So a couple of things,
We did not make "Adequate Yearly Progress" on our No Child Left Behind. We made HUGE progress last year, just not enough (in ONE area). Since this is our third of fourth year, The State is beginning to get involved. There is an outside committee that is making changes at our school. One of the changes is that beginning in three weeks, we will have to test every three weeks.
This from our principal, "Assessment items will follow the Block Plans that were provided to you at the beginning of the school year. If you need a copy, please see Ms. Danise or Ms. Brugger. The assessment will be ready for you on the morning they are to be administered. You will be provided all materials including answer sheets and a key for you to use when scoring the assessments. Be sure you have a sufficient number of pencils. For these assessments, you are NOT providing accommodations of any kind. These assessments are to be utilized to drive your instruction and track the progress of your students, especially those who are approaching proficiency. Upon completion and scoring of the assessments, you will be given a form to complete showing the number of students who have met proficiency."
So not only do we have to give the test every three weeks, but we have to score them and and then fill out the form.
We are also starting a program this year called inclusive schools, which means that special ed students won't go to the resource room for help but will remain in the classroom, with help coming into the room from the special ed team (and just about EVERY staff member who is not a regular classroom has been drafted onto that team, so apparently we will lose the one kindergarten aide we had, and the math and literacy specialists have been put on the team). The program is supposed to be good for the kids, but it is a three year transition and training period, and nobody seems to know how and what to do right now. And currently the kids seem to not be getting much if any help from the specialists because they are in a lot of meetings and training. And the system isn't in place yet to deal with the problem kids we have in our classes who haven't yet been identified as needing services.
And the third thing, the district had "count day" last week and our school is under the projected enrollment by about 50-60 kids, so they told us this morning that we were losing a kindergarten teacher and a second grade teacher. That means that I'll be getting more kids above and beyond the 22 that I currently have.
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6 comments:
so, how do you know that you won't be the one kindergarten teacher that your school is leaving? I don't know how you guys teach, it definitely is admirable. You guys are trying to do your job and you have people coming in to tell you how to do your job, just so the numbers look good? hmm. good luck!
I'm sorry, that stinks. You think that they would provide a way that a computer could grade the tests at your school. When Jere worked at Pony Express they had a scantran machine that would do that. My question is when are you supposed to find time to teach. You would also think that with the kids not going to special ed and the teacher not coming in on a daily basis that you would be out of compliance with their IEPs.
For Kristi, When you are hired in the district, you get a number, based on that district wide number, you have senority, with 17 years in the district, I am one of the "oldest" teachers in the school. And it's not just kindergarten, it could be a 5th grade teacher with the newest number. Then not only does one teacher have to leave, but another has to change grade levels. Stupid, huh? Kindergarten is down one teacher anyway, a new hired teacher from California had severe health problems and didn't make it, so that class without a teacher is just dissolved and the kids come into our classes (I get two girls, 'cause I have too many boys.
For Robin, on the compliance issue, yeah, you would think......
We're having "highly qualified" issues at our school. Apparently even our playground aide has to have a college education. How is your school hiring highly qualified people especially for the special ed team?
as a parent, I would be extremely upset that my child is in effect being ignored because of the transition. I think that there have become too many programs and not enough just looking at what kids need to learn. Every kids is different and learns differently. But those in charge are only concerned about looking good instead of doing good. I wish things were different. Good luck.
Jere,
Yeah, we lost some of our long time aides because they weren't "highly qualified". At an at-risk school they have to be. Their definition of "highly qualified" is a two year degree. With a two year degree you can make more than they pay an aide though. Heck Bryan has a two year degree and makes as much or more than I do. Vickie's aide in the library tested out, she's real smart.
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