AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2009 > January
January 2009
The discipline blame game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At least once a week I get a phone call from a parent upset over how their child was disciplined.
The explanation is often that the teacher doesn’t like the student and seems to be using a different set of rules for that child. Or that the parent asks too many questions about what is really happening at the school and this is that adult’s punishment.
But then I hear from teachers about students who are rude, disruptive and fail to take responsibility for their actions. Many say principals and other administrators refuse to support their discipline decisions regarding these students and bow down to parents’ demands.
Then the administrators say some teachers fail to document problems or are too willing to punish students without first trying to address what may be causing the bad behavior. Others say they fear lawsuits and that it’s just easier to do what parents want.
This discipline blame game goes in circles.
Often there are elements of truth to each person’s claims. But there’s also the fact that few take responsibility for the problem. Instead they blame someone else. It’s always just the kid’s fault, or the teacher’s or the parent’s or the administrator’s.
It makes me wonder, how can we expect schools to tackle discipline problems if people refuse to be honest about the role they each play in the problem?
How would you address discipline problems?
Permalink | Comments (79) | Post your comment |
Update on 4-day school week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week we blogged about whether school distircts should cut the school week to four days.
Well, Rep. Mark Williams (R-Jesup) introduced House Bill 198 today to let school districts the ability to alter their calendar as necessary without getting approval from the state.
Here’s the update from Aaron Gould Sheinin:
The bill would remove the mandate that schools meet for 180 days per year and replace that with a requirement that school be in session for 810 hours a year.
The bill would, for instance, allow a district to go to a 4-day school week which could benefit rural districts that have bigger fuel and transportation costs.
The bill was sent to the House Education Committee
Permalink | Comments (131) | Post your comment |
Grammar vs. content
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The other day I helped judge a writing contest for Georgia elementary, middle and high school students.
The kids wrote about their life experiences and how a community-based organization has improved their confidence, self-esteem and grades in school.
Most students wrote essays, a few crafted poems and one turned in a rap. They all had inspiring stories and many were creative. But some kids had a lot of grammatical errors.
I struggled with what mattered more - the content or the grammar. In those moments, I gathered a new appreciation for teachers who must make that call every day.
What do you think matters more: grammar or content? How do you decide?
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment |
Stimulus money for Georgia schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s public schools would get more than $1 billion under the stimulus bill the House is voting on today.
The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee has provided a breakdown showing how much each school district would get.
School leaders have long begged for more money for special education programs. And the increase in Title I should help.
But what do you think of the federal government providing money for school construction and renovation? That money usually comes from states and local systems.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment |
Who should face furloughs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Custodians, secretaries and other office workers employed by Fayette County schools must take two unpaid days off for the district to overcome a projected $240,300 deficit.
The furloughs for the support employees are mandatory.
Teachers would not face furloughs, but the school board requested that administrators volunteer for it. The board suggested the superintendent, directors and principals take five days, while assistant principals take four.
The administrative staff is under contract and cannot be forced to take furloughs.
For the sake of morale, do they really have a choice? But who will do the work of administrators when they’re not there?
More cuts - possibly layoffs - are coming to Fayette schools. School leaders in DeKalb, Decatur and elsewhere are discussing other drastic cuts.
Pretend you’re the board member, how would you make the cuts but still protect classrooms and students?
Permalink | Comments (55) | Post your comment |
What’s next for sex ed?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many educators and parents are waiting to see how President Barack Obama will change some of the education programs promoted by the Bush administration. Many of the predictions have focused on No Child Left Behind, but others are looking to see what will happen to sex education.
Under President Bush federal money was given to abstinence-only sex ed programs. Now some groups are saying federal money should instead go to comprehensive programs that teach abstinence and about the use of contraceptives to protect kids against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
As with everything else in education, supporters on each side cite research to back up claims that their program is better.
A study commissioned by Congress and released in 2007 showed that students in abstinence-only programs had about the same numbers of partners and first had sex at the same age as kids who weren’t in these programs.
But a 2006 study from the Virginia Department of Health found a majority of teenagers agreed with abstinence-only sex education.
Some could argue that the federal government shouldn’t support these programs at all. Others say sexually active teenagers pose a public health risk that requires government action.
What should be the policy toward sex education programs?
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment |
Too much test prep?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Newspaper education writers are a close-knit group and we often swap emails about some of the crazier things we see in schools. Some of the odder thing we come across are test-prep activities designed to prepare kids for upcoming exams.
Take this example from an elementary school in Florida. Next month the principal is holding a writing funeral where students will drop examples of bad writing in a casket. Students will “bury” their weaknesses and avoid “digging their own graves” with careless mistakes.
I’ve gone to schools where teachers organized pep rallies, puppet shows and exercise routines so students get “maximum brain function” going on before test time.
I’ve seen teachers play games using flashcards or modeled after “Jeopardy” to review relevant information.
Let us not forget the worksheets teachers ask students to complete at home.
Obviously kids need to do well on state exams, but what is the best way to review and get them ready? Are there any test-prep exercises you like?
Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment |
Where should schools go for more money?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cobb County school leaders found a way to get some extra money during these tough times - cell towers.
The school district allowed cell phone companies to place towers on 17 campuses. According to the story by Alexis Stevens, each tower guarantees an immediate $150,000, with 60 percent going to the school where the tower is built. The rest goes into an account for schools without towers. A school with a tower can earn $90,000 every five years.
Other area school districts have resisted building cell towers, with some citing possible health risks. Several health groups say the towers are unlikely to cause problems.
There are other things schools have done to raise money.
I’m thinking of deals with Coke or Pepsi to sell their products in schools. Others have sold advertising and naming rights to stadiums and other buildings. Some schools have allowed banks to set up branches on campus.
What kind of deals should schools reach with outside groups to raise money? What type of deals would make you uncomfortable?
Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment |
Four-day school weeks?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Legislature began hearings on Gov. Sonny Perdue’s proposed budget Wednesday. Lawmakers heard from Perdue and other leaders, including Georgia schools Superintendent Kathy Cox.
Legislators asked Cox if the state could save money by cutting the school week down to four days.
Cox said she’s “not going to take anything totally off the table” but warned fewer school days have not been shown to improve learning. She also mentioned that a four-day school week could be difficult for working families who would need to find day care.
Leaders in Florida, California and elsewhere have floated the idea of shorter school weeks before, especially when fuel and energy prices skyrocketed over the summer. The American Association of School Administrators released a study in November showing what school leaders have done and are considering to save money.
Some school districts in Georgia have asked their attorneys to see if there is a way to shorten the school week. Public school districts are required to have a school year for students that lasts for at least 180 days.
Cox said she didn’t think the budget was so dire to cut back on school days.
Do you see a time when it could be? Would you support a four-day school week to save money?
Permalink | Comments (112) | Post your comment |
Challenges for Morris Brown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gayle White wrote an interesting story explaining the struggles facing Morris Brown College.
The historically black college suffers from huge financial debt and some of its buildings may be put up for auction. The college also owes more than $200,000 on past due water bills to the city of Atlanta. (The college lost its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 2002, largely because of financial problems.)
According to White’s story, college supporters say the school can’t compete with other traditional four-year liberal arts programs.
So college leaders hope to focus on a few key areas, such as health care and education. They’ve discussed offering more evening, weekend and online programs to reach different types of students.
Is this enough to save Morris Brown? How can a historical college evolve to meet the needs of today’s college students?
NOTE: The Legislature takes up Gov. Sonny Perdue’s proposed budget today. State schools Superintendent Kathy Cox is scheduled to address joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee members at 2 p.m.
Permalink | Comments (72) | Post your comment |
Should schools have closed for the inauguration?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Teachers across the state organized special activities for today’s inauguration.
Some traveled to Washington to witness everything firsthand. Others will watch the events on television and discuss it in class. In middle and high schools, expect students and teachers to analyze the speeches and discuss the challenges our new president faces.
Many agree the inauguration is a perfect real-life teaching moment. But school boards across the country had debates over whether to close school today so children could be with their families.
Schools districts in DC and the surrounding areas closed. Other school systems - such as Philadelphia - debated closing but opted to remain open.
The majority of school districts will be open and many prepared guides to help teachers develop special lessons. They said this is a historical moment that should be handled in classrooms. Others questioned whether working parents would be able to find adequate day care.
Should schools have closed today?
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment |
Is there medicine for school nurses?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue’s budget for next year would cut the $30 million currently used for school nurses.
Many education watchers say they were expecting the school nurse money to go away one day. The funding had come from a tobacco settlement that state leaders have long said wouldn’t last forever.
The state money helped local school systems offset the cost of school nurses. Districts that relied heavily on this money will likely go without any nurses. The Georgia Association of School Nurses has promised to fight the cuts.
School nurses aren’t the only ones to see cuts. The governor’s budget includes cuts in basic education funding. If the changes are approved, Democrats say public education will have lost about $2 billion in austerity cuts since 2003.
It’ll be interesting to hear what state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox has to say about the budget. She has declined to say much, explaining she’s waiting until she testifies on the budget later this week.
How concerned are you about the cut in school nurses? What would you eliminate to keep nurses in schools?
Permalink | Comments (110) | Post your comment |
Universal vouchers for Georgia?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senator Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) said Friday he is working on a bill to provide school vouchers for all children. If passed, Georgia would have the only universal voucher law in the country.
The legislation would allow parents to pick a public or private school to send their child to and use state funding to pay for that schooling, Johnson said. Parents would provide their own transportation.
Public and private schools would elect to participate in the program, Johnson said. Local public school council members would decide if their campus had room to take in additional students.
Johnson has been talking about universal vouchers for months so the bill itself is no surprise. The legislation is still being drafted so we have to wait for specific details.
You may remember that Johnson sponsored legislation in 2007 to provide vouchers for special education students.
Vouchers haven’t caught on as fast as other choice programs, such as magnet programs or charter schools. Currently nine states and Washington D.C. offer vouchers, but those programs focus on low-income students or children with disabilities.
What do you think of universal vouchers?
Permalink | Comments (70) | Post your comment |
When to learn a foreign language
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yesterday I attended a joint House and Senate education committee meeting to hear a presentation from state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox. Little news came out of the event, but Cox shared some interesting tidbits.
One legislator asked Cox to explain what she’s learned from her student advisory council. Students from across the state meet with Cox several times a year to discuss issues and concerns.
The students want to learn another language and they want to start those lessons earlier than high school, Cox said.
The challenge, Cox said, is figuring out how to make that happen.
When do you think students should start learning a foreign language? How many different languages should students know to thrive in today’s global economy?
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment |
Who wants a shiny, new school?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s another legislative update, courtesy of James Salzer:
Gov. Sonny Perdue has proposed spending $318 million next year on K-12 school construction. Below is the total that metro area counties would get for school construction under his proposal:
Cherokee: $7,983,293
Clayton: $4,316,934
Cobb: $41,797,726
Coweta: $4,066,772
DeKalb: $1,203,680
Douglas: $17,538,982
Fulton: $22,522,568
Gwinnett: $42,431,993
Hall: $396,285
Henry: $10,562,623
Paulding: $10,737,096
City school districts amounts are folded into a county school district’s total. So Fulton’s figures include Atlanta, Cobb includes Marietta and Gwinnett includes Buford.
How would you like to see school districts spend this money?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment |
Should superintendents be local?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clayton County school board members are searching for a new superintendent and several members have said the new leader should be someone from Georgia, ideally Clayton.
The argument is that a local superintendent would better understand Clayton’s issues and history.
Some school districts have hired local.
J. Alvin Wilbanks, the long-serving superintendent of Gwinnett schools, was picked for the top position after years of working for schools in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. Crawford Lewis, the DeKalb superintendent, has spent his entire professional career working for that district.
Still, larger school districts usually hire superintendents from out of state after conducting an extensive national search.
How important is it for a new superintendent to have local ties? What are the advantages and disadvantages to a home-grown leader?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment |
Where’s the money going
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Teachers won’t get raises but there will be money for school construction, under the budget Gov. Sonny Perdue released this morning.
Perdue warned some state agencies would face cuts of more than 10 percent, but few specifics were presented.
He proposed spending about $1.2 billion on construction projects - of that money about $318 million would go to public schools. Millions would go to college campuses as well.
Go here for more information about Perdue’s budget and the complete text of his speech.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment |
A cap on college enrollment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s public colleges may put more limits on enrollment because of budget problems.
The state chancellor warned colleges may have to restrict access or else it will be difficult to maintain the quality of programs because of cuts in funding.
Georgia enrolled a record number of students this year - 283,000 - but also cut $183 million from its budget. More cuts are expected when Gov. Sonny Perdue shares his proposed budget today.
State colleges are the only option for many Georgia high school graduates. These schools are local and cheaper for my students and their families.
What would happen to Georgia’s high school graduates if colleges capped enrollment?
Permalink | Comments (51) | Post your comment |
Perdue’s education proposals
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
During a speech this morning, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced a bunch of education proposals. Here are some of the highlights:
$10,000 bonus for high school principals who demonstrate improvement in graduation rate, SAT scores and End of Course Tests. Principals could also get the bonus if they lead a school in the top 5 percent of each area.
Higher pay for new, fully certified math and science teachers. These new teachers would be bumped up to the salary for teachers with five years experience. Elementary school teachers with a math or science endorsement would get a $1,000 annual bonus.
“Exceptional teachers” who are willing to serve as leaders and mentors in their schools would get a pay increase of 10 - 15 percent.
These incentives would begin for the 2010-11 school year, but there’s little information about where the money would come from. (Read the news release.)
What do you think of these ideas?
Permalink | Comments (34) | Post your comment |
Inauguration lessons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve often heard teachers say they enjoy using current events in their lessons. These “teachable moments” let students see how history can change and how what they learn in school connects to real life.
There are few bigger teachable moments than Tuesday’s inauguration. This story shows how some local teachers are planning to use the historical event in their classrooms.
Many will watch Barack Obama’s speech - some on television, while others are going to Washington to see and experience everything in person.
For many schools, Tuesday will be a culmination of lessons that began earlier this school year with mock debates and discussions about hot topic issues.
Teachers, how are you planning to incorporate the inauguration in your lessons? Parents, what would you like to see teachers do?
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment |
Education legislation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Legislature reconvenes today and of course money and the tight budget will be at the top of the agenda.
Still, there will be plenty of time for other issues and we can expect education to once again be a primary focus.
Observers expect bills to be filed on vouchers, dual enrollment programs and ways to better recruit and retain teachers, especially in critical areas like math and science.
What education issues do you hope legislators tackle? What problems do you think need to be fixed?
Permalink | Comments (44) | Post your comment |
Does size matter?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For all the debate and research on class size there’s still not a clear definition of exactly when a class becomes too big.
Next school year, all Georgia public school districts can increase the maximum size of most elementary and middle school classes by two students. And Gwinnett County won the freedom to decide how many children each teacher can handle.
There are benefits to smaller classes, particularly in elementary schools. When classes are smaller it’s easier for teachers to design lessons to meet each student’s needs and there are fewer discipline problems.
But researchers and teachers tell us small classes alone aren’t enough. Teacher quality is just as important. Who cares if a class has only 15 kids if the teacher doesn’t have the skills to explain the material?
Then there’s the issue of whether the curriculum is sound or if the teaching materials are appropriate and if schools have special resources to help kids who are struggling and those who are excelling.
When you look at everything that goes into a making a good class how much should size matter?
Permalink | Comments (144) | Post your comment |
Larger classes to save money
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Teachers and students may see more kids in elementary and middle school classes next year under a plan that could save local school districts about $200 million.
The State Board of Education approved this morning bumping up the maximum number of students allowed in core elementary and middle school classes by 2 children to give school systems some flexibility during the recession.
Districts are not required to raise class sizes, but State schools Superintendent Kathy Cox said she wanted to give local leaders this option as they work on next year’s budget. The relaxed rules would last for just the 2009-10 school year.
Class size has been a hot debate for years. While some say two extra kids won’t make that much a difference, others worry that could hurt student learning. Some teachers say going from 28 to 30 students makes a class more difficult to manage and teach.
Are you comfortable with increasing some class sizes if it saves jobs? Do you worry that this one-year solution will last longer?
Permalink | Comments (62) | Post your comment |
Helping transient students
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first week of January is usually slow for school news. But 2009 is proving to be an exception.
So far we have Fayette schools asking teachers to donate their raises back to the financially-strapped district; Clayton school board members voted for a national search to find a new superintendent; Atlanta school officials plan to close two schools and merge two others; and Gwinnett school leaders go before the state board looking to be freed from many state mandates.
But there was also a story out of Cobb about a high school principal finding ways to help transient students.
Schools all over the metro area struggle with this problem. I’ve heard teachers say students move in and out of their classrooms throughout the year as their parents look for work or try to find cheaper housing.
All this moving around disrupts students’ learning and often makes it difficult for them to focus when they are in class. Schools with many transient students typically have lower test scores and struggle to meet federal learning goals.
I’ve heard of schools offering extra tutoring and teachers visiting students at home to help. Some schools more after-school activities so students can be feel connected to their new campus.
What more can be done to help transient students?
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment |
Give back those raises!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fayette County school leaders have found a different way to save money - they want teachers to give back their raises.
School board members have decided to ask teachers to voluntarily return their 2.5 percent raises. If everyone did, that would give the system about $4 million.
School districts throughout the state are looking to reduce spending because of state budget cuts and decreased property tax revenue. Systems are talking about layoffs, slashing salaries, eliminating some programs and reducing contributions to employees’ insurance plans.
Starting today DeKalb schools are using fewer buses to take kids to and from school as a way to save money.
Fayette has even discussed shortening the 180-day school year, but that can’t happen without a change to state law.
Is Fayette justified to ask teachers to “donate” their raises back to the district? What else should Fayette do to save money?
Permalink | Comments (57) | Post your comment |
Going to school online
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of Georgia’s fastest-growing public schools is an online charter school called Georgia Virtual Academy.
The school enrolls about 4,400 students from 163 different districts. Students “attend” school from their homes by turning on their computers. They follow curriculum developed by a for-profit company, turn in homework assignments, complete science projects and take tests.
A key part of virtual schools is that a parent or another adult acts as the learning coach. The school gives parents more control over their kids’ education, which is why it has attracted many home-school families.
When problems comes up a licensed teacher is called in. The teacher also teaches new material, leads lessons and evaluates what kids have learned.
Similar virtual schools are popping up all over the country. They’re too new and different to say how well they’re working.
GVA students have some academic problems. About 74 percent of the online school’s eighth-graders failed last year’s CRCT math test, compared to about 38 percent for the state.
What do you think of virtual schools? Would you enroll your child in this school?
Permalink | Comments (47) | Post your comment |
Where’s the money for vouchers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s newest private school voucher program seems to be off to a slow start.
The program, which was approved by the legislature last year, gives tax credits to individuals and companies that donate to groups that provide private school scholarships.
The scholarship groups set up their own rules on eligibility and the amount of each award.
It turns out that many of these scholarship groups are still getting set up.
I expect these programs will become more necessary as private school families struggle to pay tuition, a mortgage and other bills. But the recession also makes it more difficult for people to donate money to these scholarship groups.
What do you think of this tax credit voucher program?
Permalink | Comments (50) | Post your comment |
Education resolutions for 2009?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Happy New Year to everyone involved with Get Schooled!
In the spirit of the day I thought we’d keep things light.
What are your education resolutions for 2009?
What do you think our local teachers, principals, superintendents and board members should resolve to do?
