Of course, Ohio could always change the funding formula that was foun...See MoreI think it makes perfect sense. Too many school districts struggle year after year to pass operating levies, income tax renewals, and bonds. If consolidation means less of a burden on tax payers and more financial stability for struggling districts, then I am all for it.
Of course, Ohio could always change the funding formula that was found unconstitutional almost 20 years ago, and that could also solve the problem.
On 2/24/10, Dale wrote: > > I finally located the article that I made reference to > > in a former Post. > > You may want to read the article and give an opinion. > > Thanks Dale
The second half we discussed Ohio's new credit flexibility plan. Basically...if a student wants to take a basketweaving class outside of school for Art class credit...they can (if the school approves the curriculum - and the teacher oversees the work done in basketweaving), but if students don't like it when the school denies them Art credit for basketweaving...they can appeal the decision. And the kicker is that the school pays for this basketweaving class.
So...these basketweaving teachers don't have to accommodate for IEPs.
It just doesn't make sense. Make the school's job harder...yet make students less accountable.
I understand and like the idea behind credit flexibility...but in my opinion the execution is wrong.
First, schools will set the criteria and methods by which students are assessed, even if learning takes place outside the traditional classroom. Therefore, there is nothing inherent in credit flexibility that would lead to a reduction in rigor or grade inflation. Students will be held accountable for learning by district teachers as they always have been.
Second, students' IEPs apply in any setting in which a district places a student, whether that be in a traditional class, independent study, online course, or other educational option.
Third, the information on costs is not accurate either. Districts only have to pay for experiences that have analogous traditional courses, and then only have to provide resources that would also be provided to students in a regular class. In other words, unless your district offers a basket weaving class, it won't have to pay for private basket weaving classes. Further, districts will continue to receive state funding for students who participate in credit flexibility experiences just as they do for students enrolled in traditional courses.
Finally, on a more philosophical note, I think people should look beyond the handful of students looking to slide by with minimal effort and think more about the student who would like to take Chinese but attends a school where it isn't offered, or a student who wants to earn credit through a structured "hands on" experience in a mentorship, internship, or service learning program that could also help him or her develop job skills and work experience and explore future career and education options. If a kid already knows the content of Algebra I, is it "rigorous" to make her sit through the class anyway? Other than practicing valuable waiting skills, I do not see the benefit to that student, the teacher of the class, or the student's peers. Wouldn't it be MORE rigorous to assess her mastery of Algebra I requirements and then enroll her in, say, a statistics or computer science course where she will have to grapple with new, more challenging material, and then let the Algebra I teacher focus his or her time and attention on the students who do need instruction?
The fact is, more than a third of our students don't graduate high school. Of those who do, only half go on to college. Of those who go on to college, nearly half have to take remedial coursework on campus (and a majority of those students will drop out, stop out, or flunk out before earning a baccalaureate.)
In other words, the systems we have in place to ensure rigor today, before credit flexibility, have succeeded in preparing, at best, 1 out of 5 students for post-secondary success. Given these results, I think there's room for some experimentation.
I'm not trying to be hostile. I just think you've been given some inaccurate information. I think if you read more about credit flexibility you would find that many of the concerns you raised are actually addressed. I suggest starting by reading the credit flexibility plan at the link below: [link removed]
On 3/03/10, Eri...See MoreThanks for your response. I will read the info in the link you sent. As a business/computer teacher...I see it as a way to get rid of teaching positions.
At our meeting, even my principal said that schools will use this as a way to avoid hiring teachers.
I will read the link you sent. Thanks for the reply.
On 3/03/10, Eric wrote: > It seems you have been given some information about credit > flexibility that is incorrect, so I wanted to take a minute to > address a few of the items in your post. > > First, schools will set the criteria and methods by which > students are assessed, even if learning takes place outside > the traditional classroom. Therefore, there is nothing > inherent in credit flexibility that would lead to a reduction > in rigor or grade inflation. Students will be held accountable > for learning by district teachers as they always have been. > > Second, students' IEPs apply in any setting in which a > district places a student, whether that be in a traditional > class, independent study, online course, or other educational > option. > > Third, the information on costs is not accurate either. > Districts only have to pay for experiences that have analogous > traditional courses, and then only have to provide resources > that would also be provided to students in a regular class. > In other words, unless your district offers a basket weaving > class, it won't have to pay for private basket weaving > classes. Further, districts will continue to receive state > funding for students who participate in credit flexibility > experiences just as they do for students enrolled in > traditional courses. > > Finally, on a more philosophical note, I think people should > look beyond the handful of students looking to slide by with > minimal effort and think more about the student who would like > to take Chinese but attends a school where it isn't offered, > or a student who wants to earn credit through a structured > "hands on" experience in a mentorship, internship, or service > learning program that could also help him or her develop job > skills and work experience and explore future career and > education options. If a kid already knows the content of > Algebra I, is it "rigorous" to make her sit through the class > anyway? Other than practicing valuable waiting skills, I do > not see the benefit to that student, the teacher of the class, > or the student's peers. Wouldn't it be MORE rigorous to > assess her mastery of Algebra I requirements and then enroll > her in, say, a statistics or computer science course where she > will have to grapple with new, more challenging material, and > then let the Algebra I teacher focus his or her time and > attention on the students who do need instruction? > > The fact is, more than a third of our students don't graduate > high school. Of those who do, only half go on to college. Of > those who go on to college, nearly half have to take remedial > coursework on campus (and a majority of those students will > drop out, stop out, or flunk out before earning a > baccalaureate.) > > In other words, the systems we have in place to ensure rigor > today, before credit flexibility, have succeeded in preparing, > at best, 1 out of 5 students for post-secondary success. > Given these results, I think there's room for some > experimentation. > > I'm not trying to be hostile. I just think you've been given > some inaccurate information. I think if you read more about > credit flexibility you would find that many of the concerns > you raised are actually addressed. I suggest starting by > reading the credit flexibility plan at the link below: > [link removed]
I am already a teacher. I teach elective classes, and I am low in seniority....and because there are only 2 of us in the department, and my coworker with seniority has only 5 years more than I do...I will remain low in seniority for most of my career.
In the past, student enrollment has been a concern for us....and if enrollment were to get low enough...my job would be the one on the line.
So...for my professional development, I am considering earning an additional teaching license. I already have a masters degree. I spoke with my administrators about this, and they encouraged it...saying that it would give me more job security, because if enrollment got low enough in our department, they could always give me a period or two teaching in the other area.
My administrator recommended getting a core license (and said Math and Science are always in high demand).
The problem with Math and Science is that I always had trouble with those courses when I was in school.
Does anyone have any recommendations for other licenses that are in high demand??
On 3/08/10, Already a Teacher wrote: > I'm surprised that you are having problems finding a job in math. > Surely you will get a job for this coming year? What region of Ohio > are you looking? > > > On 3/06/10, Math Teach wrote: >> I agree with the special ed part. Glad to see that you're not >> going to try and repeatedly take the Praxis 2 for Secondary >> Math, when you've "had trouble" with math. >> >> As a math teacher who couldn't get a contract this year. I can >> only wish that my competition was well versed in math (I majored >> in it), and didn't choose math simply because it's a shortage >> are (no longer). How I'd love to see the passing Praxis 2 score >> raised to 180 or so. >> >> >> On 3/04/10, CB wrote: >>> Special Ed? >>> >>> On 3/04/10, Already a teacher wrote: >>>> Hello, >>>> >>>> I am already a teacher. I teach elective classes, and I am >>>> low in seniority....and because there are only 2 of us in >>>> the department, and my coworker with seniority has only 5 >>>> years more than I do...I will remain low in seniority for >>>> most of my career. >>>> >>>> In the past, student enrollment has been a concern for >>>> us....and if enrollment were to get low enough...my job >>>> would be the one on the line. >>>> >>>> So...for my professional development, I am considering >>>> earning an additional teaching license. I already have a >>>> masters degree. I spoke with my administrators about this, >>>> and they encouraged it...saying that it would give me more >>>> job security, because if enrollment got low enough in our >>>> department, they could always give me a period or two >>>> teaching in the other area. >>>> >>>> My administrator recommended getting a core license (and >>>> said Math and Science are always in high demand). >>>> >>>> The problem with Math and Science is that I always had >>>> trouble with those courses when I was in school. >>>> >>>> Does anyone have any recommendations for other licenses >>>> that are in high demand?? >>>> >>>> I appreciate any input! >>>> >>>>
Does any know anything about Re-education Services? They offer services for autistic children in several counties on two campuses in Perry and Mentor. Is this a public school? Anyone know how the teachers are paid?
On 3/13/10, Dale wrote: > > I received my 50 year Masonic Pin along with the fifty > year dues card paid up for life! > > To me these are cherished awards. > > Over these many years I've made considerable donations > > to the Shriners Hospitals throughout the USA. >
Wow. Have you read this article? This is one of the most biased, nonsensical, more-heat-than-light things I have read about teachers and teaching in a long time. Absolute nonsense and getting the smackdown it deserves from Mr. Teachbad: [link removed]
Of course, Ohio could always change the funding formula that was foun...See More