AYP is such bullshit. Tomorrow, many of my fellow teachers will be in such pain FU *

[demtenjeep]

Our building was moving in the right direction (test score wise) for 3 years we even made AYP. Our building is 93% Free and reduced lunches and 78% Hispanic with some of those being very new to the USA. Making AYP is hard work and quite an accomplishment.

After making AYP the principal retired and we gained all new admin. Each year with the new admin, the test scores went down with our building being 433 out of 435 last year. As a result, we were thrown into restructuring this year. At first it was thought that our head principal was going to stay but every one had the choice to interview for the job we already held or choose to be placed at a different school. 5 of us chose to be moved, the rest had to interview last week. I chose to be moved as I wanted to go back to High School! We also found out the principal lost his position at our building and we were introduced to the new principal.

Tomorrow, at 2 pm, there will be letters placed in all the teacher's boxes to tell them whether they will remain in the building or be moved elsewhere. The office doors will be locked until 2:30 when our students are totally gone then grief counselors will be brought out to any that need it. Admin canceled all after school activities for Thursday and Friday we have off.


This shit is NUTS and certainly not what is best for our students. The kicker???

WE ROCKED AYP this year; just blew the roof off the scores.

So, if you think about it tomorrow, send some good thoughts and prayers towards our building as it will feel like someone shot it up

[demtenjeep]

1. to top it off, learning coaches 55 of them will be busted back to teachers district wide

so many first-second year teachers will not be retained


it is truly a step all over your friends situation. I have never seen such ass kissing and sucking up as I have seen the last 8 months.

[anneboleyn]

2. Wow. I am also in education (at the university level) and I totally empathize

with what you are going through now. We are going through some big changes too, new president, austerity measures, lots of "reforms," etc. But nothing like what you are being forced to endure. I am so sorry! What a mess. Have you decided to go elsewhere? Please keep us updated. You have many friends on DU willing to help in any way possible. We will be thinking of you tomorrow. Be proud of all of the work you have accomplished. That in itself is a great achievement.

[demtenjeep]

4. yea, I am moving buildings by choice

I didn't even interview. I knew by January that I wanted to move. I will not be one that will be in personal grief tomorrow, I will just be grieving for my friends. I at least know I am leaving and since it was by choice, I am almost finished packing and looking forward to next year. Some of these teachers will be totally blindsided tomorrow.

To top it off, there are 5 weeks left of school. I do not know how those teachers that are punted will be able to bring their A-Game feeling rejected.

[Riley18]

3. What a terrible way to end the school year after working so hard.

Unfortunately, it is happening everywhere. My sympathy and best of luck to you.

[demtenjeep]

5. oh, I am fine, I have no "surprise" coming to me

I did the smart thing back some months ago.


However, there are some other fantastic teachers who will have their world ripped apart tomorrow and that makes me sad

[demtenjeep]

6. add to the fact that our idiot gov is slashing the education budget

a lot of good teachers won't be kept because they are new and a lot of good experienced teachers are being lured into retiring early


we have been told that we could have classroom sizes of 40+ next year

It will certainly be challenging

[Generic Other]

7. You need to lock the doors and take over the school.

Like Wisconsin voters.

I am so sorry that you are being treated so badly. There are no words to express how angry this makes me.

[demtenjeep]

8. That would be awesome but it won't happen

everyone that isn't retained at our current building will be moved to different buildings in the district...IF they are not first year teachers or those that can retire.


Everyone is just basically shell-shocked

[Generic Other]

11. I was once with students who seized an administration building during the Vietnam War

I was a little kid and snuck in with the protestors. They stayed a week. Mostly for PR. They got in the papers.

My husband's school had the same exact scenario this year. Only they were closing the school too. They got on FACEBOOK and rallied generations of the troops. Students, parents, filled the school board meetings. 100s demanded to speak. Threats of recalls. The superintendent backed down.

Don't give up. Be more like Abby Hoffman and Michael Moore. You make the other side look like the clowns they are.

[Thunderstruck]

9. Ok, what the hell is AYP?

[demtenjeep]

12. here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adequate_Yearly_Progress

All kindergarten through twelfth grade schools are required to demonstrate AYP in the areas of reading/language arts, mathematics, and either graduation rates, for high schools and districts, or attendance rates for elementary and middle/junior high schools.<6> Currently, schools are allowed to appeal their AYP findings to their State Education Agency and/or the U.S. Department of Education, if applicable. Appeals have been made in account of standardized test results and data collected by testing companies such as Educational Testing Service.<7>

AssessmentThe NCLB Act requires that states use standardized assessments in order to measure AYP. These assessments allow State Education Agencies to develop target starting goals for AYP. After those are developed, states must increase student achievement in gradual increments in order for 100 percent of the students to become proficient on state assessments by the 2013-14 school year.<8> The Illinois Department of Education reports, "The NCLB Act is very prescriptive with regard to how this is to be done – very little flexibility is afforded to states. The same process was used to establish starting points for reading and math." Using assessment data from 2002, the U.S. Department of Education determined what specific percentages of students each state is required to make proficient in each subject area. Special considerations were made for students with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities. Once those percentages were determined, each State Department of Education is required to ensure the standards are the same for each public school, each district, and each subgroup of students, irrespective of differences.<9>

Successful progressAdequate Yearly Progress requires that every public school completes three requirements annually. Requirements for the percentage of growth is determined on a state-by-state basis.<10> In Illinois those requirements include:

1.At least 95 percent of all students are tested for reading and mathematics;
2.At least 95 percent of all students meet the minimum annual target for meeting or exceeding standards for reading and mathematics, and;
3.At least 95 percent of all students meet the minimum annual target for attendance rate for elementary and middle schools or graduation rate for high schools.<9>
Additionally, state education agencies must determine the yearly progress of districts, and identify districts in need of improvement.<11> Some states, including Missouri, have lowered standards in order to assure the success of their schools and districts meeting AYP.<12>

[Starry Messenger]

10. Totally awful. I'm so sorry.

:(

[demtenjeep]

13. well it is starting

saw some smiles and some tears

[Brickbat]

14. Good luck. Direct action would get the word out and get you some media attention.

Otherwise, I got nothing.

[demtenjeep]

15. appears that about 50% of the staff were cut

there are two that really shocked me and are BIG mistakes but it won't be my problem!

[demtenjeep]

16. We have an inservice Monday. I am betting half the staff won't show up

and that is perfectly understandable.

I am going as I don't have any days to burn thanks to my horrid illness