Contract clashes
A teacher's first duty: Don't abandon your students
Rocky Mountain News
Published May 29, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
It's hard to say exactly how many Denver teachers feigned sickness Tuesday in protest over stalled contract talks - a relative handful in the context of the entire district - but it's not at all hard to describe the appropriate public response: disgust.
The idea, for example, that 18 alleged professionals at a bilingual Montessori elementary school would leave their young charges in the lurch during the final week of the school year is not merely difficult to fathom, it's impossible to understand given the nature of what divides the union and district.
After all, the district is not demanding the puny raises, pay freezes or even give-backs typical of what many employers in the private sector have had to resort to in these challenging times. To the contrary: It has offered an average base salary boost of 7.7 percent, with at least $9,000 more in bonuses from the ProComp performance pay system also available to individual teachers. The district estimates that the average bonus will total $6,000.
Meanwhile, the average starting salary would balloon to $44,000.
It's one thing for some teachers to disagree with the district's proposal - to assert, for example, that the district wants to funnel too much ProComp money into incentives instead of layering it onto base salaries. That's a respectable position, although not one we share. But for any teacher to act as if the district's generous offer - stunningly generous, actually - is instead a stab in the back that deserves the extraordinary response of abandoning children and abusing sick-leave policy is simply beyond the pale. At the very least the district should dock the pay of anyone who participated in the stunt - if it can establish which absences were phony and which were justified.
Union leaders insist they didn't encourage the irresponsible actions of a few, and we take them at their word, but their rhetoric of the past year has certainly done little to nurture a cooperative relationship with the district that is built on mutual respect and trust.
We understand why a union would seek to build as much base salary into a contract as possible. But we also are very familiar with how ProComp was sold to the public in 2005 during a tax-hike campaign to pay for it. Indeed, we took part in the salesmanship. There is no mystery at all about what voters were told: that ProComp was a pay-for-performance agreement that, as we touted it in one editorial, would "determine teachers' earnings based on the academic progress of their students, willingness to teach in challenging schools or take positions that are hard to fill, regular evaluations and the development of their knowledge and skills."
The district's eagerness to spend much more of the tax money accumulating in the ProComp account on teacher incentives conforms perfectly with the goals outlined when the deal was struck.
The original ProComp agreement was not etched in stone. To the contrary, both parties realized it was a work in progress that would be fine-tuned in line with what was learned over time. The agreement specifically says that "After October 1, 2007 and October 1, 2010, upon request by either party, the Board and the Association shall enter into negotiations to make changes to the Professional Compensation System for Teachers."
If there is a breach of faith in this unfortunate contract impasse, it is by anyone who would suggest that ProComp function as just another master salary schedule - untouchable for all time except to boost the base. No one believed such nonsense back when voters signed on to support it, and no one should believe it today.
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May 29, 2008
6:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
Michael writes:
It would be nice if we could take the same approach that President Reagan did with the striking (illegal strike) air traffic controllers - FIRE THEM ALL! Let's see how these "teachers" do in the real world where you have to compete and show your work and be accountable for your results. They acted like the spoiled brats they are. They live in a cocoon.
May 29, 2008
7:04 a.m.
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Spencer writes:
and air traffic has been a mess since then. We lag the rest of the world as far as automation and real safety in air traffic. I was actually an air traffic controller for 2 years just after the strike and the veterans explained to me the real issue was the lack of technology that we were investing in compared to the rest of the world.
May 29, 2008
7:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
JohnSWren writes:
We are now harvesting the results of Mayor J.Hic's Pro-Comp. It would have helped to have a newspaper that looked at the misguided plan objectively instead of, as admitted here, selling it to us.
What can be done now to untangle this mess? Tell us your idea at the next Denver Speaker's Corner, Sunday, June 8, 4 to 5 p.m. at Denver Civic Center, North Pavillion. More info and optional RSVP at http://cocacop.meetup.com/2
May 29, 2008
9:15 a.m.
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jacka writes:
Vote YES on Amendment 47, shouldn't all Coloradans have the right to choose, the right to protect their family paycheck, and the right to demand more from our schools?
Unions don't like choice and don't like competition.
Before Union power took hold students spent 6-8 hours in the classroom, now they spend 4 or less. Before we learned about America and our national values, RRR, and competition; now our kids are faced with the the common good, the average, the expectation to not excel or perform.
Why are so many parents choosing to put their kids in catholic or charter or other private schools - because Unions have destroyed the US education system, they have destroyed teachers desire to excel and right to demand more from the administration.
p.s. SASQUATCH hammers it home again and again.
Detroit has the U.A.W. and recently raised taxes. Now their economy is destroyed. They also have a mayor faces multiple felony charges. Detroit-Unions-Politicians = newly destroyed economy and corruption.
May 29, 2008
9:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
PI writes:
You guys are all so off base it's not even funny, when is the RMN editorial board going to stop going after teachers and start going after the failed policies of DPS. The media should be fair and balanced but instead you guys and all your right wing bloggers continue to cater to DPS administration because John Templeton and Michael Bennet are tennis buddies, it's sickening! You should be called the Fox News Gazette, do some real journalism and stop beating up on the people that teach Denver's kids day in and day out while you sit in your corporate offices formulating idiotic opinions while dreaming of ways to crush unions and take over the world. Go ahead blast me, you guys are lame as hell anyway.
May 29, 2008
9:40 a.m.
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Konyok writes:
This situation illustrates one of the perils of one party politics. Without a viable opposition to the Democratic party, which controls everything in Denver, parents and taxpayers have no advocate to speak for them against the special interests. (Make no mistake about it, the Colorado Educational Association IS a text book example of a special interest, probably the most influential single organization in Denver politics.)
Why do Republicans waste all of their energy agonizing over who is the *true conservative?* In Denver, their frivolity is tantamount to acquiescence to the Democratic machine.
May 29, 2008
9:43 a.m.
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Konyok writes:
Pl,
Where does the teacher's union end and DPS begin? Or, vice versa?
What failed policies of DPS? What has DPS done without the permission or even the direction of the teachers' union?
From the perspective of this humble taxpayer, the only conflict that I see between them is just how to divvy up the money.
Can you enlighten me?
May 29, 2008
9:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
PI writes:
The administration has all the power, the teachers union does everything it can to fight for their 3000 members so that they can be effective in the classroom. There is a constant fight to make teachers do more with less time, to install the latest education fad from somewhere back east when the previous installed fad did nothing for CSAP scores or the students in denver. You get minimal press when the Chief Academic Advisor resigns and CSAP scores continue to be stagnant because the media machine behind Hickenlooper & Bennet(John Templeton)is so interested in assuring that these men have succesful political careers that they are willing to glance over the fact that they are acting like union busting republicans. DPS and the union have gained national acclaim for Pro-Comp, now DPS wants to completely restructure it, where is the press on that issue....they are failing and misleading the citizens of this city. The truth will come out.
May 29, 2008
10:15 a.m.
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Konyok writes:
Pl,
You make my case for me.
The Denver Classroom Teachers endorsed Hickenlooper. To a mere taxpayer, it all sounds like an incestuous lovers' quarrel between different Democratic party factions.
You suggest that DPS is importing education fads against the better judgement of the teachers. (From "back east" no less! New York City???) Can you give us even one example of Denver teachers arguing for actual community recognized standards? Just one would be refreshing.
This trend toward mediocrity is decadal and far predates Bennet, Hickenlooper or even the generation of boobs before them.
From down here it looks like the fads are coming from the ed schools and that you guys have swallowed them whole.
Pro-Comp is obviously a public relations ploy, but, the thing that you teachers don't seem to get, or want to get, is that it reflects a genuine sentiment of the public. We don't like our schools held hostage to collective bargaining and we want something done to restore some of the quality education that our public schools used to offer. You guys ignore that at your own peril.
May 29, 2008
10:18 a.m.
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tata writes:
Speaking of union busting republicans, what's up with the Denver press on this issue? Why are the sound bites from DPS Central Administration constantly front and center, but there is never a quote from a teacher? The $9,000 incentive the district keeps talking about is a lie, and teachers realize that. It's sad that teachers need to resort to calling in sick to make a statement. Perhaps if their side of the issue was reported honestly and fairly there could be resolution to the current impasse. Is it too much to listen to an educated, well informed workforce who knows the issues?
May 29, 2008
10:45 a.m.
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p_myers661 writes:
PI
I support giving the teachers control over their classrooms IF they are willing to accept responsibility for their actions. I'd be sure that the curriculum was designed by the teachers and the administration employees were cut by 2/3 and the money be spent on the schools.
My granddaughter is a special needs student and she has disrupted the class. I finally convinced the teacher to call me and remove her from school when this happens or she does anything else to make it hard for the other students to learn. The teacher is forbidden to take her by the arm and lead her to the corner. Next year the teacher will know to call uk/,s and we will march her to the wall.
Get insurance for every teacher and institute a policy of permitting all non-physical discipline in the classroom. A special secretary will do all the little housekeeping work like taking attendance, calling parents and other things that make it difficult for the teachers to have time in their classes.
I'd also allow vouchers for any child in a school that fails to bring the students up to standard. (Actually I'd allow vouchers for all students.) I'd refuse to negotiate with any union and hire real life people to teach instead of requiring specific teaching classes. Some will not be able to handle it. Most will.
Simple solution.
Put the teacher in charge of the classroom.
Hold the kids responsible for their actions.
Put the parents in charge of the schools.
Put the teachers in charge of the curriculum.
End the power of the union as the sole negotiator for teachers.
Cut bloated administration workers and cut pay across the board for admin personnel.
And I do have one question you didn't address:
Who dragged those teachers out of the classrooms and ordered them to stay home? Looks like a purposeful action by the teachers. Even if caused by frustration with the stupidity of the process, it was wrong and that is what the people will remember.
May 29, 2008
11:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cwillyrun1 writes:
Konyok, nice post at 10:15.
The teachers union is one of the most powerful, so why did the teachers decide on a day in the last week to organize a walkout? Couldn't they have handled it constructively with all that power they have? It was a bad choice, and the public is against this type of stunt, obviously. If I had kids, I'd be mad that I pay taxes and these morons decide to ditch for the day.
PI, your vivid (and deluded) imagination is at work again. Instead of spouting out about Templeton and Bennett, provide us with proof that they're in the mix together to make teachers look bad! Not just some opinion twisted to fit your view, but actual proof. Otherwise, your posts will get ignored as more senseless ranting.
May 29, 2008
12:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
PI writes:
Cwillyrun
Although I am sure that you would enjoy a picture of these men in a steam room plotting the demise of people like me, I have no such proof. When Bennet resigns in 5 months to a government appt, Hick seeks higher office and John Templeton continues to direct his papers to give them a free ride as media darlings....my point will be proven. The unions in this city have no choice but to endorse dems as the lesser of 2 evils, and I apologize that your most recent campaign was ruined because those pesky horns kept popping out of your hat during press conferences. The school system can't be run like a business, or we will continue to get lackluster results. When all of this comes to fruition you, pajamapulitzer,American100, elkman,timeandagain & that Amendment47 freak won't even care because you will all be in a little cabin at fascist camp hunting endangered species and ranting how you hate gays. 1 more thing, tell your mom to stop dressing you in knickers and funny hats, even your golf buddies are starting to think it's gotten ridiculous. Bring it.
May 29, 2008
12:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Konyok writes:
Sign me up, p_myers661
Those are reasonable starting points for an agenda of educational reform.
For fun and profit I am reading "Teaching Science for Social Justice" by Angela Barton et al. from the teaching for social justice series edited by the estimable William Ayers. In the first 20 pages I haven't found any science yet, but I am diligently searching ...
It seems the original sin in our sorry educational system is the fixation with accreditation and the spectacularly lousy product of the educational schools. We mere taxpayers are to be suitably impressed that a teacher has a master's degree, but, the dirty little secret is that these degrees don't translate into competence with science, math, history, languages or literature. Core curriculum knowledge, the stuff to be imparted to the little darlings in the classroom, is a small fraction of a teacher's education. The bulk consists of abstract pedagogical theory mashed and emulsified with various flavors of post modern "critical analysis."
It all looks great on paper, but real life outcomes in DPS just get worse year after year.
May 29, 2008
12:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
yaakovwatkins writes:
Whatever is happening in the schools isn't working. I sent my kids to private schools and home schooled them. I have also substituted at a middle school with discipline problems. I know the stress.
I would be happy to continue to pay taxes for a good quality education system. But what we have isn't working. The best predictor of how well children will do in school is the education level of the custodial parents.
Wake up and smell the smoke.
May 29, 2008
1:24 p.m.
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Konyok writes:
Come to think of it, just what is a "Bilingual Montessori School?"
I don't think that most low income immigrants are so invested in their children's education to enroll them in a boutique charter school. (Actually, parent apathy is probably the biggest problem faced by DPS, especially among at risk kids. None of THIS bickering addresses that problem.) We can safely assume that "bilingual" in this case means Spanish and English. The number of high income, well educated Spanish speaking immigrants is pretty small. So, who does this school serve?
Methinks that there is probably an interesting back story here ...
May 29, 2008
1:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cwillyrun1 writes:
PI, your "point" takes a lot of if's and when's into account. It's not based off of fact, just opinion.
And the deal with men in the steam room, why is that the first thing you mention? Is it what's on your mind?
What's funny about this is that the immigrants of the past would try hard to assimilate into society, one way being learning english because that's one thing they knew would help them succeed. Today, the minority suggests that the majority should learn a second language, presumably spanish due to millions of illegal immigrants. Is it because today's immigrants are somehow lesser than those of the past?
May 29, 2008
2:12 p.m.
PI writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 29, 2008
2:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Konyok writes:
I don't think this has anything to do with assimilation. This isn't your garden variety neighborhood school bilingual program. This is a boutique charter school that parents have to make a concerted effort to get their kids into. There's something distinctly odd about this situation that the typical right-left punch and judy games can't address.
Pl,
I see that you don't like to respond to specific questions and then veer off into obscure ad hominems. You certainly don't convince me that DPS teachers are heroes and DPS administrators are zeroes. They still look to me like the same crew.
May 29, 2008
2:34 p.m.
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PI writes:
In response.
You are an obscure bad hominid that should veer forward in the evolutionary ladder, that computer is a good first step.
Sorry to let you down. This newspaper and this blog are ridiculous, I am merely trying to prove that point with my humorous rants.
May 29, 2008
2:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Konyok writes:
Humor generally has the quality of being funny.
Again, where is the daylight between DPS administrators and teachers? Enlighten this sorry hominid.
May 29, 2008
2:58 p.m.
PI writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 29, 2008
3:31 p.m.
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Konyok writes:
Pl,
Are you a DPS teacher?
That would explain a lot ...
May 29, 2008
3:46 p.m.
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tata writes:
Billingual Montessori schools serve anyone who wants their children to be able to speak English and Spanish. I can't believe the racist comments regarding this school. There is no conspiracy here. It is open to white children whose parents don't drive a truck sporting the confederate flag - as well as Hispanic, Asian or African American children. There are a number of white parents who believe that being billingual is important.
May 29, 2008
3:52 p.m.
PI writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 29, 2008
3:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cwillyrun1 writes:
PI, racist and homophobic? There you go again, espousing (big word for you?) hate and deluded opinions. Time for you to go.
I'd have an intelligent discussion if your mind was up to the monumental feat.
May 29, 2008
3:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Konyok writes:
tata,
I'm sorry if I sounded racist. It's just that I suspect that this school has a much more affluent student body than the run of the mill DPS school with a bilingual or ESL program. Why did the staff of THIS particular school take Tuesday off? There's a story here that we don't know.
Forgive me, Pl. I didn't know that I had wandered into your smarmy reverie.
May 29, 2008
4:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cwillyrun1 writes:
tata, what you're saying is it's open to anyone, even the kids with parents that have a confederate flag? Schools can't discriminate based off of the 1st amendment.
There was something written about Colorado being a spanish name..... DUH! There's cities and counties in Colorado with spanish names. So what! Louisiana has a lot of French influence, and was part of the Louisiana Purchase. But they don't have bilingual programs in french and english in all public schools there. Is it possible that a bilingual program with english and spanish only could be considered discriminatory? Excluding other languages might mean that could be a problem.
May 29, 2008
5:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
p_myers661 writes:
PI
Seems to me you don't want to solve problems, just complain about them.
I'd suggest thinking outside the box but you don't seems to realize how small your box is.
Education has become a profitable business. The customers are forced to buy the "product" (public education) whether or not they can use it. They have little or no expectation of any of their needs or comments being addressed. The public education system devours money and produces very little education. Charter schools, which must address such things fare far better. They can choose schools that concentrate on basic education elements like reading, writing and computation. These schools have long waiting lists. The public schools seem more interested in teaching their brand of propaganda (climate change, save the earth, liberal slant on politics and other non-academic subjects) and react to the suggestion that parents be able to choose any school by screaming that this will cause a flood of students fleeing the public schools. They claim they are teaching what students need to know. Then why are they terrified that many students will no longer be forced into their classrooms?
Learn to listen and answer questions and you might just learn a few things. Keep on as you have and you will prove the point that the majority of public school teachers lack the ability to compete in the world outside of academia.
May 29, 2008
5:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
SDaedalus writes:
"Why did the staff of THIS particular school take Tuesday off?”
There IS a back story, which explains much more than the surface treatment RMN coverage provides. Although RMN editors find the full Sandoval sick-out "impossible to understand" a better newspaper would have provided readers the answer rather than ironically profess ignorance of news a cub reporter could have learned.
I'm a parent of a Sandoval student and don't share RMN's "disgust" at the teachers at all. RMN missed the story thinking Sandoval was about ProComp, when the very local issue is DPS's failure to provide sufficient support for a curriculum that the administration requires the school continue, despite several years evidence that the Dual Language/Montessori model is not sustainable in current form.
For the past several years the teachers have borne the brunt of creatively keeping this model going, and both parents and teachers have repeatedly asked DPS for 1) additional funding or 2) the freedom to simplify & reduce costs for the ambitious but relatively expensive model by choosing either Dual Language or Montessori. This year, as it became clear that DPS would do neither, many talented teachers decided to stop sacrificing themselves for something DPS wasn’t supporting. Today was the last day for nearly 40% of Sandoval's (6 of those 16) teachers. Given the implications and scale of this size of a turn-over and the challenge the school now faces in finding adequate replacements who are both bi-lingual and Montessori trained, many students/families are making a similar choice and going to other schools next year, including private/suburban districts.
Sandoval is an anomaly for urban public schools: higher income families who have been fleeing urban schools for decades have been moving into NW Denver and actually waiting in line to get in: at one point there were 250 families on the Sandoval waiting list, including Michael Bennet's former boss, Mayor Hickenlooper. But reflecting the mixed demographics of this neighborhood, by design half the spots in the school were filled by lower-income kids whose families only spoke Spanish at home. For the longer term revitalization of North High, this was an encouraging trend: a school that meets the needs of a range of demographics proved it was possible to recapture the time/energy/resources of wealthier and higher-educated parents that suburban and private schools have siphoned off.
However, the combined curriculum model is expensive and the concept far from proven, despite 6 years of operation and private fundraising. Recent proposals to reduce the costs by concentrating on either Montessori or Dual Language were rebuffed by DPS administration, which damningly also refused to provide sufficient curricular resources to sustain this model. I doubt any amount of salary increase will retain the type of skilled teachers Sandoval requires once they learn that DPS has set them up for failure.
May 29, 2008
6:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
tata writes:
There are a lot of posts that mention the success of charter schools. The truth is that when Cole was taken over by a charter school and also asked to operate on a typical DPS budget it was a dismal failure. These schools operate in a way that public schools simply can't, financially and philosophically.
May 29, 2008
8:25 p.m.
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WelcomebackKotter writes:
Not only are students leaving DPS, but good teachers. Seems the conservatives with their negative posturings are OK with allowing mediocrity in the teaching ranks of dps. why is this? Does America no longer believe in Brown v. Board of Education? did we ever? Class warfare and keeping latinos and African-Americans in their place, the bottom of the food chain is an issue here. Why did DPS allow their salary schedules to fall so far behind other districts? DPS's policies have encouraged white flight.
May 29, 2008
9:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
sisepuede writes:
0.2% for salary building
99.8% for 1 time bonuses
is that the deal given Denver voters.
NO!
print some facts and talk to teachers who just wish they had TIME TO TEACH AND PLAN increasingly better learning for their challenging students.
We have a class on the brain that teaches you to separate facts from opinions. Bennet has so much time on his hands he sent
a 7 page email
a power point and numerous distorted figures to his media pals
TEACHERS ARE TOO BUSY trying to just get enough time to teach to pump this much negative press and propaganda at you.
Go pick on all the other stakeholders with responsibilities linked to children's health, education, nutrition, etc.!
May 30, 2008
8:27 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
It took forever to find a confederate flag for my truck, and there was a line there to buy them, and we all conversed in english, and nobody tried to pay with welfare checks or food stamps, what a bunch of racists. the problem with bilingual education is it doesnt immerse students in english, take your kids to Mexico and ask for thier bi-lingual classes? Perhaps the program is flawed because the premise is flawed, CWillyrun states it well "What's funny about this is that the immigrants of the past would try hard to assimilate into society, one way being learning english because that's one thing they knew would help them succeed. Today, the minority suggests that the majority should learn a second language, presumably spanish due to millions of illegal immigrants. Is it because today's immigrants are somehow lesser than those of the past?" Lets stop wasting tax dollars on bi-lingual and get back to RRR educations.
May 30, 2008
9:34 a.m.
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Konyok writes:
Thanks, SDaedalus
That makes a bit more sense to me now.
And, yes, the Rocky fell down on the job, they didn't even name the school until today, and nary a word about the issues.
Yesterday, it was the International Studies school, another boutique charter school with the sick out. There does seem to be a real problem with DPS's pet projects.
The situation at Sandoval seems to be a microcosm of the entire dilemma of an urban school system like DPS - to be both inclusive and to have high standards and innovation. It sounds like Bennet has retreated to the bunker with his powerpoints and dreams of the great victory to come.
The problems may be intractable, in the present state monopoly paradigm. I recall that Roy Romer left for LA with great fanfare to save that school district. He wound up resigning in disgrace.
The Rocky has failed us on this issue. However, the teachers would be well advised to get their message out. As they move inexorably towards confrontations with the district, there is little sympathy for them out here in taxpayer land. It is a shame that the only cogent explanation that I've seen of the issue at Sandoval is your post on this obscure forum. (Where the simian Pl wants to toss his nihilistic dung balls at passers by.)