About two months ago, the LA Times published a database system using students test scores to rate the effectiveness of teachers. This was a demoralizing and humiliating act against teachers to intentionally mislead the public and push propaganda for the current charter school movement. It spark outrage and dissensions from the local teacher union, as well as other educators and critics nationwide. Unfortunately, Rigoberto Ruelas, a 14-yr veteran elementary school teacher in Los Angeles who was rated as an ineffective teacher, committed suicide allegedly due to the pressure and stress at work since the publication of his rating in the newspaper. While it is possible that there was more to the story concerning his mental state, this incident may have definitely pushed him to the edge.
Now the madness has spread onto the East Coast, starting in the Big Apple. On tomorrow, the NYC DOE will release to reporters the value-added method ratings of 12,000 public school teachers who teach grades 3-8 reading and math. So once again, the public will be misinformed again and be allowed to scrutinize teachers based on an unreliable, subjective statistical analysis of students test scores. Currently the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the teachers union in NYC, is planning to file a law suit to prevent the DOE from doing this. We will have to wait and see how all of this will unfold. Nevertheless, this is the beginning phase of using another propagandized tool against teachers. The nation will be watching as other major cities throughout the country will strive to emulate this as well. Mark my words; this is coming to a city near you in the future.
Despite the somber news, in his recent blog entry, acclaimed high school teacher Stephen Lazar, who teaches in the Bronx, showed some solidarity and added a more positive, yet encouraging spin to the drama as he spoke out against this move by the DOE. Unfortunately, Mr. Lazar, the public will not be paying much attention to your blog entry. But thanks anyhow for your kind and sincere words of support.
More to follow...
UPDATE: The Washington Post reported late this evening the UFT has succeed in delaying the public release of the value-added test score rating analyses of their teachers, at least until November! HOORAY! Also, check out the most recent Shanker Blog entry on this issue...very good yet informative read.
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