More on Cooperation and Competition in Education

Cooperation vs Competition in Education

Competition

I’m not talking about athletic, or even academic, competition in public schools.  They can be uplifting and enhance school spirit when done in a positive way.  What I am concerned with is the proposed method of evaluating teachers using their students’ scores on standardized tests.  If I am being judged against other teachers on test scores, then I will do all in my power to come out on top.  If that means keeping my successful teaching techniques to myself, then so be it.  Why would I share good teaching tips with other teachers who may end up pushing me out of my job?  I do not want to help my ‘competition’ become better than me and earn more bonus money than I could.  Nor do I want others to finish higher than me on the passing test percentage list.  If schools do plan to get rid of low performing teachers, then I want to finish as high as possible on that list to keep my job.

I can also use other techniques to bolster my rating.  For instance, I could work through the school counselors to get low performing students transferred out of my classes.  I do not want any hard-to-train students when I could pass them off to other teachers.  I used to work for the good of the students but now, with my performance measured by these tests, I have to look out for my rankings and me.

I will also petition to teach upper level courses, especially AP, pre-AP, and gifted and talented courses.  Those kids are the cream of the crop and do extremely well on standardized tests.  I will push for any advantage I can get to keep my job and keep those bonuses coming.  Why not use the system to my advantage?

I am certified in math and physics and have been happy to teach both in the same school year.  I have actually done that and enjoyed it tremendously.  It makes for an exhausting year but well worth it.  But under this new system, I would decline to teach both at the same time.  Preparing for one subject is difficult enough but preparing for two is even tougher.  Maybe the school could use my expertise in the two subjects and spread the work out among teachers in a more efficient manner but that is not my problem.  I want to maximize my benefits and I am not concerned about whatever problems the school may have.  The schedule and work load are their problems, not mine.  I am here to use the system to maximize my salary, not for any other purpose like making administrators jobs any easier.

Cooperation

Now that I’ve showed you a cynical view of teaching with scores used to evaluate teachers, let me show you a better way to facilitate the learning process.  Cooperation is the key.  Departments and teams that work together for the overall good of the students is the way to go.  Sharing and letting others in on your techniques helps all in the quest for superior performance.  Assisting in the process rather than trying to come out at the top of the heap is the preferred method to use in education.  Counselors can steer students with special needs to the teachers who can best assist that student in the learning process.  I had counselors tell me they were giving me tough to handle students because they thought I could get through to them.  I enjoyed the challenge and did ‘get through’ to some of these kids.  But it took extra time and effort.  However, under this new system, I would refuse to take on those students.

Lesson Learned

There is so much more than test scores in education.  When those reformers and political leaders realize this, then maybe, just maybe, teachers will be allowed to do what we have done well for many years, and that is teach children, not just the subject listed on our resume, but about life and how to be good human beings in a big, bad world.

Using a Business Model in Education

Using a Business Model in Education

We hear that we should be using a business model to run our schools.  And which model would that be?  The one used by the robber barons in the late 1800’s where workers were just tools to be used when healthy and whole then discarded when injured or worn out?  Or a more current and compassionate model that takes into account all the various stakeholders in the education system and works for the good of all the different components of the system?  I would choose the second one.  But it seems that some would rather go back to the slash and burn tactics of corporate raiders from the 1980’s.

Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary and an economist, points out the difference between shareholder capitalism and stakeholder capitalism.  The former concentrates on the concerns of the shareholders of a company which is mainly focused on profits, while the latter looks at the big picture and works to benefit all the various stakeholders in a company - employees, customers, suppliers, citizens, as well as the shareholders.  Which would you consider more sustainable?  I believe the stakeholder model is superior in many ways.  Let’s look at how that compares to our education system.

Some experts would emphasize standardized test scores as the best, and only, method to judge schools and teachers.  That is comparable to the robber baron model or, if you want a more current example, our corporate raider period.  When students are successful in testing, their teachers get awards and, more importantly, bonuses.  If their students do not pass the test, then off with the teachers heads, or at least they should be shown the door for their next career move.

But if we take the education system as just that, a system, there are other goals which are as important, if not more so, than those pesky test scores.  Some of them are just not very measurable, like good citizenship, or leadership, or compassion.  These traits are only apparent over a person’s lifetime, not on a test score.  Certainly, schools can be made better and serve all stakeholders more efficiently and effectively.  But let’s get away from this major emphasis on standardized testing.  Let us discuss and even argue, if necessary, the outputs that we need and want from our education system.  But let us also take into account all the various stakeholders in the process – researchers, teachers, administrators, parents, societal leaders, and most importantly, the students themselves, along with the many outcomes that are needed to ensure continued excellence in our country.

Competition vs Cooperation in Education

Competition vs Cooperation in Education

When I taught math at Pasadena High School in the late 90’s, we had a situation where if the we as a school met certain goals, then the teachers would receive a bonus.  We did meet those goals and all the teachers received a bonus of around $600 each.  It was a nice reward for doing our jobs well.  At the time we were under the TAKS testing system where only English and Math were tested.  The key was that all the faculty pitched in to help the school meet its objectives.  Each department was given areas that they were to review with the kids.  For instance, social study teachers put up English warm-up exercises for their students to work on.  The same was done with science except that they did math instead.  (An observation – not all science teachers were good at math.  I went to help them set up problems and show the solutions several times over the school year.)  Notice that we all pulled together for the good of the school and our students.  And we were very successful in that regard.

Now there are plans to rate teachers according to how well their students do on the standardized tests.  But how will that system promote cooperation among teachers?  I believe it will not.  If I am being judged against my teaching peers in my department, then I will keep my successful techniques to myself so that I do not help my “competition”, the other teachers, do better than me.  If there are quotas to get rid of a certain percent of teachers, I am not going to help those who might push me out.  I have heard that certain school districts in Texas, such as Houston ISD, do have goals to meet including getting rid of teachers who are rated lowest in their group.  Some assistant principals just fire these low performing teachers regardless of what has happened in the classroom.  Poor management that teachers end up paying for with their jobs.

We need to set up programs that promote cooperation between teachers.  It has happened before and with the right incentive system, it can happen again.  Cooperation is the way to go in our school systems.  Leave the competition to the athletic teams on the fields of play.

Problems with the Texas Technology Funding Program

Texas Technology Funding Program

Let me see if I have this right: Republicans go after Democrats for investing in private companies but when Republicans do the same thing it’s okay?  The Dallas Morning News, on July 25, 2014, ran a story questioning the effectiveness of the technology fund in Texas and the problems associated with it.  It seems that investing money in start-up operations is a risky business – who knew?  Who decided that was an appropriate use of the taxpayers’ money?  If the state’s elected politicians were experienced venture capitalists then this foray into investing might be fine.  But Texas has other, more appropriate uses for its funds, like the transportation system which has morphed into a toll-based system or education which has suffered in the budget battles of recent years.  Even the health care system in the state could be upgraded to include more of the state’s citizens and better care.

There is also the lack of oversight for the technology fund.  It appears that the upper level politicians are the ones who choose the companies that are to be invested in.  That can only lead to charges of waste, fraud, and abuse.  Who is to say the winning companies are the best ones available or just run by the friends and cronies of the state leaders?  Where is the accountability and transparency that should be there when dealing with public funds?

Maybe the state should be involved with funds like this one to help companies grow and prosper to bring more jobs and business to Texas.  But this system needs more oversight.  If the history of this program shows minimal success or loses  state money, then the program needs to be shut down and the funds moved to areas of greater need.

Fracking in Denton, Texas

To Frack or not to Frack, that is the question.  At least within Denton, Texas city limits.

Denton, Texas is dealing with the issue of oil and gas well fracking within city limits.  There was a citizen proposed ban on fracking which the city council considered during an open meeting.  They heard from the various parties about the proposed ban.  I attended this meeting and listened at the adjacent convention center due to the overflow crowd.  The result was that the council sent the proposed ban to the November elections to let the voters decide.  There was considerable debate in the format of three minute speeches by interested parties.  Here is my take on the talks and situation:

1. There are real issues concerning fracking procedures in the city limits.  Mothers reported health problems with their children during fracking operations near their homes.  After contacting the drilling companies, nothing was done to address their concerns.  Only now that action is being taken to stop the practice of fracking are the drillers now proposing to “work with the city council” to help with these health and safety concerns.

2. The industry pulled out the big guns to oppose this ban.  The council heard from geologists, state regulators, and politicians about the safety and need for fracking.  They know this is a test case in Texas.  If a town in the state bans fracking and it sticks, then other cities will follow suit and ban fracking in their jurisdiction.  That could lead to more restrictions on drilling and fracking.  They do not want these restrictions and will do whatever it takes to keep drilling.

3. One thing the drillers threatened everyone with was lawsuits to continue their fracking.  State law may supersede local ordinances in this case.  Some of the politicians spoke of the majority of rights and how drilling for oil may have precedence over other concerns.  The state of New York has shown that local governing bodies do have the right to control what goes on within their geographic area.  We will see if the same holds true in Texas if and when the ordinance is passes and is then challenged in the courts.  It may end up in the Supreme Court eventually.

My opinion: The oil industry has more than enough areas where they can drill or frack old wells.  The safety and quality of life issues are important for the citizens of Texas and the U.S.  Let’s ban fracking in the city limits and take back our cities from industry who only cares when we actually do something to protect our families and health.  Thanks for listening.

The Border Crisis

The Border Crisis

The situation at our southern borders is turning into a humanitarian crisis.  Children are streaming to our border seeking compassion after brutal treatment in their home country.  We should be assisting these kids as much as possible as we seek a more permanent solution to the problem.  What, exactly, is this problem?  The original countries that these children came from are in turmoil with little prospect of a peaceful future.  The risk of staying in their home countries is greater than traveling across unknown territory to the U.S.  The reasons are many and will need to be addressed in many areas over a period of time.

Here are some suggestions for improving the situation:

1.  Find places for these children to stay temporarily until long-term solutions can be worked out.  If the kids are to be shipped back to their country of origin quickly, then the laws of the U.S. will need to be modified since there are current provisions to provide legal safeguards protecting those who are fleeing certain situations.

2.  Eventually, we will need to deal with all who are here illegally.  Supposedly, we dealt with this in the 1980’s but things have fallen through and we now need to deal with it again.  Compassion and respect for the rule of law need to be balanced in the proposed solution.

            3.   Hopefully, the different factions of our split government can agree on some common ground in this mess.  Compromises need to be proposed and accepted by all parties involved.  There should be middle ground where acceptable solutions can be found.

              4.   Solutions should also include assistance to the countries of origin.  If the economic, safety, and cultural situations in the original countries are addressed and improved, there will be less incentive for people, adults and children alike, to brave the difficult journey in search of a better life.  This holds for the rest of the world as well.

       5.This problem did not surface overnight.  It was not caused by any one party, all concerned citizens and leaders have been involved with this for some time.  It will take effort and time to approach this multi-layered situation with compassion and problem-solving techniques for the highest quality solutions.  May the force be with us.

Age Discrimination of Teachers

Age Discrimination of Teachers

Tony Danza’s book, I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had, shows that there are discriminatory policies in the retirement policies of Philadelphia, and most likely Pennsylvania, schools.  When teachers stay beyond a fixed amount of time, then they are penalized on their pensions.  When teachers lose pension money like this, then that is a major flaw in the system.  Experienced teachers are the ones who make the education system work efficiently.  They help train new teachers and show students how to be successful.  Pushing them out in their prime years to let young, inexperienced, and lower-cost teachers take over is hurting students and putting undue stress on the system.  Conservatives blame unions for messing up the system while money seems to be more of a driving force.  Even in Texas where I live and work, there is a bias against older teachers mainly due to the extra amount of money they earn with their years of service.  Getting rid of your Rocks of Gibraltars, your experienced teachers, will only hurt the system and short change students who will miss out on the wealth of knowledge that has been built up through years of learning how to teach effectively.

California Teacher Unions and Recent Legal Ruling

California Teacher Unions and Recent Legal Ruling

A California court decided to change the way teachers are dismissed in three areas:

1.     Ending of the process of laying off teachers that relies only on seniority,

2.     Taking away extra job safeguards that are not available to other school and state employees, and

3.     Eliminating the tenure process as it now exists; this process starts at 18 months when teachers are either terminated or become tenured with strong job security.

The present system has been in place with the passage of state laws and the negotiation of union contracts.  For reasons that only this particular judge can explain, he has changed the process used in California schools.  It sounds like there has already been a procedure in place to eliminate of sub-standard teachers.  It may be a complicated and long process but that can be a good thing.  There are times when teachers need protection from over-zealous administrators who want to do away with teachers who do not agree with them in any number of areas.  If you have ever faced down administrators, as I have as a high school teacher, you know that it is good to have help in your corner.  Taking away rights is not the way to a better education system in this country.

Dallas ISD Home Rule Initiative - Some Thoughts

Texas – Dallas ISD Home Rule Initiative

Why is Dallas trying to go the charter school/district route?  The given reasons from the groups trying to do this are to get around some of the state regulations that supposedly inhibit learning and teaching in the district.  This option was included in state regulations to give districts the chance to go the charter school route.  There are a series of steps to follow to use this method and because of that this option has not been tried in Texas.  So Dallas leaders are trying a grand experiment.  But is it really an experiment or rather a way to take over the district for their own reasons?

The district has a large budget, approximately $ 1.5 billion.  They also have a large number of teachers and personnel, around 10,000 teachers and 10,000 support personnel.  What will happen to all these real people?  My guess is that there will be a reduction in personnel in the district with a proportionate decrease in expenses.  Plus, many experienced teachers will either leave or retire which is probably one of the goals of this experiment.  The local teacher unions, really associations since Texas is a right-to-work state with no contracts between districts and unions, have gone to court to slow this process down.

Who will control all these funds currently used for the district?  What expenses will be cut so other projects can be implemented?  Who will make decisions concerning the budget and personnel?  These are all questions that need to be addressed before this really big change is undertaken in Dallas.

Dallas ISD New Teacher Evaluation - Survey Part - A Thought

Submitted to Dallas Morning News for Letter to the Editor consideration:

"Let me see if I have this correct.  Teachers in Dallas ISD will now be graded by evaluations, test scores, and student surveys?  Surveys, really?  If you have had the opportunity to parent teenagers, how do you think you would be rated by your kids as a parent?  If you scored better than 50 %, then you are probably not doing your job correctly.  But we want to put the careers and pay grades of teachers in the hands of adolescents through these surveys?  Be afraid, high school teachers, be very afraid.  Maybe the surveys can be used collectively to measure how different methods work but to base important decisions concerning careers on these surveys is just wrong.  And speaking of surveys, how would the superintendent, Mr. Miles, an Army veteran, like to have his troops rate his leadership of their unit?  Officers, like teachers, must sometimes make tough decisions concerning their charges.  And not all of those decisions will be applauded by the governed."

I believe that Dallas ISD is trying to do some kind of clean-out of teachers in the district.  Not only are they doing this Home Rule push but they are disrupting the normal business of teaching in a very radical way.

UIL Eligibility in Texas - Where's the Justice?

UIL Eligibility in Texas – Where is the Justice?

Situation

Family in Denton moved from attendance zone of one high school to another in same district; main reason – older daughter was being bullied and nothing was being done about it in school #1; younger daughter was softball player and was denied the chance to play for school #2 - coach at school #1 did not ‘clear her release’; appeal to UIL State Executive Committee was denied.  (Denton Record-Chronicle, March 20, 2014)

Analysis

It appears that the coach, along with administrators, at school #1 are being vindictive and refusing to allow a good player to transfer to another district school to play softball even though the main reason for the family move was related to the older daughter.  The “system”, meaning the UIL and its ruling bodies along with the school district, permitted a major denial of justice in this case.  Why was the coach allowed to deny the student’s release?  Administrators have the duty to look after the welfare of all their students and not the won-loss record of their coaches.  The fact that the older daughter was bullied with no protection provided by the school is also a major indicator that problems exist at Denton High School.  Where are the district personnel in this whole mess?  Where is the superintendent and his staff?

My Experience

Let me say up front, I know nobody involved in this case, only what I read in the local paper.  But I have seen the system worked for the benefit of those in the system.

I was a teacher at a high school that was labeled, “Unacceptable”, in school rankings.  Under Texas law, students are allowed to move to other schools within the district.  All of a sudden, our best athletes were being recruited to change schools “for academic reasons."  I am sure that the coaches had the best interests of the players and their families at heart.  (wink,wink)  Well, at least their own won-loss records.  We take our sports seriously down here in Texas.  Win and coaches get promoted, better positions, and pay raises.  Lose and you are out, back to teaching remedial math.  School leaders feel that if students can benefit, then great.  But if they get hammered by the system, then that is just a casualty of the sports war.  That’s the way the real world works and students are learning that injustice is alive and well at all levels.

Recommendation

I have not heard an update to this story.  If the parents had the desire and resources, meaning money, they could pursue this in court.  They may see some justice for their daughters.  I believe they did the right thing by moving to protect their older daughter.  They did not intend to hurt their younger daughter and probably assumed that the system would protect her as well.  This is what happens when adults pursue their agendas to the exclusion of common sense and compassion for the students under their care.

Proper Use of U.S. Military Force

Background

On March 17, 2014, U.S. Navy SEALs' rescued a Libya oil tanker that had been hijacked by militia that was opposed to Libya’s government.  Their government had lost control of the major oil ports and breakaway militia was attempting to sell the ship’s oil on the black market to finance their war with the Libyan government.  Navy SEALs' were able to board, capture and disarm the three Libyans who had taken control of the ship and return the ship to Libyan government control.

Analysis

There are times when it is appropriate to use US military power to further our own agenda in the world.  These operations can be debated and usually are, either internally or in public.  For instance, our invasion of Iraq for supposedly having weapons of mass destruction is an example of this action.  If there is an honest and open discussion of options available to us, the U.S., when situations like this arise, then, hopefully, we can make informed decisions about the proper course of action to take.  In the case of the Iraq invasion, the primary reason turned out to be incorrect.  There were secondary reasons for that invasion, but with hindsight those may not be enough to have justified our actions in this case.

But there are other times when we can fill the role of “World’s Policeman” in an appropriate manner.  This case with the Libyan tanker is one of them.  It helps that the U.S. was invited into this situation by Libya and Cyprus.  Some countries are not always able to step up to conduct operations such as this one without assistance.  If an organization like the U.N. is unable or unwilling to help others, then this is a great example of when it is appropriate for the United States to step in and keep the Wild, Wild West of the World from becoming a bully paradise where stronger nations take advantage of weaker nations.

Next Step

Now for your input.  What is your take on this Libyan situation?  When do you think it is appropriate for the U.S. to use military force?  Should we act unilaterally or need an invitation first?  Thank you for your replies.

Yadda, the cat, A Eulogy

Eulogy for Yadda, our cat

He was a feral cat but a good companion over the years, through several moves into and out of houses and apartments, experiencing the ups and downs of life along with his human buddies, my wife and me.

When we first adopted him and his mate, Charlie, we thought Yadda was a female cat because he was so small.  We named ‘him’ Pinata but later shortened it to Yata, or for me, Yadda, because that’s how Texanese is spoken here in Texas.  He grew and grew and when I saw him trying to mate with Charlie, we checked and guess what, he was really a boy growing into cat manhood.  What a shock.  A trip to the vet was next up for him.

We have had many different cats through the years, introducing them to humans - us, sometimes neutering them, letting them grow up if they were kittens, and then finding homes that would love them as much as we did.  But occasionally we would keep them as family.  Yadda and Charlie fell in that category.  They were both very feral and did not ever totally accept the moniker of tamed house cat.  Which is something we can all learn from.  To stay somewhat independent of what is out there in the world and to be our own bosses.

He was a good companion through some tough times that we went through and always stayed with us.  Thanks, Yada, for the memories, we will cherish them and what you meant to us forever.  May you rest in peace, good buddy, and may the mouse-chasing in the afterlife be fun and fulfilling.  Go get ‘em, tiger.

The Beginning

I am starting this blog to comment on issues that I believe are important in areas of government, education, society, sports, and anything else that pops up that I feel will generate some discussion from the readers of this blog.

Thanks for joining in and I will read you as we go through this adventure.