- Benjamin Franklin Elementary
- Mark Twain Elementary
- George Washington Elementary
- Woodcrest Elementary
It is one thing when we self-promote or self-declare ourselves as being good and worthy, it is quite another when external sources honor the work and progress made. Such is, of course, the case with the California Distinguished Schools. The process involves:
An initial invitation to apply,- An application outlining signature activities and practices,
- Based on the quality of the application a final round of school visits to validate the practices and excellence at the school site, and
The final selection.
The irony of the state’s recognition of these schools is that while they are honoring them, there are insufficient funds to continue to operate them as they have been. Additionally, it is frustrating that in the case of one school, that while it is being recognized for its achievement we (as required by law) are laying off 62% of the staff that were the ones responsible for the Distinguished School recognition.
There are things that could and should be done to save many of these teachers' jobs, however the negotiating teams for the district and the union refuse to discuss job saving measures. Every other local district is saving taching jobs. It doesn't have to be this way. Even LA has discussed and come to an agreement saving lots of jobs. Teachers are just not that important to RUSD.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all four schools on a job well done!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Franklin, Twain, Washington, and Woodcrest! Even in these difficult times, you've continued to shine! Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIf AB 955 passes, would you be able to save these outstanding teachers and lay-off other ineffective teachers instead?
ReplyDeleteHow about we vote to lay you off, anonymous? Or are you a stay at home parent?
ReplyDeleteI am a parent and a 21 year RUSD teacher. It is wrong that these teachers are losing their jobs. Seniority should not be the only factor when districts decide who gets to remain. The most experienced teachers should logically be among the most effective -- and thus have little to fear. Many are not even close. It is wrong that ineffective teachers are allowed to keep their jobs. It makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteGiven the economic circumstances we find ourselves in and what that will mean, we will undoubtably need the best teachers to teach our children and students in the coming months not the teachers who have been around the longest.
While I agree with Anonymous April 24 7:26 am that other factors should weigh in on who keeps their jobs, don't be short sighted! If a District can hire two teachers for the price of one 25 year vet. teacher, why wouldn't they? Is the vet teacher worth two teachers? The real issue here is not who keeps a job during tough economic times, rather, the issue is to make the process of removing inefficient/poor teachers more streamlined. We don't want to create a system that prevents people from speaking out or questioning policies for fear they might lose their jobs. Another thought, older teachers are also more costly in terms of healthcare. How long will it take Districts to realize that they can save significant $$$$'s on such costs if they have a younger workforce with fewer health problems?
ReplyDeleteWhat constitutes an ineffective teacher? I know that some elementary teachers are given the best and brightest students(GATE clusters, AP/Honors courses etc.) How is that fair to other teachers and students who do their best, but the students fail to learn due to learning disabilities? Again, who is to determine these so called ineffective teachers? I know at my site, there is a click of teachers who think they know who is good and who is not, but they are never in anyone's classroom to make their observations. It is based on rumors. After teaching 21 years, you would think that you would unite teachers instead of dividing them and calling some of them ineffective. I have been teaching for over 25 years and know that it all comes down to politics.
ReplyDeleteBlogsters would do well to refrain from derisive posts that simply play one side against the other. It is not as easy as "young vs. old", or "tenured vs. non-tenured". It is not as simple as that.
ReplyDeleteThese are tough times; tough decisions will need to be made - both in Riverside and elsewhere.
As a school district, from top to bottom, RUSD leadership need to make decisions that result in retaining the best resources (human and otherwise) for completing our primary charge (student learning). That means keeping or securing the resources that are the most effective (produce the greatest gain) and efficient (dollars to outcomes) with our most difficult students - across the board.
If you are not a part of that solution, figure out how to get there. If your are, bring someone along with you. We are in this together.