And, actually, I won't.

For one thing, I don't have enough information to rant. (A reading of the "Comments" section clearly shows that I am not alone in my concern. IEA PR guy, Charlie McBarron - who "took up residence" at CAT HQ during the 2002 blood-letting, aka work stoppage - finally stepped in and tried to put out the fire.)

I mean...blindly shooting from the lip can be fun. I certainly won't claim to be innocent...e.g. yesterday.

However, the IEA, IFT and CTU introducing a legislative proposal for education reform?

I'm gonna leave that one alone...

I'm gonna let you read it for yourself.

I will, as always, offer an opinion.

I was NOT surprised by the article...or the legislative proposal.

IEA has been down this road before...

The IEA "powers that be" (who are much more experienced at these things than I) often decide to be proactive. They see the train wreck about to happen and try to take steps to prevent or at least lessen the damage. The IEA feels that it's better to "be part of the solution"...rather than sit back and let your adversaries tar and feather you as "the problem", setting the stage for you execution. The IEA will often step forward and propose, negotiate, and salvage a less harmful result than what would come down the pike if it sat back and just said "NO!"...and got steamrolled.

This die-hard, Nathan Haleish "I only regret that I have but 9 lives to give for my country" ex-CAT often took offense to the IEA's wave-the-white-flag-of-surrender, wussy approach...as I do now.

However, there have been times...

...in the aftermath, when I had to reluctantly admit that the IEA was right. Hell, I even "hit the streets"..."selling" the solution to cantankerous fellow CATs.

One example leaps to mind...the recertification process for Illinois teachers. The infamous CPDU system by which teachers demonstrate "professional growth". Yes, it was/is tedious...downright silly even. BUT...the "public" (meaning business leaders and politicians) were literally after the hides of teachers. They had some horrible proposals "on the table"...proposals that would have eliminated teacher tenure rights. Due to the IEA's proactive efforts, teachers actually won control over the recertification process. Grumble all you will...and thank your lucky stars...and the IEA.

The current anti-teacher climate in Illinois (and the U.S. of A. in general) is what is behind the "legislative proposal" being pushed by the IEA, IFT, and the CTU. The IEA sees a light at the end of the tunnel...and has determined that it is a big effing train...and teachers are tied to the tracks.

So...

When I read the article below, shivers of apprehension went up and down my spine. From what I read, "Ah'm agin it." If what I fear transpires, I will take no pleasure in a future rant...which will close with a resounding "I told you so!"

In short, the jury is still out on this one...and I will bide my time, crossing fingers and eyes until it sorts itself out.

I wish the IEA, IFT, and the CTU...and, most importantly, us...well!

From the Illinois Education Association Website...

Link to Original Story

Accountability for All (PDF File)

IEA, IFT and CTU introduce own legislative proposal

January 4, 2011 By IEA Communications

The following release is being distributed and is a combined proposal of the Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers and Chicago Teachers’ Union:

Educators propose “Accountability for All” education reform legislation

January 3, 2011 – Springfield, IL – Illinois educators this week will introduce major reform legislation that will hold school administrators, school board members and teachers accountable for their performances on behalf of school children statewide.

Three unions representing more than 230,000 Illinois education employees, the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) and the Chicago Teachers Union are proposing the legislative package Accountability for All.

Accountability for All would streamline the process for removing underperforming teachers from Illinois classrooms. The changes would ensure a proposed teacher dismissal is resolved in a much shorter time, helping to reduce costs associated with dismissals for both districts and employees.

“We believe these reforms are fair and rigorous standards that will make a difference in children’s education. This legislation provides accountability and support for all of the adults involved with our schools. Teachers will also continue to have the right to advocate for their students without fear of reprisal,” said Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

“Every student has the right to be taught by a top-quality teacher. Teachers who have received support but who are unable to do the job, will have to leave the classroom,” said Ken Swanson, IEA president, “Accountability for All proposes reforms that will improve teaching and learning that come from teachers, the classroom experts.”

“How do you improve schools? Lower class sizes, limit instructional time spent on standardized testing, fund schools based on need, not clout, and be sure that all children receive a full diet of art, music, physical education and foreign languages,” said Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union and executive vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

The unions also propose that teacher performance evaluations be clearly tied to a teacher obtaining due process rights, usually known as “teacher tenure.” Educators are calling for performance evaluations to help determine which teachers will be laid off during a financial crisis in a district. Currently, layoff decisions are made based solely on seniority.

Another provision of Accountability for All would provide for the expansion of training and mentoring programs for teachers and school administrators. In addition, under the union plan all school board members in Illinois would, for the first time, be required to participate in training aimed at improving their performances as board members. And the package also contains a “Student Bill of Rights” that would hold districts accountable for providing every student with a qualified teacher on day one of each school year.

The Accountability for All legislation builds on previous education improvement initiatives in which IEA and IFT have been key players, including the state’s application for Race to the Top funds.

###

Comments

Debbie says:
January 3, 2011 at 3:49 pm
I hope this part of the proposal doesn’t turn out to be a slippery slope:

“Educators are calling for performance evaluations to help determine which teachers will be laid off during a financial crisis in a district. Currently, layoff decisions are made based solely on seniority.”

I can see the possibility of administration manipulating this in order to dump veteran educators who have the highest salaries. I think this whole thing hinges on how the performance evaluations are developed and implemented. If we agree to this before knowing how performance will be evaluated, we could be in trouble down the road.

Cree Sochor-Clegg says:
January 3, 2011 at 4:06 pm
I would like to know upon what criteria will a teacher’s dismissal be based? I think we are all aware that test scores alone are no basis for dismissal – demographics being as dynamic as they are currently, and are what truly drive the curriculum. Additionally, by restricting a teacher’s right to adapt the curriculum to accommodate students’ individual needs and learning styles, we will still be guilty of placing the onus of responsibility upon the teacher, without allowing the teacher to teach, and without any accountability on the part of the administrators – those who mandate the curriculum, and how it is to be taught.

Lisa says:
January 3, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Wait a minute….. am I reading this correctly???? “Educators are calling for performance evaluations to help determine which teachers will be laid off during a financial crisis in a district.” Why would the IEA agree to giving up seniority!? What protection do older teachers, with higher salaries have? What if younger, cheaper teachers have “distinguished” evals and older, more expensive teachers have “excellent” evals? You could think all along that you’re safe, but with budget cuts, older teachers are at great risk! Many of us gave up other professions to go into teaching – it’s not fair to take away one of our few benefits! Good luck finding new teachers to come into the profession! Good luck finding dues paying members! What happened to recognizing that great teaching comes with maturity and experience!? WHAT IS THE IEA DOING? Has the IEA forgotten what it’s like to be in the classroom!? Is the IEA reading the research!? If you’re giving away my seniority, then let me direct deal my own salary!

Charles McBarron says:
January 4, 2011 at 9:24 am
IEA, IFT and CTU have not proposed giving up seniority as a factor in determining layoffs. We are proposing that performance evaluations which occur after the new performance evaluation goes into effect (not until at least 2015 in some districts and 2016 in the remaining districts) would be a factor considered in determining layoffs, along with seniority and other factors. Performance evaluations would not be given any greater weight than seniority in making these determinations. It would be up to the district and the union to jointly determine how teachers would be grouped by evaluations, i.e., into 4 separate groups established under the new evaluations law (excellent, proficient, needs improvement or unsatisfactory) or 3 separate groups (excellent/proficient, needs improvement, unsatisfactory), and how much weight to give each factor. Furthermore, our proposal specifically states that teachers’ salaries and benefits are prohibited from being a factor considered.

Dallas Heikkinen says:
January 3, 2011 at 9:46 pm
The idea of teacher unions is not to protect bad teachers, but to protect teachers from bad administrators.

All administrators are not bad, but all administrators have learned to play the political game, hence they all think as those above them do. If you base performance on what the administration views as a standard you’ll lose all of the teachers who are creative who inspire their students. Teaching to a BLAND STANDARD. Let’s destroy creativity! Let’s destroy science and math by making it the most boring subjects on earth. Free thought and FREEDOM are over rated. Politicians see education as an easy mark we can’t afford to let the uneducated politician regulated those who know how to educate.

Ray Jansky says:
January 6, 2011 at 3:21 pm
If this becomes law, no teacher will ever reach retirement again. To make it to the new retirement age of 67 without having a “better” and LESS EXPENSIVE teacher undercutting your position will be very rare…………. or Is that the ides?

Actually...

The IEA, IFT, CTU legislative proposal reminds me of a Christmas card that I bought and sent to a colleague a couple of weeks ago: