Teacher Evaluations

“Observe This”: A NYC Teacher Has Doubts About the New Teacher Evaluation System Negotiated by UFT.
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“Observe This”: A NYC Teacher Has Doubts About the New Teacher Evaluation System Negotiated by UFT.

Vivett Dukes4 Comments

Summer 2019 was one for the history books. Now, it’s back to school and, in preparation for our students’ return, New York City public school teachers sat through a series of professional developments early this week intended to prepare us with information — some necessary, some not — for the pending school year. Any teacher… Continue reading “Observe This”: A NYC Teacher Has Doubts About the New Teacher Evaluation System Negotiated by UFT.

“I Chose To Stop Doing Stupid and Start Doing Smart”: A Veteran Teacher Reflects on Lessons Learned.
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“I Chose To Stop Doing Stupid and Start Doing Smart”: A Veteran Teacher Reflects on Lessons Learned.

Glenn MasonLeave a comment

A bit of what follows will seem defiant to some readers. To other readers, my point of view will be like preaching to the choir. Be that as it may, I’m simply writing about my approach to teaching. As my career progressed, I decided that I was going to stop doing stupid and hopefully do… Continue reading “I Chose To Stop Doing Stupid and Start Doing Smart”: A Veteran Teacher Reflects on Lessons Learned.

Paging Ernestine: Long Island Opt-Outers Don’t Care About Standardized Tests Because They Don’t Have To.
Accountability

Paging Ernestine: Long Island Opt-Outers Don’t Care About Standardized Tests Because They Don’t Have To.

Laura WatersLeave a comment

Are you old enough to remember Lily Tomlin’s character Ernestine the telephone operator in the old show “Laugh-In”? This was the era when AT&T was a monopoly — no Sprint or Verizon on the horizon — and Ernestine’s tagline when she answered a call was “We don’t care. We don’t have to.” I thought of… Continue reading Paging Ernestine: Long Island Opt-Outers Don’t Care About Standardized Tests Because They Don’t Have To.

The New York City DOE Chooses Cash Over Kids
Accountability · Blog

The New York City DOE Chooses Cash Over Kids

Laura WatersLeave a comment

Those of us in the education arena argue all the time but here’s something we all agree with: the most important factor in raising student achievement is great teachers. The New York City Department of Education has chosen to ignore this factor by forcing principals from 39 schools to hire 41 teachers from what was… Continue reading The New York City DOE Chooses Cash Over Kids

“The rollback of education reform in New York has been the most dramatic in the country.”
Accountability · Blog · Finding the Right School · School Choice

“The rollback of education reform in New York has been the most dramatic in the country.”

Laura WatersLeave a comment

That’s Mike Petrilli of the Fordham Foundation in an article published last night on PoliticoPro. In this deep dive into the regression of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s commitment to education reform, Eliza Shapiro surveys the last three years of education politics in the most segregated state school system in the country. Because this piece is only… Continue reading “The rollback of education reform in New York has been the most dramatic in the country.”

If All The Teachers of Honors Courses Are “Effective,” What’s Up With These A.P. Test Scores?
Accountability

If All The Teachers of Honors Courses Are “Effective,” What’s Up With These A.P. Test Scores?

Tina PosterliLeave a comment

Recently, the results of two new studies prompted me to delve deeper into the complex world of how effectively our teachers are being evaluated in New York. Collectively, the studies show that despite states’ efforts to make evaluations tougher, principals continue to rate nearly all teachers as “effective,” and when principals are asked their opinions… Continue reading If All The Teachers of Honors Courses Are “Effective,” What’s Up With These A.P. Test Scores?

Valentine’s Day: The Day After in the Classroom
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Valentine’s Day: The Day After in the Classroom

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

We celebrated a day dedicated to love in our country yesterday. Everyone was buying chocolates, candies, doughnuts, and cards in a desire to show those closest to them how much they love them. On my way to school I stopped by a local doughnut shop and bought some goodies for my students’ delight – but… Continue reading Valentine’s Day: The Day After in the Classroom

Beyond Staples: How Parents Benefit from School Accountability
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Beyond Staples: How Parents Benefit from School Accountability

Laura Waters1 Comment

If you’re a parent like me, at the start of each school year you eagerly learn all about the course content your child will study, the enrichment opportunities available, the field trips your child will take, and the school supplies your child will need as you brace yourself for that evening’s trip to Staples. If… Continue reading Beyond Staples: How Parents Benefit from School Accountability