Here's why they REALLY want to end teacher tenure.

[Smarmie Doofus]

And no, folks, it really isn't that complicated. From Arthur Goldstein, active NYC Teacher and inveterate blogger. Via NY Daily News.

Reposted from GD: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025268349


>>>>Every day, it seems, I read about a new lawsuit to do away with teacher tenure. The crusade reminds me of my friend Harris Lirtzman. It’s because of tenure that I teach and he doesn’t.

Harry used to be a deputy New York State controller until, in 2009, he decided to become a math teacher of special-education students in the Bronx. He offered experience and a depth of understanding few could match — but his discerning eye proved to be his downfall.

He studied the kids’ Individualized Education Programs, the documents that state what services special-education students require, and discovered that many were being underserved, possibly to save on school expenses.

Harry began asking questions — and learned exactly how unwelcome they were when, in December 2011, he was denied tenure.

Harry now tutors at-risk students in Yonkers. If he’d had tenure, he’d still be helping city public school kids.
(link to Lirtzman story in NY Times:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/nyregion/punished-for-helping-special-education-students.html?_r=0)

Without tenure, I’d probably be in Harry’s place. I teach English as a second language, usually to beginners, at Francis Lewis High School in Fresh Meadows, Queens.

One year, I had two students who spoke English but couldn’t read or write. One had been kicking around city schools for years.

He had a strategy for pushy teachers like me. He listened intently and participated orally as much as possible>>>>>
the rest at: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/teacher-tenure-good-apples-article-1.1868064

[Demeter]

1. It's the drive to bring back serfdom and slavery

It isn't about education at all. Education isn't on the radar or the shopping list. If they didn't have to spend a dime on education, they couldn't be happier. Because, in their minds, education is bad.

It's SICK SICK SICK.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. A week or so ago I might have said this was a bit simplistic.

>>> It's the drive to bring back serfdom and slavery>>>>>

I've been watching an old PBS Series on DVD this week: The Roman Empire: First Century AD.

Conclusion: your characterization is NOT simplistic. The essence of it is .... and naturally it's all dressed up in rhetorical ruffles and flourishes....this is EXACTLY what it is:

>>> It's the drive to bring back serfdom and slavery>>>>>>>>

Essentially the history of the world since Tiberius. ( And probably *before*.)

[femmocrat]

2. Poor Harry didn't follow Rule #1 for noobs.

Keep your head down and stay out of sight. And never ask questions.

Another loss for our once-proud profession.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. He says when he explained what was happening to him to people who did NOT work in the system....

... they thought Harry had to be making it up.

When he spoke to veteran teachers, it was like.... "Yeah... well .... but did anything *unusual* happen?"

And believe me.... this is a guy who's been around the block.

Which begs the question: why do we stand for this?

Union leaders like Weingarten and Mulgrew can't make up their mind over how quickly they want to give up on tenure.

The unions have got it ASS BACKWARDS. They should be framing the issues as: "How can we make tenure STRONGER?"

[femmocrat]

6. Add Van Roekel to that list.

I think they are more interested in keeping their high-profile positions than in fighting for teachers' rights. PSEA couldn't roll over fast enough for value-added assessment for teachers.

[Starry Messenger]

3. But, but jobz for lifeee!!!11

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. Arthur Goldstein blogs here, BTW:

http://nyceducator.com

One of the more active and intelligent sites in the NYC ED. blogosphere.

[madfloridian]

8. He also tweets a lot....link.

https://twitter.com/TeacherArthurG

Ah, those "discerning eyes" that teachers can only have with tenure. Trouble is even with tenure, which I now call due process.....life can be miserable for those who speak out.