Praying for Grace!!

  As many of you know I normally discuss Oklahoma Public Education. Today I won't really do that. I am a big public school defender. I am also a Republican. Most the time those don't go hand in hand. In my local area I often disagree with some of my local county republican who seems to think it is nothing more than a drain on their precious taxes. I on the other hand think this country is great because of the public education system we have had since the very beginning. I think you generally pay for what you get. $8,000 in education, $26,400 in welfare, or $40,000 for inmates. If you look at Oklahoma's incarceration rate you see where Oklahoma puts its money. But to get back on topic in my defense of public education through Oklahoma I have had numerous spats with Representative Jason Nelson. Rep. Nelson is a strong school choice candidate and wants expansion of those ideas. I don't believe in that with tax payer money. Today that is neither here nor there. I've battled Rep. Nelson in his office, at the Capitol, and even on twitter late at night and the weekends. Today I stand with him!!

  Rep. Nelson's daughter Grace has cancer. I am a 12 year survivor of cancer. Public education and my defense of it doesn't matter today. Today I pray for Grace. I pray for her family, her doctors, for her healing, and Rep. Nelson.  Grace has been going through chemotherapy. Today at noon she will have surgery to remove her tumor and the kidney it is attached to. Nothing in this world hits me harder than children with cancer or children who are suffering. I got into this profession to help children succeed. Today I turn Grace over to our Almighty God and ask him to help Grace. I hope everyone who reads this will do the same. God Bless!!

My 2 Cents on VAM

  As part of our Race to the Top carrot chase a new teacher evaluation system was put in place. This is not anything new. We created the TLE commission to oversee this new process. The evaluation system has three moving parts. It has the supervisor evaluation making up 50% of the evaluation. Then you have a section called Other Academic Measures. This section is more of whole school items like attendance. Which basically means 15% on things a teacher can't control. The last 35% is worse. It is based off of individual student testing. It is suppose to measure some component of individual kid's growth on tests. For a teacher who has subjects that are in the state testing wheel house that component is called a VAM, value added model. For a teacher in a non state testing subject it is called an SLO, student learning objective. If an employee is a counselor they have a SOO, student outcome objective.

  Here's my two cents. We have a 800 teacher shortage. Which is probably low and also doesn't include the other support jobs that Oklahoma public schools have been forced to cut as well. Teachers have been beaten up with how they are lazy, overpaid, underperforming. So now we will set up a system where some teachers get to set a locally decided SLO to see if they are achieving "adequate growth" or some will get a state set VAM on their tests that have had numerous problems the last few years. It sets up a two tier system which is not fair. Both may be evaluated for growth, but not the same way and with the same instrument. It just makes no sense. It will lead to more disgruntled teachers. We have a tough time finding Math, Science, and Special Ed teachers. The last few years, it was tough to find any teachers. This does not help the problem.

  Here are few unintended consequences from this 35% part. Why would you teach in an area of low socioeconomic students? Why would you teach in an area with a high concentration of special education students? Why would you teach in an area of a lot of limited language students? These are the students who need the most help typically. They need the best of the best. The TLE calls for dismissal of a teacher with two years of bad overall evaluations. Why risk it when there is no reward? Does a $2,000 raise make it worth it to lose your job based on a student's test score? Here is the other thing this does. You remember that administration cost thing you always here the legislature screaming about? Guess how many reports, meetings, and paperwork it takes to make this 35% work. I really hope this is an area the legislature and the State Department of Education look at as a way to combat the teacher shortage. This is definitely an area that needs to be local control.

You Said What In That Interim Study?

   This time of year the Oklahoma Legislature has Interim Studies. Some of these amount to a lot, sometimes nothing. But what they are good for is to see where some in the legislature sit or how well they grasp things on a certain topic. One of the legislative studies looked at consolidating the Administrative jobs of Oklahoma Public Schools. Making more of a regional administration. 

   This is the typical gripe of legislators in Oklahoma. If you ever say anything about funding they talk about money going to administration that "Is Not Getting To The Classroom". It's an Old clique.  "Superintendents are overpaid" is another good one. Let's look at some facts, though. 

   In Oklahoma administration costs are capped. Yea, let me say that again, they are capped. My school can't pay for administration cost that are over 8%. That includes more than just the superintendent. That includes his secretary, treasurer, and staff that supports those two. In Oklahoma administration costs in the state are 3.2% of all spending. Oklahoma Superintendents make about on average 3 to 4 times the average teacher salary for a management type position (remember this number please). The legislature won't want to accept this, but a big portion of this is their fault. In the last few years the legislature has passed several bills that made Oklahoma Public Schools increase the number of administrators it need to perform the duties they required of public schools. With the passage of mandatory thrid grade retention comes paperwork, documentation. When you more than double the time and paperwork of teacher evaluations that takes time, effort, people. Increased documentation requires additional secretaries as well. When you increase testing and increase class loads you require more personnel. 

   So these same legislators who gripe about administration costs pass legislation to increase the number of administrators it takes to perform the tasks they require. Then get this, they say the regional superintendents would save the state $40-$50 million per year, I won't get into how it won't save that much I will save that for another post next week. That $40-$50 million would give teachers, maybe a $750 raise each year. These same legislators give out $500 million in tax credits each year to business executives who make way more than 3 to 4 times their average employee. In fact, in the United States the typical CEO makes over 400 times more than its typical employees. So is the real problem administrator pay or how the legislators give money away and pass legislation that isn't always in the best interest of public schools?

  Let me clarify a few things before I go eat some stew and warm up. I think there are some over paid superintendents. I think there are some really great legislators who work hard to make this state great. This study may go nowhere and be the voice of a small minority of legislators, but they spent money on the study. Some refuse to look at their practices and decisions. Schools don't work on their own. We are a public entity. We do what we are legislated to do. Is 3% of total spending where we really need to look to find teacher pay raises and address the 800 teacher shortage? No, it's not, what it takes is the group on Lincoln looking at what they have done the last few years. Saying maybe we have made some mistakes and we are willing to fix them for the betterment of our state and its children. In the spirit of the holiday I will hope and believe!!

Politics as Usual vs Superintendent Cox

   Yesterday, two Republican legislators accused Democratic State Superintendent Candidate and Peggs Superintendent Dr. John Cox of hypocrisy for asking for a state raise in teacher salaries because of his salary. In State and Federal politics, there is one thing you can always count on every year. If a candidate that should be winning,Hofmeister in this case, is losing or tied, they will get someone to sling mud, misinform, and disparage the other candidate. Yesterday was a great example, as Rep Todd Thomsen R-Ada & Lee Denney R-Cushing attacked Dr. Cox. Why? Because in a state that is as Republican as it gets a Democrat has a viable chance to win a State Office. Polls show a dead tie or a lead for Cox. 

   Misinformation? Peggs has more teachers and certified staff than was mentioned. Also, when talking about teachers pay they used a state average to make it seem that Dr. Cox was underpaying his staff. The truth is most rural small schools can't afford to pay teachers over the base minimum like larger and more local tax rich school districts. The other thing that is not mentioned is that Dr. Cox performs more than one job. Oh? They didn't mention that. Go to any larger school and find the salaries of the Superintendent, Counselor, and Athletic Director. I'll bet it is quite a bit higher than Dr. Cox's salary. They also don't mention the success that Pegg's has enjoyed while under Dr. Cox's leadership. Good school grades, Athletic, and Academic Successes. Any mention of Hofmeister's salary compared to her tutors at her Kumon centers? The average CEO makes 75 times what a typical employee makes. Were bashing Cox for making 4 times a teacher salary despite the fact he is performing more than one role. 

  Again, as I have said before, I have nothing against Joy Hofmeister. I have spoke with her and her staff, I have campaigned for her even. I was excited as anyone when she took down the wicked witch. I think she will be a major upgrade over Barresi. But this is just politics as usual and that's what plagues our system today. The bottom line is Dr. John Cox has the experience. If you want to talk about finance, he has had to make it through rough times when our Republican legislators and governor cut over $200 million in funding. If you want to talk about Accreditation, he has filled out the accreditation papers and been in the RAO meetings. If you want to talk about leading education, he was on the committees with CCOSA and OSSBA as they created For the People- A Vision for Oklahoma Public Schools. That was the real reason for the attacks yesterday. If you can't win on issues and experience, get someone to sling mud. Trust me, it won't be the last time in this race or any other state and federal race until the voters stop it. 

Education & Politics

   Yesterday Oklahoma education blogger and administrator Jason James laid out a valid and strong argument for people to vote for Joy Hofmeister for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. As usual Mr. James did a  wonderful and job of setting up the background and having valid arguments for his decision. You can read his superb blog post here  click here   I always enjoy his blog posts and getting to talk to him at meetings.  Mr. James is a leader in our profession and has a great pulse for the climate of Oklahoma Education today. But, Today I don't want to disagree with Mr. James just present another side. 

   Let me say that I have met both candidates. Both are talented and extreme upgrades over the current leader, if you can call her that. I expect both candidates to run a clean campaign and I also expect them to return to a more collaborative leadership style. My argument is not based on the quality of  either candidate. It is based more on what is going on in politics today. My personal opinion is that public education has the opportunity to make a huge statement. Currently is Oklahoma as was laid out by Mr. James the Republican Party has a stranglehold on state and federal offices. I am not opposed to that at all. I am actually, contrary to what our current State Superintendent says, a registered voting Republican and not a liberal establishment member. My major issue is when elected officials stop listening to the will of the people and start listening to outside groups with money and promises. The will of the people was demonstrated this spring that it supports public education. When 30,000 educators gathered at the State Capitol and when they sent our current leader to 3rd in her own party primary. Legislators say that if the people of Oklahoma wanted more money for public education they would have passed a state question several years ago. I think it's time to wake them up. I think it's time let them know the people don't support ALEC, Jeb Bush, FEE, Gates, and Walton. They support our teachers in the classroom. They support our students as our future. They can show that by electing Joe Dorman and John Cox this November. By letting education be the deciding factor in the governor's race. 

   Again, let me say this is nothing against Joy Hofmeister. I honestly think she would do a good job and has public educations best interests at heart. I also want to reiterate that Mr. James is 100% correct about Joy having a seat the table. This is about letting today's legislators know that big business and its tax credits and handouts are not more important that public education. That if you listen to outside groups more than you listen to the people of Oklahoma we will send you packing!! That's the accountability Oklahoma needs. Public Education in November has that chance. It has the opportunity to change politics in Oklahoma today. That is too important to pass up for  just a seat at the table when you take the lead.
  

Regents Review Process for State Standards Clears Up

  Chancellor Glen D. Johnson addressed the ongoing saga of certifying Oklahoma's PASS standards as college and career ready today. He provided a timeline of how things have been handled up to this point and as we move forward. Here is a copy of that timeline click here. It is refreshing to see the timeline and I appreciate the OSSBA for tweeting it out today!

  I will be honest, I have had mostly no problem with how things have gone down so far. This timeline kind of reassures me of that stance. I was not a proponent of Common Core, so seeing Oklahoma remove itself from those standards was fine by me. I just had too many issues with those standards both how they were written and the path it would lead us down. So Oklahoma going it alone and writing standards for our state by people in our state is fine by me. You can have high standards and not support the Common Core contrary to what others would have you think! The nightmare of the losing the waiver might not be as bad as we first got reported. A report by Real Clear Education stated that Oklahoma might not have got an extension of the waiver, but that the accountability piece may be better than under the waiver. Article Here

  Chancellor Glen D. Johnson said today he hoped to have the review process done by the State Regents meeting on October 16th. But out of all the news today the part I like reading the most was who was reviewing our standards, EXPERTS!! This is something we have been sorely missing in education. We didn't have it for Common Core, for A-F, we don't listen to them for TLE. I hope we get this right on Oklahoma Standards. I'm not holding my breath as the Oklahoma State Board of Education recently put together a group to look at standards and board members and legislators out numbered teachers! I hope that is the just the beginning phases of it and as we set down to write the meat and potatoes of standards we turn to experts. Not outside groups or political appointees, but experts. This is Oklahoma's chance to shine, to get it right. To be a good example (unlike teacher pay, cuts to education, and per pupil spending). We have done that with PreSchool education. Let's do that with our Oklahoma Standards too.

What's Next?!?!

    I've made a vow to my blog to write more this year. To carve out time to get some thoughts, opinions, and ideas down. Not because they are any good, but just because I feel better when I do write on the blog. So here is the beginning of the vow.

   So the last few months have been pretty wild and crazy in Oklahoma Education. We saw the demise of Common Core, removal of 3rd Grade retention law, additional money given to funding formula, the annihilation of our State Superintendent in a Republican Primary, The democrats need a runoff election to decide their nominee, and our governor's poll number plummet. Very interesting times in Oklahoma. I mean, that's a lot of comma's to get that all in there. But nonetheless an exciting time. But what is next? Here is what I hope happens. Even if the Rolling Stones say I can't always get what I want, I can still dream.

   First, lets hope we can put an end to VAM! This is one of the dumbest, most unfair, unreliable, scientific ideas I have ever read about. If you can't apply it evenly and fairly to all teachers, then it needs to be gone. One of my biggest problem is what it would do with inner city or poverty stricken schools. Where's the incentive to go to a struggling school? To help the kids that probably need it the most. I want to hear that sales pitch. "Hey, want to come work here where you make the same amount of money as everyone else, but I'm going to have to fire you in two years when your test scores aren't on par with everyone else. " The Deformers say poverty doesn't mean you can't succeed. I agree with that. Truth is though, it does make it a whole lot harder, and it does create obstacles. Creating another obstacle to the best teachers does not make it easier for them to succeed. If it's bad for teachers and bad for students, doesn't make much sense to keep it around. Hope the legislature get this train wreck off the tracks before it really starts.

    Second, We have to address the teacher shortage. My first point is one area that would help with the teacher shortage. To say teachers haven't left the profession because of the new evaluation system coming would mean you're oblivious to this problem we have created. The biggest problem we have with the issue of teacher shortage, is it takes money to fix it. I'm sorry, but that is just the facts. The pay scale needs an overhaul. Mostly increasing the amount in between the step raises. Teachers deserve better than to be at poverty level after 25 years of service. If you want better teachers, we should also increase the difference in a masters degree and a bachelors degree. No question a teacher who gets a masters degree in their field or one related gains a better understanding of their craft. We also need to invest more into the development of teachers. We get about $75 per teacher per year for their professional development. We don't mind spending for an elaborate system to evaluate but don't spend to develop teachers craft. Makes sense to me! So to wrap up point two, End VAM, raise pay, and spend on professional development. This not all the issues with the job, but I think it is a great start.

   Lastly, I hope we elect the right people in November. I'm not saying who I think they are or that I know who would be best. But our governor position, elected officials, and state superintendent positions are vital. You have to be willing to forget about party, whatever party that is for you, and decide who is best for Oklahoma. More and more there are outside people getting involved for special interests. We have to make sure that our elected officials are in it for the greater good, not their good. That they have the expertise needed to do the job successfully. That will bring people together not divide this great state.

Well, I think that is a nice start to the vow! Have a great day!!

Cancer Survivor

      Normally I use my blog to write about public school events in Oklahoma. Today I am going to write about something different, Cancer Survivorship. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. I have been cancer free for 12 years now. In October of 2001 I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. I received two surgeries, 4 rounds of chemo, countless shots, pricks, and prods. Since I had already had two surgeries I did not have a port put in to receive my chemo. I had to have everything done through IV. It was a very long and trying time. Through hospital stays, blood transfusions, and blood reports it was a very difficult process. I literally vomited almost every day. There were the  seldom days I didn't vomit, but I vomited multiple times a day far more than days without. I lost a lot of weight, lost my hair, and became very weak and frail. There were a lot of dark days where it just didn't look like I would live. Somehow I managed, and became a cancer survivor.

   I tell the above story to say that I know that I am fortunate to be a cancer survivor. I may also be the worst cancer survivor ever!! I don't like to talk about being a survivor. In twelve years of survivorship, I have been to maybe 3 Relay for Lifes. I went to one the very months after being cancer free. I assumed that is what you should do as a survivor. I went to one last year because I friend and a high school classmate had passed away from Cancer recently. Our high school class got a team together. We named the team after him and we participated. I think I have been to one other relay event just can't place the year or occasion. When I was writing my bio for twitter I debated for days whether to put cancer survivor on it. I even printed out the forms from the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation to be a volunteer and just can't seem to complete forms. The hardest part for me about being a survivor is the guilt.

   I struggle with the guilt of being a survivor while so many others were not that lucky. When you are a survivor its hard not to forget what you went through. In between my last surgery and my first round of chemo I bought a journal. I thought it would be good to chronicle my events. After two days of chemo and about 5 vomiting sessions I never picked up that journal again. I said I never wanted to remember these events once they were over. However the scar that runs the length of abdomen plus countless other events each day make it impossible to forget. Some days the memories are quick and fleeting. Other days they are as heavy as the world on Atlas's shoulders. Each time I remember though brings with it a little guilt.  Everyone knows or knows of someone that was not as fortunate. Not with us anymore because they lost the struggle with cancer. There is no good explanation of why they didn't make it and I did. I feel guilty every time I talk to someone. I just know it is hard for them to talk about a disease that took someone they knew or cared about. I know all the memories they have, which ended badly, are rushing back to them. I don't want to be the cause of bringing back those painful times. I would rather us be able to talk about something better. Maybe even share a laugh!!

   I decided to write this post today with the hopes maybe it would help a little. I am not a huge writer, but hoping maybe a therapeutic session of writing will help a little. Maybe today will be a fleeting day of good memories. To those of you putting up the fight I applaud you. Remain positive about the outcome. Fight like hell to see another day. Rely on the peace of God to help you each day. To the other countless survivors I wish you well. I congratulate you on defeating cancer and pray that you never have to fight that fight again.

   Anyone interested in more info on testicular cancer can go here.

http://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/

Testicular cancer is the leading cancer in men ages 18-35. It's very treatable if detected early. Don't try to be tough. If you have even the slightest swelling in one testical, get it checked out!!

Giving Out Some Praise

    Normally several of us in the education community are pretty tough on our Representatives and our Senators here in Oklahoma.  We have not felt good about the path they have been leading us down. We have been blindly following the ALEC, Jeb Bush, FEE, and Rhee plan. Despite the lack of major success Florida has had we have copied many of their "reforms". We have instituted a faulty and invalid A-F. We have decided to punish 3rd graders for not passing a language arts test. We adopted Common Core before the standards were written and didn't give the people of this state a chance to comment or give input on the adoption of the standards. We have been caught up this crazy test, test, and more test hyperbole that has been going on for over 12 years. All this while taking the largest cuts to common education in the nation. Over $200 million worth of cuts. But alas, maybe some new light is starting to emerge.

   This legislative season has provided a glimmer of hope. Though we are still early in the process a number of common sense bills have made some headway with little opposition. HB 2642 would add $57.5 million dollars to the funding formula for schools over a ten year period. The funding formula is in serious need of some new money. This fund pays for everyday expenses which we have seen rise despite being behind 2009 dollars with more kids to teach. HB 2625 takes the 3rd Grade retention law and restores decisions to the local level where they belong and are not decided on one language arts bill. It keeps in place the extensive reading help that children need to read at an appropriate level. HB 2500 continues the ease of some accreditation standards that schools desperately need until funding is restored. HB 2492 makes it where cut scores can not be adjusted in the same year. Last year we saw adjustments made after kids took their tests. Once those cut score changes are made they will go into effect in the next school year. That is common sense, but some of that is lacking in certain positions within the state. Last night the House of Representatives passed HB 3399. This bill puts a delay on Common Core. It has a tough road to go, but it is at least a step.

  Obviously none of these bills are law yet, but as I stated it is a positive sign. Hopefully some common sense approaches and some financial support to common education are on their way. It sure would be a good sign for this state and its children. I would even say its future!!

My Big Problem With Educational Savings Accounts

   This past week the Oklahoma Education Community rallied together to defeat  House Bill 3398 sponsored by Rep. Jason Nelson. This bill reduced to basics would have allowed children who met the qualifications of free and reduced lunches to have money deposited into an account for them to attend a number of schools or institutions that are not public. The amount of money would depend on a couple different factors. This bill is a voucher bill. There is no question about that fact. This bill sends public money to private institutions claiming the money follows the kid, voucher. I don't believe the bill sponsor would deny this is a voucher bill, and that is my big problem.
   This bill was defeated for a number of reasons. Private schools don't in and of themselves cure the ills of poverty. People who pay taxes and don't use other services aren't allowed to take that money with them to a private organization. Another may be people just believe it's unconstitutional to send public funds in any way to private institutions. There were other reasons each of them valid in their own right.
   So back to my big problem with the Educational Savings Accounts. What bothers me most is the word Educational Savings Accounts. The word was used as a cover for the word vouchers. Why was this done? Because the word voucher in a bill means its DOA, Dead On Arrival. I believe Rep. Jason Nelson knows this as well. I believe that Rep. Jason Nelson thinks that school choice is the best for education. That is fine with me, I have absolutely know problem with a person having a firm belief in an idea. What I have a problem with is our Representative Officials putting their beliefs above the will of the people of this state. I don't limit that to Rep, Nelson either. If an official knows that the majority of people don't support vouchers then there shouldn't be a voucher bill. If you have to try to give it a cute sounding name to slide it by a committee or people then it shouldn't even be considered. If that person believes in school choice, then they need to go out and convince the majority of people why its better.
   This plays back to my belief that representatives on both the state and national level have gone away from representing a certain set of people to believing they know better. It is a disturbing trend. One which is another problem of mine.