Get Schooled

By Jeff

July 20, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

“mentoring and support” == “even more indoctrination”.

Solve the discipline issues, and you will retain teachers. I find it funny that everyone is OUTRAGED when a person tries to blame a rape victim for the attack, yet blames teachers when a student assaults them. (Remember, I have SEVERAL scars from just such encounters!)

By hiding

July 20, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

It makes you wonder why those same systems are fighting the special ed vouchers? Do you remember all the “private schools won’t serve them well because they won’t use certified teachers” editorials. Well, duh?

By em

July 20, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Lack of discipline, incompetent administrators, bloated self-serving central offices, the teaching fad du jour, politics, cronyism, nepotism, emphasis on athletics over academics, NCLB, standardized tests that mean absolutely nothing… Shall I go on? I decided to teach after a successful career in business but never have I seen such wanton waste as I have seen in public education. I love the STUDENTS and TEACHING but everything else gets in the way. I have but a few years until I can retire which I will do and never look back.

By Ernest

July 20, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

I think this is an interesting initiative DeKalb is taking and they should be congratulated for it. Fact of the matter, there is a ‘nationwide’ shortage of special needs teachers, i.e. demand is exceeding supply. It is questionable whether colleges are developing enough graduates looking to teach special needs children. Obviously, you have to get creative with finding additional resources. Securing this funding to help with that was a coup.

Keeping it real, we all know that many good intentioned people will attempt this and not succeed for a variety of reasons. The hope is with the additional support structure, the retention rate will be higher than normal. I can imagine systems around the country will be watching this program.

I agree with those who feel additional support should be provided for all new teachers and those who feel they need it. I also agree that pro actively addressing discipline issues will have a greater impact on overall teacher retention.

By so

July 20, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

So long as the county puts those special ed teachers in the schools that really need them instead of letting them apply to schools that don’t have a hard time recruiting, I’m all for it. Getting in without the proper credentials is fine so long as you pay something back to the system in return. Paying your dues with five years in a low performing school that traditionally has a hard go at keeping ANY teachers is a win for everyone.

By luvs2teach

July 20, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

“Lack of discipline, incompetent administrators, bloated self-serving central offices, the teaching fad du jour, politics, cronyism, nepotism, emphasis on athletics over academics, NCLB, standardized tests that mean absolutely nothing…”

em - I would add to your list the never-ending onslaught of CYA paperwork - and nobody has more ridiculous CYA paperwork than Special Ed!

Teachers I know who have left SPED cite paperwork as one of the major reasons. Discipline, particularly with EBD kids, is another factor.

By Yes Yes Yes

July 20, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Yes to all the above. Not being able to discipline out of control kids is tops. Having trouble getting a substitute teacher is another problem. I recently learned that Gwinnett County has a freeze on hiring any staff subs this year. Go figure. What recourse do teachers have? None. Politics, HAAAAAAAAAAA. Some teachers are treated like royalty while others are treated like scum. Try being in a school where a teacher is like a king and if the king likes you they will speak to you. If not you will be ignored and walked away from while you are still speaking. Why would I want to return to a school that allows that type of behavior from the adults when teachers encourage kids to never act like that.

By Zoe

July 20, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

I am all for stipends for Special Ed and other high need areas. I teach in an area that never lacks teachers and do not begrudge anyone more money than me if they want to teach SpEd kids. I know all the BS that SpEd teachers have to deal with.

Also, for those teachers that have student loans, you can potentially get some of the loans forgiven if you teach in a low income school. The rules are on the Federal DOE website along with a list of schools. You do have to have taught for 5 years before you can apply. $5000 is forgiven if you are in a non high needs teaching postion. However, for those in SpEd, math and science it is $17,500.
[DOE Website] (http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelstaff.jsp)

By jim d

July 20, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Ah yes —the special ed vouchers.

According to Dana Tofig, spokesman for the state Department of Education, 3,200 parents in Georgia have applied for the scholarships.And according to a recent article in Gwinnett’s other news publication 8 schools in Gwinnett have won approval.

IT IS A START!

By Janine

July 20, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Teaching in a “low income” school is difficult….add to that, being an NCLB “failing school” AND the trials of special ed teachers…well, not many teachers are able to survive that. Take one of Dekalb’s failing schools for example. All 50 or so of the teachers were fired. Only 12 were rehired. ANy teacher who agreed to come there was paid a big bonus to stay…[I think it was for 3 years]…Yet ,3 quit before the year was out, and 23 asked for transfers, left and went to another system, or quit at the end of the year.

SO Bridget…..RE:It’ll be interesting to see how many stay on after the five-year mark. What will be interesting is to see how many stay UNTIL the 5 year mark.

By Janine

July 20, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

jim d…Wonder how many of those 3200 parents who have expressed interest in vouchers ALREADY have their children in private school. Lots of people predict that they are the ones who will really benefit, because most of the lower income parents will not be able to afford the amount they would owe after applying the voucher to the tuition.

By thomas

July 20, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Yes, you are RIGHHTTTT!!! This is ANOTHER reason why it is hard to retain good teachers. I used to work in a craphole like that. When did some teachers become “better” than others? Sickening.

Special education itself is challenging. The added paperwork and regulations (don’t forget that) make it worse than dealing with the kids. I really believe that some specialists (like SPED teachers) should be paid more than regular classroom teachers. First of all, SPED teachers need specialized training to even do the job and additional certification. Secondly, the job can be EXTREMELY challenging and certainly time consuming due to extra paperwork and regs (county, state, and federal).

I think SPED teachers should get a minimum $5000 extra a year, regardless of degrees or experience. That would help retain good SPED teachers and entice young teachers to enter the field.

Before you disagree, consider if you are willing to go into SPED. Heck, from what I have read on this blog, most teachers don’t even want a SPED student in their classroom via inclusion. So I know you wouldn’t want to teach SPED all day and do the job it requires.

By Janine

July 20, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

jim d..What is the criteria a school must meet for “winning approval” of the voucher program. Also,Do you know how many, if any, schools have asked for approval and been turned down?

By catlady

July 20, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Voucher rules as I understand them:

Janine: No parent’s application can be accepted if the child was in private school or homeschooled last year.

No school can be accepted unless they have already been in existence (I forget how many years). The paper printed how many schools had been disqualified for this reason a couple of weeks ago.

I have taught special ed. I was very well supported, and had about 25 years of “regular” experience, but it was hell. I still have nightmares. I’d put money on that virtually none of those special hires will make it past 2 years, and probably half won’t make it that long! Good luck to them (and the kids). Anyone who teaches special ed should ascend directly to heaven when they die!

By Tony

July 20, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

SpEd teacher shortage has several factors that have exacerbated the problem: rules for certification, legal nightmares, and paperwork just to name three.

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission in response to No Child Left Behind has made becoming a highly qualified special ed teacher nearly impossible, especially at the high school level. The teacher must not only be certified for special educaition but also in the subject area. This includes all the disciplines: mathematics, science, English, social studies. This kind of rule making figuratively shot us in the foot.

The legal and paperwork nightmares of special education are also out of control. The IEP process is a maze of legal hoops that must be jumped through by the teacher/school. This was set up with intentions of protecting the rights of the child, but the resulting process drains precious time and resources from the children as schools attempt to stay within the law. Some say schools are just trying to get out of providing appropriate services for the needs of children, but the reality is the cost of some of the services means other children have to go without. Contrary to popular belief, the federal government does not provide schools with sufficient resources to meet the demands some IEPs place on schools.

Finally, to Janine, check the DOE website for details regarding the scholarship program. You will find the list of eligible schools and other important information. However, current private school students are not eligible for the program. Only students currently enrolled in a public school with an IEP may apply. Private school students will have to enroll in a public school, become eligible for special ed services, then apply for the scholarship.

By luvs2teach

July 20, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

thomas - I’ll ‘fess up right now - I don’t want to teach special ed! At least not as a special ed teacher.

Now, I will say, that I am teaching two inclusion classes this year, and I am actually looking forward to it. Why? Because I will be working with an excellent co-teacher - they are rare and hard to find, and they make all the difference in the world.

By catlady

July 20, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

I notice that the closest private schools to my county are 60 or more miles away. Perhaps they should have called this bill “Metro Private School Choice”. We have about 10 private schools, mostly Christian, in ours and the surrounding counties but I guess they did not want to take on this job.

By jim d

July 20, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Janine,

looks like cat has answered most of your questions. As memory serves though only 2 were turned away.

As to why somew of these schools have chosen to participate? Check here. http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=753&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=84&S=1

By Larry

July 20, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

jim d - your memory is less than accurate, likely due to advanced age. There were 13 schools, 10% of those that applied, denied.

A narcissistic bigmouth with a familiar name posted some interesting facts on that other message board.

By Janine

July 20, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

THanks jim D …will do.

By Janine

July 20, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

Larry…RE:…..” some interesting facts on that other message board.” Loved your style..especially the “ChickenRanch” thing! ANd the info is quite interesting.

By Bridget Gutierrez

July 20, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Hey, folks. I addressed a lot of the issues you’re talking about in several articles last week. If you’re interested, here are the links: first story, second story, third story.

By samiam

July 20, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Bridget, I was having a hard time finding the list of schools, but I finally found it. I live in the Dalton area, and Christian Heritage is one of the approved schools here. This is funny because several years ago one of my seventh grade students applied to that school. He was a wonderful, talented boy from a good family. He has a very mild learning disability. His parents told me that they were told in no uncertain terms that he was not their kind. I guess money really does talk.

By samiam

July 20, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

I notice that Christian Heritage here in Dalton is on the list. That’s really funny because several years ago one of my students applied to that school. He was a wonderful, talented boy from a very nice family. He has a mild learning disability and was told in no uncertain terms that they did not take his kind.

By Lee

July 23, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Much ado about nothing.

This is a study commissioned by the Professional Standards Board, whose sole purpose is to perpetuate teacher certification. This study does not say that there is a shortage of 5700 special ed teachers, it says that there are not enough teachers with that particular certification. Last count, the PSB had about 20 different certifications.

As someone who has multiple certifications in the business field, I have come to realize that all a certification means is that you met some minimum arbitrary requirements and (in most cases) were able to pass a test. It does not necessarily convey competence or ability.

Teaching certificates are no different.

By samiam

July 23, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

I apologize for the double post on Friday. I read in the Dalton paper yesterday that Christian Heritage only intends to take students with physical disabilities.

By Bridget Gutierrez

July 23, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Hi, Lee. You’re right. I should have clarified that I was talking specifically about certified teachers.

I guess I assumed that was implied. After all, under No Child Left Behind, teachers must be certified in the field in which they are teaching.

By dondon

July 23, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

Special education teachers need to be treated better in the school systems. To many people blame the sped teacher for a child’s disability. This includes parents, adminstrators, and even regular ed teachers. No wonder so many burn out.

By dondon

July 23, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

Special education teachers need to be treated better in the school systems. To many people blame the sped teacher for a child’s disability. This includes parents, adminstrators, and even regular ed teachers. No wonder so many burn out.

By jim d

July 26, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

Dear narcissistic bigmouth with a familiar name, :-)

Forgive my forgetfulness. The age thing I suppose!

I’ve been told memory was the second thing to go—and I really don’t recall the first.

By Dondon

July 26, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Sped teachers will never be treated professionally. We are simply servants to everyone. That’s why Georgia needs teachers unions.

By jim d

July 26, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

No Don,

They need unions becuase there is strength in numbers and individual teachers are spineless when it comes to being treated with respect by their employers.

By dondon

July 26, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

True, but what often happens, is teachers speak up they often get bad evalutions. Teachers are really open targets. Tenure and unions can help, but the don’t do enough. Teachers should treated more like people in private practice. Parents and adminstrators are often the problem. (certain ones, not all) Sped teachers are not empowered at all. They are even more open targets then regular ed teachers.

By dondon

July 26, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

True, but what often happens, is teachers speak up they often get bad evalutions. Teachers are really open targets. Tenure and unions can help, but the don’t do enough. Teachers should treated more like people in private practice. Parents and adminstrators are often the problem. (certain ones, not all) Sped teachers are not empowered at all. They are even more open targets then regular ed teachers.

By Glen

July 30, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Here in California, schools don’t renew the teaching contracts for many teachers, including special education. That alone is enough for people to not want to teach. Until districts hang on to teachers, I don’t want to hear about any teacher shortage.