trans·par·ent
adjective \tran(t)s-ˈper-ənt\
: able to be seen through
: easy to notice or understand
: honest and open : not secretive
Example: People of good character are transparent.
The Pleasantdale staff members made up of teachers, administrators and support staff were recently surveyed by the Board of Education on a variety of topics.
Thank you to those of you that took the time to your express their opinions openly and honestly. Hopefully your voices will not fall on deaf ears as they have done so often in the past. It's time to put an end to the secret society that characterizes District 107. With that being said, it would have been helpful if all the board members had taken the time to actually read through your comments. As of last night's board meeting, it was evident that the new majority had not.
The results of how district 107 is doing in the eyes of the staff are dismal at best.
For the next 12 days we will publish the survey results and comments that the Board of Education received on a variety of topics. Today we will begin with curriculum and instruction. The comment portion will precede the actual numbers.
Pleasantdale School District 107 Staff Insights 2014 on
|
Curriculum/Instruction
|
Comments/suggestions:
-- I am a part of the curriculum process and I know what I need to teach. Although it is difficult to write curriculum and assessments, we do it the right way because we all know it so well.
-- There is no Curriculum at Pleasantdale, and unfortunately, the Curriculum Coordinator has not helped with this. The Common Core standards by themselves are not a district's curriculum.
-- I think we do a good job of making our kids feel valued.
-- I think that the addition of a Curriculum Coordinator is a good idea, but I am not sure how well our part-time position has worked for us. Our Curriculum Council is outdated and has lost its effectiveness. In essence, it is merely a sham. Decisions are usually made prior to the meeting and if decisions are made at the meeting, they never make it back to the rest of the staff or parent community. Also, the parents sitting on the council have been there since its inception. How were they even chosen and how do they get to sit in the council for an indefinite amount of time? How we have written curriculum is still a mystery to me and I have gone through the process! I know that we never received the necessary training and support to be confident in anything that has been written thus far.
-- I do not really understand how Curriculum Council works or the role it plays in the district. Plus when certain groups (ex: specials) do not teach content areas such as math and reading, do they feel ready to help make those curricular decisions vs. the three other people in each grade level who actually teach those content areas? I do question much of the "curriculum writing" that is completed in district. I have not participated in any writing at this time, but in previous positions, local districts, and word of mouth, schools are using published, research based curriculum. Children thrive on consistency. I am sure that the majority of us can remember a reading, vocabulary, math book series that we used in elementary school. From year to year you could count on the familiarity of the layout of each of these books. Do children at our school have this now?
-- Start the process of writing curriculum over. What is there now is a huge mess. Hire at least one curriculum specialist. We need to develop a system for mapping curriculum before we create and adopt the curriculum. Let's do what is right for the students so their achievement does not continue to fall.
-- Budget outside of grade level budget for disposable/supplemental materials throughout the year
-- We are constantly revising or altering the curriculum and never look at its validity. It seems each year we need to tweak something pertaining the the curriculum or scales or maps rather than letting us try it for a while and see how it works.
-- It would be nice to be treated with respect in both our professional and personal life. Superintendent decisions are often "favored" toward some staff members and punitive to others. When a problem arises, it would be nice to be talked to with some compassion and attempt at understanding instead of being "bullied", yelled at, or having a finger pointed in your face. I am so happy to say my career has been at Pleasantdale...we just have to fix some of these obstacles so we can get back to doing what we do best...teaching.
-- There needs to be guidance on common core from an outside source and time dedicated to it. Common Core should be the number one priority right now. One teacher should not be expected to be in charge of math, L.A., science, or social studies based on the committee they were forced to be a part of. At the elementary school all teachers in each grade need to be involved in every subject especially when it comes to common core. District assessments need to be gone because they do not match up to Core at all. Teachers should not be writing assessments.
-- I'm not sure the role of the curriculum coordinators job if teachers are still expected to write curriculum. Furthermore, I find it hard to believe a Special Ed Director can sit in meetings to ensure best placement/practice for children she has never taken a moment to meet or observe. That is shameful!
-- I have never been asked to "write" curriculum in this district. My job does include long range planning, differentiating curriculum to meet the needs of all of my students and aligning curriculum with grade level standards (Common Core or otherwise). I have been properly trained by my school district to do these curriculum tasks with ease and confidence.
-- I have 5+ programs at my disposal to use with my students with special needs. I feel fortunate to work in a district that does provide me with the tools I need to effectively teach struggling students.
-- I believe that we do need a Curriculum Coordinator. I didn't know that there were different kinds of Curriculum Coordinators. I believe we need someone to help with the writing of the curriculum, to educate us and help us in writing some of the curriculum as well as someone who can help gather materials for us. I believe that the LA department has been writing and rewriting since 2005. I certainly hope there is not an administrator in the district who would suggest that the LA staff is lazy. The volumes of writing they have done would prove just the opposite. The other departments are not far behind in their writing and rewriting. I often feel that if I could focus on my teaching, that would be so great. We have tried to do the best that we know how to address the Core. Are our curriculums aligned? If not, it is not for the lack of trying. Some education in this area would be greatly appreciated. I do not feel that the Curriculum Council is as effective as it was in the beginning. Initially, agendas went out with attachments of information that was to be read prior to the meeting. That way, members can educated and prepared to discuss. It is my understanding that meetings should not be informational; that can be disseminated by email. Meetings are for moving things forward, discussing and voting. Meetings did not take all day because staff came prepared to discuss. They had read the information and researched the ideas and could come with a response that reflected their content area's opinion. That is not how they run now. You are not sure if you can speak for anyone except yourself which is not why you are there. You are there to represent you department. You are there to speak for your department. Otherwise the framework that the CC is built upon is contrary to its function.
-- The current adoption of common core standards has served to illustrate how lacking the district is in possessing comprehensive curricula for math and language arts.
-- 1. I believe that the Curriculum Coordinator should be writing the curriculum and not the untrained staff that represent us on the committees. 2. Training in CORE is critical for all staff involved in teaching students. 3. I do not know any teacher who feels that they are qualified to make the tests for the subject area.
-- Our curriculum council needs revisiting. There are times when the experts (a department) should be present for decisions. Also, could curriculum council do more help with aligning? Could there be two groups A and B. Then teachers would only miss every other month? Special needs students-I feel there needs to be more interventions here for them at the middle school. Could tutoring have tutors? I look forward to some new progress monitoring materials that we can actually use the data for improving instruction.
-- Hiring a technology teacher to bridge deficits in technology instruction.
-- Some of the items listed are changing; for example, we are starting to implement RtI and get students help.
-- A curriculum coordinator that worked with all subject areas, not just language arts.
-- If teachers are responsible for writing assessments and curriculum, it is important that these are evaluated by an expert in that particular area before they are actually implemented.
-- For the past several years we have been spinning our wheels on trying to implement the latest, greatest fad. In always trying to implement them as quickly as possible, the work has lacked quality. We also tend to get rid of it before we even give it time to see if it is effective. The Core team identified this as a risk to our district and created a position that was supposed to control the pace of initiatives. This person should be independent of the Superintendent who sets the initiatives, but unfortunately that role has become just an extension of the Superintendent. (Not the fault of the person who took the position) Curriculum council needs a major overhaul.
-- The curriculum council is just window dressing. Whatever the Admin wants gets done, not what teachers want. It's just part of a large bureaucracy to filter decision making. It's a waste of time.
-- We need to be more efficient with our release time. Rather than monthly Curriculum Council, perhaps have release time for the staff who require the training on the key intiatives. The Curriculum Coordinator position is helpful, especially if it's more than part time. But the goals and initiatives must be manageable and realistic for all involved.
-- The needs of special education students are being met much more this year than previous years.
List any resources needed that would directly benefit your students (technology, books, materials).
-- 1. Common Core State Standard materials for math and Language Arts instuction and assessments. 2. New technology for students and staff - we have the money, we need to get the technology into the hands of both the staff and the kids. This new technology comes in the way of IPads for the staff so that they can teach while moving around the classroom (not just tied to the computer), and making sure that there is a plan for the replacement of computers for the students. When you have kids using their computers everyday, the need for replacement computers needs to be set.
-- More technology resources, specifically iPads - they are relevant to the kids and have many education related applications.
-- I know we are in the process of adopting new LA materials. I am hoping this will include more non-fiction titles. I need more non-fiction in my classroom.
-- Resources here are fantastic. You get anything you need if you simply ask.
-- Common core training, a technology teacher, nonfiction text, and guided reading book sets
-- Mentor texts to teach writing Grammar resources More nonfiction materials (newspaper, magazines, lesson plan resources, etc.) to teach Common Core informational standards
-- trained technology teachers who work directly with the students and do nothing else home/school capability with computers tech training for teachers
-- Some grade levels are using outdated textbooks. Needs in special education are changing and increasing. The district should consider a cross-categorical classroom to meet the needs of children who are being pulled from the general education classroom for much of their day, as well as for children with needs who will be entering the elementary grades.
-- There should be an iPad for every student in kindergarten and first grade and a laptop for every student in second grade. More books are needed in classroom libraries. Supervision and coordination of an SEL program is needed school-wide.
-- resources for Common Core
-- Classroom materials to go with units of study i pads for classroom curriculum books science materials math manipulatives time to work with and collaborate with team
-- iPads, laptops, printers, core-aligned math series
-- iPads
-- - Clear understanding and implementation of RtI structures and procedures - Ipad use for specialists (e.g., SLPs, SW)
-- Our grade level meets on our own time during the summer to address gaps in the curriculum and alter our instruction...non-paid. Otherwise, with our third Wednesday taken away for grade-level teams, there is no time to do this during the year. In my opinion, CC makes more work for us and does not represent the entire staff. I am often confused about the purpose of the changes in curriculum we need to make as a result of CC decisions. New computers in our classrooms or laptops for student use in the early grade would help me tap into resources available that our computers do not currently support. More guided reading books and book cabinets or bins to keep them in. Educational toys for our young students.
-- A SEL program, a larger grade level budget, increase class library materials
-- We need more book readers of any kind.
-- I would like to see iPads with voice activation purchased for my students with severe OT needs. These students may never write legibly. I would need 6 iPads with this feature. ( iPad 2 are what we currently have and they do not have this feature. )
-- laptops, a reading/writing series
-- The students of Pleasantdale need a technology teacher. There is not enough time in the day for training or time to plan extra lessons to teach technology. Also, there should be a curriculum coordinator that writes the curriculum collaboratively with the teams.
-- Every LA classroom should have 25 laptop computers. Each Science class should a classroom set of computers. EACH classroom should have a smart board no matter who is teaching in that room. They will not always be in that classroom. There should be a smart board in the computer lab so teachers would not need to freeze student computers to demo the lesson then release them to work. It would be great if students had access to production equipment before and afterschool with paid supervision so they can develop their tech skills.
-- 1. Training, first 2. Books to support our math, science and social studies topics (or units of study) 3. A complete LA series that is aligned with CORE
-- Science technology-probes, more interactive software A technology coordinator that works on lessons and finding materials that align with curriculum. more nonfiction magazines-discover, national geographic
-- I think that more than physical resources right now I just need time. Time is such a precious resource and I don't have enough of it to sit down with my content area and really get our hands dirt with work on good instructional practices and "how" to teach now that Common Core State Standards have given us the "what" to teach.
-- With the drive in technology being part of the new testing initiatives, there should be a technology teacher involved in writing and delivering curriculum to students. We are at an unfair disadvantage than most districts. Teachers should not be in charge of teaching technology.
-- This year resources are being thrown at us. We need to slow down and consider what we purchase, not just purchase to have something. We could use more technology support.
-- Technology training, more nonfiction books available in our classrooms.
-- Math textbooks that have Common Core and manipulatives to with that curriculum Classroom libraries that have multiple levels of books for all students
-- Personal laptops,
-- Better computers.
-- Published resources that align with Common Core that can be used right away in the classroom so that teachers aren't feeling like they have to create materials from scratch. Laptops for every student.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 comments:
It appears the teachers would really like to have someone that could help in the curriculum writing process. They don't seem to be happy with the part time curriculum coordinator that we currently have. A technology expert to help in the classroom also would be appreciated. I wonder if any of this will happen.
Nope, it won't because Mark Fredisdorf doesn't see any problems and neither do his peeps on the boe. It will continue to be business as usual. Good luck to the teachers...they're gonna need it!
More like good luck to the students, they have to take the PARCC assessments next year.
This has me very interested now, I can't wait to see the next 11 posts. It frightens me that a majority of our teachers are saying that there is no process to evaluate the effectiveness of curricular initiatives, that the pace of implementation is inappropriate and that the method for writing curriculum is ineffective. These are the people that teach our children every day. What is that board going to do about this? Whose job is it anyway to make sure this is going right? WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR OUR KIDS?????
Oh how I have missed this blog. I would suggest calling the School Board members individually and asking them if you want an actual dialogue with them. They can't comment in open forum at the meetings.
Post a Comment