PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOLS INSTRUCTIONAL TIME
Minimum Instructional Contact Hrs = 946
Total Instructional Hours Student Contact:
Benson = 940.8
Cleveland = 896.63
Franklin = 897.83
Grant = 931
Jefferson = 860.88 (85.12 hours short!)
The list goes on and on. Not a single Porland Public High School met the minimun neccessary instructional contact hours. Not one. Are these days that the teachers are at home or are just the kids?
2004-2005 District Calendar
(ok, this calendar does not match the year for the above report but I can't find a coresponding calendar for that year and I can't find the instructional hours report for the most recent year, but the point remains...)
Sep 1 :Staff Development
Sep 2:District Teacher Orientation/School-Based Preparation
Sep 29:Staff Development
Oct 12:Staff Development
Nov 10:Staff Development
Dec 22:Staff Development
Jan 14:Staff Development
Jan 18:Staff Development
Mar 16:Staff Development
May 11:Staff Development
May 27:Staff Development
May 31:Staff Development
Jun 20:Last Student Day; School-Based Closure
Jun 21:School-Based Closure; Staff Development
I don't neccessarily disagree that meetings are sometimes needed but I wonder what "staff development" really means. Are these the days when teachers learn how to be more sensitive to the illegal aliens? Are these the days when teachers are marching in Salem for more money? Those are a lot of potential instructional contact hours there, I'm just wondering if they could be better used.
5 comments:
Let's take a look at that "time off" and start with the fact that several of those are holidays. Many of the others are either state or federally mandated training. I know a number of teachers and this is what they tell me. Frankly, I'm surprsied they're not more under the instiutional hours. It's only because of things like admins. working extra days without pay, teachers doing the same, etc, etc. that they're that close with this inadequate level of funding.
Before you answer with this, I point out that R's proposed 6% hike in school spending from less biennium is 2% less than their "school stabilization plan" proposes. There, 8% is not tennable for a lot of districts (read suburban districts like Beavertona and Tigard that are growing rapidly, and districts with needs of siginificant capital repairs (Portland).
My parents are retired teachers, my sister is a current teacher, and my wife is a certified teacher homeschooling our hearing-impaired son. I am the Navy's Aviation Training Officer, so I oversee all instruction of the 2000 men and women learning aviation related trades. So with that said, some observations:
1. With the time allotted, teach core compentancies. In our children's case; reading, writing, history, science and math. (Philosophy, if I had my way.) I really hate days with Walkathons or their like. When I was a kid, that stuff happened on weekends. My parents made me go. So, when I find out about a school event that isn't a core compentancy, I take my kids out of school for that period and do a family fun event with them. The schools are wasting my child's time with that stuff during a school day. In my business, if we aren't teaching flying related curriculum, it's wasted time.
2. Set high standards, challenge and encourage the children to attain those standards. In my case, those who don't meet the standards, are sent packing. I have an obligation to the taxpayers and parents to ensure we don't kill their children in an expensive taxpayer machine.
3. Critical Evaluation (feedback) to the student. Instill in the student the process of improvement does require some critique of their abilities. I fly with Students and critique their goods and others, as we call them. Others are not failures, but areas they need to emphasis and improve upon. Instill in our children that the process does not determine their self-worth or self-esteem, but the process should ensure the child maintains the effort to improve. In children, you want to reward the effort. My "kids" get the rough critique, as there is too much at stake.
4. Critique the Process. Here, in my opinion, is the biggest failure of the public school system. I personally inspect all the Navy's Aviation Training Centers. I let the Admiral know how they are doing. Additionally, I fly with the instructors of all my training centers, and provide them with written feedback on their instructional techniques, copying the Commanding Officer. I have an obligation to the taxpayer and the parents to ensure we are extracting the most training out of the money alloted, safely!!! I argue with the my parents that this is the biggest failing of the public school system, Accountibility. Thus, I support proposals which force accountibility and motivations for the public schools to improve.
Now, I am not burdened with the participation of the parents as is the public school system. But, that is an issue because if the parents are participating, how can we expect the child to be motivated.
Now, I will say that the NEA and such, is killing it's credibility with liberal agendas that distract away from the core competancies, ie social justice, gay-lesbian issues and diversity groups. Additionally, the drive to increased administrative positions is a ploy for more money, which does not directly result in increased productivity of the student or for the teacher.
Hey Daniel - fellow right-winger & Lars follower here... ever hang out at the Coffee Station in dt Sherwood?
the reason why Johnny is acting up in class and failing
We both know that the real reason Johnny has problems is because his mom was never married and she has no boudaries in the home!
Some valuable input here. My respsonses:
start with the fact that several of those are holidays
I did not include holidays in my list. Take a look at the link to the calendar and see the additional days off for holidays.
Secondly, Administration needs to be cut.
Absolutely. Not just salaries but the work force as well. The number of PERS reciepients makes a dramatic difference.
As a teacher, I would like to throw my 2 cents in.
I agree with most of your 2 cents. Some inservice days where teachers do not have kids are neccessary. But like you indicate, 9 might be too many.
With the time allotted, teach core compentancies
My kids school, which is a great school in my opinion, has so many "walkathon" fundraisers a year it gets ridiculous. I hope that those aren't counted as "instructional hours."
Now, I will say that the NEA and such, is killing it's credibility with liberal agendas that distract away from the core competancies
What? Are you saying that abortion and gay marriage have nothing to do with teaching kids?
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