Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sharon Fougner on February 16, 2012 at 4:26pm

I was unable to find anything in the agreement that met either criteria, that is "good for students" or "fair to teachers." The details released so far seem more restrictive and punitive than the guidelines already published.  The settlement includes a "tightening" of the scoring system that appears to require a "curve" at the district level, which presupposes that every district has ineffective teachers, and worse, that there is a limited, pre-established number of "highly effective" teachers at the top of curve. That is both ludicrous and insulting.  The governor has also taken greater control of the 60 points that were previously designated to be controlled locally.  To state that "a majority of the teacher performance points will be based on classroom observations," including "unannounced" observations fails to recognize that the most significant growth comes from a collaborative process of goal-setting and reflection.  Governor Cuomo states that the agreement "is exactly what is needed to transform our state's public education system," and he would be right if his hope is to transform us into a system that focuses learning on narrow outcomes devoid of any thought, creativity or passion. 

Permalink Reply by Ralph Ratto on February 16, 2012 at 6:36pm

We are witnessing the dismantling of public education in NYS. Nothing less than 0% based on testing is acceptable. To try to rationalize this as a good compromise is sheer lunacy. We have no idea what the test will be , which local tests are acceptable and we're assuming there is going to be a curve? 

Here comes more test prep ( more Pearson test prep books) more 'dog and pony show' observations.

Money will be flowing for test prep materials instead of good sound resources for learning.

This on top of Common Core standards that will effectively be geared to these tests will harm the children of NYS

Permalink Reply by Daniel Barresi on February 20, 2012 at 10:19am

Who does NYSUT represent?!!!  When will this become a Right-to-Work State?  I would rather put my Union Dues toward a Public Workers PAC than towards NYSUT, not sure what they've actually done for educators these past couple of years!!!