Unions angered by teacher seniority rule
Alternative content
Interview: Deborah Gist
Gene Valicenti talks with Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist about teacher seniority.Related Links
Download: Gist’s Letter To Superintendents
Published: October 23, 2009
Updated: October 23, 2009
Rhode Island’s school districts have been ordered to stop assigning teachers based on seniority.
State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist told superintendents in a letter Friday that assignments must be based on merit and student needs, and not on seniority or teacher preference.
Gist said she wants school superintendents to take the rule into account now, before any collective bargaining agreements are reached and before layoff notices are due in March.
The National Education Association Rhode Island, which represents many Rhode Island teachers, called the ruling misguided and that it will likely be challenged in court.
The policy is part of the new Basic Education Program that was approved by the Board of Regents in June. It will take effect in July.
Robert Flanders, chairman of the Board of Regents, called Gist’s announcement a “milestone” in efforts to improve teacher quality.
NBC 10 News contributed to this report.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
I think that, in theory, the new requirement sounds reasonable. But, the practice of said change remains to be seen. Some concerns:
-Upon what, exactly, will the school administrator make the judgement of whether a teacher is “effective”? Test scores? Subjective evaluations?
-What happens in the case of working for administrators who have terrible people-skills and who, themselves, are not very effective educators, yet are retained by school committees because they save money? Teachers have little recourse when their district is being run by a dictator with an eye only on the purse-strings. And now these people will be making even more top-down decisions…
-the other changes recently put in place by our board of regents are fine examples of things that, in theory, sound wonderful, yet in practice, are dehumanizing our students into test-taking drones. I must admit to being leary of more of their fine direction.
A good teacher always deserves more money. The problem is their is a lot of realy lazy teachers who are bad at their job. Its sad that they are the ones remembered, not the good ones. I went to lincoln schools, Mr. Mandivlle was one of the best teachers I ever had. We never talk about him, we only talk about the bad ones. Give the teachers more money, I wont complain if my taxes go up, as long as the money goes towards paying the good teachers, and replacing the bad ones. I dont like unions, but it seems like everyone would rather see themselves pay less taxex than see the kids learn more. I am not a teacher, but i have 3 kids in the school system. I pay my taxes, no im not rich, not even close, but my property taxes pay for the police to protect, and they pay for the teachers to teach. To all the good teachers who care, and work hard with our kids THANK YOU. To all the teachers who are in it just for the check, and the kids dont mean anything to you, you should be fired and band from teaching. To everyone else who wants to complain about all teachers because you are sick oh paying taxes ,move to a third wold country, we dont nead you here. Our kids are the future, look at the mess this country is in. We did this, not them. Atleast we can give then an education so then can have the tools to fix our mess.
I have to agree with this, after being involved with the Providence School systems for many years with my 3 children, I noticed some wonderful teachers were forced to take positions elsewhere and the teachers who were so.so were kept. I never understood why, And I spent many hours volunteering at the schools so I was a good judge of what I saw. No I would NOT want to be a teacher today thats why I did not go to school for this but those who did should rise to the occasion and teach our youth with joy that brought them to this job in the first place, If I was doing an average job in my profession and the person who came in two yrs after me was performing better, I would be the one let go it should be the same with unions.
What business interested in the finest quality,would assign key personnel on any other basis than excellence. If you know many teachers, you will constantly hear them complain about incompetent associates that “should get out of the business” It is absolutely asinine to think that everyone who starts teaching and puts in a lot of time is necessarily a good teacher because no effort is made to weed out the bad.
This commissioner is the last hope to change the abysmal performance of the RI education system. The unions are either interested in children or job protection. If they don’t care about kids, they are the wrong people in the wrong place… and if they want assignment purely on seniority, they sure don’t care about education or their product.
Teachers are tremendously important and they should be paid well - provided they engage, educate and prepare students for their futures. Many inspire and motivate. Pay them well. There are other in effective miserable teachers with tons of seniority, making top dollar and they should be gone. Why should the less effective get first pick of assignments and be the furthest from the ax when they are not doing what they should be? It happens. Way too often.
As a “whining baby” teacher…assumed by at least one of the posters here (Ivan09), I am in full agreement of Commissioner’s viewpoint.
I actually wish it did expand further to help expedite the exodus of antiquated teachers who are a detriment to the education environment.
Sincerely, teacher unions do perform an important function that just does not solely protect the teachers, para-professionals and staff. The unions fight for issues that are vital to effective and efficient learning, such as class size and work-load.
There are many abuses that classroom teachers have to deal with from administration, which is dealt down to them by all the financial constraints of the economy and/or mis-management of government…as well as standardized testing.
There are many circumstances in which I feel that the unions should back off of. Health-care co-pays should come in line with private-sector averages. There needs to be pension reform, but those teachers who have many years vested in the system (I would not be included) should have full expectation to receive what was promised to them.
Also, we need to be better compensated. Regardless of the garbage arguments of only working 180 days a year. That does not include the professional development I have to complete for the rest of my career, much of which I have to pay for when private sector companies typically cover. I also, over the past 3 years, have spent about $7,000 of my own funds to purchase supplies for direct student use. How many of you private sector workers have purchased supplies for your employer on a weekly basis?
I ask for a stapler, I get laughed at. I ask for crayons, I am given directions to Staples or Walmart. I ask for textbooks, I am told to get in line. I ask for construction paper, scissors, pencils, markers, tape, a working computer and an antiquated printer and it is roadblock after wall then a cliff.
So, with this, many things do need to be corrected. Having qualified, willing, professional teachers to fill positions because they are the best person for the job? A great, giant step forward. Bashing all teachers due to the antics of misguided union representatives or old apples, a step-backwards that makes the rest of us feel, well…like we deserve to work to have the summers off!
Cheers,
Just a Phys. Ed/Health teacher in the business to wear clothes with stripes. (insert sarcasm)
I know we all have listened to Ms. Gist and are thrilled at her obviously determined and unwavering devotion to her job.
To her job,
TO HER JOB!!!!!
With all do respect to ms. Gist….Is this what our state has come to? That we look at someone doing there job to the best of there ability as a phenomenon ? I’m sure a woman like this would rather move into the future with the hope that a future if fact exists for Rhode Islands youth, than be a celebrity.
This is indelible insight to the trouble with unions. Here the Board of Regents has decided what is best for the Children of this State and the union opposes it.
Rhode Island has the lowest High School graduation rate in the Northeast and ranks 38th in the nation. I guess this is acceptable to the union leaders and the teachers who stand with the union so they can be safe. The world is not a safe place ……but it can be if we all stand and work hard together.
I cant help but think of what MPD444 said “The vast majority of Rhode Islanders are behind you a 100%.
The vast majority…..can you imagine…..75 bright shinning Ms. Gist’s in our house of representatives. The same unwavering devotion to move this State into a new future and not continue preserving the past?
The vast majority of Rhode Island……..can do this.
To everyone who would like to bash teachers, I would like to remind you that colleges will accept you into the program at any time. Enroll in an education program, student teach, get a job. You too can make a difference, if you so desire. Then you too can enjoy all the benefits of being a public school teacher.
Can’t wait to hear all the teachers whining like the bunch of babies they are.
Too good to be true, but we can hope can’t we? Finally someone in that position with some concern for the children!
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement