Comments for Denver Classroom Teachers Association http://denverclassroom.org Advocating quality teaching & learning. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:38:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Student-based reform, or sound-byte reform? by Linda Pangle http://denverclassroom.org/2012/03/15/student-based-reform-or-sound-byte-reform/#comment-366 Linda Pangle Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:38:52 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=581#comment-366 Tom Boasberg made very clear in a welcome back letter at the start of the 2011/12 school year that he valued NEW teachers; there was not one mention of experienced teachers. Watching DPS drive out quality teachers of experience because they cost more causes me to submit my opinion, as an experienced teacher, with much trepidation. Clearly, there is a lack of respect for teacher opinion. The younger teachers don't know it because they are simply eager to work, not knowing that the hardships of teaching never go away or get fixed by "reform". They should care now, because in time they will be spit out without respect as well. Let's ask this, what is the point of obtaining the expensive teaching credentials to only be driven out after a 5 to 10 year stint? Rendering an opinion on the idea of extended learning will not be respected unless it's from a newer, inexperienced teacher who provides the district with the words they want, whether in the best interest of students or not. Tom Boasberg made very clear in a welcome back letter at the start of the 2011/12 school year that he valued NEW teachers; there was not one mention of experienced teachers. Watching DPS drive out quality teachers of experience because they cost more causes me to submit my opinion, as an experienced teacher, with much trepidation. Clearly, there is a lack of respect for teacher opinion. The younger teachers don’t know it because they are simply eager to work, not knowing that the hardships of teaching never go away or get fixed by “reform”. They should care now, because in time they will be spit out without respect as well. Let’s ask this, what is the point of obtaining the expensive teaching credentials to only be driven out after a 5 to 10 year stint? Rendering an opinion on the idea of extended learning will not be respected unless it’s from a newer, inexperienced teacher who provides the district with the words they want, whether in the best interest of students or not.

]]> Comment on Student-based reform, or sound-byte reform? by K http://denverclassroom.org/2012/03/15/student-based-reform-or-sound-byte-reform/#comment-365 K Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:51:14 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=581#comment-365 Correction: The above statement should read: QUALITY over QUANTITY. Correction: The above statement should read: QUALITY over QUANTITY.

]]> Comment on Student-based reform, or sound-byte reform? by K http://denverclassroom.org/2012/03/15/student-based-reform-or-sound-byte-reform/#comment-364 K Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:48:56 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=581#comment-364 I greatly appreciate this speech! Finally someone is looking at the research and discussing it. The administration at my school has been trying to push the extended time idea through for next year. We did the research and found that quantity over quality is more important. This research was ignored by the administration, and it became very clear that this is a district push regardless of what the researchers have found. Perhaps the district should present the Evidenced Based Research they are using to support their stance on extending the school day instead of changing a "one-size-fits-all" curriculum that fits. Investing in a Evidence Based Curriculum would be a great start (besides Every Day Math). The Gates Foundation funds many projects in DPS...perhaps they could fund the adoption process of an adequate curriculum. Let's not forget that we have no way to compare our elementary school children to those across the country. Only a select few children are given any Nationally Normed Test, such as the IOWA test of basic skills given through most districts throughout the country. So...how do we know these "innovative" measures are really increasing student achievement? I greatly appreciate this speech! Finally someone is looking at the research and discussing it. The administration at my school has been trying to push the extended time idea through for next year. We did the research and found that quantity over quality is more important. This research was ignored by the administration, and it became very clear that this is a district push regardless of what the researchers have found.

Perhaps the district should present the Evidenced Based Research they are using to support their stance on extending the school day instead of changing a “one-size-fits-all” curriculum that fits. Investing in a Evidence Based Curriculum would be a great start (besides Every Day Math). The Gates Foundation funds many projects in DPS…perhaps they could fund the adoption process of an adequate curriculum.

Let’s not forget that we have no way to compare our elementary school children to those across the country. Only a select few children are given any Nationally Normed Test, such as the IOWA test of basic skills given through most districts throughout the country. So…how do we know these “innovative” measures are really increasing student achievement?

]]> Comment on DCTA Executive Committee Just Says NO! by DCTA http://denverclassroom.org/2011/11/21/dcta-executive-committee-just-says-no/#comment-8 DCTA Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:55:39 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=397#comment-8 Your comment was not removed. Comments on this site are moderated, and no one was here over the holiday to approve them. Your comment was not removed. Comments on this site are moderated, and no one was here over the holiday to approve them.

]]> Comment on DCTA Executive Committee Just Says NO! by Paul Chavez http://denverclassroom.org/2011/11/21/dcta-executive-committee-just-says-no/#comment-6 Paul Chavez Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:03:48 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=397#comment-6 Why was my original post removed? Why was my original post removed?

]]> Comment on DCTA Executive Committee Just Says NO! by Paul Chavez http://denverclassroom.org/2011/11/21/dcta-executive-committee-just-says-no/#comment-5 Paul Chavez Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:21:50 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=397#comment-5 Oh Yea! OCCUPY 900 GRANT STREET!!! Oh Yea!

OCCUPY 900 GRANT STREET!!!

]]> Comment on DCTA Executive Committee Just Says NO! by Paul Chavez http://denverclassroom.org/2011/11/21/dcta-executive-committee-just-says-no/#comment-4 Paul Chavez Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:18:57 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=397#comment-4 Greeting Members, I do hope that no DCTA Board Members even, for a slight moment, entertained the thought of collaborating with anyone from Stand for (ON) Children. Check out the founder, Jonas Edelmen, talking his dirty scheme at the Aspen Institute, that he devised to basically neuter the Chicago Teachers Union: http://preaprez.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/heres-the-juicy-part/ In regard to Michelle "Erase To The Top" Rhee, here's a great website that tells of her collaboration with Tea Bagger Governors: http://www.rheefirst.com/ Have you noticed that the so called "school reform" crowd have the same agenda as the tea baggers. For example: They think teachers don't deserve pensions, they want a weak or non-existent teachers union/association, they want education to follow business, free market methods (noticed how well that worked under George Dubya Bush during his 8 years of "the rich getting richer") and they want to privatize and voucherize education in this country. This from people who claim to be progressives/liberals. Please check out this you Tube of the Finland Phenomenon. It is free to view and will take an hour of your time. They are #1 in educating their children, we are #26. Think we could learn something from them? THIS IS THE WAY EDUCATION SHOULD BE DONE!!!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNH3u09WP-Q Greeting Members,

I do hope that no DCTA Board Members even, for a slight moment, entertained the thought of collaborating with anyone from Stand for (ON) Children. Check out the founder, Jonas Edelmen, talking his dirty scheme at the Aspen Institute, that he devised to basically neuter the Chicago Teachers Union:

http://preaprez.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/heres-the-juicy-part/

In regard to Michelle “Erase To The Top” Rhee, here’s a great website that tells of her collaboration with Tea Bagger Governors:

http://www.rheefirst.com/

Have you noticed that the so called “school reform” crowd have the same agenda as the tea baggers. For example: They think teachers don’t deserve pensions, they want a weak or non-existent teachers union/association, they want education to follow business, free market methods (noticed how well that worked under George Dubya Bush during his 8 years of “the rich getting richer”) and they want to privatize and voucherize education in this country. This from people who claim to be progressives/liberals.
Please check out this you Tube of the Finland Phenomenon. It is free to view and will take an hour of your time. They are #1 in educating their children, we are #26. Think we could learn something from them?
THIS IS THE WAY EDUCATION SHOULD BE DONE!!!:

]]> Comment on DCTA Executive Committee Just Says NO! by Teresa Ruby http://denverclassroom.org/2011/11/21/dcta-executive-committee-just-says-no/#comment-3 Teresa Ruby Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:24:38 +0000 http://denverclassroom.org/?p=397#comment-3 Please, we need to stick to our guns and not even let this get close to happening!! Please expose this as often and deliberately! We must stand strong to protect the future of our children and their education! Please, we need to stick to our guns and not even let this get close to happening!! Please expose this as often and deliberately! We must stand strong to protect the future of our children and their education!

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