Saturday, October 31, 2009
Reason #127 to hate NCLB
States lowering their proficiency standards so that more schools can reach AYP. Who thought this was a good idea!? How is it good for the bar to pass abysmally easy tests to be set so low that it barely requires students to read?
UDC
With 10 missing board members, how is the University supposed to function? And do Rhee and Fenty seem to be unwilling or unable to meet with the President? If a vast majority of UDC students are coming from DCPS, wouldn't you want to meet with the University's President? I just don't understand...But then, there is a lot about DCPS that I don't understand. I'm too lowly.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
AYP
Nelson Hernandez's Wednesday article on Montgomery and Prince George's counties failing to meet annual yearly progress (AYP) does an excellent job of highlighting the ridiculous nature of that particular beast. How is it that only 26% of Baltimore special education high school students are able to pass the state's reading test, while Montgomery's and Prince George's high school special education students are passing at 61% and 41% (respectively), but Baltimore did (according to the state's standardized test) make AYP and Montgomery and Prince George's didn't?
I understand that the goal for each year for school districts to improve upon the previous year's scores and that the big goal is to have every student passing these tests, to provide a measure of how well a district is doing it job. But, now the focus becomes district safety rather than providing each student with the individual education that he or she needs. It places the focus away from the individual and becomes a push-push-push for results.
I understand that the goal for each year for school districts to improve upon the previous year's scores and that the big goal is to have every student passing these tests, to provide a measure of how well a district is doing it job. But, now the focus becomes district safety rather than providing each student with the individual education that he or she needs. It places the focus away from the individual and becomes a push-push-push for results.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
The Impact of IMPACT
Some of me thinks that the new teacher evaluation system, IMPACT, is good. And some of me wants to scream when I think about it. I'm still a pretty new teacher and it worries me that because I'm struggling to figure out how to hit all the learning styles will be counted against me. The videos that they had us watch to "norm" the evaluations...Those didn't show us what they (the District) thought good teaching was. The videos showed passable, not great, and downright awful teaching was. In my first Master Educator observation, I found myself stumbling over my words, getting lost in my lecture, recalling later that I only employed two learning styles in the 30 minutes that she was there....I don't know what she is going to say when she meets with me on Thursday. And frankly, it scares me. IMPACT scares me.
For more information, read Bill Turque's almost glowing review of IMPACT and then go look at the actual framework. Make sure you read the .pdf file at the bottom to get the full story.
For more information, read Bill Turque's almost glowing review of IMPACT and then go look at the actual framework. Make sure you read the .pdf file at the bottom to get the full story.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Layoffs
Whether or not it was Michelle Rhee's intention to fire veteran teachers in the layoffs that took place this afternoon between 1:58 and 3:15 pm, it certainly wasn't handled in the best of manners. If I were to be fired, I'd want to hear it from my principal or my assistant principal, not another teacher. I don't know if this happened at my school, but I know that it happened in at least one school in the district. I'm shocked at the unprofessional, heartless manner in which teachers were escorted from their classrooms by police officers, or sent down to the main offices like a truant. Teachers should have been given the dignity of hearing this news in a private meeting with a superior during their planning period, not in the middle of a class, in front of students.
I don't care if Ms. Rhee intended to fire these teachers months ago or not. I care about what is best for the school community and it definitely isn't good for the school as a whole to be under the impression that they (teachers, staff) could be chopped at any time and in such a brutal manner. Let alone the message that it sends to the students. DCPS...I didn't think you could disappoint me any more, but I guess I was wrong.
As for Bill Turque's coverage of these events, it seems too cut-and-dried. "The day proceeded quietly for the most part." Really, Bill Turque? Did you bother to talk to any of the schools in SE? I know there was craziness in Ward 7 and I'm sure there was craziness at Ballou and Anacostia.
Back to my original point: during 4th period?! REALLY!?
I don't care if Ms. Rhee intended to fire these teachers months ago or not. I care about what is best for the school community and it definitely isn't good for the school as a whole to be under the impression that they (teachers, staff) could be chopped at any time and in such a brutal manner. Let alone the message that it sends to the students. DCPS...I didn't think you could disappoint me any more, but I guess I was wrong.
As for Bill Turque's coverage of these events, it seems too cut-and-dried. "The day proceeded quietly for the most part." Really, Bill Turque? Did you bother to talk to any of the schools in SE? I know there was craziness in Ward 7 and I'm sure there was craziness at Ballou and Anacostia.
Back to my original point: during 4th period?! REALLY!?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Senegal, in a whirl
I landed in Dakar at 5 am on July 7. JC picked me up at the airport and we spent the day in the Dakar market and walking around. The next day, we headed out of Dakar on the 4 hour sept-place (seven-seater station wagon that is the main form of transportation around the country) drive to the Peace Corps Regional House in Kaolack. The next day, we make the last leg of the journey to Wilanene, JC's village, about 7 km outside of the town of Kaffrine.
Our days in the village were pretty lazy: we woke up around 7 am and usually walked to another village (anywhere between a 15 and 45 minute walk) to check up on the farmers that JC works with. We'd get home around 11 and cool off with a quick shower and a book. Naps were the normal before and after lunch. We'd do some planting or watering or clean the hut. More reading or napping or both. Sometimes we go sit outside the compound and visit with the women who'd walk passed. Dinner was served late, after JC's host mom closed the robinet.
We went to two baptisms while in the village. One was for a woman who JC didn't know very well and the other was for her friend, Fatou. The women got very dressed up and there was drumming and dancing in the evening.
After spending about 5 days in the village, we headed out to the island of Ginak and slept on the beach there. JC thought that she got stung by a jellyfish, but we're not sure if it happened. We only spent one night on Ginak and then headed back to Kaolack to stop over on our way to the Langue de Barbarie, a bird park in the northwest of the country. There, we canoed and took a boat to visit the Island of the Birds and did some more napping and reading.
After the bird park, we met up with two other Peace Corps volunteers, friends of JC's, and went to the Deserts of Lompoul, where we camped in tents on sand dunes and went for a camel ride. While there, I got a wicked fever and spent most of the time tossing and turning, but the camels made it worth it!
Since our trip was coming to an end, we went back to Dakar. My last day we spent again the Dakar market, buying fabric, and went to Ile de Goree, an island off the coast where there had been a slave outpost. The island is now a tourist destination and has a couple of great museums and lots of artists.
So, that was my trip, in a whirl! Check out the photos on Picasa for more details.
Our days in the village were pretty lazy: we woke up around 7 am and usually walked to another village (anywhere between a 15 and 45 minute walk) to check up on the farmers that JC works with. We'd get home around 11 and cool off with a quick shower and a book. Naps were the normal before and after lunch. We'd do some planting or watering or clean the hut. More reading or napping or both. Sometimes we go sit outside the compound and visit with the women who'd walk passed. Dinner was served late, after JC's host mom closed the robinet.
We went to two baptisms while in the village. One was for a woman who JC didn't know very well and the other was for her friend, Fatou. The women got very dressed up and there was drumming and dancing in the evening.
After spending about 5 days in the village, we headed out to the island of Ginak and slept on the beach there. JC thought that she got stung by a jellyfish, but we're not sure if it happened. We only spent one night on Ginak and then headed back to Kaolack to stop over on our way to the Langue de Barbarie, a bird park in the northwest of the country. There, we canoed and took a boat to visit the Island of the Birds and did some more napping and reading.
After the bird park, we met up with two other Peace Corps volunteers, friends of JC's, and went to the Deserts of Lompoul, where we camped in tents on sand dunes and went for a camel ride. While there, I got a wicked fever and spent most of the time tossing and turning, but the camels made it worth it!
Since our trip was coming to an end, we went back to Dakar. My last day we spent again the Dakar market, buying fabric, and went to Ile de Goree, an island off the coast where there had been a slave outpost. The island is now a tourist destination and has a couple of great museums and lots of artists.
So, that was my trip, in a whirl! Check out the photos on Picasa for more details.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Into Africa
I'm heading out to visit JC in Senegal tomorrow. I'll try to update a couple times while I'm there (I get back around noon on July 22), so that you all can hear some stories. I've also made (FINALLY) a Picasa site to upload pictures. Go there for pictures of the trip and adventure! The link is also in the sidebar on the right (Adventures in Color). If you need to reach me, email is probably the best, but I have no way of knowing how often I'll be able to get to an internet cafe. Love to everyone!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Almost done...
I'm about 80% done with my portfolio for my masters. I really can't wait for it to be over! They talk about how assignments should be meaningful and useful for students and then assign us this huge portfolio bull-crap. It's infuriating! I hope to goodness' sake that I never assign such a meaningless activity and manage to make school activities and work useful and have some relevance.
After it is over, I should be able to relax. I'm going to Senegal for two weeks on July 6 to visit JC, but I think it will be an adventurous, relaxing and eye-opening vacation. At least I'll be experiencing something completely different with someone who knows the region very well and will be able to steer me in the right direction about things to do or not to do. I think the plan is to go to her village for a bit, and maybe to the sand-dunes and to the beach. But honestly, she could completely change her mind before I get there and I wouldn't have any idea. If anyone knows of something that I should do, let me know via emails.
After it is over, I should be able to relax. I'm going to Senegal for two weeks on July 6 to visit JC, but I think it will be an adventurous, relaxing and eye-opening vacation. At least I'll be experiencing something completely different with someone who knows the region very well and will be able to steer me in the right direction about things to do or not to do. I think the plan is to go to her village for a bit, and maybe to the sand-dunes and to the beach. But honestly, she could completely change her mind before I get there and I wouldn't have any idea. If anyone knows of something that I should do, let me know via emails.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
