Rhode Island Teachers Fired
According to this article, the state of education in Rhode Island specifically is definitely not heading in a positive direction. Because the teacher's union did not agree to work an extra 25 minutes per day, the school superintendent fired every teacher and administrator at the school. Who knows though, if they hire on better staff, it could take a turn for the better.
2. What are your concerns?
I would be concerned about the student's welfare. If the teachers don't care about their students success and future enough to stay an extra 25 minutes per day, then they shouldn't be there. On the other hand though, I don't know the details of why the graduation rates are so low and why kids are failing out of their classes. Maybe its not a time issue. But then again, 25 extra minutes of tutoring never sounds like a bad thing for a student who needs help.
3. If you could say your 'piece' what would you say?
I almost would have to agree ridding the teachers to hire new ones. It seems crazy to me that so many teachers didn't agree with staying an extra 25 minutes. I wonder why they were so against this? Since they make so much more money that the majority of the town, then I would think they would be more motivated for a better life for their students.
4. What suggestions do you have to make things work?
Well, I would hire on new teachers who knew what they were in for. I remember watching a program on television with Teachers of America. The teachers were volunteering to teach at lower income schools after financial aid from the program that benefitted them to get through school. There really couldn't be a more dedicated and selfless group of people who cared about their students. It really effected the student's work habits and they seemed to try a lot harder and have a better attitude when they had a teacher behind them who supported them. If the Rhode Island Schools were able to bring aboard teachers such as these ones, I see that the future for the school system would be a log brighter.
Collective Bargaining/Unionization
1. Where is the state of education heading?
"The overhaul would lay off more than 750 teachers, expand class sizes and require students to complete online courses to graduate."
According to this statement, I would not say it is headed in a very positive direction. It makes me nervous by the fact that there will be less jobs available when the time comes for me to start applying.
2. What are your concerns?
I am concerned that educations is becoming less of a priority and we are relying on technology to teach future generations. We seem to be underestimating the power of a good teacher, and replacing them with computer screens.
3. If you could say your 'piece' what would you say?
Well, I don't agree with it. Teachers are really the backbone of the school system so to limit their already limited teacher union power doesn't really seem like it would be a good idea.
4. What suggestions do you have to make things work?
Well, first off, I wouldn't lay of 750 teachers, and I wouldn't expand class sizes, and I wouldn't require online classes for students to graduate. I know it is probably a very complicated issue and there is more to it than meets the eye, but I am sure there are other solutions to financial strain rather than cutting from education. To give my 2 cents on a perfect solution would be wrong, as I feel I don't have all the information to make a sensible and reasonable solution.
Idaho news
1. Where is the state of education heading?
It seems as though this year's budget cuts are a hint of what is to come. Things are not headed in the right direction as a result of limited financial spending ability. There were to be negative outcomes, and there were several listed such as teacher layoffs, fewer school days, and alternating kindergarten days and less money for sports and coaches. It wasn't any one of these specifically, it was a combination of all of them.
2. What are your concerns?
Well, it says in the article that "the district will face more reductions in state aid for teachers over the next five years as money is shifted to technology and merit-pay initiatives". This worries me that the priorities are not set straight and we are putting too much money into things that don't matter as much in the bigger picture.
3. If you could say your 'piece' what would you say?
Well, I am wondering what they are doing with the money they are saving. I don't understand how these decisions will effect the bigger picture. These changes don'ts seem to be positive. It's not a good idea to put the education of our future leaders on the chopping block for financial support.
4. What suggestions do you have to make things work?
Again, I don't know too much about the issue but I wonder what they are spending all the money on if they can't afford to pay all of the teachers or have a longer school year.
"Idaho’s new education law championed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna reduces state spending for school staffing each of the next five years to pay for a new technology initiative and a merit-pay system."
Well... let's just say I'm not really liking Tom Luna. His priorities seems skewed. He may be in it for the good, but what defines good? Students with fewer teacher, bigger classes, less face time and more computer time. To me, that is just exacerbating already developing issues in today's society concerning over dependence on technology.
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