Me neither...Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, one of this country's most visible leaders in education, is visiting District 150 today. The pjstar is reporting that Weingarten is here because Peoria is on the "cutting edge" of "education reform". Did you hear that Peoria - what we have before us is "cutting edge education reform".
What is being called "cutting edge", is the restructuring of Manual and the development of a teacher evaluation tool that is to be used at Manual (which is said to likely be a model for the rest of the state). Having said all that, do we really believe Weingarten is in town to commend the "education reforms" as stated above?
Lately local teacher's union rabblerousers have ratcheted up the dialogue against Edison, Manual and Quest (all entities negotiate contracts with teachers outside the union), call me a skeptic, but it is doubtful that Weingarten is in town to slap Teacher's Union President, Bobby Darling on the back.
The question of the day: Why is a powerful politician - Randi Weingarten really in Peoria - did she get lost on her way to Chicago?
She was involved in the unseating of D.C. Schools Chancellor, Michelle Rhee and the subsequent unseating of D.C. Mayor, Adrian Fenty. Is she in Peoria to put her two cents in on the negotiation of the contract for the Peoria Teacher's Union?
While all of the big wigs are running around town spending our tax dollars, riding in caravans, eating at steak houses and talking the dollars of education, what does any of this really have to do with what our parents and children are dealing with every day? Will there be any discussions about what is best for children and families?
Also in town...Dr. W. Patrick Dolan, a nationally recognized consultant on education reform. Mr. Dolan will be presenting at a forum alongside Bobby Darling. The presentation is entitled "Reforming Schools in Peoria". It is reported that the topic relates to efforts by Mr. Darling and Dr. Dolan to move into a new era of education unionism.
If Darling (as the elected leader of the Teacher's Union) enlisted Patrick Dolan - exactly who invited Randi Weingarten?
9 comments:
Children and families are nothing more than pawns in this big game of "education reform".
What a glamorous and exciting time for politicians (luncheons, press junkets, television shows) - all at the expense of our children and on our tax dime.
Disgusting.
The lawayers are getting making big money off the District today.
And here I have been concerned (since I heard this news) that Weingartner would be treated to a dog and pony show at Manual and that she would actually believe that 378 students earned grades that are actually deserving of being on the honor roll (inspite of their high school AYP scores--minus the deceptive inclusion of 7th and 8th grade scores). And that she would actually believe that the Johns Hopkins programs is cutting edge.
I don't know who else is attending the day's events, but I doubt that taxpayers are paying the bill for a union president's attendance at the event.
Also, remember that those of us whom you usually call rabblerousers who criticize Manual, Edison, or Quest do not speak for District Watch or for the union. While we may speak for the opinions of some or many teachers, that is not the same as speaking for the union. We have no official voice at all.
Didn't Dolan speak at Dr. Lathan's Meet and Greet earlier in the year? Who invited him that time around?
Until we see significant pension reform, more instructional time for students, and the potential for more year around educational oportunities, its mostly rearranging the chairs on a sinking ship. Tenure reform should have happened a long time ago - along with substantitive performance evaluations. The dog and pony show is merely the union reacting to public outcry, not getting ahead of the curve.
Great post! You ask some very good questions about what the presence of all of these "players" means for the future of Peoria schools.
I watched Weingarten and Rhee battle it out on the Today Show. Rhee offered specifics (whether you agree with them or not) and Weingarten offered only generalities and excuses. She appear to be a polished politician but seems unconcerned about true education reform.
Give her a break. Adopt a wait and see. The Washington Post is a rag and tends to leave out information...like facts from time to time.
Weingarten is a smart enough politician to realize that change is here and she could either be a part of it or be relagated to the sidelines.
If she lauds what's going on at Manual, I'm going to burn my union card. Twice.
A-D
... oops she likes Manual, is your card laminated?
from wmbd:
Darling says Weingarten wants to learn more about the collaborative efforts when in comes to improving education in Peoria. Darling says it is important that the community know that the teachers union is on board with collaboration and the recognition is nice.
Darling thinks Weingarten will use Peoria as an example when it comes to working together for the betterment of children.
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