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Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
UPDATE: "Luis Pyster" writes in with some citywide highs and lows in the comments section, and CPS weighs in with its even more detailed spreadsheet. Thanks to both.
There's lots of not-yet-verified chatter on the blog about teachers losing their jobs due to enrollment drops -- 17 at Clemente, 10 at Hyde Park, 5 at Manley. Others? That isn't good for teachers, or very smooth for kids who get shifted around after the year has started. And it sounds like it might be more than the usual problems with projections and estimates.
Meanwhile, again according to reader comments, CTU has canceled its monthly House of Delegates meeting scheduled for Wednesday, and the various splinter and opposition groups within CTU are picketing the non-meeting and then gathering together to talk and plan on their own. Well, not entirely together. The different groups -- CORE, PACT, and CSDU -- aren't getting along.
If I understand correctly, CORE and PACT are going to meet Wednesday at 4:30 at the United Electrical Workers hall, 37 South Ashland. The meeting will be preceded by a picketing of Plumbers' Hall, both to protest the meeting cancellation and to inform delegates who show up about our meeting down the street. CSDU is meeting at the same time, but at Parthenon.
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Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
according to CPS:
We open and close positions at this time every year, due to unexpected enrollment shifts. If more students than projected show up, we open positions. If fewer students than projected show up, we close positions.
Right now, it looks like the net will be up about 10 positions (about 140 closing, 150 opening...and HR works with the displaced teachers to help them catch on at the schools that are opening positions.)
The budget office works with the elementary/high school offices to determine where the openings and closings will be. Principals were notified last week about positions at their schools, and the budget book always lays out the formula/process for making these decisions.
We tell the schools how many positions they will be gaining or losing, and the principals make the call on hiring/displacing.
-- alexander
ps -- i'm working on getting a list of schools and numbers.
We open and close positions at this time every year, due to unexpected enrollment shifts. If more students than projected show up, we open positions. If fewer students than projected show up, we close positions.
Right now, it looks like the net will be up about 10 positions (about 140 closing, 150 opening...and HR works with the displaced teachers to help them catch on at the schools that are opening positions.)
The budget office works with the elementary/high school offices to determine where the openings and closings will be. Principals were notified last week about positions at their schools, and the budget book always lays out the formula/process for making these decisions.
We tell the schools how many positions they will be gaining or losing, and the principals make the call on hiring/displacing.
-- alexander
ps -- i'm working on getting a list of schools and numbers.
Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
OK, this explains it a little better. The positions were closed because of enrollment which happens all the time around this point in the year. Principals fight to keep the positions and some win/some lose. As Case Manager, I helped work up arguments to keep SPED teachers and Aides (we were supposed to lose two teachers and four aides), we kept all but 1 aide.
I will be anxious to hear what happens after the meetings today, I wish I could go but family obligations and transportation problems prevent it.
I will be anxious to hear what happens after the meetings today, I wish I could go but family obligations and transportation problems prevent it.
Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
to cps explanation...perhaps you can explain why cps started the policy of posting enrollment projections in late feb. along with projected teaching position cuts for the following year...i thought this practice was supposed to eliminate 20th day closings, considering how disruptive they are...so now schools can go through double trauma of projected teaching cuts and continued 20th day cuts
Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Behind you
We all got our union paper today. I wanted to see who we endorsed for state office.
All our endorsements except one were democrats. As a republican leaning super
Independent voter this came as no surprise, but is as insulting as ever .Barbara Flynn
Currie was endorsed check out her sponsorship of Public Act 095-0510 and get back to me about balanced endorsements. She is just one example of the chock hold the Democratic Party has on our union. Then check out the voting record of these so called friends. It is enough to make one weep.
We all got our union paper today. I wanted to see who we endorsed for state office.
All our endorsements except one were democrats. As a republican leaning super
Independent voter this came as no surprise, but is as insulting as ever .Barbara Flynn
Currie was endorsed check out her sponsorship of Public Act 095-0510 and get back to me about balanced endorsements. She is just one example of the chock hold the Democratic Party has on our union. Then check out the voting record of these so called friends. It is enough to make one weep.
Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Didn't the Board--in the midst of great PR hoopla--end 20th day closings several years ago?
Our enrollment here at Taft HS keeps edging up each year, so we haven't had positions closed.
Our problem is that the Board waits until late October or November to tell us that--yes, just as we suspected--we are due a few extra SPED positions.
November. The time of year when highly qualified SPED teachers are waiting by their phones just waiting to respond to our calls. Not!
On the other topic du jour--that of competing Alternate Union meetings, I am puzzled that people want to picket Plumbers Hall. It's not as if there will be any CTU officers/staff there.
Our enrollment here at Taft HS keeps edging up each year, so we haven't had positions closed.
Our problem is that the Board waits until late October or November to tell us that--yes, just as we suspected--we are due a few extra SPED positions.
November. The time of year when highly qualified SPED teachers are waiting by their phones just waiting to respond to our calls. Not!
On the other topic du jour--that of competing Alternate Union meetings, I am puzzled that people want to picket Plumbers Hall. It's not as if there will be any CTU officers/staff there.
Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
To: All CTU Delegates & Members
Concerning: Alternative October House Of Delegates Meeting
All CTU Delegates and members interested in hearing updates on their Constitutional loss of rights are invited.
Read more at: http://csdu.org/documents/DeniedSpecialMeeting092608.pdf
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!!!
Wednesday, Oct. 1st
Parthenon Restaurant
314 S. Halsted
4:30 PM
Free Valet Parking
AGENDA
CTU Constitution broaches
--Cancellation of House Meeting
--CTU endorsement of CTPF Trustee candidates
--Signed petition for a Special House Meeting ignored
Position Closings
Raffle drawing for free trip
New Business
For further information contact
ctucoalition@comcast.net
Concerning: Alternative October House Of Delegates Meeting
All CTU Delegates and members interested in hearing updates on their Constitutional loss of rights are invited.
Read more at: http://csdu.org/documents/DeniedSpecialMeeting092608.pdf
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!!!
Wednesday, Oct. 1st
Parthenon Restaurant
314 S. Halsted
4:30 PM
Free Valet Parking
AGENDA
CTU Constitution broaches
--Cancellation of House Meeting
--CTU endorsement of CTPF Trustee candidates
--Signed petition for a Special House Meeting ignored
Position Closings
Raffle drawing for free trip
New Business
For further information contact
ctucoalition@comcast.net
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Fortunately, we didn't lose any teachers, but we still had plenty of kids getting shifted around after the year started. It is so disruptive for students and teachers alike. Another major disruption has been all sorts of glitches with the new Gradebook program. Also quite painful for all concerned. I would be much more understanding if the folks at the help desk actually had some of the answers...
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 2:58 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Last year, I was an "excessed" teacher. In fact I didn't get paid for any of my time until weeks after I was gone from the school. With all the annual shuffling, I saw kids get their schedules changed 5 and 6 times within as many (or fewer) weeks. Most of the time, I put up with lots of CPS craziness by reminding myself that it is much worse for the kids and their families. However, it's harder to see things that clearly when you aren't getting paid, and the union advises you not to file a grievance. I'm at a different school this year. There has, of course, been a bunch of shuffling around here too, but so far it doesn't look like we've lost teachers. There are plenty of challenges, but I'm happy that the dreaded 20th day has come and gone. What an awful and disruptive annual ritual!!
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 4:21 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
The disruptions caused by the cuts and re-programmings have been going on every year since Arne Duncan took over. We call them "sabotage" because they disrupt the general high schools most completely, but are ignored the following Spring when Arne announces (again, to cheer from the editorial writers) that he has to privatize another group of general high schools to save the children. Arne is the one who just sabotaged the first five weeks of school for thousands of Chicago's most needy teenagers. But he's the one who gets the praises, while the teachers get dumped.
The dumpings are based on absurd staffing formulas (basically, principals are required to sustain class sizes of 26 or more, no matter what reality or decency would say), CTU complicity (the union instead of publicizing the atrocities and filing grievances school-by-school refers the situation to a do-nothing "committee" which provided another bureaucratic job for one of Marilyn Stewart's patronage platoon), and the media's ignorance and complicity.
Part of the result of that is that at this time every year, we hear less about the problems than we should, while teachers tell us later about how bad things were. Trouble is, by October 1, the massive damage has been done (again) and undocumented in the public eye. I've been covering this story for more than 20 years, and again this school year it's being done, while people are afraid to challenge it. People in this case includes all the principals; most teachers; almost all students (remember last year's protests at Schurz, Wells, and Julian?), and the parents and parent organizations.
Sadly, that's where things are as the school year moves into its second month with thousands of students getting their school year started.
By the way, Arne Duncan's claims (through surrogates like Ed Klunk, his "consultant" on axing teachers) that the budget can't tolerate all these "extra" teachers is simply a lie, as we've discussed here, and elsewhere. Arne's primary responsibility is to make sure that every student who gets to school on the first day has a teacher in every class from the first day. For all the hoopla about the importance of the first day this year (in response to Sen. Meeks), once again the "public" allowed Arne to get away with sabotaging thousands of children's education's this week.
And here's betting when Arne attacks the schools he just sabotaged in five months the same people who are silent today will be cheeleading him then.
The dumpings are based on absurd staffing formulas (basically, principals are required to sustain class sizes of 26 or more, no matter what reality or decency would say), CTU complicity (the union instead of publicizing the atrocities and filing grievances school-by-school refers the situation to a do-nothing "committee" which provided another bureaucratic job for one of Marilyn Stewart's patronage platoon), and the media's ignorance and complicity.
Part of the result of that is that at this time every year, we hear less about the problems than we should, while teachers tell us later about how bad things were. Trouble is, by October 1, the massive damage has been done (again) and undocumented in the public eye. I've been covering this story for more than 20 years, and again this school year it's being done, while people are afraid to challenge it. People in this case includes all the principals; most teachers; almost all students (remember last year's protests at Schurz, Wells, and Julian?), and the parents and parent organizations.
Sadly, that's where things are as the school year moves into its second month with thousands of students getting their school year started.
By the way, Arne Duncan's claims (through surrogates like Ed Klunk, his "consultant" on axing teachers) that the budget can't tolerate all these "extra" teachers is simply a lie, as we've discussed here, and elsewhere. Arne's primary responsibility is to make sure that every student who gets to school on the first day has a teacher in every class from the first day. For all the hoopla about the importance of the first day this year (in response to Sen. Meeks), once again the "public" allowed Arne to get away with sabotaging thousands of children's education's this week.
And here's betting when Arne attacks the schools he just sabotaged in five months the same people who are silent today will be cheeleading him then.
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 8:09 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Does anyone know the projected membership for Clemente for the 2008-2009 school year and the actual membership now? To lose 17 positions at this time of the year, has to be a nightmare for Clemente!
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
FYI: Following are openings and closings as of last Friday.
83 openings in 59 elementary schools.
76 openings in 23 high schools.
37.5 closings in 33 elementary schools.
95 closings in 26 high schools.
Top high schools closings are 14 at Tilden (plus 1 Tilden AA),
13 at Clemente (plus 4 Clemente AA), 9 at Hyde Park and Manley.
Top elementary school closing is 4.5 at Brunson.
Top high school openings are 9 at Curie, 7 at Julian and M. Clark, 6
at Farragut and Bogan and 5 at Schurz.
Top elementary school opening is 6 at Finkl.
The CTU should request the class size numbers from the BOE.
83 openings in 59 elementary schools.
76 openings in 23 high schools.
37.5 closings in 33 elementary schools.
95 closings in 26 high schools.
Top high schools closings are 14 at Tilden (plus 1 Tilden AA),
13 at Clemente (plus 4 Clemente AA), 9 at Hyde Park and Manley.
Top elementary school closing is 4.5 at Brunson.
Top high school openings are 9 at Curie, 7 at Julian and M. Clark, 6
at Farragut and Bogan and 5 at Schurz.
Top elementary school opening is 6 at Finkl.
The CTU should request the class size numbers from the BOE.
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Above numbers are little different than on the list e mailed to me recently.How many SpEd positions are open at this time according to your sources?How many SS and English?
Thanks
Thanks
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
for what it's worth, there is also now a CPS spreadsheet with positions listed, which may or may not go along with what luis helpfully posted.
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
The spreadsheet does not provide a break down by regular education and special education. I will be writing CPS today asking for that data, I have no way of knowing how long it will be before I get it or if I will have to FOIA that data. According to the CPS budget department at the start of school CPS had in FY07 there were 3,818.4 special education teaching positions in CPS schools including charter schools, in FY08 there were 3,796.8 such positions, and in FY09 there was projected to be 3,707.8 positions.
Alexander, if you could tell us who or what department at CPS provided you with the spreadsheet it would be helpful in case I need to FOIA this more detailed information. Also Alexander did the CPS provide you with enrollment figures on which the openings and closing were based?
Having just looked at the spreadsheet data my first concern is that there were many position closings at some high schools where the vast majority of juniors were not near being proficent readers based on PSAE scores for 2007. Some high schools like Manley which had 4 closed positions, Corliss which also had 4 closed positions, Harlan which also had 4 closed positions, and Hope which had 3 closed positions in 2007 had absolutely no students with disabilities reading at State standards.
Really the cuts at these schools where students are massively failing appear completely inconsistent with the CPS's stated goal of attempting to improve outcomes for these students. To put it simply these positions at these schools should be turned into remedial reading instruction positions, if the existing high school teachers to be RIFed can not implement remedial reading instruction then they probably should be replaced with teachers who can do so.
The truth of the matter is you can not improve academic performance with fewer teachers. I will also point out CPS did add teaching positions to some high schools that were also performing poorly. But none of this was based on need for additional staff to teach these students how to be functional readers, it was all based on staffing ratios that have nothing to do with performance and the needs of students.
Rod Estvan
Access Living
Alexander, if you could tell us who or what department at CPS provided you with the spreadsheet it would be helpful in case I need to FOIA this more detailed information. Also Alexander did the CPS provide you with enrollment figures on which the openings and closing were based?
Having just looked at the spreadsheet data my first concern is that there were many position closings at some high schools where the vast majority of juniors were not near being proficent readers based on PSAE scores for 2007. Some high schools like Manley which had 4 closed positions, Corliss which also had 4 closed positions, Harlan which also had 4 closed positions, and Hope which had 3 closed positions in 2007 had absolutely no students with disabilities reading at State standards.
Really the cuts at these schools where students are massively failing appear completely inconsistent with the CPS's stated goal of attempting to improve outcomes for these students. To put it simply these positions at these schools should be turned into remedial reading instruction positions, if the existing high school teachers to be RIFed can not implement remedial reading instruction then they probably should be replaced with teachers who can do so.
The truth of the matter is you can not improve academic performance with fewer teachers. I will also point out CPS did add teaching positions to some high schools that were also performing poorly. But none of this was based on need for additional staff to teach these students how to be functional readers, it was all based on staffing ratios that have nothing to do with performance and the needs of students.
Rod Estvan
Access Living
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
With all these cuts, I think it will be difficult for many schools to function. Looking at what is going on in the schools around me, it looks like we need more positions not less. There appears to be an increase in gang activities and frustration among both parents and staff that nothing can be done about it.
I don't remember any previous school year, where the stress seems so high in the schools and it is impacting communication between parents and teachers (I have been up four times this school year on issues affecting my granddaughter). I think we need to maybe start a blog where parents can ask teachers questions and get answers. This may help both sides.
I don't remember any previous school year, where the stress seems so high in the schools and it is impacting communication between parents and teachers (I have been up four times this school year on issues affecting my granddaughter). I think we need to maybe start a blog where parents can ask teachers questions and get answers. This may help both sides.
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Has anyone talked to anybody at Clemente, Tilden, Hyde Park, Manley or Brunson? This type of stress is not good!
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Does anyone know of any regular ed math high school positions? I'll even take middle school math positions.
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Today at Hyde Park, students arrived to the classes of the teachers that are no longer at HPA to find a note stating that they needed to go to the auditorium to receive a new program. Many of the students refused to go to the auditorium and walked the halls because they were angry. In my case, this puts my class size over 30. Add to this stress, the freshmen and sophomores took the EXPLORE and PLAN tests.
Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
We have teachers now after four weeks of class with freshman math 38 students, 41 students in a lab, and more. Looks like Physics class was completely canceled for all five sections.
Imagine fifth year in probation and instead of giving us more math teachers they take them away. I wonder how many students in a charter math class? I here in the fresh start program the teachers that cooperate get 15 or fewer students per class and the ones that are targeted have overload.
What is the biggest problem is that the kids just see how they are getting screwed over again by their school and not the forces behind the actions that keep them from having an equal opportunity for success.
We keep trying at Hyde Park but keep getting sand in our gears.
Very Frustrating
Imagine fifth year in probation and instead of giving us more math teachers they take them away. I wonder how many students in a charter math class? I here in the fresh start program the teachers that cooperate get 15 or fewer students per class and the ones that are targeted have overload.
What is the biggest problem is that the kids just see how they are getting screwed over again by their school and not the forces behind the actions that keep them from having an equal opportunity for success.
We keep trying at Hyde Park but keep getting sand in our gears.
Very Frustrating
Thu Oct 2, 2008 at 2:36 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
There is not much to add to everything that's been said except that Chicago has guaranteed disruption of the general high schools at a level that amounts to centralized sabotage. Many of those general high schools that have not faced position closings have classes with 35 and 40 students -- in classes that should have maxima (maximums?) of 25.
The same is true of the elementary schools that have been sabotaged. Where some classes are running to 40 children, and "art" and music may have as many as 60 - 70 children!
There is no budgetary reason for this sabotage, despite all of Arne's unctuousness. The money that Arne Duncan has spent in the past 18 month on pure patronage (political and corporate appointees with no educational experience into jobs that never existed before mayoral control) has been obscene. The top two (Hill Hammock and Bryan Samuels) combine to such up more than $400,000 per year (pay and benefits). That would have bought a lot of teachers, preventing many of the closings. The second tier list of patronage hirelings (especially in "New Schools", which is almost a joke as to qualifications of its inner circle -- the only qualification is a devotion to mindless innovation and massive privatization) would cover the rest of the cuts at Clemente, Hyde Park, Tilden and others.
So the next time someone hears that prattle about budget, Arne should be asked who decided that CPS needed more than a dozen "chiefs of staff" and more lawyers per capita (not just in the Law Department, by the way) than any other major school system in the USA.
After 13 years in power, Mayor Daley has created the most patronage ridden public school system in Chicago since the Great Depression. Possibly ever. But whereas in the old days, the patronage was at the "bottom" (custodians, etc.) in our New Age, it's mostly at the very top (jobs paying in excess of $90,000 per year to people who have never taught a year in their lives and who have absolutely no experience managing a school -- like Arne Duncan himself).
Where's the outrage? Or, even, the facts?
The same is true of the elementary schools that have been sabotaged. Where some classes are running to 40 children, and "art" and music may have as many as 60 - 70 children!
There is no budgetary reason for this sabotage, despite all of Arne's unctuousness. The money that Arne Duncan has spent in the past 18 month on pure patronage (political and corporate appointees with no educational experience into jobs that never existed before mayoral control) has been obscene. The top two (Hill Hammock and Bryan Samuels) combine to such up more than $400,000 per year (pay and benefits). That would have bought a lot of teachers, preventing many of the closings. The second tier list of patronage hirelings (especially in "New Schools", which is almost a joke as to qualifications of its inner circle -- the only qualification is a devotion to mindless innovation and massive privatization) would cover the rest of the cuts at Clemente, Hyde Park, Tilden and others.
So the next time someone hears that prattle about budget, Arne should be asked who decided that CPS needed more than a dozen "chiefs of staff" and more lawyers per capita (not just in the Law Department, by the way) than any other major school system in the USA.
After 13 years in power, Mayor Daley has created the most patronage ridden public school system in Chicago since the Great Depression. Possibly ever. But whereas in the old days, the patronage was at the "bottom" (custodians, etc.) in our New Age, it's mostly at the very top (jobs paying in excess of $90,000 per year to people who have never taught a year in their lives and who have absolutely no experience managing a school -- like Arne Duncan himself).
Where's the outrage? Or, even, the facts?
Thu Oct 2, 2008 at 7:18 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
I know the economy is making it hard on everyone but the cuts should come from the top down not the down up. No school system needs as many officials as Chicago has. We need more teachers who care, we need classrooms with reasonable class sizes, we need more materials for the students. The last thing we need is more leaders. The Union should be taking a leadership in the battle but they seem to think that they are above the teachers and are our bosses instead of our employees. Let's send them a clear message that we are the ones in command.
Thu Oct 2, 2008 at 8:51 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
good point ,George. not that i have anything positive to say about david vitale, but he worked for $1...hammock replaces him for $170,000 a year...wonder how many disabled kids lost services for that decision
Thu Oct 2, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Speaking of the economy, how many other teachers out there have been shorted a day of pay from this paycheck, allegedly from a kronos error?
Fri Oct 3, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
This AM a teacher was held up at gun point in front of Jordan Elementary. Students were present. Her purse & car were stolen. Great security around the school for parents and students. Oh, and Principal Willy White hadn't shown up for work when, what could have been a deadly situation, occured.
Sun Oct 5, 2008 at 3:28 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
"...Has anyone talked to anybody at Clemente, Tilden, Hyde Park, Manley or Brunson?..." (still unemployed math teacher).
Yes. Daily.
And the schools that have made the official hit list compiled by David Gilligan's office are the tip of the high school iceberg, with overcrowded classes being the norm across the high schools across the city. Gilligen now acts as if "maximum" means "average over five classes" and nobody at CTU is challenging him today.
And there are also hundreds of overcrowded classes at the elementary level. My favorite so far is an "art" class with 65 kids meeting in an auditorium. But in many areas of town, classes of between 35 and 35 are the norm at the elementary level, with CPS claiming that the class sizes can't be reduced because there is "no space."
That lie is unveiled if you look at how CPS coddles the charter schools and the charter hacks with unlimited space while forcing more and more students into ever smaller spaces at nearby real public schools. The best places to see this inequity in action is across the Southwest and Northwest sides. On the Southwest side, the UNO charter schools have mucho space, while the nearby elementary schools are jammed and bursting. A few blocks east -- and south -- of Gate Park and Kelly (two overcrowded high schools), "Urban Prep" and the "Perspectives Calumet" charter schools have been coddled with an overabundance of space, while the real public schools are being sabotages as we speak by Arne Duncan.
And most of them (two exceptions as of this morning) want to be "off the record" because of the current state of the Daley Dictatorship. And some teachers are crying about it, the destruction of these children's lives is so complete by this point. Long story: simply, they have been at the "bottom" for years, often having "failed" the ISAT in third or sixth grade, and now they are losing more than ten percent of their school year in the key subjects (English and math) mostly at the beginning of high school (the main cuts are of the 9th and 10th grade teachers).
Remember: for all that prattle about doing good deeds and "for the children", in this town whistle blowing gets you fired without an appeal, as my case illustrates most dramatically.
So we have to move forward with the information that people are willing and able to provide, on or off the record. One bright spot is that some additional principals are coming forward. Not all of them are ambitious 30-something hacks aiming to become the next Arne Duncan or Michelle Rhee. Trouble is, once they speak out, CPS knocks them around, too.
Lovely world. Were there any free press left in Chicago, these stories from Manley, Clemente and Hyde Park (hundreds of kids being reprogrammed last week and next) would be on every TV station, then going international. Instead, the next Richard M. Daley publicity stunt will be the "news" of the evening. Count on it.
Yes. Daily.
And the schools that have made the official hit list compiled by David Gilligan's office are the tip of the high school iceberg, with overcrowded classes being the norm across the high schools across the city. Gilligen now acts as if "maximum" means "average over five classes" and nobody at CTU is challenging him today.
And there are also hundreds of overcrowded classes at the elementary level. My favorite so far is an "art" class with 65 kids meeting in an auditorium. But in many areas of town, classes of between 35 and 35 are the norm at the elementary level, with CPS claiming that the class sizes can't be reduced because there is "no space."
That lie is unveiled if you look at how CPS coddles the charter schools and the charter hacks with unlimited space while forcing more and more students into ever smaller spaces at nearby real public schools. The best places to see this inequity in action is across the Southwest and Northwest sides. On the Southwest side, the UNO charter schools have mucho space, while the nearby elementary schools are jammed and bursting. A few blocks east -- and south -- of Gate Park and Kelly (two overcrowded high schools), "Urban Prep" and the "Perspectives Calumet" charter schools have been coddled with an overabundance of space, while the real public schools are being sabotages as we speak by Arne Duncan.
And most of them (two exceptions as of this morning) want to be "off the record" because of the current state of the Daley Dictatorship. And some teachers are crying about it, the destruction of these children's lives is so complete by this point. Long story: simply, they have been at the "bottom" for years, often having "failed" the ISAT in third or sixth grade, and now they are losing more than ten percent of their school year in the key subjects (English and math) mostly at the beginning of high school (the main cuts are of the 9th and 10th grade teachers).
Remember: for all that prattle about doing good deeds and "for the children", in this town whistle blowing gets you fired without an appeal, as my case illustrates most dramatically.
So we have to move forward with the information that people are willing and able to provide, on or off the record. One bright spot is that some additional principals are coming forward. Not all of them are ambitious 30-something hacks aiming to become the next Arne Duncan or Michelle Rhee. Trouble is, once they speak out, CPS knocks them around, too.
Lovely world. Were there any free press left in Chicago, these stories from Manley, Clemente and Hyde Park (hundreds of kids being reprogrammed last week and next) would be on every TV station, then going international. Instead, the next Richard M. Daley publicity stunt will be the "news" of the evening. Count on it.
Sun Oct 5, 2008 at 3:30 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
"...But in many areas of town, classes of between 35 and 35 are the norm at the elementary level, with CPS claiming that the class sizes can't be reduced because there is "no space."..."
Sorry, I meant to write "between 35 and 45".
It's been a busy couple of weeks.
Sorry, I meant to write "between 35 and 45".
It's been a busy couple of weeks.
Sun Oct 5, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
I can confirm that seven teachers were cut from Clemente as of September 30th from Science, Social Science, English, and the Achievement Academy. The only criteria was seniority, despite the fact that the administration had failed to complete faculty observations and evaluations.
Sun Oct 5, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
To B. Walsh -- So was that the ones WITH seniority were canned? These days, that'd be my guess!
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 2:35 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
A month ago, Mayor Daley, Arne Duncan, Rufus Williams, and hundreds of their supporters from corporate, celebrity, and clerical Chicago listed their voices in unison to denounce Rev. Sen. Meeks for organizing that publicity stunt up at New Trier.
When when the TV cameras were turned off, Mayor Daley's crew went back to sabotaging the schools with messed up September staffing, inadequate security where it is really needed, and even payroll and grading problems in the Board's computers that are now going into their third year under "The Miracle of Chicago".
What should be happening this morning, and over the next three days, is that the overpaid and undercompetent officers and field staff members of the Chicago Teachers Union (all of them left are at $150,000 or more a year, complete pay and calculable benefits; more than principals) should be organizing protests at all of the schools that have suffered these dangerous cuts. And filing grievances about the dangers at other places as well (under Article 44-9 of the union contract: "Teachers and other bargaining unit members shall work under safe and healthful conditions...").
Instead, Marilyn Stewart will drive the big Cadillac the union pays for into that supersized parking space under the Merchandise Mart and then hide with her cronies in her bunker at the Mart, while the schools get more crazy, the Board plans more privatizations, and thousands of general high school students finally begin their school year. Five weeks after Mayor Daley, Arne Duncan, Rufus Williams and that army of celebrities marched around town from media event to talk show denouncing Rev. Sen. Meeks for keeping a handful of kids out of school on the first day.
What was not reported (because of the collusion between Marilyn Stewart's faction inside the Chicago Teachers Union and City Hall) was that during September 2008, Mayor Daley's minions at the school board would be undermining the opening month of school for between 20,000 and 50,000 students (most of them in the high schools, but not all) by "closing" and "opening" positions when all of the schools should have been fully staffed and safeguarded from disruptions from the first day the kids showed up for classes.
But unless the leaders of the CTU are willing to stop kissing up to City Hall, this story, like so many others, will die in silence in our town.
When when the TV cameras were turned off, Mayor Daley's crew went back to sabotaging the schools with messed up September staffing, inadequate security where it is really needed, and even payroll and grading problems in the Board's computers that are now going into their third year under "The Miracle of Chicago".
What should be happening this morning, and over the next three days, is that the overpaid and undercompetent officers and field staff members of the Chicago Teachers Union (all of them left are at $150,000 or more a year, complete pay and calculable benefits; more than principals) should be organizing protests at all of the schools that have suffered these dangerous cuts. And filing grievances about the dangers at other places as well (under Article 44-9 of the union contract: "Teachers and other bargaining unit members shall work under safe and healthful conditions...").
Instead, Marilyn Stewart will drive the big Cadillac the union pays for into that supersized parking space under the Merchandise Mart and then hide with her cronies in her bunker at the Mart, while the schools get more crazy, the Board plans more privatizations, and thousands of general high school students finally begin their school year. Five weeks after Mayor Daley, Arne Duncan, Rufus Williams and that army of celebrities marched around town from media event to talk show denouncing Rev. Sen. Meeks for keeping a handful of kids out of school on the first day.
What was not reported (because of the collusion between Marilyn Stewart's faction inside the Chicago Teachers Union and City Hall) was that during September 2008, Mayor Daley's minions at the school board would be undermining the opening month of school for between 20,000 and 50,000 students (most of them in the high schools, but not all) by "closing" and "opening" positions when all of the schools should have been fully staffed and safeguarded from disruptions from the first day the kids showed up for classes.
But unless the leaders of the CTU are willing to stop kissing up to City Hall, this story, like so many others, will die in silence in our town.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 5:50 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
article: 24-4.1, page 58 of the contract gives psrps the same rights as teachers in the consideration of summer school assignments; " preference shall be given to psrps who have worked fewer than two summer sessions immediately preceeding the current summer session."
ted dallas,
ctu vice president
Leadership@csdu.org
ted dallas,
ctu vice president
Leadership@csdu.org
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 5:52 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
It's it ironic that dedicated tenured teachers can lose their jobs in a flash while that grossly overpaid slug CTU president Stewart seems to be completely secure her office.
Oh - they "don't lose their jobs" - they have 10 months to find another one....like schools are likely to hire higher paid older teachers.
Oh - they "don't lose their jobs" - they have 10 months to find another one....like schools are likely to hire higher paid older teachers.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 6:12 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
So 7 and not 17 teaching positions were closed at Clemente and their Achievement Acadamy?
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 6:26 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
What happened to the messages sent Saturday Night?
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 6:40 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Hello.Who are you ?Do you have the responsibility to confirm anything ?Are you the person who tried to remove T.Dallas from the CTU membership?If yes you better continue licking ......you are going to be next in line for removal. If your are not Dr Walsh -apologize.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 6:46 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Hello sweetie.Your honesty is really impressive.Are you still with us?
RIP
RIP
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 8:10 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
PENSION ELECTION--TEACHER REPS
There are five candidates:
Veronica Cortes Cakuls
Aspasia Demeros
John O'Brill
Maria J. Rodriguez
Jack Silver
A George Cohlmia submitted signed petitions, but did not meet he requirements to support candidacy.
I read somewhere that Jay Rehak was going to run again, but apparently not.
Get the word out--anyone but the two CTU candidates Rodriguez and O'Brill.
There are five candidates:
Veronica Cortes Cakuls
Aspasia Demeros
John O'Brill
Maria J. Rodriguez
Jack Silver
A George Cohlmia submitted signed petitions, but did not meet he requirements to support candidacy.
I read somewhere that Jay Rehak was going to run again, but apparently not.
Get the word out--anyone but the two CTU candidates Rodriguez and O'Brill.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 8:41 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Jack Silver, a Chicago public school teacher and former trustee of the $US9.4 billion ($A12.4 billion) Chicago Teachers pension fund, was one of the first pension trustees to call for disclosure throughout the industry, though the SEC is just getting around to probing practices that have existed for years.
Pension fees spark calls for disclosure
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/23/1077497514881.html?from=storyrhs
Pension fees spark calls for disclosure
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/23/1077497514881.html?from=storyrhs
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
O'Brill is the guy that counts the votes in the House.
need I say more!
need I say more!
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
I haven't received anything from the Union about meetings for retired teachers this year. Normally, we will have had our first meeting by now. I also have received no notices concerning committee meetings (I'm on two), my committee chair position, or anything else. This year, it seems more so than ever that retired teachers are being forgotten.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
The agreement says a lot of things but what use is it if CPS refuses to abide by it? The majority of issues posted on here should all be protected by the "Agreement". Unless CPS is willing to abide by the contract the "Agreement" is useless. Not to mention the field reps who are as useless as Marilyn. Where is Marilyn while we all are being displaced???? Someone needs to light a fire under her a**. Unfortunately it will have to be as big as the Chicago fire in order to make a difference. That's a lot of area to cover!
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
your pension will be donated.There is a good news :new shelter for homeless teachers will be created..If you like cozy atmosphere and nice,homeless peole around vote for Oshill and the other s......l.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Vote for Independent Pension Trustees - Ones Not Controlled by Stewart
John O'Brill is the Sgt-at-Arms that give the final "tweaked" vote count to Marilyn during House of Delegate votes. What does this say about his integrity? do we want someone like this to be handling our pension money?
Maria Rodriguez is an employee of the CTU. Never before has a CTU employee been allowed to remain a pension trustee. Many have resigned from the CTPF when becoming employees of the CTU. This is definitely a conflict of interest. The CTPF is supposed to be an independent entity, out of the reach of anyone who may put pressure on the trustees to give business to certain money managers, exactly the kind of thing that happened in the downstate Teachers Retirement System scandal.
If you're smart you'll vote for Silver and Demeros if you want your pension to be there when you retire.
Maria Rodriguez is an employee of the CTU. Never before has a CTU employee been allowed to remain a pension trustee. Many have resigned from the CTPF when becoming employees of the CTU. This is definitely a conflict of interest. The CTPF is supposed to be an independent entity, out of the reach of anyone who may put pressure on the trustees to give business to certain money managers, exactly the kind of thing that happened in the downstate Teachers Retirement System scandal.
If you're smart you'll vote for Silver and Demeros if you want your pension to be there when you retire.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Marricat, The Retired Teachers Association of Chicago, 82nd Annual Fall Luncheon and General Business Meeting and Election of RTAC Board Members for 2009-2010 will be Wednesday, October 29, 2008 from 11:45 am until 2:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Palmer House Hilton, Grand Ballroom (4th Floor), Monroe Street between State and Wabash. Special Guests- Mr. John O'Brill, President, Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, Mr. Kevin Huber, Executive Director, Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund and Mr. Richard Lockhart, RTACs Chief Lobbyist in Springfield. Costs: $45 for members and $50 for guest.
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Vote for Silver and Demeros.Do not support the stereotype that "teachers are idiots".
Mon Oct 6, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
To: Retired Principal
Thanks for the information. I'm glad that at least one group hasn't forgotten us.
What's the scoop on this latest scandal about coaches? The news is saying that the problem appears to be throughout the system (coaches hitting students with paddles). It seems hard for me to believe that teachers would take this risk in today's environment.
Thanks for the information. I'm glad that at least one group hasn't forgotten us.
What's the scoop on this latest scandal about coaches? The news is saying that the problem appears to be throughout the system (coaches hitting students with paddles). It seems hard for me to believe that teachers would take this risk in today's environment.
Tue Oct 7, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Regarding the candidates for teacher trustees of the pension fund...
1. Jay Rehak, who teaches at Whitney Young (after having served as Communications Director at CTU under Deborah Lynch from 2002 to 2004), circulated petitions but did not turn them in.
2. Anyone who thinks about voting for the Marilyn Stewart candidates for teacher trustee (they are John Obrill and Maria Rodriguez, who is on leave from her "teaching" position and working full time at the CTU as a field rep) should consider whether teachers will best be represented by people who have sold out completely to Mayor Daley. Marilyn's latest contract has locked teachers and other CTU members into five years that only Daley can love.
To continue the Daley trustees on the Pension Fund as well (considering he already has the Board's reps) is dangerous, especially given these times. Under Rodriguez and Obrill, the pension fund has already had the scandal of investing in Daley's kin. We don't know what else is out there, but the last thing we need is continued subservience to City Hall.
1. Jay Rehak, who teaches at Whitney Young (after having served as Communications Director at CTU under Deborah Lynch from 2002 to 2004), circulated petitions but did not turn them in.
2. Anyone who thinks about voting for the Marilyn Stewart candidates for teacher trustee (they are John Obrill and Maria Rodriguez, who is on leave from her "teaching" position and working full time at the CTU as a field rep) should consider whether teachers will best be represented by people who have sold out completely to Mayor Daley. Marilyn's latest contract has locked teachers and other CTU members into five years that only Daley can love.
To continue the Daley trustees on the Pension Fund as well (considering he already has the Board's reps) is dangerous, especially given these times. Under Rodriguez and Obrill, the pension fund has already had the scandal of investing in Daley's kin. We don't know what else is out there, but the last thing we need is continued subservience to City Hall.
Tue Oct 7, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Leslie, for your information there were several people who were employees of CTU who were elected and served as pension trustees.
Here are the names of some of them: Dr. Connee Fitch-Blanks (under the Lynch administration), Linda Porter (she even served for 4 years while being Treasurer). You need to get your facts straight.
Here are the names of some of them: Dr. Connee Fitch-Blanks (under the Lynch administration), Linda Porter (she even served for 4 years while being Treasurer). You need to get your facts straight.
Tue Oct 7, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Individuals accepting any kind of monetary compensation from the CTU should not be allowed to serve as a pension trustees.
It is an open conflict of interest.Take under consideration how the Executive Board members are infuenced by the Sellout Fat A..........
It is an open conflict of interest.Take under consideration how the Executive Board members are infuenced by the Sellout Fat A..........
Tue Oct 7, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Dear Merricat
Yes it is a risk. However some people are willing to take that risk.
Yes it is a risk. However some people are willing to take that risk.
Tue Oct 7, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
does not apply to past practices and regular duties.
if an administrator asks you to stay over to do some work then it is you regular rate. Make sure to tell the administrator that you will not stay unless it is your regular rate.
Just imagine the Stewart Sellot
we already do not get time and a half and then she makes a deal that we get Pay CUTS when we do extra work for the school.
Think about it. we are probably the only union in the world that negotiated a contract where the members get paid less when the work past their regular hours.
What an ultimate scam!
if an administrator asks you to stay over to do some work then it is you regular rate. Make sure to tell the administrator that you will not stay unless it is your regular rate.
Just imagine the Stewart Sellot
we already do not get time and a half and then she makes a deal that we get Pay CUTS when we do extra work for the school.
Think about it. we are probably the only union in the world that negotiated a contract where the members get paid less when the work past their regular hours.
What an ultimate scam!
Wed Oct 8, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
"...Think about it. we are probably the only union in the world that negotiated a contract where the members get paid less when the work past their regular hours..." (Flat Rate, yesterday).
Not only that, but...
Because Stewart included this pay decrease in a labor contract, it is not a violation of state or federal labor law (which provide for overtime to be paid for work beyond the regular work day's length, even in non-union workplaces).
So, the Stewart Sellout is even more complete than it looked when it first was crammed through at that illegal vote (August 31, 2007; the no "No" vote meeting) and during those stuffings of the ballot boxes during the school-by-school referenda (September 10, 2007). Workers have won complaints about forced overtime under labor law -- but can't even file if "their" "union" has sold them out on it. It's one of those many "choice" things that are rampaging around Chicago right now.
Not only that, but...
Because Stewart included this pay decrease in a labor contract, it is not a violation of state or federal labor law (which provide for overtime to be paid for work beyond the regular work day's length, even in non-union workplaces).
So, the Stewart Sellout is even more complete than it looked when it first was crammed through at that illegal vote (August 31, 2007; the no "No" vote meeting) and during those stuffings of the ballot boxes during the school-by-school referenda (September 10, 2007). Workers have won complaints about forced overtime under labor law -- but can't even file if "their" "union" has sold them out on it. It's one of those many "choice" things that are rampaging around Chicago right now.
Wed Oct 8, 2008 at 7:34 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Since there was no Oct. delegates' meeting, CTU should immediately post the following information on its website:
1. The Oct. Membership Report
2. The Oct. Treasurer's Report
3. Calendar of Nov. Committee Meetings
(When is the CTU Task Force on School Violence going to meet
and act?)
4. The Financial Reports promised to the delegates last June
5. The name and background of the AFT-paid Director of Financial
Operations
6. Update on the virtual charter school lawsuit.
7. Names and schools of Stewart-appointed delegates. (By the
way, the CTU Constitution and By-laws already provides for
a way to fill vacancies on a temporary basis. Article X-Section
1B, They should be non-voting delegates).
8. Report on the petition drive on the referendum on elected school
board legislation
9. Update on class size committee action
1. The Oct. Membership Report
2. The Oct. Treasurer's Report
3. Calendar of Nov. Committee Meetings
(When is the CTU Task Force on School Violence going to meet
and act?)
4. The Financial Reports promised to the delegates last June
5. The name and background of the AFT-paid Director of Financial
Operations
6. Update on the virtual charter school lawsuit.
7. Names and schools of Stewart-appointed delegates. (By the
way, the CTU Constitution and By-laws already provides for
a way to fill vacancies on a temporary basis. Article X-Section
1B, They should be non-voting delegates).
8. Report on the petition drive on the referendum on elected school
board legislation
9. Update on class size committee action
Wed Oct 8, 2008 at 8:03 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
You are one of the intelligent,caring unionists.People do not show too much concern regarding CTU business and like to be manipulated because they believe that any kind of action will cause job lost at the end.Only small group of us decided take an action.Majority have no clue what is going on around them.
Thank you again.
Thank you again.
Wed Oct 8, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Hello. There is going to be a reduction of a special education position at my school. There is a working retired teacher and a probationary teacher working. Who gets let go? Who has seniority?
Wed Oct 8, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
retired goes first
we have the same situation a Hyde Park.
They had to let go the retired teachers then TAT's or PAT's.
Retired teacher has no seniority. they are a non-employee/temporary filling a spot that is open for a regular certified teacher (PAT).
we have the same situation a Hyde Park.
They had to let go the retired teachers then TAT's or PAT's.
Retired teacher has no seniority. they are a non-employee/temporary filling a spot that is open for a regular certified teacher (PAT).
Wed Oct 8, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
As I said before.....They will stick the contract in your a...as deep as you feel the taste.
Good luck with an enforcement.
Good luck with an enforcement.
Thu Oct 9, 2008 at 2:22 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Colleagues and friends. I'm cross posting the following story because it is so important to all union members.
DUNCAN TO TARGET 12 ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS FOR TURNAROUND
BY GEORGE N. SCHMIDT
SUBSTANCENEWS SERVICE
www.substancenews.net
The Duncan administration announced on October 8, 2008, that it will add another 12 public schools to "Turnaround" at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. The announcement was made during a media event held at the Chicago international Charter School (CICS) Ralph Ellison "campus". During the event, the CEO of CPS "unveiled 20 new-school proposals that are moving forward under Renaissance 2010 initiatives" according to the CPS press release.
Buried in his remarks praising the "New Schools" initiatives announced at the October 8 event at the new Chicago International Ralph Ellison charter school was a comment announcing that "Turnaround" will double the number of schools for next school year.
Asked about the doubling of the number of "Turnaround" schools less than a year after he first inaugurated the "Turnaround" program, Duncan told Substance that "Turnaround" was a "proven program" because of AUSL's work at Dodge elementary school in Chicago since 2003.
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, six public schools were subjected to "Turnaround" after months of slander against the schools and their staffs, orchestrated by Chicago Schools Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan and his media allies.
Despite the fact that virtually all of the first six "Turnaround" schools have seen "gains" on the standardized test scores used to supposedly "data driven" measure progress in Chicago, two high schools and four elementary schools were put on the defensive after the "Turnaround" announcement in January 2008. In June 2008, more than 90 percent of those schools' teachers, principals and other staffs were fired as part of the new policy called "Turnaround."
The schools where staffs were fired by the Duncan administration in June 2008 were Harper High School and Orr High School, and Copernicus, Fulton, Howe and Morton elementary schools.
When asked by this reporter on October 8, 2008, how he could double the number of "Turnaround" schools for next school year when "Turnaround" had just begun in Chicago, CEO Arne Duncan responded that "Turnaround" had already been proven a success because the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) had "turned around" Dodge Elementary School after Duncan closed Dodge in June 2002.
Left out of the carefully constructed Dodge "turnaround" narrative, however, is the fact that when Dodge was reopened under the management of the so-called "Academy for Urban School Leadership" more than a year after it was closed (and all of its staff removed), the majority of the schools most "at risk" students had also been removed. Dodge in September 2003 (when it reopened after being closed for a year following its closure under the early "Renaissance" in June 2002) did not have the same students that Dodge Elementary School had had during the 2001-2002 school year.
Nevertheless, the story of the "Dodge Miracle" (like the larger narrative in which it is contained, the "Daley Miracle") has become the dominant narrative about corporate education reform in Chicago. An anecdote about Dodge is even part of U.S. Senator Barack Obama's stump speech on education, and has been reported in The New York Times in an article about Obama's plans for public education in an Obama presidency. The fact that the "Dodge Miracle" is based on a foundation of lies and half truths is left out.
Neither Duncan nor members of his staff would give any indication as to which 12 CPS schools would become the latest participants in "Turnaround" as a result of proposals during the 2008-2009 school year.
Duncan said that he intends to make all of the "New Schools" proposals to the October 22, 2008, meeting of the Chicago Board of Education. The last time Marilyn Stewart, President of the Chicago Teachers Union, spoke critically of the Duncan administration's proposals at a meeting of the Chicago Board of Education was more than a year ago. Stewart has refused to participate in public protests against the most recent "Renaissance 2010" initiatives.
DUNCAN TO TARGET 12 ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS FOR TURNAROUND
BY GEORGE N. SCHMIDT
SUBSTANCENEWS SERVICE
www.substancenews.net
The Duncan administration announced on October 8, 2008, that it will add another 12 public schools to "Turnaround" at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. The announcement was made during a media event held at the Chicago international Charter School (CICS) Ralph Ellison "campus". During the event, the CEO of CPS "unveiled 20 new-school proposals that are moving forward under Renaissance 2010 initiatives" according to the CPS press release.
Buried in his remarks praising the "New Schools" initiatives announced at the October 8 event at the new Chicago International Ralph Ellison charter school was a comment announcing that "Turnaround" will double the number of schools for next school year.
Asked about the doubling of the number of "Turnaround" schools less than a year after he first inaugurated the "Turnaround" program, Duncan told Substance that "Turnaround" was a "proven program" because of AUSL's work at Dodge elementary school in Chicago since 2003.
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, six public schools were subjected to "Turnaround" after months of slander against the schools and their staffs, orchestrated by Chicago Schools Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan and his media allies.
Despite the fact that virtually all of the first six "Turnaround" schools have seen "gains" on the standardized test scores used to supposedly "data driven" measure progress in Chicago, two high schools and four elementary schools were put on the defensive after the "Turnaround" announcement in January 2008. In June 2008, more than 90 percent of those schools' teachers, principals and other staffs were fired as part of the new policy called "Turnaround."
The schools where staffs were fired by the Duncan administration in June 2008 were Harper High School and Orr High School, and Copernicus, Fulton, Howe and Morton elementary schools.
When asked by this reporter on October 8, 2008, how he could double the number of "Turnaround" schools for next school year when "Turnaround" had just begun in Chicago, CEO Arne Duncan responded that "Turnaround" had already been proven a success because the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) had "turned around" Dodge Elementary School after Duncan closed Dodge in June 2002.
Left out of the carefully constructed Dodge "turnaround" narrative, however, is the fact that when Dodge was reopened under the management of the so-called "Academy for Urban School Leadership" more than a year after it was closed (and all of its staff removed), the majority of the schools most "at risk" students had also been removed. Dodge in September 2003 (when it reopened after being closed for a year following its closure under the early "Renaissance" in June 2002) did not have the same students that Dodge Elementary School had had during the 2001-2002 school year.
Nevertheless, the story of the "Dodge Miracle" (like the larger narrative in which it is contained, the "Daley Miracle") has become the dominant narrative about corporate education reform in Chicago. An anecdote about Dodge is even part of U.S. Senator Barack Obama's stump speech on education, and has been reported in The New York Times in an article about Obama's plans for public education in an Obama presidency. The fact that the "Dodge Miracle" is based on a foundation of lies and half truths is left out.
Neither Duncan nor members of his staff would give any indication as to which 12 CPS schools would become the latest participants in "Turnaround" as a result of proposals during the 2008-2009 school year.
Duncan said that he intends to make all of the "New Schools" proposals to the October 22, 2008, meeting of the Chicago Board of Education. The last time Marilyn Stewart, President of the Chicago Teachers Union, spoke critically of the Duncan administration's proposals at a meeting of the Chicago Board of Education was more than a year ago. Stewart has refused to participate in public protests against the most recent "Renaissance 2010" initiatives.
Fri Oct 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
We just lost another teacher today.
Fri Oct 10, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Is it true that Mrs Stewart will be a happy mom of twins and she will take a maternity leave?
Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 4:31 AM
Excessed Teachers, CTU Infighting (Continued)
Reading these CTU threads, I can't believe that CTU doesn't even know how many programs (high school; some elementary) have been disrupted by the continuing sabotage of the general high schools by Arne Duncan.
Instead, Marilyn and minions are into more and more lurid melodrama. I guess it's better than Marilyn not know any facts to refute the Big, Bigger, and Biggest Lies coming our of Arne Duncan's spin machine. After all, even armed with information she's still lose any debate. Remember CNN last year. After that, she got the hook forever.
Instead, Marilyn and minions are into more and more lurid melodrama. I guess it's better than Marilyn not know any facts to refute the Big, Bigger, and Biggest Lies coming our of Arne Duncan's spin machine. After all, even armed with information she's still lose any debate. Remember CNN last year. After that, she got the hook forever.
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