E-Portal

Let's Talk Tenure

2010-11-21T10:38:00.000-08:00

Tenure and teacher evaluation are the talk of the town.

Take a look at AFT President Randi Weingarten's appearance on CBS's "Sunday Morning". She addressed the complex topics of tenure and teacher evaluation head-on and provided real solutions.

In unity,

The AFT

P.S. For more information on teacher development and evaluation, and on our other real solutions to help all children get the education they deserve, go to www.aft.org/NotWaiting.

WTU holds a special meeting for Teach for America teachers and DC Teaching Fellows in an effort to hear their issues and address resolutions

2010-11-17T15:40:00.000-08:00

Last November 15, the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) held a special meeting for all Teach for America and DCPS Teaching Fellows to hear and address their issues first-hand . The discussion led by WTU President George Parker and WTU Director of Professional Development and Educational Issues Dorothy Egbufor provided teachers with a forum to voice concerns that affect their day to day work.

During the meeting, teachers expressed concerns about a variety of topics, including: compensation, outstanding summer stipend payments and reimbursements, credentialing, IMPACT, abrupt terminations for ineffective ratings prior to the school ending, professional development and failed promises on the delivery of a Master's degree and coursework through an accredited program. From the discussions, the WTU identified priorities for teaching fellows in our district and next steps for collaborating with the district and the leadership of the fellowship programs.

"This meeting was absolutely remarkable," stated Dorothy Egbufor. "The group was able to drill down to the real issues, which are immense in length, and identify key issues for discussion and resolution."

Meeting participants also completed a Needs-Assessment Survey on the effectiveness of their teacher preparation and potential support needed to be successful in their work. Some of the survey questions consisted of: In what ways is your in-service fellowship program meeting or not meeting your effectiveness? Are you experiencing any difficulty with the program? and What is your perception of the DCPS Teaching and Learning Framework and IMPACT?

The survey showed that the majority of the teaching fellows in attendance felt similarly about the DCPS Teaching and Learning Framework and the IMPACT Teacher Assessment System and believe that IMPACT is unfair and too subjective. When asked about IMPACT, one teacher stated, "Not enough has been done to make it into a positive system of support to help me become a better teacher." Another teacher said that the IMPACT system does not take into account that there are many variables in the classroom.

"We had a very comprehensive and productive discussion with the Teach for America teachers, DCPS teaching fellows, WTU Executive Board members and staff and look forward to additional candid discussions that are sorely needed," stated WTU President George Parker. "The WTU will be evaluating the surveys and reviewing additional feedback from the meeting to determine next steps in an effort to advocate for effective resolutions for our members." The WTU has scheduled a meeting with DCPS for early December to address the key concerns of the group.

Fellows who were unable to attend Monday's session are strongly encouraged to send any questions, additional concerns and comments to Dorothy Egbufor at degbufor@wtulocal6.org .

2010-10-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

WTU Members:

The ballots from the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) election of officers were tallied today. There was a total of 893 ballots which was the lowest voter turnout in WTU history. Below are the preliminary results from the American Arbitration Association.

Election Results (in alphabetical order by last name)
Berfalk, Christopher - 38 votes
Davis, Elizabeth - 196 votes
Parker, George - 313 votes
Saunders, Nathan - 334 votes

The WTU Constitution requires that the winner receives more than 50% percent majority of the total votes cast. If none of the candidates receive more than 50% of the total votes cast, then there must be a run-off election between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes. In this case, WTU General Vice-President Saunders received 334 votes and WTU President Parker received 313 votes; therefore, there will be a run-off election between their two slates.

Election administrator, Al Squire, will be providing additional information including the final vote tally for all candidates and a timeline for the run-off election.

Thank you.

Monique LeNoirDirector of Communications

The Washington Teachers' Union
1825 K Street, NWSuite # 1050

Washington, DC 20006

Phone: (202) 293-8600

Email: mlenoir@wtulocal6.org

RIF Blog Reports

2010-10-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

President George Parker clarified with DCPS today (Sunday) what was circulating on Facebook and blogs about "RIF" :

Dear Ms. Henderson,

This email serves to confirm your response to WTU inquiries regarding:
1. Reports that DCPS laid off up to 127 employees on last friday, October 22, 2010
2. That some of the laid off employees were WTU bargaining unit members (ET-15,etc.)
3. Speculation DCPS is planning to RIF et-15s

You confirmed for the WTU that:
1. 24 special education central office employees were terminated last friday.
2. None of the terminated employees were ET-15 or members of the WTU bargaining unit.
3. DCPS has no current plans to RIF teachers or members of the WTU bargaining unit.

Thank you for clarifying these issues so that the WTU can provide our members correct and up-to-date information.

George Parker
WTU President

Please email the president directly (gparker@wtulocal6.org) if you need more clarification on this matter.

WTU quick messages on your mobile device

2010-10-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Important WTU Election Information

2010-10-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

WTU Members:

Please read the below important message from Al Squire, administrator of the Washington Teachers' Union. Thank you.
It has come to my attention that WTU members are being encouraged to request duplicate ballots for reasons other than those specifically outlined in the published election procedures.
As a reminder, eligible members may request a duplicate ballot only if:

- you have not received a ballot;

- the ballot package you received is not complete; or

- your ballot has been lost, damaged or spoiled.
If you need a ballot for those stated reasons, please call Maria Landi at the American Arbitration Association at 800/273-0726. If you call after hours, you may leave a message with your address, and a ballot will be sent to you.
Remember, your ballot must be received by AAA by 4 p.m., on October 27. As always, please direct questions about the election to me, Al Squire, at 202/393-5673.

Maryland/DC AFL-CIO Labor Breakfast Rally & Walk Invitation

2010-10-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

WTU Members:

The Maryland/DC AFL-CIO will be holding a "Labor Breakfast Rally" this Saturday, October 23rd at IBEW Local 26. We encourage you to attend the breakfast and, if possible, walk with other local and international union members, elected officials and endorsed candidates to go door-to-door as part of a massive labor Get Out The Vote effort.

Please review the attached flyer that contains more details, and if you have additional questions please contact Rick Powell with the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO by telephone at (202) 974-8154 or by email at rpowell@dclabor.org.

Thank you.

IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE BONUS INFORMATION

2010-10-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHERS

If you are an highly effective teacher eligible for the 2009-2010 performance pay bonus, please read the below important information to protects your rights.

October 8, 2010

Dear Highly Effective Teacher,

Below are four statements one of which the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is requesting that highly effective teachers email to Jason.Kamras@dc.gov to assist the WTU in protecting your right to receive the performance bonus for SY 2009-2010 without relinquishing the three options. Please read the included Q and A before deciding the best option for you.

Today, October 8, 2010, the WTU filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) against DC Public Schools for requiring our 2009-2010 performance bonus recipients to relinquish their rights to the three options. In addition, the WTU strongly disagrees with DCPS’ assertion that contract language intended for 2010-2011 implementation allows DCPS to deny our 2009-2010 recipients the three options. We will keep you updated and take all necessary steps to preserve your rights to the three options as a 2009-2010 performance bonus recipient.

In solidarity,

George Parker, President

FOUR (4) PERFORMANCE BONUS STATEMENT OPTIONS

Statement #1: I accepted the Bonus award, but I do not relinquish my rights to the three options identified in the collective bargaining agreement for excessed teachers with an “effective or higher” rating.

Statement #2: I declined the bonus award online because I do not wish to relinquish my rights to the three options identified in the collective bargaining agreement for excessed teachers with an “effective or higher” rating. However, I wish to accept the award without giving up my rights to these three options.

Statement #3: I accept the Bonus award, but I do not relinquish my rights to the three options identified in the collective bargaining agreement for excessed teachers with an “effective or higher” rating.

Statement #4: I hereby decline the bonus award based on the fact I do not wish to relinquish my rights to the three options identified in the collective bargaining agreement for excessed teachers with an “effective or higher” rating. However, I wish to accept the award without giving up my rights to these three options.

Q & A

Question: What if I have already accepted the bonus online, do I still need to send the email?

Answer: Yes, you still need to send this email to inform DCPS that you do not agree to relinquish your right to the three options.

Question: What if I have already declined the performance on line; do I still need to send the email?

Answer: Yes, you still need to send the email to inform DCPS that you are declining the bonus based on the requirement to relinquish the three options but that you wish to accept the bonus without this requirement.

Question: I received a statement from DCPS indicating that if I don’t respond online by 9am tomorrow morning accepting the bonus, they will assume I am declining the bonus. If I don’t respond online by 9am, does this mean I am no longer eligible for the bonus?

Answer: No, this does not mean you are no longer eligible for the bonus. This deadline has been imposed by DCPS in an effort to have checks ready by November 1, 2010. DCPS has not yet established a legal and official deadline for bonus recipients to accept the bonus or lose your right to the Bonus award.

Question: What if I don’t care about the three options and I’m willing to accept my bonus for SY2009-2010 and give up the three options, if necessary? Do I still need to send the email?

Answer: No, you do not need to send the email.

Question: How do I know which statement to email to Jason Kamras?

Answer:

If you have already accepted the bonus online, you should use statement #1.

If you already declined the bonus online, you should use statement #2.

If you have not yet responded online, you may use either statement #3 or statement # 4. It is a matter of your individual preference.

Statement #3 provides the conditions upon which you are willing to accept the Bonus award.

Statement # 4 simply allows you to decline the bonus award with the reason stated and then provide the conditions upon which you are willing to accept the awa

Question: If I have not yet responded online, should I respond online and send the email to Jason Kamras or simply send the email to Jason Kamras only?

Answer: Sending the email to Jason Kamras only is legally sufficient. However, if you feel more comfortable responding online and sending the email to Jason Kamras, be sure you select statement#1 or statement#2 to send to Jason Kamras via email, pending your online response.

Question: I didn’t receive or review this information until after the 9am Saturday online deadline. Have I given up my right to the performance bonus?

Answer: No. However, WTU recommends that you send the appropriate email to Jason Kamras immediately or at least within the next 2 to 3 days.

President George parker's Voice Message 10.4.10

2010-10-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

WTU TEACHER DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION CONFERENCE

The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is sponsoring a Teacher Development and Evaluation Conference on Saturday, October 16th from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Miner Elementary school located at 601 15th Street, SE. The conference will highlight critical discussion on DCPS’ IMPACT evaluation system, DCPS value added model, revised DCPS Teaching and Learning Framework and more. Conference participants will receive 6 Professional Learning Units (seat hours). The registration deadline is this Friday, October 8th! A more detailed announcement has been forwarded to your WTU EMAIL ACCOUNT.

VINCENT GRAY COMMUNITY TOWNHALL MEETINGS

Council Chair and Democratic mayoral candidate, Vincent Gray, will conduct his first of 8 community meetings tomorrow, October 5th, at Community Academy Public Charter School located at 1400 First Street, NW. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm. We encourage all WTU members to attend one of the 8 sessions. A schedule of the 8 community meetings was forwarded to your WTU EMAIL ACCOUNT

You can view a copy of this voice message at your WTU email account.

Thank you for supporting the Washington Teachers’ Union

President Parker's Voice Message 10.3.10

2010-10-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

DCPS PROPERTY ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT

The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) has reached agreement with DCPS that teachers will not be required to sign the DC Public Schools (DCPS) Property Accountability statement when receiving DCPS Property. Teachers who have already signed the form, your signature will be null and void and the WTU will provide DCPS with an official statement in writing verifying this agreement. Teachers who have not signed the form will not have to do so.

DCPS ONLINE SUBSTITUTE SYSTEM

The WTU has received several calls and complaints indicating that some teachers are being told that they must use the online substitute system when taking leave. The WTU has discussed this issue with DCPS, and DCPS agrees with the WTU that teachers are not required to use the online substitute system when taking leave. The online system is strictly voluntary. If you are being required to use the online system when using your leave, please contact the WTU office immediately at (202) 293-8600.

DCPS PERFORMANCE PAY BONUSES

The WTU is recommending that teachers who qualify for the 2009-2010 performance pay bonus wait until you receive further instructions from the WTU before accepting or declining your bonus. The WTU does not agree with DCPS’ decision that recipients must give up the three options if they accept the performance pay bonus for SY 2009-2010. The new contract does NOT require DCPS to deny SY 2009-2010 recipients the three options as claimed in the DCPS notification letter. The contract language DCPS referenced in its notification letter applies only to performance pay recipients who qualify based on their SY 2010-2011 and SY 2011-2012 evaluations. The WTU will consult with legal counsel and provide an update and recommendations for affected members by this Wednesday, October 6, 2010.

You can view a copy of this voice message at your WTU email account.

Thank you for supporting the Washington Teachers’ Union.

At the rally!

2010-10-02T23:20:00.000-07:00

Proudest day! Great to see 500,000+ people across the nation fighting the good fight with us. We are the people, we are the solution not the problem, we shall overcome as one nation, one day at a time...

WTU Executive Board Members: Joyce, Jackie, Maria

See you tomorrow!

2010-10-01T18:25:00.001-07:00

Hey colleagues,

We are putting America back to work and pulling America back together.

The Washington Teachers Union (WTU) supports One Nation Working Together. Be a part of our march tomorrow, October 2, 2010 in Washington, D.C. -- one of the biggest progressive demonstrations in decades.

We will meet at 11:00 am at the Sylvan Theater (15th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001) and will march off to the Lincoln Memorial at 12:15 PM. All Unions will meet here and march together. We are asking all WTU members and friends to wear something RED.

Whether you’ll be with us or not, add your voice to the movement for unity. See you tomorrow! Let's keep the fire burning...

"Making a Difference Every Day"

2010-09-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

AFT: Making a Difference Every Day.

Watch and share our commercial.

As you know, AFT members are making a difference every day in the lives of those we serve and in the communities in which we work--without exception.

But we are under attack. From Hollywood to our state governments to our local communities, our work is being questioned. It's now time to tell--and show--everyone what is absolutely true. Sure, we all must assume more responsibility, but AFT members are making a difference every day.

Yesterday, we began airing a new commercial featuring real people talking about public school teachers making a difference in their lives. The ad can be seen on MSNBC and during NBC's "Meet the Press" for the next two weeks. In addition, an aggressive online advertising component will start this week and continue for the next month.

Become a fan of our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AFT everyday; share your story of a teacher who's made a difference in your life; and recommend this page to your friends.

In unity,

The AFT

Stand Up, Sign Up: One Nation Working Together!

2010-09-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hey Colleagues,

Only seven days remain until we come together at rallies, marches, voter registration drives and volunteer events to pull America back together and put America back to work.

I hope you will be joining us at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on Saturday, or at one of over 150 local events happening across the country.

We only have a few more days to get our message of unity out to everyone in America. Can you help?

Here are five things you can do right now on Facebook to help bring awareness to our movement:

1. Become a fan of One Nation Working Together on Facebook.

2. Suggest your Facebook friends become fans too -- we know you're connected and know tons of people who would be interested in this movement.

3. Change your profile picture to the One Nation Working Together logo: http://action.onenationworkingtogether.org/page/m/be22ea5/53f5d4fb/6020a9ef/4ce03e15/1229152366/VEsF/

4. Bring attention to the DC rally by RSVPing to the Facebook event now.

5. Update your status or write on our wall completing this thought: "I am part of One Nation Working Together because..."

http://action.onenationworkingtogether.org/page/m/be22ea5/53f5d4fb/6020a9ef/4ce03e16/1229152366/VEsD/

Thanks for doing your part! We are One Nation Working Together: for jobs, for justice, for education, for all.

-- Shelli

P.S. With just seven days to go, things are happening quickly. Text "ONE" to 62227 to stay informed on all the news from One Nation Working Together -- msg and data rates may apply.

WTU Supports ONE NATION Rally!!

2010-09-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

Race to Nowhere - Movie Screening

2010-09-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

WTU Members:
There will be a special screening of the film, Race to Nowhere , on Monday, September 27th, at the Washington, DC Jewish Community Center. Race to Nowhere is a powerful, education documentary film that reveals deeper concerns about our education system and the stress our kids are experiencing. Hundreds of communities will host local screenings in conjunction with National Child Health Day to figure out how we can end this “race to nowhere.”
For more informayion, visit: http://www.racetonowhere.com/ . Details can also be found below. Thank you.

DC teachers union head decries Rhee's comments - Associated Press Article

2010-09-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

WTU Members:
Please read yesterday's Associated Press article below that includes comments from Washington Teachers' Union President George Parker about Chancellor Rhee's statements on the Oprah show that administrators have to "basically meet a criminal standard" to fire ineffective teachers.
Thank you.

DC teachers union head decries Rhee's comments
Associated Press
09/21/10 7:40 PM EDT

WASHINGTON — The head of the Washington Teachers' Union says D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has more authority to fire teachers than most superintendents in urban districts.
Speaking on Oprah Winfrey's show on Monday, Rhee said administrators have to "basically meet a criminal standard" to fire ineffective teachers. She also said rules with the union have become a bureaucracy that are hard to overcome.
WTU President George Parker said Tuesday that Rhee's comments are an "over-exaggeration." He says she has many tools on hand to fire teachers.
Parker says Rhee has control over designing teacher evaluations used to remove teachers, and the union has no role.
He also says the union's contract more heavily weighs a teacher's performance over seniority as the basis for elimination.

President Parker's Voice Message

2010-09-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

DENTAL AND OPTICAL ONLINE REGISTRATION
The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is aware that some of our members were unable to successfully complete their online registration for dental benefits by last Friday’s deadline, September 17th. To ensure that all members are properly registered and receive any needed assistance from the WTU in completing the online registration process, the deadline has been extended until this Friday, September 24th. If you need assistance in completing the registration process, please contact the WTU office by email, telephone or fax for assistance. The WTU Benefits Office requests and appreciates your patience while we assist our members in resolving any online registration difficulties.

WTU INTERNAL ELECTION
The WTU and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have successfully reached an agreement that will end WTU litigation regarding voter eligibility and timeline for conducting the WTU elections. The WTU Executive Board is in agreement with the AFT Executive Council’s decision and order to conduct the WTU internal election under the conditions as agreed in bringing WTU’s litigation to closure. Members will soon receive an election schedule and timeline from AFT Election Administrator Al Squire. We thank you for your patience as we successfully achieved a resolution to this issue.

No Turning Back for DC Kids

2010-09-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

WTU Members:

Please read the below article from Washington Teachers' Union President George Parker and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten about the new mayoral leadership and moving DC Public Schools forward that ran this week in the Huffington Post. Thank you.

No Turning Back for DC Kids
The Huffington Post, September 15, 2010

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." This couldn't be any truer today. Every child in America deserves a great education, not by chance but by right. In the District of Columbia and throughout the nation, our challenge is to make sure every child's neighborhood school is one where parents want to send their kids and educators want to teach. A school reform process is under way in Washington, D.C., and there's no turning back. The voters have spoken and said they want more accountable and connected leadership. The city must keep faith with its children and continue the hard work necessary to give them the education they deserve that will prepare them for life, college and career.

Teachers put their hearts, souls and talents into their work so they can make a difference for their students. It's a complex and demanding job, but one with unmatched rewards. To succeed, students and teachers need the same things, including a school and systemwide culture that focuses on student achievement; makes parents partners in their child's education; nurtures strong and cooperative leaders; and provides ongoing support for teachers so that they, like their students, can constantly improve. And, yes, there must be accountability--for teachers, parents, administrators and elected officials, and for the community as a whole. But accountability is just a "data dump" if it isn't used to inform teaching and learning, to build upon what works and to change what isn't working.

Come November, the District of Columbia will have a new mayor, one who has ultimate responsibility for running the city's schools. Here, as is the case in urban school districts across the country, much work needs to be done to ensure that all students receive the education they deserve. The district and the teachers union entered into a contract earlier this year that was overwhelmingly approved by the teachers. It has provisions that challenge teachers and the district to think and work differently. If we'd written the contract on our own, some provisions might have been different; the district, no doubt, would say the same thing. But that's not how negotiations work. Both sides have to agree to the contract, and both sides have to be committed to making it work. We are ready to meet those challenges, and we look forward to working with an administration prepared to move forward by working with us.

Strong and supportive leadership will get results. Look at the school districts across the country that have made radical changes by working with teachers, not fighting with them. In school districts in New Haven, Conn.; south Los Angeles County (ABC Unified School District); Pittsburgh; Hillsborough, Fla.; Douglas County, Colo.; and many others, the teachers unions and their respective administrators are working together on innovative reforms to help kids get a great education.

The new school year is now under way, and in Washington, D.C., it will take strong and supportive leadership to accomplish unfinished business--better instructional guidance; collaboration on implementing the contract; work with city agencies and nonprofit groups to provide wraparound services to address students' unmet needs through, for instance, after-school programs; and converting empty school buildings into parent and community service centers.

Public education is a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, there's urgency to fixing our schools, but we have to set ourselves on a long-term path toward constant and sustainable progress. As Vincent Gray, Washington, D.C.'s Democratic Party nominee for mayor, so eloquently put it last night, "collaboration and reform are not mutually exclusive." We wholeheartedly agree.

-- Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers

-- George Parker, President, Washington Teachers' Union

President Parker's Voice Message (9.09.10)

2010-09-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

PAY INCREASE AND RETROACTIVE PAY

The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) would like to thank DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the DC Office of Pay and Retirement and it’s staff for working with the WTU to ensure that our teachers receive their retroactive pay and salary increase by the first pay period of this school year, (Friday, September 10, 2010). Also, we would like to thank our members for your patience in WTU’s ongoing effort to ensure that our members receive their salary increases and retroactive pay in a timely manner.

The paycheck you receive tomorrow, Friday September 10th, will reflect the FY 2010 salary schedule including pay raises negotiated in the new contract. All teachers who have previously received their paychecks through direct deposit will also receive this payment through direct deposit. New teachers who never enrolled in direct deposit will receive hard copy checks through the mail.

Retroactive checks for eligible WTU bargaining unit members are being mailed to your address of record tomorrow (Friday September 10). Teachers should expect to receive these checks no later than Friday, September 17th. After September 17th, teachers may contact the DCPS Payroll Office directly at (202) 442-5330 if you encounter any issues. In the meantime if you have any additional questions about your retroactive pay, please contact the DCPS Office of Human Resources at (202) 442-4090.

DCPS PROPERTY ACCOUNTABILTY

It has been brought to our attention that many of our members have been asked to sign a DC Public School's (DCPS) Property Accountability Statement of Understanding. All teachers are reminded that your responsibilities regarding DCPS property have already been negotiated in your collective bargaining agreement. The WTU is recommending that teachers not sign this document until you receive further instructions from the WTU. DCPS has been so advised. If your supervisor requests you to sign the document please contact the WTU office at (202) 293-8600. Also, the WTU has forwarded a copy of the DCPS Property Accountability documents, as well as, a copy of the WTU contract to your WTU email account. Please refer to Article 14 (Damage or Loss of Property) on page # 49 of the new contract to review your negotiated responsibilities regarding DCPS property.

AGAIN teachers are advised not to sign the DCPS Property Accountability Statement pending further notice from the WTU.

You can view a copy of this voice message at your WTU email account

Thank you for supporting the Washington Teachers’ Union.

Veteran DC Teacher Claims Transfer is Retribution For Whistle Blowing

2010-09-08T19:36:00.001-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) -- A veteran DC public school teacher has been involuntarily transferred after 25 years at Wilson High School after he complained about problems there, leading him to believe the transfer is retribution for whistle blowing.

"I think the real reason is that I have been very active as the union building representative, trying to intercede for teachers and to prevent inappropriate orders from being given to teachers and, most recently, because I reported to the chancellor the fact that students went on this senior class trip (where) out of 88 students, eight had over 200 unexcused absences. They were failing classes, and another 10 had over 100 unexcused absences. Read more

Input Needed for DCPS/WTU Special Education Summit

2010-09-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Attention: All Special Education Teachers, Service Providers and General Education Teachers

Next week the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) will engage in a Summit with leaders from DC Public Schools Department of Special Education. The purpose of this Summit is to improve the delivery of Special Education services to our children. We are seeking your input for this important agenda and would like to hear your concerns and viable solutions as they relate to Special Education. In addition, if you know of any contract violations as they pertain to Special Education, please contact your WTU Field Representative immediately at (202) 293-8600.

We are also requesting your input on all of the Professional Development resources that you feel will assist you in offering the best Special Education services possible to our students. As teachers, it is important that we are knowledgeable and confident in our delivery of these specialized services.
.

We are asking that you submit all of your concerns, questions and input, along with any additional documentation, by the close of business on Friday, September 10, 2010. Please send this information by e-mail or by fax only and be sure to include your name and contact number on all submissions.
.

You can e-mail or fax this information to:

Attention: Anita Corley

WTU Field Representative

Email: acorley@wtulocal6.org
Fax #: (202) 293-8633

Every valid request will be presented to the DCPS leadership and detailed outcomes will be posted on our website, as well as , shared via email with our membership.

Thank you.

Monique LeNoir
Director of Communications
The Washington Teachers' Union

Happy Labor Day!!!

2010-09-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

It's a holiday on Monday, it's Labor Day!!! We should not forget that...

There is no progress without struggle! Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its waters. The struggle may be a moral one or a physical one, but it must be a struggle. Men may not get all they pay for in this world, but they certainly pay for all that they get. We must do this by labor, by suffering, by sacrifice, and, if needed be, by our lives.

- Frederick Douglas -

Reposted from: http://teachersol.blogspot.com

WTU Formally Endorses Vincent Gray for Mayor

2010-08-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

WTU Members:

The Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) poll conducted among WTU members last month showed that over 80% are in support of Vincent Gray for Mayor. The WTU Executive Board unanimously voted to support his candidacy, and the WTU has joined other members of the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO to officially endorse Vincent Gray for Mayor .

Gray has been a consistent champion for research-based school reform. He has been unwavering in his support for DC Public School (DCPS) teachers and has advocated on their behalf. The WTU strongly believes that Vincent Gray’s lifelong dedication to children, the community and most importantly, education make him an excellent candidate for Mayor. In addition, his passion and commitment to students and teachers in the District has had a positive impact on the community, especially his advocacy in support of early childhood education.

As Chairman of the DC City Council, he has led efforts to eliminate bureaucracy, strengthen accountability and increase transparency within the school system.

GET INVOLVED!!

Click Here for More Information About How You can Support Vincent Gray

Volunteer for the Vincent Gray Campaign

Donate to the Vincent Gray Campaign

Teaching is a work of heart

2010-08-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to meet and greet our excited new DCPS teachers last week during their 3-day New Teachers Orientation. Every year this event makes me remember the time when I was new in DCPS, I did not get this kind of orientation because I came in during the middle of the school year.

It is a challenge working in a very political environment in the midst of education reform. My advice to my colleagues:

- do not fall prey to victimization,
- read your WTU-DCPS contract to know your rights,
- be aware of the issues affecting your job,
- cooperate and have a good relationship with everyone in your school community, and most importantly,
- focus on what you are expected to do as highly effective teachers.

Please remember that we are not victims of our jobs, we picked our jobs. Pessimism is a dangerous road that leads to anger, frustration, self- righteousness and all that is harmful to the children whose lives we continue to influence daily.

Teachers make a difference. This job is reserved only for those willing to rise to meet all of its many challenges, to give ourselves completely and give some more.

I am currently reading this book, I feel my battery recharged and ready to get back to work tomorrow!...

Teachers ROCK!!

Reposted from: Teacher Sol

Teacher Survey Results on the IMPACT

2010-07-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

The WTU released the results of an membership survey on IMPACT, DC Public Schools‘ (DCPS) new system for assessing the performance of teachers. Close to 1,000 members participated in this survey that was conducted among WTU members to assess the implementation of this evaluation instrument in DCPS. Findings from the survey clearly show that a large majority of teachers believe that IMPACT is not a fair evaluation system and offers them very little support. In addition, respondents overwhelmingly indicated that the new Teaching and Learning Framework was not ready for full implementation and teacher training around this new framework was incomplete and insufficient.

To view the detailed press release about the IMPACT Evaluation Survey Results, click here.

To view the Survey Results Summary, click here.

To view Survey Results with the Full Details, click here.

Chancellor’s Notes: The Power of a Teacher

2010-07-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

After input from thousands of teachers, and after more than two years of negotiations with the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), last week a groundbreaking new teachers’ contract became effective for the DC Public Schools.

For the first time in DC and possibly the country, we will be able to truly reward teachers for a job well done, challenge teachers to reach the next levels of achievement in their craft, better support teachers who need help, and separate teachers who are not effective in the classroom despite these added supports.

WTU Media Statement - DC City Council’s Approval of Teachers' Contract

2010-06-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) commends Chairman Gray and the DC City Council for voting today to approve the collective bargaining agreement. Today’s vote means that we can now move forward with implementation of a new contract that will improve working conditions for our teachers and increase academic achievement for all students.

Read more: WTU Media Statement, DC City Council Approves Teachers Contract

WTU Members Vote "YES" on Tentative Agreement

2010-06-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

WTU members have voted “Yes” on an agreement that will provide teachers with the tools and resources so that all children in DC Public Schools will have a quality education.

The WTU and DCPS must now work collaboratively to ensure that this newly approved contract is implemented in a fair and equitable manner and is a living, working document, not just words on paper.

Here is the Media Statement from WTU President Parker.

Tentative Agreement Highlights video clip

2010-05-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

PowerPoint Presentation of the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement

2010-05-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Members:

Please view the summary of the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement on this slide presentation:

Contract Presentation

View more presentations from solangala.

TA Financial Sufficiency Fact Sheet

2010-05-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

This fact sheet further explains financial sufficiency for the provisions of the tentative agreement. The recent CFO fiscal certification of the tentative agreement means that public dollars are available to fully fund the new contract.

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT SUPPORTERS

2010-05-25T08:52:00.001-07:00

The following WTU members are voting "YES" for the
tentative agreement. See why.

Impact Evaluation System Fact Sheet

2010-05-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

The WTU has developed an agreement with DC Public Schools that empowers members by establishing a mechanism that gives teachers ongoing, significant input into the IMPACT instrument and process. This one page fact sheet explains in further detail.

TA Mutual Consent - Fact Sheet

2010-05-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

This a one page fact sheet on Mutual Consent that further explains how the proposed Tentative Agreement improves job security and establishes a a clear policy for RIFs and excessing of staff.

Tentative Agreement Q&A - Part II

2010-05-24T05:12:00.000-07:00

The following questions have been asked by members after receiving the Tentative Agreement. More detailed information can be found at www.wtulocal6.org or www.unitedfordckids.org.

Despite Push, Success at Charter Schools Is Mixed

2010-05-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

New York Times
By TRIP GABRIEL
EDUCATION May 02, 2010

In the world of education, it was the equivalent of the cool kids’ table in the cafeteria.

Executives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, McKinsey consultants and scholars from Stanford and Harvard mingled at an invitation-only meeting of the New Schools Venture Fund at a luxury hotel in Pasadena, Calif. Founded by investors who helped start Google and Amazon, this philanthropy seeks to raise the academic achievement of poor black and Hispanic students, largely through charter schools.

Many of those at the meeting last May had worried that the Obama administration would reflect the general hostility of teachers’ unions toward charters, publicly financed schools that are independently run and free to experiment in classrooms. But all doubts were dispelled when the image of Arne Duncan, the new education secretary, filled a large video screen from Washington. He pledged to combine “your ideas with our dollars” from the federal government. “What you have created,” he said, “is a real movement.”

That movement includes a crowded clique of alpha girls and boys, including New York hedge fund managers, a Hollywood agent or two and the singers John Legend and Sting, who performed at a fund-raiser for Harlem charter schools last Wednesday at Lincoln Center. Charters have also become a pet cause of what one education historian calls a billionaires’ club of philanthropists, including Mr. Gates, Eli Broad of Los Angeles and the Walton family of Wal-Mart.

But for all their support and cultural cachet, the majority of the 5,000 or so charter schools nationwide appear to be no better, and in many cases worse, than local public schools when measured by achievement on standardized tests, according to experts citing years of research. Last year one of the most comprehensive studies, by researchers from Stanford University, found that fewer than one-fifth of charter schools nationally offered a better education than comparable local schools, almost half offered an equivalent education and more than a third, 37 percent, were “significantly worse.”

Although “charter schools have become a rallying cry for education reformers,” the report, by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes, warned, “this study reveals in unmistakable terms that, in the aggregate, charter students are not faring as well” as students in traditional schools. The New York Times

Credo: George Parker

2010-05-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

By: Leah Fabel Examiner Staff Writer

May 2, 2010
(Andrew Harnik/The Examiner)

George Parker became president of the Washington Teachers' Union in 2005, as D.C. Public Schools pushed modest reforms that attracted minimal attention outside of the Beltway. Five years later, the city is at the center of the school reform universe, with Parker in the role of defending teachers by demanding more money and more support amid the tumult of major changes to schools and classrooms. Parker, 59, sat down with the Washington Examiner to share thoughts on the faith and experiences that have inspired his fight.

Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?

I'm a Christian, I believe in God. I believe that it's important to know that there's something bigger than yourself to help keep you grounded, and to give you faith when hope is low, and when you need to believe in something.

Did anyone or any event especially influence your faith?

I grew up in North Carolina, in the country, on a farm. My mother was very, very strong in her faith, and she raised us that way. When I went away to college, I got into a different arena, you could say. But later on, one of the most dramatic things that moved me closer to God was my mother's death, in 2000. I was there in the hospital when she passed, and her last conversation with me was about God, and the strength of my faith, and not just talking the faith, but living it. That experience moved me to a different level. My mother's death was the one thing in life I didn't want to see happen, but I couldn't stop it. You realize in those situations that you don't control anything. That realization, and that conversation, was very, very important. I've been a good person in my life, but in that moment there was growth, and the realization that I had to commit more. And I have.

How did a childhood spent in the segregated schools of the South affect your approach to teaching today?

When I grew up, very often we were given the books that the white kids had already used. We got their old books. But the key was that it didn't matter where you start out -- you can still overcome, and move forward and be successful. That helped me to form the philosophy that education makes all the difference. No matter where you start, it's about where you're going.
We had teachers, too, who were not going to let us fail. We had teachers who understood, at that point, that we were going to have to be twice as good in order to succeed, and they used tough love to get us there. I don't support putting hands on a child, but teachers don't have the same kind of authority in classrooms today. Today, the teacher teaches and disciplinary authority rests largely in the hands of the principal. That makes teaching much tougher.

You spent many years as a math teacher. What's harder, managing a class full of kids or managing a city full of teachers?

[Laughter] Probably, I'd say that working with the union, and the duties of this particular job are harder than what I did with kids. One thing about children is that they're very honest. And when you're dealing with adults, sometimes people are not honest. You often have to work through all of the "yuck," the personal agendas, to get to the real core. With children, what you see is what you get. They'll sometimes tell you more than you want to hear, but at least they're honest about it.

At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?

At my core, I believe that what you do for others is more important than what you do for yourself. That's the guiding principle. And I believe that you reap what you sow. Sow good seeds, sooner or later, they will bear fruit. Sow bad seeds, sooner or later, they come up badly.

-Leah Fabel

Rhee, smoke and mirrors in the D.C. schools budget

2010-05-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s mantra is performance and accountability, and more performance and more accountability.

She is, in fact, getting ready to judge teachers under her new IMPACT evaluation system, and, presumably, will lop off, figuratively, the professional heads of those who don’t score high enough. That’s accountability in action.

But what about Rhee’s own performance?

To look at the unnecessary and damaging mess over the proposed contract that she negotiated over two-plus years with the teachers union is to wonder whether she could pass an evaluation as tough as the one she set for teachers.

Reaching a contract with the teachers after years of painful negotiations was seen by many as excellent sign that Rhee, and the teachers union, were both able to make painful concessions. Rhee, with her take-no-prisoners, I-am-always-right style, saw the value of compromise.
To fund teachers’ raises in the contract, she secured private funding from foundations--apparently without checking whether the city’s finance folks would sign off on such an arrangement. Read more

D.C. schools chief Michelle Rhee shifts blame when time to judge own performance

2010-05-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

By Robert McCartney

Sunday, May 2, 2010; C03

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee seldom misses a chance to stress that teachers and students must be judged by their performance. It's one of her core principles. Results count most.

Thus, I thought it was reasonable to ask Rhee how she evaluated her own performance in the last two weeks of flips and flops and near-total confusion over whether the city actually has enough money to cover pay increases promised under a tentative new teachers contract.

I posed the question during a five-minute interview Friday at the end of an all-day D.C. Council hearing at which she testified.

Rhee's answer? It was somebody else's fault.

"I don't manage the budget," she said. That pointed the finger directly at the District's chief financial officer, Natwar Gandhi.

The most that Rhee would concede was: "We could have done a better job of communicating." She declined to expound.

So much for accountability.

Although Gandhi shares a hefty portion of the blame, it's hardly too much to ask that Rhee make sure she can explain broadly how the city's going to pay for a historic, nationally acclaimed teachers contract before she rolls it out. Instead, nearly a month after the announcement, the District is at least $33 million short.

Rhee wants teachers evaluated rigorously for their supervision of the classroom. Surely it's fair to judge the boss for her overall supervision of something as basic as dollars and cents.

Rhee said she wasn't getting information she needed from Gandhi. He's been the CFO since she arrived. It's been nearly three years. Why hasn't she figured out how to make that work?

The result is that the bizarre uncertainty over the funding has overshadowed what should have been a celebratory moment.

Writing this is a comedown for me. I lauded Rhee in my column three weeks ago for negotiating the contract, which would make landmark changes that should improve D.C. public education. I haven't deserted the chancellor. I still think it's vital to find the money, ratify the deal and let her get on with transforming the schools.

Still, even though Rhee wasn't solely at fault, the follies again illustrate some of her weaknesses.
First, as kindergarten teachers describe some students, she doesn't play well with others. We already knew of Rhee's public spats with teachers, the union and the D.C. Council. Now add the city's independent financial czar to the list.

Rhee excluded Gandhi's representative from her regular senior staff meetings on grounds that he was only an interim appointment. Also, she didn't get the CFO's input from the start on roughly how much money would be available for the contract. (Under questioning, she acknowledged "in hindsight" that would have been desirable.)

Second, Rhee's introduction of the contract showed lack of preparation. In particular, she didn't work out how to handle the use of private foundations' grants, a feature of the contract for which she was directly responsible.

Rhee's haste cuts two ways. On one hand, she personifies the urgency that many reformers feel about the need to fix education. On the other, Rhee sometimes seems to care too much about being first in implementing various changes, to fit the image she's created for herself as a preeminent champion of reform.

These traits are not new. A U.S. Education Department review panel noted them in March when it rejected the District's application for federal Race to the Top school reform funds. It faulted the District in part for being too concerned with obtaining "endorsement for its human management style, to showcase the District's speed in achieving results and to become a national model."
The panel said that shifted the focus from "the detail and attention needed to build the capacity of staff to become great teachers and leaders."

Rhee's and Gandhi's inability to clarify the funding would be comical if it weren't so important.
First the two went back and forth on whether the school system was running an unexpected surplus that could help cover teachers' raises. Then Gandhi said he couldn't certify the contract if it depended on private grants that could be revoked.

The problem still isn't resolved, but I'm confident the money will be found eventually. "This sounds very doable," said the council's Finance Committee chairman, Jack Evans (D-Ward 2).

Gandhi's missteps are not new. He bore responsibility for failing to catch a mid-level tax bureaucrat while she embezzled $48 million over nearly two decades. Now we learn that his office doesn't even provide Rhee with what should be routine monthly reports on how her actual spending compares to the budget.

"The CFO has failed for 10 years to come to terms with basic infrastructure issues. . . . That speaks volumes," said council member David Catania (I-At Large).

Council member Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) concisely summarized the two officials' shortcomings in a comment to Gandhi, who also testified.

"The chancellor doesn't take you seriously or doesn't believe what you say, and you're not aggressive enough to put your foot down and say this is the way it should go, to convince her of the financial status of the D.C. public school system," Alexander said.

While Rhee and Gandhi have been at odds for months, it was especially problematic that they didn't collaborate more closely just before announcing the contract. Rhee said that happened mainly because of fear that the union membership would learn about the deal prematurely from the press.

"Here's the biggest problem: If we had faith that we could have gone through the fiscal certification process without any leaks, then we would have done that," she told me.

So that's the bottom line. When things go wrong, blame the media.

WTU PAYS TRIBUTE TO DR. DOROTHY HEIGHT

2010-04-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

The WTU pays tribute to a gracious and giving leader, Dr. Dorothy Height. A champion for civil rights equality, Height served as chair and president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women and chairperson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Born in Richmond, Virginia and educated in public schools in Pennsylvania, Height obtained her bachelor and master’s degrees from New York University. She was a prominent figure during the civil rights era and received many awards for her extraordinary service including the John F. Kennedy Memorial award; the Congressional Black Caucus-Decades of Service award; President Ronald Reagan-citizen medal; Franklin Roosevelt-Freedom Medal Essence award. In 2004 on Dr. Heights 92nd birthday, George W. Bush also presented her with the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest and most distinguished award Congress can award to a civilian.

Dorothy Height will be memorialized tomorrow, April 29, 2010 at the Washington National Cathedral at 10am. While her loss will be heavily mourned she is immortalized by actions.

Please see the AFT Human and Civil Rights press release on Dorothy Height.

WTU Press Releases on RIF and DCPS Budget

2010-04-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) filed two motions late Thursday evening in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to reopen the union’s case involving the firing of 266 District of Columbia Public School teachers because of new revelations of a possible $34 million surplus. Here are the press releases:

Washington Teachers’ Union Files Court Motions On Confusion Over Budget Projections

WTU Media Statement - New Information Regarding Firing of 266 Teachers

Gandhi's Letter to Rhee on DCPS Budget

2010-04-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Chancellor Rhee,

Recent public discussions regarding the proposed contract with the WTIJ, and indications that you perceive there is a surplus in the DCPS budget, compel me to clarify the position of my office.

As you know, despite the fact that my office was neither consulted nor included in the negotiations regarding the WTU, my staff took the initiative and proactively engaged in the process of analyzing potential resources to support the proposed contract, should a final agreement between the parties be reached. As indicated in an email sent to you by DCPS CFO George Dines on March 29th, his preliminary analysis identified a potential resource about which he had serious concerns and indicated further review and discussion were necessary. In your reply of March 31st, you voiced similar concerns about the validity of the initial findings and agreed that further study was required before drawing conclusions. Specifically you stated "We just need to carefully review together any projected surplus before we make any decisions relative to its use ".

Despite the fact that no further discussion has taken place to date, I was incredulous to learn that in your April 13, 2010 presentation to the Council on the contract, you asserted that a surplus is available to fund the proposed salary increases based on preliminary information. I am at a loss to understand why you did not consult with me directly or with any of my DCPS financial staff about the viability of the proposed package prior to your public announcement.

As you can see from the attached analysis, the $34 million surplus does not exist. While there is projected under-spending of $34M in school operations, there is projected overspending in central office operations and other costs which total more than $30M. Additionally, given the history of the DCPS budget, I am concerned about issues that might emerge, further restricting the availability of funds, particularly in non-personal services.

In addition, I want to clarify the misstatement that the CFO determines average teacher salaries.

That average is a straightforward calculation based on

a) salary and benefits information and

b) the number of teachers,

both of which are determined by the DCPS Human Resources department through the Peoplesoft system.

Finally, I want to reiterate my support for George Dines. I have the highest degree of confidence in his capabilities and appreciate his willingness to step in as Interim CFO at DCPS, especially in this challenging fiscal situation.

As always, I am available to discuss these matters with you.

Sincerely,

Attachment

cc: The Honorable Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia

The Honorable Vincent G. Gray, Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia

The Honorable David Catania (At-Large)

The Honorable Phil Mendelson (At-Large)

The Honorable Kwame R. Brown (At-Large)

The Honorable Michael Brown (At-Large)

The Honorable Jim Graham (Ward 1)

The Honorable Jack Evans (Ward 2)

The Honorable Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3)

The Honorable Muriel Bowser (Ward 4)

The Honorable Harry Thomas Jr. (Ward 5)

The Honorable Thomas Wells (Ward 6)

The on or able Yvette M. Alexander (Ward 7)

The Honorable Marion Barry (Ward 8)

Neil Albert, City Administrator

Q and A AND HIGHLIGHTS OF Tentative Agreement

2010-04-07T01:56:00.000-07:00

On behalf of our members, the Washington Teachers’ Union has negotiated a progressive contract that provides increased professional support for more effective teaching and learning, as well as rewards and incentives for educators. This Agreement establishes D.C. teachers as innovators in negotiating for real reforms designed to help improve classroom practice and raise student achievement. Additionally, the new Agreement includes significant increases in base salaries, maintains tenure, and preserves due process for teachers and school employees.

Here's the pdf copy of the Tentative Agreement.

Here are the highlights of the Tentative Agreement.

Some Q&A on the Tentative Agreement here.

Here's the Joint Media Statement.

Here's the Press Release.

AFT Pres. Randi's response to WTU member

2010-03-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

AFT President Randi Weingarten responds to WTU member Candi Peterson's March 29 open letter:

Dear Candi:

Thank you for your open letter to me about the march to the U.S. Department of Education scheduled for April 10. There are extraordinary challenges facing teachers and students today. Our sisters and brothers throughout the American Federation of Teachers are meeting these challenges by doing everything in their power—inside and outside the classroom—to strengthen public education and to ensure that their students have access to the kind of education that opens doors throughout their lives.

Our members—and their local unions—choose many different ways to address the challenges facing our public schools. The AFT enables this exercise of freedom. Because we are a federation and a democratic institution, there is broad latitude at the local union level to make decisions about endorsement of and participation in various activities.

AFT local unions are free to promote, endorse and participate in such activities, just as they are free to exercise their judgment not to take part in certain events. That said, maximizing the effectiveness of these national events requires that we plan ahead to allow for the participation of as many teachers, parents and concerned stakeholders as possible. The most effective rallies for public education are planned months—not weeks—in advance, and scheduled to be held when educators and students are out of school. While as a national union we have not endorsed the April 10 march, we are engaged in a series of actions to help students and their educators in these tough times.

You have identified a number of the challenges facing teachers today, specifically here in Washington, D.C. I share your concerns, and I appreciate your dedication and activism. I am proud that you and so many concerned teachers and union members have spoken up about the rights and concerns of educators, and about the needs and hopes of our children. I expect that, as long as you and I have breath remaining in us, we will continue to do so.

Sincerely,

(signed)
Randi Weingarten , President
American Federation of Teachers

Webcast on American Education

2010-03-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

DCPS Teacher Beth Prince participates in National discussion around reform from a teacher's perspective. She is an Early Childhood teacher at Hearst ES.

Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation asked 40,000 public school teachers from across the nation their thoughts on American Education with the goal of placing teachers’ voices at the center of the discourse around education reform.

Please click here: http://www.scholastic.com/primarysources/download.asp and scroll down to “Video Replay” to watch this webcast that features Hearst Elementary School Teacher Beth Prince. You can also view the full report at this link as well.

The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) recommends that you view this insightful report. Thank you.

Elementary & Secondary Education Act blueprint

2010-03-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend, the Obama administration released its long-awaited blueprint for overhauling the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (previously known as No Child Left Behind).

The reauthorization of ESEA directly affects our members and their students, so we want to make sure that the voices of real educators are heard throughout this process.

In her initial response to the blueprint, AFT president Randi Weingarten expressed her disappointment that it places too much responsibility for the success of schools and students on teachers, without giving them any authority.

But we want to hear from those working in the classrooms.

What do you think of the Obama administration's blueprint for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act?

Your voices can help us achieve our most important task: to make sure Congress enacts not just a "blueprint" but a law that gives educators the tools, time and trust they need to help their students succeed.

WTU Road to Progress

2010-03-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

The Washington Teachers' Union supports and promotes the hard work and commitment of DC Public Schools teachers by running commercials on 7 local radio stations. Click here to hear WTU commercials being played on:

WHUR-FM (96.3)
WMMJ-FM ( 102.3)
WPGC-FM (95.5)
WTOP-FM (103.5)
WAMU-FM (88.5)
WASH-FM (97.1)
WMAL-AM (630)

The commercials are running March 3 thru March 14.

DCPS Snow Make Up Calendar

2010-02-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

February 26, 2010

Dear Parents and Families of DCPS Students,

Our back-to-back snow storms earlier this month made history, and caused our children to miss numerous days of instruction. In figuring out the snow make-up calendar, we have consulted with the Office of the State Superintendent, DCPS instructional staff, the Washington Teachers Union, and a number of parents. Thanks to many of you who offered suggestions about how best to maximize instructional time, preserve family vacation time, and meet the state attendance requirements.

We explored a variety of options that included extending the school day, converting previously scheduled vacation days into school days, changing the dates of DC-CAS testing—but none of these proved workable. In order to make up the lost snow days, the school calendar will shift as follows:

Friday, March 19th will be a regular school day. This was previously scheduled as a Professional Development Day for teachers, with no school for students.

Monday, May 17th will be a regular school day. This was previously scheduled as a Parent-Teacher Conference Day, and we will work with schools to ensure that teachers and parents schedule time to talk about summer learning and end-of-year topics during late May.

Friday, June 18th will be a full regular school day. This was previously scheduled as a half-day for students. It is now a regular full school day.

Monday, June 21st and Tuesday, June 22nd will be regular school days. The last day of school for students and teachers is June 22nd. These were the designated “make up days” built in to the calendar last year.

Monday, June 28th is the first day of summer school.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility. We understand that schedule changes can cause difficulties for families and it is our hope that these specific adjustments will cause the minimum amount of disruption.

Sincerely,

Michelle Rhee

Chancellor

The Kojo Nnamdi Show: Interview with President George Parker

2010-02-22T05:12:00.000-08:00

Washington Teachers Union President George Parker said that the union is "very close" to reaching a contract agreement with the DCPS. Howard University Law School Dean Kurt Schmoke has acted as a mediator throughout the negotiation process. Though Parker declined to name a specific timeframe for signing, he said that the terms of the contract as it stands now will "...give [teachers] what they need in order to do the job they've been asked to do."

Here's the link to the podcast.

Battling for the Top Spot at the Washington Teachers' Union

2010-02-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

Dues and Don’ts: Parker says Saunders is more interested in running for office than serving the union. (Darrow Montgomery)

Rancor in the WTU ranks threatens to explode in upcoming election.
By Mike DeBonis

Posted: February 17, 2010

News flash: It’s campaign season, and there’s a big-time election coming. The fate of our city is at stake—it’s a race that stands to impact big-time issues: education reform, relations with the city workforce, ongoing financial pressures.

No, LL does not speak of the mayoral race. What’s he’s talking about here is the presidency of the Washington Teachers’ Union.

An internecine battle that’s been brewing for the better part of three years is threatening to explode this spring, as WTU President George Parker runs for a third term as chief of the high-profile union. His only declared opposition thus far is Nathan Saunders, who has spent both of Parker’s terms as general vice president, a post that, in recent years, Saunders has used to assail Parkers’ leadership at near every turn.

If you thought relations between the mayor and D.C. Council are bad, they’ve got nothing on the rancor within the WTU executive ranks. As Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee has embarked on her mission to overhaul the D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) in no small part by improving the quality of teaching, Saunders has repeatedly sought to undercut Parker. At one point, Saunders filed a federal lawsuit against Parker, accusing him of conspiring to oust Saunders from union affairs and covering up financial mismanagement to boot. A judge tossed Saunders’ lawsuit out of court, but that has hardly put a muzzle on the man.

“I’m of the ilk that a union represents its members’ interest, not as a communications funnel for management’s interest,” he says by way of slamming Parker.

“Nathan’s pretty much been running for office for the last three years,” Parker retorts, with good reason. While Saunders has been tossing verbal bombs in Parker’s direction since 2007, he’s been engaged in the tough slog of negotiating a teacher contract with DCPS—a process deeply intertwined with the union campaigns. (Continue reading Loose Lips)

Problems with D.C. teacher evaluation featuring WTU Task Force Chair Marni Barron

2010-02-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

Blog posting by Washington Post writer Jay Mathews on the problems with the Impact evaluation system featuring an interview with WTU Impact Task Force Chairperson Marni Barron. To view the entire article and comments click the link below:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/class-struggle/2010/02/problems_with_dc_teacher_evalu.html

Problems with D.C. teacher evaluation

Marni Barron, an innovative educator, shares my discomfort with many Washington area school districts that rate nearly 100.percent of their teachers as satisfactory. (I’m not kidding: Alexandria says 99.percent, Fairfax County, 99.1.percent, Montgomery County, 95, Loudoun County, 99, Prince George’s County, 95.6, and so on.)

But we disagree over the region’s most daring effort to assess educators honestly, the D.C. schools’ IMPACT program. I think it is a worthy experiment. Barron thinks it needs to do much more than it is designed to do to train teachers in its intricacies and demands.

Barron, 38, has been teaching, or coaching teachers, for 15 years. She works with the IMPACT system daily as the instructional coach assigned to help 15 teachers achieve and maintain excellence at Phoebe Hearst Elementary School in Northwest Washington. I (age withheld) have never taught a day of school in my life, and know no more about IMPACT than what I have read and heard from teachers.

Which of us are you going to believe?

I sense that the kind of evaluation the District is attempting will eventually reach other area districts, at least in underperforming schools. So we suburbanites should listen to what IMPACT experts such as Barron have to say.

I will offer some evidence of the program’s good effects soon, but first consider Barron’s critique, rather courageous given that she is working for IMPACT’s creators.

She likes tough, deep assessments that measure student progress in many ways, such as portfolios and behavior. “I am actually kind of a fan of stuff like this,” she said, “but do it right.”

Like any good teacher, she has visual aids for slow students like me. With some strain, she lifted a milk carton filled to the top with books, syllabuses and planning schedules. Beside it she placed a two-inch stack of papers. The milk carton material was what teachers waded through during their three years of training to establish No Child Left Behind measures in Michigan, where Barron once taught. The two-inch stack was what D.C. teachers were required to digest during three days of training for IMPACT and the new Teaching and Learning Framework.

Ready or not, the D.C. program is underway. Most teachers have had at least two of their required five annual observations: three by their principal or other school administrators and two by outside evaluators, called “master educators.”

In that rush forward, Barron said, supervisors are changing the rules. Barron interviewed last year to be a master educator. When she asked whether those evaluators could provide extra advice and support to teachers who needed it, as was done by coaches in Michigan, she was told no. When she was asked at the end of the interview whether she thought she would be a good fit for the job, she said no.

Recently some master educators told Barron those were the old rules. They now encourage teachers to meet with them after hours to discuss their weaknesses.

Barron was told to observe and fill out a classroom visit form for each of her teachers identical to the one used by the official evaluators. This was to get them in tune with the process. But Barron concluded it was a violation of the D.C. teacher contract, which bars teachers from evaluating their peers. (D.C. officials disagree). She declined to do that. Instead, she invites teachers to fill out the form themselves and see her to discuss improvements they want to make in their classroom methods.

Barron said the IMPACT guidebooks are too vague and too subjective. An assessment system will work only if it includes a major effort to show teachers how to improve through evidence-based instructional strategies, she said. There isn’t enough time for that in the five or six days set aside each year for professional development and the spare moments she has to talk to them during the regular school day.

This strikes me as a soluble problem. Barron said her principal, Bill Kerlina, is a fine educator. Whatever IMPACT’s flaws, she said, he does his best to be fair in upholding IMPACT by backing his ratings with evidence.

That says to me that good educators, including Barron and Kerlina, are making the necessary adjustments in this new system.

Barron hears that and gives me the patient look she uses with confused 10-year-olds. It will be a while before we know whether IMPACT works. But Barron thinks D.C. schools are trying to build this ship when it is already at sea, without involving the crew.

mathewsj@washpost.com

D.C. Schools Chancellor Rhee's approval rating in deep slide

2010-02-01T05:49:00.000-08:00

Approval rating of Chancellor and Mayor are on the decline.
See full article at the link below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/31/AR2010013102757.html?hpid=moreheadlines

D.C. Schools Chancellor Rhee's approval rating in deep slide

By Bill Turque and Jon Cohen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 1, 2010; B01

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee's job approval rating has dropped precipitously over the past two years, alongside Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's, despite sentiment among District residents that conditions in the city's long-troubled public education system are starting to improve, according to a new Washington Post poll.

Rhee's performance was viewed favorably by 59 percent of residents in January 2008, with 29 percent disapproving. Now, there is a near-even split: 43 percent approve of what she's doing, and 44 percent are dissatisfied. Those with children in D.C. public schools have nearly reversed their opinion of Rhee. Two years ago, 54 percent of those parents approved of her; now, 54 percent disapprove.

Support for Rhee has eroded most dramatically among African Americans. Two years ago, 50 percent of black residents backed Rhee, while 38 percent disapproved. Now, just 28 percent approve, with 62 percent dissatisfied. The intensity of African Americans' unhappiness with Rhee's leadership has also grown. The percentage who "strongly disapprove" of her performance has doubled over this period, from 22 percent to 44 percent.

Yet as residents grow less supportive of Fenty's designated change agent for the schools, they still approve of some of the changes. The proportion of parents in the city who see violence or crime in schools as a "big problem" has declined from 78 to 65 percent. Those with children in public schools are more favorable, with 57 percent calling it a big problem. The quality and availability of books and other instructional materials is viewed as less of a major problem by all parents, dropping from 67 percent to 48 percent.

In follow-up interviews, parents aimed some of their frustration with the system at Rhee.

Keisha Warner, 40, who lives in the Michigan Park community of Ward 5, said she was especially concerned about the city's struggling neighborhood high schools. Her daughter attends seventh grade at a Landover parochial school, Warner said, and unless she can enroll her in one of the city's specialty high schools, where admission is by application only, there isn't much of a future for her in the city's public system.

"The expectation is for my daughter to go to college," Warner said. "Unless she goes to Banneker or School Without Walls or even Wilson, I don't know how prepared she'd be," Warner said.

The poll results underscore how closely Fenty and Rhee are linked in public perceptions and how much of the mayor's political future might be staked on the chancellor's success in turning around the school system. Fenty's approval rating has dropped 30 points to 42 percent since 2008. During the same period, the proportion of residents who say he has done a "good" or "excellent" job in improving schools has declined from 52 to 42 percent. The segment of residents evaluating his school performance as "poor" has grown from 18 to 24 percent.

For full article click here.

Chancellor Rhee's Response to President Parker

2010-01-27T20:56:00.000-08:00

Mr. George Parker
President
Washington Teachers Union
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1050
Washington DC, 20006

Dear President Parker,

I received your letter and wanted to address your concerns right away. Student safety is our highest concern, and we have thousands of teachers, principals, and staff members who share that commitment and treat our students with great care and commitment everyday.

The comment I made to Fast Company was made sometime ago --- and in the context of explaining the importance of considering teacher performance, and not just seniority, in deciding which teachers would be let go during a reduction in force necessitated by a budget cut. I was describing the kind of conduct that was apropriate to take into account in implementing the reduction-in-force (RIF).

The examples I gave involved a very small minority of the teachers who were terminated in the budget reduction.

One teacher against whom serious allegations of sexual misconduct had been made was terminated in the RIF. This teacher was immediately put on administrative leave and removed from the school as soon as the allegations came to our attention. This person was not in the classroom at the time of the RIF, and DCPS referred the case to MPD. his investigation was still pending at the time of the RIF.

Six of the employees terminated through the RIF had served suspensions for corporal punishment. Two of the employees terminated through the RIF served suspensions for being AWOL on multiple occassions and several other employees had egregious time and attendance records.

The progressive discipline procedures contained in the collective bargaining agreement prescribed suspension, rather than termination, for these situations.

As you know, principals are required to report all allegations of corporal punishment or sexual misconduct to the school's Contract Security Officer (CSO). The CSO then files an incident report and reports the incident to MPD, who reviews the allegation and determines whether a formal criminal investigation is needed. All procedures were appropriately followed in each of the cases in question.

We agree that supporting our teachers for the good and the welfare of our students is a common goal of both DCPS and the WTU. The reduction in force was a difficult time for all of us, and we want to continue to work together as a school system to move past it and to remain focused on serving our students.

Sincerely,

Michelle Rhee
Chancellor

cc: Adrian Fenty
Mayor

Vincent C. Gray
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia

From the DC School's Insider

2010-01-27T20:02:00.000-08:00

Another remarkable entry from the DC School's Insider (Bill Turque) which reads:

One newspaper, two stories

Many of you may have noticed something more than a tad odd Tuesday morning in our coverage of Chancellor Rhee's now immortal comments to "Fast Company." My story, which appeared on the front of the Metro section, said that Rhee had yet to explain or elaborate, and that there would be no comment until later in the day. My Monday evening blog entry said pretty much the same thing.

The editorial page told a different story. Citing "information released by the chancellor's office on Monday," it said that of the 266 teachers laid off in October, six had served suspensions for corporal punishment, two had been absent without leave on multiple occasions, and one was on administrative leave for allegedly having sex with a student.

So, after asking DCPS about this since Friday--and being promised a response all day Monday--I read the answers in an editorial. Channel 4's Tom Sherwood also had Rhee's explanation on the air Monday.

But it's the disconnect between the editorial page and the news section that I feel requires some kind explanation. So let me try. DC School's Insider blog

Letter to Chancellor Rhee

2010-01-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

Michelle Rhee
Chancellor
District of Columbia Public Schools
825 N. Capital Street N.E. Ninth Floor
Washington, DC 20002

Dear Chancellor Rhee:

This is a critical time for D.C. Public Schools, for teachers and for the students we serve. In recent weeks, there have been a number of positive developments. We have seen significant gains in student test scores, and negotiators for DCPS and the Washington Teachers’ Union have been moving closer to reaching an agreement that is good for kids and fair to teachers. These are examples of how our children benefit when the adults work together. That’s why I was so perplexed and, frankly, angered to read the comments ascribed to you in a recent interview with Fast Company magazine.

Your statement—that through the reduction in force (RIF), you "got rid of teachers who had hit children, who had had sex with children, who had missed 78 days of school"—is callous, lacks specificity and, if true, demonstrates a failure on your part to act with all deliberate speed to protect the interests of our students. In one blanket, accusatory statement, you have potentially damaged the reputations of 266 teachers in a way that disregards fairness and deprives them of an opportunity to defend themselves. Furthermore, your statement has created a public uproar and raises uncertainties about the integrity of all DCPS teachers—not just those who were RIFed. More important, your statement suggests that you were aware of allegations of criminal acts against students but failed to take necessary actions to protect them. If these claims are true, why wait for a RIF to address a threat to the welfare of our children?

I am confident that I speak for all teachers when I say that the safety and well-being of our children is of paramount importance. If a teacher "had sex with children" as you stated, shouldn’t authorities have been alerted? Moreover, there are mechanisms in place, through the agreement negotiated between our union and DCPS, to expedite the removal of those who would endanger our children—without declaring a RIF. Your comments demonstrate a lack of respect for our teachers. I urge you to immediately rescind this global indictment of DCPS teachers and to issue a full public apology.

Supporting our teachers for the good and welfare of our children should be a common goal. I am hopeful that we can continue to make progress as we work together to forge a new path forward for the benefit of our students.
Sincerely,

George Parker
President

cc: Adrian M. Fenty
Mayor

Vincent C. Gray
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia

Letter To Mayor Fenty

2010-01-26T03:24:00.000-08:00

January 25, 2010

The Honorable Adrian M. Fenty
Mayor
Executive Office of the Mayor
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 316
Washington, DC 20004

Dear Mayor Fenty:

In a recent Fast Company magazine update, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Michelle Rhee is quoted as saying that, through November’s reduction in force (RIF), she “got rid of teachers who had hit children, who had had sex with children, who had missed 78 days of school.” The sheer breadth of the statement is stunning—engulfing all 266 educators who were RIFed. Worse, is the Chancellor’s suggestion that she knew of allegations of this nature and did nothing to immediately take all necessary steps to protect our students. Every D.C. parent, educator, student and citizen should be gravely concerned by such inaction.

With a callous, nonspecific statement that names no one and thus blames all, Michelle Rhee has called into question the ethics of 266 men and women, and she’s done it in a way that gives these individuals almost no recourse to defend themselves. Words do matter, particularly when they are used to lob such a heinous accusation. Chancellor Rhee’s statement strikes yet another blow to her oft-stated goal of restoring the public’s faith in our school system.

As teachers, the safety and well-being of our students is a paramount concern. If the Chancellor at any time knew of allegations of the type she referred to in her statement, she had an absolute obligation to see that they were addressed immediately. Her statement, however, suggests she was aware of the allegations but waited until there was a budget shortfall to take action. Why? There are established procedures already in place to expedite the removal of anyone who endangers our children.

Chancellor Rhee owes an apology to the teachers she has vilified through her reckless remarks. More important, she owes an explanation to the people of the District of Columbia, for she either has made a patently untrue statement or has admitted that she failed to carry out her responsibility to protect D.C. students. Neither serves the best interests of our teachers or students.

Respectfully,

George Parker
President
Washington Teachers’ Union

cc: Vincent C. Gray
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia

Michelle Rhee
Chancellor
D.C. Public Schools

Rhee says laid-off teachers in D.C. abused kids

2010-01-25T18:13:00.000-08:00

By Bill Turque

Washington Post Staff

Writer Saturday, January 23, 2010

Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee told a national business magazine that some of the 266 teachers laid off in October's budget reductions had sex with children or had hit them, a claim immediately and angrily challenged Friday by leaders of the Washington Teachers Union.

Rhee's comments appear in the February issue of Fast Company, a magazine aimed at young entrepreneurs and change-minded corporate executives. In a brief item, Rhee addressed the union allegation that she contrived the budget crunch to circumvent seniority rules and rid the system of older teachers.

"I got rid of teachers who had hit children, who had had sex with children, who had missed 78 days of school. Why wouldn't we take those things into consideration?" she said.

Rhee declined to provide specific numbers Friday or details to substantiate her remarks about sexual misconduct and teachers striking students. Neither did she respond when asked by e-mail why such teachers were allowed to remain in the school system before the Oct. 2 job cuts. D.C. police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said late Friday that she was researching the matter. The Washington Post

National Board Certification in DC

2010-01-12T02:40:00.000-08:00

Maria Angala, NBCT '09

I remember Chancellor Rhee saying that "...with a wonderful teacher there is no doubt that all the barriers will be overcome. This is where 100% of our focus is right now" in her Charlie Rose interview in July 2008.

I was very disappointed that Chancellor Rhee discontinued the supports for National Board Certification.

In today's WaPo article Bill Turque writes that according to Chancellor Rhee, "although she considers board certification a valuable form of professional development, it was difficult to justify the annual expenditure of about $600,000 because so few teachers were making it through the process".

Why is there a low number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in DCPS? The same is true in fact in most high-needs schools across the nation. A Teacher Solutions report by 10 National Board Certified Teachers Center for Teaching Quality on the effects of National Board on Advancing 21st Century Teaching and Learning states that:

High-needs schools tend to have much more rigid requirements for curriculum instruction. There is considerably less trust among administrators in teachers' abilities to positively impact student learning. As a result, there is less opportunity for teaches to demonstrate that they can tailor instruction to student needs -- they are not even allowed to do so. It is typical to see scripted curricula and/or rigid, closely monitored pacing guides. All these reduce the amount of time and effort that can be committed to National Board Certification.

Another congressionally-mandated Research shows that the National Board Certification has a positive impact on student achievement, professional development and teacher retention. Even U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan praised the 2009 Class of NBCT's as "an extraordinary group" that has "demonstrated a commitment to taking their teaching practice and the teaching profession to a different level."

Isn't it more detrimental to DCPS that the supports to the National Board Certification were cut?

The report further relates that...

The National Board Certification process should be viewed through the lens of increasing human capital, not strictly from the perspective of short-term costs and benefits. Smart state and local policies will support candidates as they go through the process and then capitalize on the leadership and skills of those who successfully complete it. Once this dynamic environment is created and sustained, we are confident that teaching quality will improve.

I was a struggling teacher before I started out with the National Boards process. Coming from a foreign country with a different educational system, I was in the dark with how to teach the "American way", how to run a classroom and how to give an effective lesson to my students. I wanted to make a difference, my intention was good; what kept me in the classroom was my passion for teaching. Going through the National Board Certification process was life changing not just for me but for my students. It made me a reflective teacher, strengthened my instructional and behavior management skills, and made me a collaborator and a teacher leader. For me these are the qualities that set a good teacher apart from a great teacher.

For me a good teacher teaches content and is compliant with her professional duties. While a great teacher does not only teach, she is not only religious with fulfilling her professional duties as a teacher. A great teacher reaches-out, connects, communicates, and collaborates with the students, their parents, colleagues, the community; she knows how to gather resources and supports to maximize the potentials of each and every student in her classroom; a great teacher consistently reexamines her teaching practices and she learns from her experience.

In my phone conversation with Bill Turque last week, I mentioned to him the technology and financial supports from DCPS during the leadership of Dr. Clifford Janey that helped make the process more convenient for me during my candidacy. I also told him about the National Board Orientation and Professional Development sessions sponsored by The Washington Teachers Union (WTU), and the mentorship from our NBCTs in DCPS in collaboration with the American University and the George Washington University. These things made us teachers, most especially the aspiring candidates, feel valued that the administration is supporting our quest to become great teachers.

I believe that there are many excellent, outstanding, and effective teachers in DCPS that need to be identified and be rewared for the exceptional job that they are doing who need to join the cadre of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) and be in the forefront as teacher leaders in this education reform.

I can attest to the fact that the National Board Certification helps make good teachers become great teachers.

Isn't this what Chancellor Rhee wants for her teachers? I am hoping that she will reconsider her stand in this matter and decide to support the National Board Certification.

* This is a repost from Teacher Sol's blog.

Building a New Path Forward

2010-01-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

"Building a New Path Forward for Quality Teaching and Better Schools." Our children deserve more than a factory education. as teachers, we want to inspire students to think critically and creatively. Lets build a new path forward.

Contract Language - Teacher Participation in Local School Plans

2010-01-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

WTU Members,

This is to remind you that you have a right to participate in the process of updating your local school plans. Attached is a copy of the exact language as it appears in the WTU/DCPS Contract. The Contract specifically requires that:

a. Supervisors meet with the teaching staff twice for input and discussion on the local school plan prior to final submission to DCPS Central Office (page 28, Article XI, section E#1).

b. Supervisors make a current copy of the Local School Plan (including up-to-date budgetary information) available to teachers upon request (page 29, Article XI, section E#3).

Given the impact of the recent DCPS RIF, it is critical that our members and Local School Restructuring Teams are actively engaged in decisions affecting their respective local school plans. If your supervisor fails to meet with your teaching staff, or fails to provide you with local school plan and budgetary information as required by the WTU/DCPS contract, please call the WTU office at 202-293 8600. Your WTU Field Representative will provide you with the necessary assistance.

The WTU/DCPS contract guarantees your right to provide input into the process as your principal updates the local school plan. We are committed to giving you information that helps support your efforts.

Thank you for your participation in ensuring that your school adheres to the WTU/DCPS contract when updating the local school plan at your school.

George Parker
President

What's Next: Michelle Rhee

2010-01-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

WTU Press Release

2009-12-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

December 14, 2009

Contact: George Jackson

Phone: (202) 3934275

gjackson@aft.org

STATEMENT BY GEORGE PARKER, PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON TEACHERS UNION

ON BONUSES PAID TO FAVORED CITY EMPLOYEES

The Washington Examiner today reported that the Fenty Administration has paid over $15 million in bonuses to select city employees, even as D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) has cited budget shortfalls as the reason for the dismissal of 388 DCPS employees.

WASHINGTON- Tough economic times call for sacrifices and shared responsibility from all parties, but apparently this concept doesn't apply to Mayor Fenty. Today's Washington Examiner story that the Mayor handed out $15 million in bonuses over the past three years to favorite city employees is outrageous. The payment of these bonuses should offend all citizens of the District of Columbia, given the fact that Mayor Fenty and DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee used a budget crisis as the excuse to fire 388 D.C. teachers and school staff, creating a major disruption in the education of many of our most vulnerable students. The district government needs a better system of checks and balances to ensure the implementation of sound fiscal management and policies, especially in the current economy.

DCPS Inclusive Schools Week

2009-12-09T03:31:00.000-08:00

To celebrate Inclusive Schools Week (12/7 – 12/11), the DCPS Office of Special Education will be hosting three evening screenings of the documentary Including Samuel (read about the film here: http://www.includingsamuel.org).

First Screening: Wednesday, 12/9, 6pm @ Noyes EC
Second Screening: Thursday, 12/10, 6pm @ Columbia Heights EC
Third Screening: Friday 12/11,6pm @ Payne ES.

Watch the preview:

Education Leaders Celebrate Early Childhood Education

2009-12-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Education leaders in the District returned to the basics of early childhood education as they watched a teacher read a story to her enthusiastic charges, they joined in an imaginary cooking class in a fully-equipped make-believe kitchen and the best part of all, officials had an opportunity to play with over-sized, multi-colored building blocks, again. Washington Teachers’ Union President George Parker relives his childhood with pre-kindergarten students at Patterson Elementary School in Southwest, on Thu., Nov. 19. Photo by Khalid Naji-AllahIn recognition of National Association for the Education of Young Children’s annual conference, Deputy Chancellor for D.C. Public Schools Kaya Henderson, Washington Teachers’ Union President George Parker and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten visited two early childhood education classrooms at Leckie Elementary School in Southeast and Patterson Elementary School in Southwest, Thu., Nov. 19 to feature the District’s successful early childhood education programs.

“Every one of our elementary schools has a high quality early childhood program like Head Start,” Parker said. “Our early childhood [education] program is very strong and I think DCPS has a model program for the country. We are very, very proud to support it as a union.”

Henderson, Parker and Weingarten observed students in Angela Murphy’s Pre-Kindergarten class at Patterson Elementary as they talked about the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims and the Native Americans. The officials also joined the students in “centers”, small theatrically designed play areas that emphasize literacy, social skills and learning-through-play techniques.

Henderson said that the District’s public school system continues to support and expand early childhood education programs across the city because a head start in education increases children’s chances of success.

“We want to continue to provide our educators with all of the resources that they need because we know that if we build a firm foundation at this age, students will scoot on through school and be successful in the long term,” Henderson said. Murphy, a veteran District public school teacher with 30 years of experience, echoed Henderson’s sentiment.

“If you don’t have an early childhood program that is fully-funded, the resources and the people who have the compassion and desire to teach in early childhood education, then you have problems in middle school and high school because they don’t have the foundation,” Murphy said. “This is where they get the foundation, the love of school and the love of learning.”

Patterson, which has a new, state-of-the art facility built in 2004, is located in what education officials consider to be one of the most vulnerable communities in the District -- Ward 8.

“What Patterson -- the building, the caring people who are here -- communicates to some of the most vulnerable children and families in neighborhoods that lots of people never get a chance to visit is that they are important, that they deserve a world class school and that they deserve world class educators,” Henderson said.

While the District’s education system has been hammered due to the recent teacher firings, District public school officials and union leaders teamed up to focus on early childhood education programs that appear to be working.

Weingarten said that it was important for the education leaders in the District to unite and recognize the importance of early childhood education by visiting the schools.

“This is National Early Childhood Week, so you have to not simply talk about early childhood education; you have to walk the walk. In this early childhood program you see kids playing with each other, kids being able to answer questions about pilgrims, kids being able to read and understand words and syllables and vowels. You see real education happening here,” Weingarten said.

Washington Teachers’ Union President George Parker plays with a Leckie Elementary School student as WTU Executive Director of the Office of Professional Development and Educational Issues Dorothy Egbufor looks on. “There’s been a lot of tension in terms of Washington, D.C. The fact that both the administration and the union are here together, hand-in-hand, looking at a program that works shows that we want to put aside those differences and work on behalf of children,” he said. The Washington Informer

STATEMENT BY GEORGE PARKER

2009-11-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

November 24, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Monique LeNoir
Director of Communications

Phone: 202/293‐8620

mlenoir@wtulocal6.org

George Jackson, AFT

Phone: 202/494‐8178

STATEMENT BY GEORGE PARKER, PRESIDENT,WASHINGTON TEACHERS’ UNION,ON D.C. SUPERIOR COURT RULING ON PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

Judge Judith Bartnoff today issued a ruling denying the union’s motion for a preliminary injunction toprohibit the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) from dismissing 266 teachers. The ruling means that DCPS will not be required to reinstate teachers during the ongoing challenge and appeals process.

WASHINGTON—We are disappointed with the court’s decision not to stop the layoffs pending arbitration, and with Judge Bartnoff’s opinion that the chancellor had budgetary justification for the reduction in force (RIF). The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) will consult with legal counsel on the issue of whether the RIF is subject to the grievance and arbitration procedure, and will continue to support our members in the pursuit of their individual cases and appeals via the Office of Employee Appeals.

It is equally important to note what the court did not do. In her decision, Judge Bartnoff said the court could not second‐guess whether a RIF is the appropriate way to address a budget shortfall. Nor did the court comment on the Oct. 29 D.C. Council hearing, where DCPS conceded it knew about the budget issues before July 31.

It is the WTU’s responsibility to advocate for the best learning environments for our children. Operating a school system in a manner that disrupts the lives of students by dismissing 266 teachers six weeks into the school year is simply wrong. We intend to work through the appropriate legal, political and educational channels to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Given the major disruption experienced by the students of DCPS, it is imperative that the WTU, Mayor Fenty, Chancellor Rhee, the city council and all other education stakeholders create aproductive and collaborative relationship that will foster maximum success for our children for the remainder of the school year.

PBS Series - Episode 11 "Tensions Rising"

2009-11-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

WTU Members:

The below segment about the recent DCPS Reduction in Force aired on PBS “Learning Matters TV”. To watch the entire segment, click here. Thank you.

Controversy has followed Michelle Rhee every step of the way since she took control of Washington, DC’s schools. But now, two years into her bid to turn the district around, accusations of mismanagement and conspiracy may threaten to derail Rhee’s larger reform effort.

At the center of the storm: over 200 teachers who lost jobs in October. That may not sound like much — but the layoffs follow a national campaign to recruit teachers to DC. Why did Rhee hire 934 new teachers between spring and fall only to make layoffs six weeks into the school year?

One thing is for certain — the temperature is rising in Washington, DC. Contract negotiations with the teachers’ union have ground to a halt. And in the words of one DC councilmember, “We are sitting in a chamber where tensions couldn’t be higher.”

ECE Happy Hour

2009-11-18T16:17:00.000-08:00

You're invited to honor AFT's early childhood educators in DC for the 2009 NAEYC Conference

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
WHERE: 4th floor, AFT Headquarters, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington DC 20001
CELEBRATE WITH:
Antonia Cortese, secretary-treasurer, AFT
George Parker, president, WTU
WTU's Early Childhood Education Task Force

Food, music, and an open bar

Candlelight Vigil for Education

2009-11-15T06:22:00.000-08:00

The Washington Teachers' Union is holding a Candlelight Vigil for Education on Tuesday, November 17th, at 6:00 pm at the African American Civil War Memorial. Please join us in taking a stand for our young people.

Transitioning to Kindergarten

2009-11-13T06:27:00.000-08:00

“Transitioning to Kindergarten” Session and Toolkit
Special Professional Development with the Co-Developer
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
American Federation of Teachers, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Don't miss the opportunity to attend the upcoming National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) annual conference for free! Taking place November 18-21, 2009 at the Washington Convention Center, join 20,000 fellow Early Childhood Educators and stakeholders in our nation's capital for the world's largest early childhood conference.

Our national affiliate and parent organization, the American Federation of Teachers is a major sponsor for this conference and is offering the WTU 25 free registrations in exchange for assistance with the AFT booth in the conference Exhibit Hall.

More information on NAEYC, To download the NAEYC conference registration form. Click here: http://www.naeyc.org/.

WTU Reaching Out

2009-11-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to the DC Teachers' E-Portal (The WTU Flagship Blog).

The WTU represents more than 4,200 DCPS teachers and is committed to the development and implementation of educational best practices that support teachers and high quality education for all students.

This blog has been created to serve as an innovative and reliable source of timely information for our members and other key educational stakeholders. This blog will provide an excellent opportunity for teachers, parents, students, educational policymakers and the community at large to collaborate and exchange ideas and opinions on key educational issues.

We invite you to join us and make the "DC Teachers' E-Portal" your number one source of accurate and reliable information and dialogue on hot topic affecting DC Public Schools.

You are welcome to share your thoughts with us...

90-Day Plan Teachers Reinstated

2009-11-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

The WTU is proud to announce that we have successfully reached settlement with DCPS to immediately reinstate 31 teachers who were wrongfully terminated by DCPS this past summer based on improper application and use of 90-day plan. The WTU welcomes back these members and will continue to work on behalf of all teachers who were wrongfully terminated under the 90-day plan.

The Future of DCPS

2009-11-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

The Washington, D.C. Branch of the

NAACP Presents A Forum Entitled:

The Future of the District of Columbia Public Schools

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has a long tradition of fighting for social justice—especially when it comes to defending education as a civil rights issue. That’s why the local branch of the NAACP is hosting a forum on the future of D.C.Public Schools (DCPS). Don’t miss this opportunity to hear key perspectives on the state and future of education in our public schools from Washington Teachers’ Union President George Parker and DCPS Deputy Chancellor Kaya Henderson.

This forum will focus on how parents, individual citizens and groups can work to make our schools better for the students of our city. The forum is free and open to the public.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 127:00 p.m.

WHERE: Israel Baptist Church 1251 Saratoga St., S.E. (At 12th St., N.E. near the Home Depot)

All NAACP Branch meetings are open to the public.

Let’s do what’s good for kids and fair to teachers.

Today's Injunction Hearing

2009-11-05T20:42:00.001-08:00

Five witnesses for the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) —including a teacher, guidance counselor, PTA president, union representative and WTU president—gave compelling testimony at the Nov. 5 preliminary injunction hearing on the disruption in D.C. public schools and classrooms following the layoffs of 266 DCPS teachers.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff will issue a written decision sometime next week on whether to grant an injunction to reinstate teachers while the union arbitrates its class-action mass discharge grievance against D.C. Public Schools (DCPS). The grievance challenges the so-called reduction in force (RIF) as a mass firing of teachers and staff in violation of the collective bargaining agreement.

“We are so proud of our members—especially those who testified—for the way they have come together to stand against this act of disrespect and disregard for our students, our schools and for the democratic values we all hold dear,” says WTU President George Parker. “Regardless of the outcome of this one phase of our fight for justice, we must continue to stand together.”

Testifying at the Nov. 5 hearing were: Maurice Asuquo, a former special education teacher at Sharpe Health; Emyrtle Bennett, a former guidance counselor from Coolidge High School; Gwendolyn Griffin, president of D.C. Congress of PTA; and Mary Collins, WTU field representative. Asuquo, one of the only blind teachers in DCPS, told the judge that his principal assigned him to teach a visual arts class. Bennett, who also had been a counselor at Sidwell Friends and Chicago Latin, testified about her high outstanding record of helping seniors get accepted into college and secure scholarship funds. Collins provided information on how DCPS budgeted for the RIF in a way that suggested school officials knew in advance that more experienced teachers would be fired. Griffin explained why the PTA opposes the RIF and supports reinstating the teachers.

“This hearing represents just one battlefront in our fight to restore respect for education, for students and for teachers,” Parker says. “We are standing for what’s right. We are working for what is best for the students we serve and for what is good and just for teachers.”

WTU Legal Action - RIF Q&A

2009-11-02T20:05:00.000-08:00

Questions and Answers

On the WTU response to the reduction in force

Q. What legal steps did the Washington Teachers’Union (WTU) take to protect the interests of teachers and the students we serve following the D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) reduction in force?

A. After 266 teachers were released from their positions, WTU immediately filed a class action grievance contending that DCPS’ actions amount to a massive discharge of teachers – or firing – rather than a RIF. Under the WTU contract, DCPS is required to show just cause, progressive discipline, and follow due process before teachers can be fired.

Q. What court-related actions has the union taken?

A. Attorneys for WTU have filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO), as well as a complaint seeking a preliminary and a permanent injunction asking that teachers be reinstated – or placed back in their positions – while the arbitration is being decided. In addition to reinstatement, WTU also has asked that the arbitration of the grievance on the massive discharge be expedited and moved quickly to lessen the damage to teachers and the
school system.

Q. What happened during the Oct. 28 Status Conference and how does it affect the preliminary injunction hearing?

A. During a Status Conference between the union, DCPS and Judge Judith Bartnoff on Oct. 2, the judge determined that a hearing on the TRO was not necessary prior to the Nov. 5 preliminary injunction hearing. The judge did, however, protect the reinstatement rights of teachers, pending the outcome of the hearing on Nov. 5. Further, Judge Bartnoff stated the Court would not accept arguments from DCPS that reinstatement was impossible simply because the teachers had been removed from the DCPS payroll. In other words, the court stated that it retained authority to reinstate the teachers who have been subject to the RIF, in the event the Court agrees with WTU at the injunction hearing on Nov. 5.

Q. Did the judge refuse to grant a TRO on Oct. 28?

A. No. The judge made no ruling on whether to grant the TRO at the Oct. 28 Status Conference.

Q. What are the possible outcomes for the Nov. 5 preliminary injunction hearing

A. The preliminary injunction hearing is just a first stepand a vehicle to move the union closer to arbitration.

The primary purpose of the hearing is for the judge to uphold the union’s right to move forward on the massive discharge grievance under circumstances where the affected teachers remain on the payroll and the arbitrator will not face arguments from DCPS that these teachers cannot be permanently reinstated because they have been removed from DCPS’ payroll.

The possible outcomes of the Nov. 5 hearing are:

1) The judge could decide to preserve our right to arbitrate the grievance and reinstate teachers through the arbitration process;

2) The judge could rule to expedite the arbitration process;

3) The judge could rule that the grievance is arbitrable, but teachers will not be reinstated through the arbitration process; or

4) The judge could deny the injunction.

Q. What happens if the judge rules against the preliminary injunction?

A. Even if the judge rules against the preliminary injunction, our fight is far from over. The union will continue to pursue arbitration on the massive discharge grievance. DCPS, however, would not be required to reinstate teachers during the grievance process. Regardless of the outcome of the Nov. 5 hearing, the union is committed to protecting the interests of our RIF’ed members to the fullest extent possible.

Working for what’s good for kids and fair to teachers.

Injunction Hearing

2009-11-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

WTU Members:

The hearing on the injunction and temporary restraining order as it relates to the recent DCPS Reduction in Force is scheduled for this Thursday, November 5th, at 10:00 am at DC Superior Court. We will keep you updated on the outcomes of this hearing. Thank you.

Monique LeNoir
Director of Communications
The Washington Teachers' Union

DC Council Hearing on Teacher Lay Offs

2009-10-29T19:42:00.001-07:00

Washington, D.C., Council members said schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee ignored their instructions to trim summer-school funding to balance her budget. Instead, they said, she used the resulting money crunch as an opportunity to lay off hundreds of educators. Council members suggested Rhee violated the law by not cutting summer-school funding, to which Rhee said she was protecting students instead of staff. About 100 teaching jobs could have been saved by reducing the summer-school funding. The Washington Post

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Rally for Respect Highlights

2009-10-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

Thousands of teachers, parents and students gathered at Freedom Plaza on Oct. 8 for the "Rally for Respect," demanding fairness, transparency and better schools for D.C.'s children.

Visit our Media Page for videos and articles on the rally and the recent layoffs of 388 D.C. school employees.

RIF

2009-10-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

Teachers, Teachers
Heroes of the Nation
Making a change
Making a BIG change

Braving all the odds
in the DC Public School System

Targeted for RIF
Blamed for the test scores
Demoralized, Disrespected,
Violated

Gave their lives,
Gave their time,
Did their very best,
Blood, sweat, and tears for the job

The 30th of September 2009 is so called
the Judgment Day
Every teacher in the Nation's Capital is praying
and hoping

Let it be not me, Oh Lord!
RIF, RIF, RIF
Who will be RIFed?
God Let it be not me

Tears of joy for those who were not RIFed
Tears of agony for those who were RIFed

DCPS is ravaged by RIF
Emotions overflowing
Heart breaking, soul wrecking
A lot of lives broken

Wow I ask myself
Do I still want to be a teacher in this system?
I see clearly my direction
Yes I will still be a teacher
For the passion in my heart is burning
And I will prove them wrong

For in the end, we teachers will triumph!

US Dep't of Ed: Education News Parents Can Use

2009-10-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Archived Video Webcast

Originally broadcast live on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 (info from US Dep Ed Homepage)

On October’s special edition of Education News Parents Can Use, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan engaged teachers across the country in a town hall forum about what’s working and what’s not working in our nation’s schools. During the live program, Arne listened to comments from a studio audience comprised entirely of local teachers, and he responded to telephone calls and emails from across the country.

VIEW THE ARCHIVED VIDEO WEBCAST:

WindowsMedia RealMedia Captioned Version: WindowsMedia RealMedia

Parliamentarian

2009-10-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

RIF - Reduction in Force

I think that one of the most important things to know for the 266 teachers who have received termination letters, is that they know about their right(s) to appeal. They have 30 days within which they can file an appeal with the D.C. Office of Employee Appeals.

In the meantime, they need to know that the WTU is in the process of filing a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the court system, so that a judge can put a temporary halt to the termination action by the DCPS. During the time of the halt (assuming that the TRO is successful), then the WTU and the AFT can research every case to see if any teachers were terminated illegally. The DCPS has a history of process violations, so I'm sure there were errors. The DCPS is at fault for not giving the WTU advance notice of the RIF. I think our current contract states that, "In cases of a RIF, the DCPS will inform the WTU." I think the purpose of this is so that the WTU can play a watchdog role to monitor each step in the RIF process, to notify the DCPS if they are violating the contract during the process.

Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee are working together on this RIF, however Council Chair Vincent Gray has stated that, "According to my math, the city council has approved a budget for the DCPS to have enough money to the point that there shouldn't be any RIFs. He personally signed-off on the funds. And he also wants to know, "How can you conduct a RIF and terminate 266 teachers, while at the same time hire 900 new teachers?"

See you at the Rally at Freedom Plaza on Oct. 8, 2009, 4:30pm.

WTU ECE Work Group Meets Miriam Calderon

2009-10-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

I am currently a member of the WTU Early Childhood Work Group. Our group recently met with Miriam Calderon, the newly appointed Director of DCPS Early Childhood Department. She has only been on the job six weeks and comes to our district with Head Start experience as well as being a parent of 3year old twins. She was pleasant and exhibited a true passion for EC education. We discussed a variety of issues that EC teachers currently face in DCPS.

Among them were Phasing in children during the first week of school. We discussed current practices and were asked to submit recommendations to her in an effort to make the practice common throughout the district. We also discussed the current standards and report cards currently being used in the district. The work group looks forward to a great year of collaboration and support with Miriam.

ECTeamLeader

On IMPACT

2009-10-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

A repost from: Teacher Sol's blog.

In response to my colleague's earlier post, here's the DCPS Teaching and Learning Framework, which supports the IMPACT which is the new system for assessing the performance of DCPS teachers and other school-based staff. I finished the first evaluation cycle with impressive ratings. Thanks to the National Board process. It made me reflect on, rethink, retool and redo my instructional practices. It made me innovative, creative, and try new things for my diverse students to learn the standards. It made me focus on data gathering, connecting and having good relationships with my students, colleagues, parents, and the community so we can all work towards a common goal --- maximizing my students' potential and increasing student achievement. Nope, I'm not yet National Board certified and I'm still working on it, but the process made me a teacher leader, a teacher collaborator, and a teacher learner...it made me a 21st Century educator! Even if I don't get National Board certified, I'm still glad I went through the process. It made me become a better teacher that my students deserve, and the intrinsic reward which made me grow professionally is worth all the sleepless nights, sacrifice and effort.

What do I think about the IMPACT? Yes, it is far better than our PPEP (old teacher evaluation system), but, for me, not the best one. I understand that it is still a work in progress. I have shared my concerns during WTU-DCPS Focus Group Discussions on this issue as a special education teacher. Studies have shown that students in co-teaching classrooms are better achievers than their peers. Also, the IDEA 2004 mandates inclusive education for our diverse learners. The new DCPS teacher evaluation tool does not support co-teaching nor the inclusion model. I hope that DCPS will come up with a rubric on team teaching model. I also want to know how they expect us to co-plan, co-teach, and co-grade with the regular education teachers, we just need some guidance on that.

Here's the pdf copy of the manual that was given during the training: IMPACT Guidebooks. And here's about our Master Educators.

What do you think of the IMPACT?

Voices of Two Teachers

2009-10-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Teacher 1: I am a teacher.
Teacher 2: I am a teacher too.

Teacher 1: I am an elementary special education teacher.
Teacher 2: I am a high school special education teacher.

Teacher I: Iam a young teacher.
Teacher 2: I am a seasoned teacher.

Teacher 1: I am a Filipino.
Teacher 2: I am an African-American.

Teacher 1: I am single with no children.
Teacher 2: I am not married but I have three college graduates.

Teacher 1: Teaching is my journey.
Teacher 2: Teaching is my passion.

Teacher 1: I believe children are our future.
Teacher 2: I believe that all children are entitled to an appropriate education
that meets their individual needs.

Teacher 1: One significant thing DCPS has taught me is how to persevere and
strive for success.
Teacher 2: One significant thing DCPS has taught me is how to work with a
very little resource but turn out a great product.

IMPACT

2009-09-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

I was asked by a reporter what I thought of the new IMPACT document and at the time I had not seen any of the 20 odd books to comment.

When I did read the document directly IMPACTing me I was, quite frankly, overwhelmed. My first thoughts were all related to how I was going to document all of this. I walked away from it for a few days. I finally decided that it is what it is and until it isn’t I need to work with my colleagues to create and implement strategies and action plans on meeting the criteria spread among a myriad of indicators.

In future posts I will share with you what my colleagues and I have come up with to indicate that we have met the level 4 on the rubric under each indicator for teaching and how each indicator directly relates to the Teaching and Learning Framework.

It is my hope that each of you shares your expertise in this area with the purpose of creating a resource for all of our colleagues so that IMPACT will do what a good evaluation tool should do and help us improve teaching and learning.

Belinda

WTU Blogging Training

2009-09-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

WHAT: WTU Blogging Training

WHEN: September 25, 2009 Friday @ 4:30-7:30 PM

WHERE: Jefferson Middle School High Tech Campus

801 7th Street SW Washington DC 20024

(Greenline Metro: Waterfront or L'Enfant Plaza)

* To prepare for the training, please go over the following:

- How to Create a Blog (Video Tutorial)

- Maximize Your Blogger Features
- Quick Blogging Orientation
- Teachers...think before you blog!
- Tips for Teacher Bloggers

SEE YOU ON FRIDAY!

Unit Plans

2009-09-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

I remember taking education courses in college and being required to construct unit plans. It was grueling work but worth it. During my first year of teaching, I planned extensively, creating unit plans just like I did in undergraduate school. Then, I started planning on a weekly basis and moved away from the comprehensive unit model. Although I was still a highly effective teacher, I believe not looking at the whole unit and preparing for six-week blocks was a poor decision on my part.

Fortunately, years later, I am rediscovering the worth of such plans; this time, however, I’m required to produce them. With a new evaluation system in place in DCPS, I, like thousands of others, must have lessons that reflect many hours of thorough planning and research and a long-term outlook. It does not suffice to just know what students will be learning for the week. Yes, this requires more exhaustive work on my part, but already, I see the obvious benefits of such planning—my students are excelling consistently, and they are more invested in their learning. In large part, I attribute the latter to my effective unit plans.

TERMS OF USE

2009-07-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

General Terms

The WTU operates the WTU E-Portal for the education and personal edification of our visitors. Use of the WTU E-Portal is conditioned on the User’s acceptance of all these Terms of Use, including the disclaimers set forth below. Use of the WTU E-Portal constitutes the User’s agreement to all those terms and conditions. If you cannot agree with all of these terms, please exit the WTU E-Portal.

The purpose of the WTU E-Portal is to establish a creative networking environment by which WTU members and other interested parties can share knowledge and opinions related to union matters, education, and related professional pursuits.

The articles posted on the WTU E-Portal are sometimes provided by guest bloggers. These Terms of Use apply to all authors and submissions, and by posting on the WTU’s E-Portal, the authors agree to abide by these Terms of Use.

The WTU E-Portal reflects the opinions of the individuals who post. Sometimes some of us will have strong opinions on one side or the other of a particular issue. The WTU launched the WTU Blog to create a forum for sharing those ideas. But opinions on the WTU E-Portal reflect the views of the authors, not necessarily the institutional positions of the WTU. Any claim otherwise would violate the spirit and purpose of the WTU E-Portal.

Editorial Review

Consistent with all applicable laws, the WTU reserves the right to determine whether any submission or comment shall be posted on or removed from the WTU E-Portal. The WTU further reserves the right to edit as needed, for space, defamatory statements, detriment to the WTU, or personal attacks.

Blog Format

1. Blog articles are intended to be a candid, informal look into the most compelling issues facing our industry today. They serve as both a catalyst for sharing ideas within our organization and a link between our industry and the outside world. Be creative, have fun, but be sure to address the topic thoroughly and accurately.

2. The author is responsible for all content. Check facts, cite sources, and check spelling and grammar before submitting. This includes your name and role with the WTU.

3. Advertisements, sponsorships, or other commercial materials are strictly prohibited.

4. Be authentic and truthful. Write what you know. Do no spread gossip, hearsay, or assumptions.

5. If you make an error while blogging, acknowledge it and promptly correct it.

6. Add value and strive to be interesting by providing worthwhile information and perspective.

Comments

Any User may contribute to the discussion by submitting comments in response to each article. A comment must be relevant to the specific post to which it addresses. Spam, defamation, personal attacks, disclosure of trade secrets, and off-topic comments are not permitted. The WTU reserves the right to reject or remove inappropriate comments.

Personal Liability

As a blogger or commentator on the WTU E-Portal, you are accepting a level of personal responsibility. Use good judgment and act professionally. A blog or community post is visible to the entire world. Remember that what you write may be public for a long time. Be respectful to all, and protect your privacy and the privacy of others. Please cite sources and check facts for accuracy. Check spelling and grammar as well before submitting. Respect your audience and do not use obscenities, personal insults, ethnic slurs or other disparaging language to express yourself. Users agree to defend, indemnify, and hold the WTU harmless from and against any claims, losses or liabilities based on a violation of any posted comments.

Respect the Privacy of Others

Do not publish or cite questionable material or material that may be considered offensive or inflammatory. Do not use, post or copy third party materials protected by copyright laws. Do not post or link to articles that contain discussion on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or religious or political beliefs. If in doubt, leave it out.

IF YOU CANNOT AGREE TO THE ABOVE TERMS OF USE, PLEASE EXIT THE WTU E-Portal NOW.

TERMINATION LETTERS

2009-06-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) has been informed that letters of termination for teachers on the 90-Day plan, some probationary teachers, as well, uncertified teachers were delivered to our members today. If you are a teacher who received a letter of termination from DC Public Schools, please contact the WTU office at (202) 293-8600 immediately.

President Parker's Message 06.07.09

2009-06-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
Contract negotiations are on-going. The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is still in the process of preparing a membership update to be mailed to the homes of all members. Although we could not complete the update in time to mail to all members last week as promised, the update will be mailed to all members this week.

DCPS BUDGET 2009-2010
The DC Council has restored $24.5 million dollars of the $27.5 million that had been withheld from the DC Public Schools (DCPS) fiscal 2010 budget request. Although the $24.5 million restoration is $3 million dollars less than what was requested by DCPS, DCPS has informed the WTU that the $3 million dollar reduction will not result in any loss of teaching positions.

LOCAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS
WTU Building Representatives who have not yet submitted your local school election results are requested to do so immediately. Please contact Tonia Pollard at the WTU office at (202) 293-8600 if you need assistance.

90-DAY PLAN
Teachers on the 90-Day plan who have not yet received your final structured observation are requested to contact your WTU Field Representative.

LETS EXPAND THE ACTION TEAM

2009-06-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Action Team Member,

Your efforts have helped to increase activism in the WTU and awareness for the WTU member's issues around the city. To date we have almost 250 members of the WTU action team, have distributed over 10,000 flyers at metro stops and put out over 3000 yard signs in the district and surrounding areas generating more and more support for DC teachers!

It is important that we continue with our momemtum. With the end of the school year approaching we need to try and expand our action team going into the summer.

Please fill out the Action Team form and sign up 1 other person at your school that is currently not an action team member. If everyone signs one person we can go from 250 to 500 in a matter of days! You should submit your name by Next Wednesday June 10th no later than 5pm. You can fax your form to the WTU office at 202-293-8633 or email me your person's contact info.

Keep up all the good work and if you have any questions please feel free to call or email me!

Jodie Easley

National Representative Department of Organization and Field Services

E:jeasley@aft.org

C:708-373-4660

President Parker's Message 05.25.09

2009-05-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

WTU REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING
This is a reminder that the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) Representative Assembly will meet tomorrow, May 26th, at 4:30 pm at McKinley Technology SHS. All Representative Assembly members are encouraged to attend.

LOCAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS
Building Representatives are reminded that your Local School Elections results should be submitted to the WTU office by tomorrow, May 26th. Please contact Tonia Pollard at the WTU office at (202) 293-8600, if you need assistance.

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
Contract negotiations are on-going. The WTU will provide all members with an update on contract negotiations following this week’s negotiations. Members should receive this written update by mail sometime next week.