal. Your facts are wrong.

What's this about Rhee being a union buster? What are we, the Teamsters? If we are not blue collar, but professionals, how much do we actually need a union? Anyway, if Rhee is not a teacher or an educator, she is a manager. None of the posters or critics of the proposed contract talk about how DCPS is a total disaster (yes, with some bright lights shining, nevertheless). Despite of overall incredible gains this past school year most of which caused by Rhee tightening things up, test scores are in the toilet. There are discipline problems in elementary school, God knows how bad middle school and senior high are. Teachers are constantly bellyaching about their jobs. What about the fact that DCPS needs to be radically reformed for the children's benefit? It's not always about us (teachers). Michelle Rhee, of whom I am becoming a fan, often says that she's doing what needs to be done for CHILDREN, not for adults. This contract is excellent. Bring it to a vote.

I love teaching and I love it even more now with the extra $$$$... now I have a chance to prove myself...I'mma showoff! I already am buying school supplies and thinking about how to start the year off with a BANG! Mrs. Rhee is awesome, no matter all of what I have read... I just hope that this can continue through the years when I become a veteran teacher... please EVERYONE don't think about yourselves... think of u al as a whole... if my kids and families don't have it...I can help them get something to keep things in order to achieve academic success!!!!

Then to get a bonus for that too!!! WHOO HOO!!!! 8-)

I've taught in DCPS for a while now and have seen such amazing change within its culture. I have not heard anything yet, but I hope things are going forward with the contract. My fear is that Parker will back down under pressure from long-time teachers who fear they are losing seniority and that this new contract will put the union out of business in the future. There is a great deal of support for the contract, but listening to some of my colleagues at McKinley last week, there are a lot quite opposed. If you support the new contract, let the union know. Because the other side has been letting him know fulltime.

Yes, those of you who support this plan (especially teachers!), please e-mail George Parker at gparker@wtulocal6.org. He MUST get support from us to continue in this direction, or he will cave to the fears (paranoia?)of the veteran teachers.

The only reason why test scores showed a "bump" this year is due to the efforts of Rhee's predecessor, Dr. Clifford Janey. Had it not been for this erudite scholar's development of new standards and assessment, I strongly believe the abysmal results of the past would have continued. Sorry, Rhee fans, she cannot take credit for this. This coming year will be her true test.

Check out the lastest postings on the dcwatch blog. Two of them, one by its co-founder and another by a DCPS social worker blast the contract and urge teachers to vote against it. The social worker is one of the chief opponents of Rhee and her reform agenda. She, along with the WTU vice president and his wife, called for a boycott of the meetings at McKinley. Teachers did not heed the call and had the opportunity for Rhee to calm our fears and even change minds. I honestly went into the meeting against the contract and left in favor of it. And yes, Janey deserves great credit for his service and reforms initiated for DCPS children.

Standards and Assessments do NOT teach children. Dr. Janey deserved very, very little credit for the academic gains of students. The teachers and principals deserve the credit. And to the extent that principals worried about their jobs if scores did not go up, Rhee deserves that credit.

I'm working summer school and was listening to some young teachers talking about the contract, the very ones whose salary could shoot under it. One is them is engaged, the other recently married with a baby. Both are quite suspicious of Rhee's plan and of her underlying intent. They will probably vote against it if/when it comes to a vote. I was very disappointed to hear them. My summer school was one of the schools that made a lot of progress on the DC CAS this past school year and for the first time, made AYP. Teachers in this school teach, don't give busy work and are quite competent. I'm not feeling optimistic right now and have emailed WTU in support of the contract. Does anyone know when we'll hear more?

I agree that standards and assessments do not teach children. However, prior to Dr. Janey's input, there was no cohesiveness or structure systemwide with regard to standards. We can pay every teacher six figures, but I do not believe it will have a significant, long-term impact. Until there are social reforms to address the high rates of poverty, unemployment, and mental health issues that plague many of our children's dysfunctional households, I am disheartened by the improbability of sustained academic progress/gains.

The WTU should have been dissolved upon the conviction of Bullock! Yeagh!