Saturday, October 4, 2008
Dallas ISD teacher layoff system “complicated”
"High need" teachers in subjects like math and science stand a better chance at keeping their jobs, even if they're uncertified or recently hired.
Since the Dallas ISD's current budget shortfall was said to have been caused by not properly budgeting the hiring of new teachers, you would think the layoff system would be relatively straightforward -- just lay off those teachers who were most recently hired. However, you would be wrong.
Teachers who deal with "high need" subjects like math or science stand a better chance at keeping their jobs than, say, someone who teaches English. Also, DISD policy says that cuts must be made district-wide, so a school that is understaffed can theoretically lose the same amount of employees as an overstaffed one using the judging criteria of need and teacher certification.
Posted by Alex B.
Travis Bush, says:
Wouldn't it make more sense to cut all other jobs possible before going after the teachers?
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1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Clay213, says:
Who needs teachers when the grades don't matter anyway?
Anonymous
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Travis Bush, says:
You haven't a clue how important public schools really are..Have you even priced day care for a teenager these days?
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ch0, says:
English is "low need." Nice.
Anonymous
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice, says:
Math - like "30 cronies * $200K each + a few years worth of political favors = bankruptcy"
Now where could we use those skills, I wonder?
English? Just name a major street after someone that speaks it. That'll take care of it.
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1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
klue, says:
The teaching profession already has a reputation for being underpaid and overworked, and it's already tough enough to recruit good quality teachers. One of the FEW things good teachers had going for them was job security. But now with this, laying off teachers that have already been working, teachers who may very well be good at what they do inspiring students and meeting standards. Laying off these teachers because they don't have quite as much tenure or they don't teach the "right" subject... what kind of message does that send? I imagine that not all who get laid off from DISD will look for a teaching job elsewhere after this. The brightest and most capable individuals may very well try for a private school job, or switch professions entirely. And I REALLY feel for the teachers left behind that now have to somehow handle class sizes of 35 unruly teenagers. How can we honestly expect them to do anything with that?
Anonymous
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
klue, says:
Oh and Jason...
1)English does not equal ESL - 2 completely different curriculums.
2)Lack of speaking and writing skills = political leaders prone to making up words and offending many = international disrespect for a country once admired
3)Lack of Historical knoweledge = a new group of voters destined to repeat the same mistakes over and over.
4)Lack of understanding of concepts of freedom, culture, expression, and human values (taught in most good liturature, art music) = a generation of people good at crunching numbers without caring what they do with them (enron anyone?)
Anonymous
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice, says:
Klue - yeah I know..... WAY too well. Hence my snark.
There is a very good reason we are not in the DISD. My kids' interests would be so far down the politcal pecking order that the only record of their existence might be initials carved in a desk.
But mark my word, these administrators are 100% untouchable and bulletproof. Heads won't roll. They'll just hire more cousins.
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1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
klue, says:
ah yes. haha. I guess when I went through school, times weren't quite as tough but aparently they must have cut the sarcasm detection curriculum from my education. alas.
Anonymous
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice, says:
Which just goes to PROVE your very point. ;o)
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Mike Orren, says:
Fun with referrer logs this weekend led me back to this now-even-more-hilarious blast from the past:
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/...
Staff
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Clay213, says:
Man, I guess my jokes are just getting too obscure.
Anonymous
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Clay213, says:
Or should I say obtuse..
Anonymous
1 year, 2 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jason Rice, says:
Hate to admit it Clay, but I was with ya.
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