Thursday, February 25, 2010

Race to the Top

Remember a few months ago when the Fall River teacher's union was hesitant to sign on to the "Race to the Top" program for federal stimulus funds? They, understandably, did not like the terms of the program which allowed their termination if certain goals were not met. Mayor Flanagan appeared before the union to convince them of their job safety, and a certain WSAR preacher even took a break from kissing Bob Correia's ass, crediting Jim Karam for the invention of law schools, and bidding to Joan Menard adieu, to make the teachers a topic of his weekly rant.

Well....seems like the teachers were justly cautious of this program considering that, pursuant to the terms of Race to the Top, every teacher at Central Falls High School was just fired:
CNN: All Teachers Fired at Rhode Island High School

13 comments:

johnybfallriver said...

If a worker makes a bad item he gets fired, this is exactly what needs to be done, if you are a teacher that lovers the kids and does a rgeat job I am sure you would find your way back in the class room, my hat is off to this district.

shamrock said...

A blanket termination of all teachers seems extreme, and unfair to the good teachers. Also, I believe the program only lets the school district rehire 50% of the teachers that were fired - seems arbitrary.

RJR said...

Good catch Shamrock!

I saw this on CNN and never bothered to check the link or put 2+2 together.

johnyb,

I could not disagree more. If a worker makes a bad item because the equipment is outdated, the management dysfunctional, and the materials sub par, it's the workers fault when the product turns out bad?

Read the CNN link, Central Falls is a low income community. Study after study has been done that shows that socia-economic factors have a direct effect on educational success. I find it hard to believe the poor communities manage to hire all the bad teachers. Instead I think the problem is school districts are not adequately funded to deal with the issues poor urban communities face. And parents need to be more involved in their child's education and stress the importance of education to their children.

johnybfallriver said...

Good point I take bake what I said it is everyones fault except the teachers, it is everyone above them and the students fault nots not forget those crappy parents. Having worked in education for years (believe it or not) I think parents do less and everyone expects the schools to do more. I don't care what school I went to my mother would have made sure I got good grades and I could read.

teacher said...

If these teachers are all so bad, then why was the district bargaining to get them to work LONGER? Wouldn't that harm the children further?

This mass firing is politically charged and union busting in an age of economic uncertainty. The sad thing is that much of the public enjoys watching it take place. Reminds me of the old days when people would gather for public floggings.

We need to look at poverty's effect on schools. Bad teachers do not say "oh, I cannot teach so I will go to poor schools". The teachers in wealthy suburbs work half as hard and spend less and make more. They should try some real changes that will help.

Anonymous said...

The long term goal: privatization of education
FOLLOW THE MONEY

Anonymous said...

Can we fire some parents while were at it?

Anonymous said...

This from the Strattan Snooze tells you all you need to know about that rag.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this online story incorrectly identified the victims of the shooting. The Herald News regrets the error.

Anonymous said...

This from the Strattan Suck News tells you all you need to know.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this online story incorrectly identified the victims of the shooting. The Herald News regrets the error.

Anonymous said...

attention SEEKER, stop commenting on the HN. It makes both you and your old BF sound stupid.

Anonymous said...

Such nasty comments from both sides. No wonder the city never goes anywhere. It's all about the personal vendettas.

Anonymous said...

Anon 13:12, that's true to a point. But at least on this blog the guy in charge isn't constantly spewing negative drivel in personal attacks the way Laz does on his blog. Laz is by far the worst in that regard. Laz completely lacks self-control, especially if someone challenges one of his opinions. Laz will immediately respond with multiple negative posts anytime someone disagrees with him.

Anonymous said...

Brooklyns Finest is no better. Attemping to question a persons parenting skills and throwing your toddler on the front page of the local paper is hardly what I would call a positive move.