tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33431390.post8449452886260454532..comments2024-03-26T11:07:03.496-04:00Comments on Ed Notes Online: Ohanian Lays Waste to Common Core (Once Again)ed notes onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15018047869059226777noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33431390.post-33465003906562247772013-02-10T12:27:49.206-05:002013-02-10T12:27:49.206-05:00The problem at DWC and in the system in general is...The problem at DWC and in the system in general is the fact that they (the DOE) won’t let teachers concentrate on teaching. Instead they have us in endless meetings developing “curriculum maps” and re-inventing lesson plans that have worked well for years. One year we are focusing on project based learning, and then it’s teaching backwards, now it’s the common core. What’s next? Ask McGraw Hill. The concentration is never on content but on the delivery method du jour and on endless new “Danielson” influenced models of teaching. How long will Danielson last? Now, we are being forced to give students long multiple choice tests on material they haven’t learned yet that are somehow supposed to assess their skills and set a baseline. As an experienced teacher I can assess my students in a far more meaningful way by simply giving them a short writing assignment. Another problem is the so called “comp” job. Experienced teachers, actually some of the best teachers are pulled out of the class-room to become “deans” who patrol the hallways. If the security agents were better supervised this waste of teaching man-power would not be necessary. The department assistant is another way that some of the best teachers are pulled from the class-room; they work the book-rooms or do other jobs that a school aide could be doing. I certainly don’t blame or fault the teachers for any of this; I blame the administrators for creating these positions. Lastly, I sincerely wish the UFT would work to eliminate such a waste of talented man-power. Let teachers teach!!!!!<br /><br />I am well aware of the fact that sometimes these "comp" positions were created to prevent the excessing of teachers which wouldn’t be necessary if the DOE didn’t constantly short the schools of funding, especially at the last minute. As Jon Stewart attempted to explain to Ms. Rhee on the Daily Show (must see TV) last week, constantly changing what is expected of teachers creates a level of anxiety that can be demoralizing. Ultimately, when it comes time to decide upon the future of DWC, our statistics are often cited as a reason for the school staying open or being closed. If we let teachers teach, focus on teaching and not the methodology du jour, then our statistics would certainly be better! DWC has “elements” of greatness to this day. The job we do with at-risk students is incomparable but is not reflected accurately in statistics such as our four year graduation rate. Our athletic program is still one of the finest in the country never mind the city. Our honors program and myriad AP classes are glowing examples of what DWC still does so well. We have some of the best young as well more experienced teachers in the city. At the core of DWC there exists an uncommon camaraderie among our staff. Our current administration has done an amazing job battling the incompetence and constant sabotaging by the DOE. I see a light at the end of the tunnel as the mayor finally “sunsets.” I can only hope that we can stop the co-location currently being planned and instead be allowed to work to restore DWC to its rightful place as one of the top schools in the city.<br />jjman36noreply@blogger.com