District Matters
The Los Angeles Times reports that the LA teachers’ union overwhelmingly ratified a three-year
contract that provides raises totaling 10 percent over two years. A major
concession from teachers was allowing for one of three ratings (up from the
current two) on evaluations: exceeds standards, meets standards or below
standard.
Some charter schools are
increasingly focusing on retaining teachers, moving away from what critics say
is a “churn and burn” strategy. Teacher turnover can negatively impact student
learning and school culture.Slate reportsthat as the charter school movement has matured, “(S)chool leaders are realizing that stability and consistency
matter, and that good teachers aren’t widgets that can easily be replaced.”
State Matters
Thesecond draft of new professional
standards for school leaders was released by the Council of Chief State
School Officers, which is seeking public comment on the seven expectations. Last
week critics said they were “sidelined” in the final rewriting, according to Ed Week.
Teacher Prep
James G. Cibulka is
out as president of the Council for the Accreditation of
Educator Preparation (CAEP). Christopher Koch, former Illinois State
Superintendent of Education and Vice-Chair of the CAEP Board, will be the
interim president of the accrediting agency.
Though it isn’t scientifically valid, a new American Federation of Teachers’ survey found that teachers say their job
satisfaction has dropped. More than 30,000 teachers responded to the
80-question online survey, with just 15 percent saying they are enthusiastic
about teaching.