Priceless

Schools are improving due to standardized test data and teachers that can't improve their stats are not doing their jobs. I'm in trouble this year.

I just looked at my two algebra classes.

Class 1 has a register at present of 30 students. Last year 15 were absent more than 20 times, and 8 more than 25 times. Class 2 has a register of 33,with 20 absent more than 15 times, 8 absent more than 25 5 times and 6 absent more than 30 times. One kid was out 45 times and another was out 64 times. (I am willing to bet all I own that the registers of both classes will be up to max before the end of the first week, if they are not up there already.)

Their Acuity Predictives are low. Their attendance is awful. Yet, I will be held accountable for what they produce in my class?

It seems to me these kids have big problems, bigger than anything I am equipped to handle. According to Accountable Talk, if Jack Welch, former CEO of GE and man on top at the Leadership Academy, has his way, you will find me on the unemployment line in June.

$80 billion on a computer to provide the data to show the problems......$0 on how to solve the problems. Priceless.

Suit's Bitching

Suit was bitching today because so many math teachers took off Tuesday to avoid the Election Day staff undevelopment. About 1/3 of the department avoided the day like the plague. Instead of bitching, he should be praising us. The math department has the best attendance in the building. We come in on teaching days. Our students are important to us. We know that no learning takes place with a substitute teacher. Everyone needs a day for R & R occasionally. He should be kissing our feet for doing it when classes are not in session.