Why are teachers forced to choose?

The following article recently appeared in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/23/AR2008092303835.html. It talks about the new system proposed by the chancellor of schools in Washington DC to try to compensate teachers more. Unfortunately, it requires teachers to make a difficult decision - either earn a higher salary but forgo tenure, going on a one-year probation or earn a lower one and maintain tenure. I have my own doubts about the merits of the tenure system but why do teachers have to choose in order to be highly compensated for the difficult work that they do. I would be interested to know what the process is for letting a teacher go after their one year probation if they forgo the tenure. Although I know in corporate America, there is no such thing as tenure, I also know that any reputable company has a system for firing an employee which, beyond actually committing a crime, for the most part leaves the burden of proof to the employer to make a case for firing the employee (except in the case of layoffs which there are plenty of these days :)). I just feel that there must be some way to provide fair, reasonable compensation to teachers without putting anyone in these uncomfortable and tension-laden situations.

Recalculating Graduation Rates

The following article was in the Newark Star Ledger today: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/newark_to_lead_state_in_adopti.html

Check it out. It is about using a new, consistent formula for calculating graduation rates throughout the state of New Jersey and even the country. Each state is adopting these on their own schedule and some states are not even committed to adopting yet which I find not right. The federal government, in conjunction with NCLB, should demand that all states adopt it at the same time so there can be an apples to apples comparison of graduation rates. I am glad to see that NJ will adopt it and fear it may be a rude awakening to the accurate graduation rates in many of NJ's districts. The plus side, however, will be that the shocking accuracy of some of the numbers may be the catalyst to changing the way some things are done as they reveal problems that are unknown or are swept under the carpet. What do you think?

Blogging

Not sure how I feel about this blogging thing. I have not been too good so far about going onto it on a regular basis. I did view the "Blogs in Plain English" video which was very cute - simply done, clever and very plain english for sure. But, still not sure I get it. For something like education insight for example, you just are not sure how smart or in touch the blogger actually is and it is sometimes overwhelming to sift through this stuff on the internet. I guess if I could find a couple of bloggers whose opinion I trusted, I might follow them specifically. Who knows? Maybe that will be someone right here in class!! "Chat" with you on Wednesday night. Enjoy!

Welcome

My first post - looking forward to it!