No Teacher Left Behind.

Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 11:49:47 -0400
From: Elyssa Durant

To the Editor:

The City Paper featured a front-page story (“Metro School district

begins revamp of failing elementary, middle school,” May 21, 2007)

that completely sugar-coated the situation in two metro middle

schools that have fired (via involuntary transfer) the entire staff

and faculty as a result of their failure to meet NCLB benchmarks.

For the last 5 weeks, I have been working as a substitute teacher at

Jere Baxter Middle School and the experience has shaken me to the

core. Everything I used to believe about school finance reform has

been turned upside down. Jere Baxter is a Title I school with

access to numerous resources including a math specialist on site

full time, district mentors to advise and assist new teachers.

They have mental health specialists come into several classrooms on

a weekly basis, and it is not uncommon to see caseworkers and

prevention specialists from a variety of community agencies on

campus.

However, despite the plethora of enhancement activities and access

to resource materials, the majority of the 7th and 8th graders do

not know simple math such as long division, subtraction (if they

have to carry the one) or their times tables. You could throw a

million dollars into this school, and it would not make a bit of

difference!

For the first two weeks, I was assigned to a self-contained

classroom At one point, the Assistant Principal walked in,

observed the children, and even acknowledged the small black and

white television hidden in the teachers aide desk tuned in to the

Young and the Restless. She smiled and walked out. Apparently,

she did not have a problem with the children watching Tom & Jerry,

Sponge Bob and BET music videos from 10 a.m. through dismissal. A

few days later, I gave a make-up assignment during the students

“free time,” (lunch-time through dismissal) and I was told that my

expectations were simply too high. That class in particular lost

15 teachers this year alone—16 including myself.

The children are running the show at Baxter and they know it. The

faculty receives little, if any, support from the administration.

As a result, the majority of the teachers have simply given up.

Dealing with disciplinary problems has become the primary focus in

the classroom displacing teaching, learning, and cooperation.

The numerous behavioral disruptions that occur each and every day

prompted the administrators to pull the most effective teachers out

of the classroom to enforce (or re-enforce) school policy while

their classrooms remained empty or were covered by floating

substitute teachers.

The children are completely out of control and simply refuse to do

any work. I was told not to give any student a grade below 75--

even the one who threw his crumpled up science assignment in my

face and walked out of class shouting profanities. What the

students have learned is that there will be no consequences for

inappropriate behavior or actions. The administration treats

teachers with complete disrespect: in front of students, teachers,

and guests, completely undermining any sense of autonomy, authority

or cohesiveness. Even I was embarrassed for them, and I was only

there for a few weeks!

This is a classic example of a top-down policy failure. As a policy

analyst, I always advocated for equity in education, and believed on

some level that throwing money into poor schools (poor performance &

achievement records to disadvantaged students) might help level the

playing field for disadvantaged schools, translating into better

outcomes for students and the community.

The City Paper glossed over the magnitude of this desperate

situation by calling it a “fresh start.” These teachers have been

treated poorly enough by students and administrators, and now we

have a number of young professionals who are underpaid, uncertain,

and unemployed. We all know that teacher pay is ridiculous to

begin with, but coupled with the added stress of the re-application

process, Metro may lose a large number of educated, motivated,

displaced educators to surrounding districts, counties, and states.

This is simply ridiculous. By cleaning house, Baxter will lose the

few experienced, dedicated teachers they have, prompt the younger

set to leave the profession all together, and discourage future

teachers from applying for jobs in Metro.

Everything we know about the positive outcomes in neighborhood

schools is their strong reliance upon community buy-in and parental

involvement. One thing that makes magnet, lottery, charter schools,

parochial, and private schools so good is the fact that parents,

teachers, students, and administrators fight to get in, and fight

to stay there. The act of choosing, in effect, leads to an

enhanced sense of community and builds a supportive, consistent,

and structured environment. Calling this decision a fresh start is

ridiculous-- it would be more accurate to call it a very bad ending!

In this case, No Child Left Behind is, in effect, leaving No Teachers Left Behind.

Elyssa Durant, Ed.M.

--

Elyssa Durant, Ed.M.

Nashville, Tennessee

E-mail: xx@columbia.edu

"The paradox of education is precisely this-- that as one begins to

become educated, one begins to examine the society in which he [or

she] is being educated." - Baldwin

----- End forwarded message -----
"The paradox of education is precisely this-- that as one begins to
become educated, one begins to examine the society in which he [or
she] is being educated." - Baldwin

Casualties of War: Hired Guns in American Schools

Casualties of War:

Hired Guns in American Schools

copyLEFT © @ElyssaD

Over the last decade, there has been mounting concern for the safety of teachers and students in the American public school system. This is particularly true of urban high schools, where students must walk through a metal detector before entering the building. School violence has become epidemic, and educational researchers have looked long and hard for a solution to the problem.

School administrators and elected officials bear the responsibility of keeping students safe during school hours, and a number of districts have implemented violence prevention programs. School security has become a top priority, and while improved security measures may have contributed to a decline in school related deaths, it has not been without significant changes in the school environment.

The added security has effected the traditional school environment by disrupting the chain of command within public institutions. The presence of school security guards appears to have a negative impact on the overall school climate. The presence of security guards disrupts traditional roles within the schools, and teachers report feeling at odds with security personnel. Increased security tends to fragment the school environment, and teachers report feeling a false sense of security. The secured environment is an indication of how students are expected to behave.

Under these conditions, it is not surprising to learn that students also report pervasive feelings of fear and do not feel secure despite the added presence of security personnel on school grounds. For these students, school is a mere extension of the violent communities in which they live.

Studies consistently report lower academic achievement in these neighborhoods. Children growing up in urban neighborhoods have a much higher incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most researchers believe this to be the direct result of living in stressed communities plagued with street crime and violence.

Despite the severe implications of this realization, there is virtually no research on how pervasive fear affects the academic performance of urban adolescents. Previous research has found that people who suffer from acute stress process information differently (Sapolsky, 1996; McNally, 1995; Metcalfe & Jacobs, 1996). Individuals who feel threatened by their environment are acutely aware of their surroundings and have a heightened sensitivity to visual cues. As a result, they tend to hyper-focus on potential sources of threat, and shift into a different cognitive gear.

Individuals under stress not only store information differently, but their ability to retrieve information is also largely dependent upon emotional states (Metcalfe & Jacobs, 1996; Sapolsky, 1996; Perry, et al, 1996). Interestingly enough, information learned in song, rhyme, or rap is more easily retrieved in a state of high arousal. If this is in fact true, then popular culture may affect adolescents considerably more than previously believed. In addition to helping us understand the cognitive framework of individuals under stress, this can help us to find alternatives teaching methods to help urban schoolchildren who have not responded to traditional teaching methods.

Research has found the school climate to be a critical factor in reduction of school violence (Walker, 1995; Sabo, 1993). Disruptions in the traditional organization structure places additional stress on the school climate. The effect of school violence on teacher relationships is not known. In response to the public outcry for action, school boards implemented violence prevention programs and zero tolerance policies long before there was a chance to evaluate the severity and prevalence of the problem. The literature tends to focus on classroom management and violence prevention programs (Ascher, 1994; Walker, 1995).

Literature on school violence tends to focus on statistics and incident reports that do not provide an adequate understanding of school related violence. The research on school violence fails to address the importance of the organizational culture and the various components that are critical to effective schools. It is not surprising that students are unable to learn in this environment.

Teachers have become fearful of their students, and students fear each other. The presence of school security will certainly affect the organizational balance of American public schools, and sensitizes all members of the school environment to the roles they are expected to play. Many teachers feel a social responsibility and commitment to their schools, and feel they have a direct impact on the livelihood of their student body.

Together, the urban public school and the community it serves are a constant reminder of the poor living conditions and social reality of urban America. Students understand what is expected of them, and teachers are sensitized to conduct which reinforces their experience. Since urban communities have many different sources of stress, it is important to examine how school policies contribute to the learning environment in public schools.

Time stamp: 1996 you thieving bastards! copyLEFT!


edd, edm

i remember believing these things...

Vanderbilt University Slashes Student Loans

Vanderbilt University slashes student loans
Updated: Nov 1, 2008 04:49 PM CDT

how quickly they forget!

in reply to @WKRN Vanderbilt Slashes Student Loans 

In what Universe does this make sense...????

If this policy is intended to open the door to all students, then why does the University require students to disclose their parent’s income? The last time I checked, the application to the graduate school required a financial statement of disclosure-- not just from students, there parents too. This always seemed odd, especially for graduate students over the age of 18.

If financial need is no longer a factor, then presumably the University has waived all fees associated with the application process, right? Perhaps this statement was issued in anticipation of the HUGE, HUGE, loss of the endowment fund???

I guess that makes some people believe the University is more focused on learning than with earnings, well, then...I hope you have a more convincing argument than this! Who knows, maybe they might even cut you a little slack in light of the disastrous financial disclosures. I truly hope you do call me when you launch your next “giving campaign. “ I would personally rather donate to sharks.

To say that “hard working, great kids ...who want to be at Vanderbilt," will be able to attend for free, makes you sound like an idiot. It also sounds like a public relations disaster just waiting to happen.

Now c'mon, Zeppos-- I thought you were one of the good guys? Don't be saying stupid things like that!

No wonder you guys are going broke!Originally published 2/9/09... I was making $10.46/hr at Jere Baxter.  Vanderbilt sued me for $3000.  I can't even afford the application fee....

Elyssa Durant, Ed.M.

Unemployed & Angry as Hell

Nashville, TN   USA

Public Education

No money to refile my app with Metro Public Schools. I don't have the application fees or the fee Metro charges all applicants to pay to process the application fees; the fees for fingerprinting, the FBI background check, or to update my transcripts with the certification office.

A Masters degree is an education does not translate into a career when you are through.

According to the Director ofSchools and the State Board of Education told me on several occasions, before I become a Certificated Teacher I mst submit my permanent record to some lady who rubber stamps shit all day long and then yells at you because you checked the wrong box for on a 13 page appplication form.

Some six months later or so you may hear back if y are approved and then come back for more bullshit and paperwork After paying in excess of $100 dollars in fees to the FBI online, by credit card, yo may receive an invitation to try out the next academic term before yo can actually "audition" for the part of a para-professional who gets paid less than all the Mexicans in the back of that pick-p that jst got pulled over on suspicion of being an illegal alien who is ctting trimming the trees otside a fat hose in Belle Meade for one of the Frists or Vanderbilt Honorees. 

Pulled over on ssppicion of being an alien? Give me a fucking break. Mayor Dean's Brag Shee

287(g) code ICE.

So I pander each day hoping to get a call in time from a school I cqn get to in nder 20 minutes at a high risk school urban school district. I am less qualified than a the cafeteria staff.  

No slip of notarized paper for me. Do not pass go. 

Return with a note fro the Board of Education with a better applcation on file. Once we determine yo ar qualified enogh to be a permanent substitute as a more qualified applicant before we kick your ass out to another disaster area 3-6 months from now.

Then yo will start all over again with a new group of paraprofessionals cutting their gums at the chance to work at a better school after the next lawsit and rezoning plan of all metro districts.

Fck re-zoning. This is not choice, this is flat ot segregation..  When we do another "re-zoning" plan for all students, teachers, adminstrators and personnell will be shifted all over Davidson County

Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Until then, you may work as a part time employee after filling out all of these forms and signing away your first born chld in blood on the dotted line.

Hourly employees may not work for more than 20 days at any given school, yet failure to work at least three is grounds for dismissal.

Class dismissed.

Go to 10.

So I got lucky and was called inn on an emergency at a Alternative Learning Center on the very last day of the academic year. I got my three days.

At $10.46/hour my entire income for tax year 2009 was $235.35. No benefits. No security.

The application fee is non-negotiable.

Once dedicated toward empowering youth through education, I now despise every god damn idiot who tells me I am not trying hard enough. 

I was also drawn toward misunderstood children and adolescents. I speak their langage. Music therapy? Fine. Art therapy? perfect. creative writing, brilliant. Show me what yo can do, and I'll make it better.  I'll make you better. As a therapist, a crisis counselor and an advocate, we'll do it togetther. Right?

Wrong.

Do not pass go.

Go to 10.

I have a knack for connected with the lost: I speak their language.

SORRY DRAFT COPY-- MUST GET  at least two hour before I start up all over again.

OUCH.

FUCK YOU! 

Voter Apathy: January 7, 2008, p. 2

[Available in full: http://www.city.paper.com/]

Last year, it was the election commission... this time it was the Board of Ed who failed to secure the personal information, social security numbers, and financial data of local students and employees.

- insert figure about here re; ACT DATA REPORTED 2007 -SKEWED -

The Tennessean openly discusses the salary of Metro teachers in the The Tennessean. The reporter makes it sound like she has uncovered some profound secret: Teachers are underpaid. No shit?

The papers seem to gloss over the magnitude if the situation of teacher pay and mobility within Metro Nashville. I wasted a ton of money at Vanderbilt and almost as much in the Ivy League. By investing in a useless program and a worthless degree, I am the first to admit I have made some bad choices, but now I am asking for some advice.I can't find a job.I can not afford the $100 complete the application, or find transportation to get to an interview.

I am beyond broke. I am so far in debt that I do not even bother to open my mail since it consists only negative balances, bank statements, and letters from collection agencies and the Department of Education. I actually got SUED and evicted for $4.50. Legal Aid told me to call my Daddy. I'm 36. ALL support and custody child support was terminated on August 15, 1988. The Jewish Federation. 

At least 3 people are using my soical security number, claiming me as an employed ERISA beneficiary, a dependent "child", oh yeah, and, SSA decided to terminate my benefits since they can't figure out what fucking state or which parent i live with.... Let get this out of the way. I was 15.. My mother changed the locks, withdrew my records from the local high school (Port Washington, New York) called my boss, Dave at The Barge on Capri Marina, told him I quit, and #thatwasall

#onmyown

My dad showed me the front door a year later. I got my hair braided on vaction, ordered me out of the house reminded him of John Africa. No contest. I left!

When I found out that someone recently used my social security number to open an account in Jersey City, I was thrilled at the prospect that my credit score might actually go up!

I never dreamed that I would have to apply for a social services grant simply to pay the application fees associated with the job application. I never thought about fees for fingerprinting, TB tests, transcripts, ($15 each from Columbia; Vandy actaully sued me for $3010 to release 'em) Penn State costs $8 on credit- another thing I don't have)

Examination fees, processing fees necessary to apply a position that really only requires a GED.

As an employee of the Metro Nashville Public Schools, I work part-time as an educator at the "Masters + 30" salary level. I earn $10.46 / hour, before taxes without benefits.
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/education-degrees-and-teachers-pay/


That does not go far, and they are currently eliminating employees, so any chance of a raise or future opportunities for advancement seem unlikely during these tough economic times.

I cannot afford additional application fees or costs associated with the Alternative Certification options, and I certainly do not have the resources required to obtain another undergraduate degree just so I can bypass the 6 months of student teaching necessary for Metro to deem me qualified to teach Head Start, pre-k or even adult literacy programs.

The bottom line is this: regardless of good intentions or misguided mentoring, I am a financial burden to you all. I pay taxes out of your taxes. I am absolutely convinced that there must be a better way to live than relying upon government subsidies to keep a roof over my head and Ramen noodles in my tummy.

There is a plethora of young, talented individuals like myself who would be more than willing to work for MNPS or any other company if we could simply access the resources necessary to complete the application. We all know that teacher salary is ridiculous to begin with, so no kudos to the reporter at the Tennessean for pointing out the obvious.

This is the reality I live in. This is poverty. This is why I am hoping that someone out there knows someone or some way that I can contribute more to society than what I am taking. I am a leach on society. I will continue to be a leach on society.

Relying upon the "welfare" of others is a terrible way to live especially when you have something to give back.

People used to laugh when I would inquire about transportation funds, Internet access grants or assisted technology funds and resources...

Surely, the AT&T cable bill could have included a measure to assist the disabled and economically challenged members of our community free or discounted online Internet service. Certainly one of these big companies coming to Tennessee can help by hiring just one over educated, underemployed, and dedicated employee.

I live so far beneath the poverty line that I am willing to work for the necessities in life that I simply cannot afford such as toothpaste and Internet access. I cannot afford the application fees Metro charges for new or returning applicants. I'm not eligible for community training programs or work force development... there are no grant based training programs for people who just made a few bad, BAD investments along the way-- say, for example, a college degree --> $179,000 in student loans.

I am not too proud to beg for a job or take some free advice if it will help me to get from here to there. I need someone; anyone, willing to give me a chance to prove myself. Isn't there anyone who maybe, just may be willing to invest in me?

I think I deserve more out of life than this, and I think if you knew me, you might think so too.

Help me become the person I was meant to be. Try to the see the person I could become.

I have much to contribute, but no resources to get there.

All I want is a chance. All I need is a chance. Is there anybody out there who believes I am worth the investment? Not money. Just Time.

Is there anybody out willing to invest in me?

MNPS: Minorities To Blame for Low Test Scores

The Nashville City Paper previously reported that African-American students were out-performed by their white counterparts on the ACT (Metro ACT scores drop; Tennessee reaches new high, 2007).

 

Given what is currently at stake in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), such casual reporting of racial discrepancy in test scores is irresponsible at best: Does this mean that white children are better students than their black and Hispanic classmates?

Are Minorities to Blame for Low Test Scores in Metro Nashville Public Schools?

 

What's next for Nashville? Are minorities to blame for our failure to meet the benchmarks set forth in the No Child Left Behind legislation? High-stakes, standardized entrance exams are not only culturally biased, but also politically motivated in their agenda to help bring back a return to basics type of core-curriculum.

 

Studies in both the sociology and politics of educational evaluation have consistently shown that standardized entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT do not accurately predict academic performance at the college level.

 

Given the official release of performance data by MNPS officials, I am concerned that less curious readers may place too much attention to such details and misconstrue this information making voluntary, de-facto desegregation less attractive to schools that did not quite make the grade last academic term.

If, as stated in Wednesday's article, the ACT is a curriculum-based measure of readiness in English, mathematics, reading and science, then all these scores show us is that we have failed in our mission to provide an adequate education for all our citizens.

I am not sure exactly what readiness is, but I am certain that our schools are failing miserably at educating those children who need us the most. Let's level the playing field for a change and start talking about equity in education if we truly expect teachers to leave no child behind, we must first give them the tools they need to move forward.

 

Resources:

 

The Bell Curve Wars

Savage Inequalities

There Are No Children Here

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

Who Can I Blame?

ed phoning home ouch

~fl)L~Yl8, 2003

After being rejected from a job that pays $18,000 / year at the women’s prison, a job that pays $21,000 teaching Head Start, getting fired from Red Lobster (because apparently, I am just not quite Red Lobster “material .”

I went down to the Tennessee Career Center to take advantage of their high-speed internet, free printer ink, paper, and maybe, just maybe a little perspective on the sad state of affairs in the American job market today.

My loyal readers know that my job expectations salary requirements have steadily declined along with my feelings of self-worth and esteem. I am almost willing to take back what I said try to get a job at Burger King if they would have me.

My career aspirations have dropped with each passing year. I make no excuses. Why bother.

I got hooked up with a career counselor two master’s -- one in Educational & Career Counseling; a second in Counseling Psychology. This is the guidance counselor I have been asking for since... well... since... I was old enough to realize that my mind worked just a little bit differently...

I was never in any one school long enough to have a guidance counselor.

Other than Professor Mark back in college, Bob Crain, my saving grace through the toughest times in my life, no one told me I was wasting my time and money…

Most of all I was wasting my window of opportunity… a moment in time when I almost had a world of opportunity. Without any real place to go after college, I felt I had no other choice than to become a professional student of sorts—you know, the ones who stay in school forever to take advantage of cheap housing, health insurance, and student loans.

Well, that was my first mistake.

Unfortunately, I wandered aimlessly through the system acquiring useless knowledge and letters after my name that do not mean jack in the real world.

I was never there long enough to either test my “aptitude” or implement any course of study. See—it is not my fault, you ignorant fuktards!

 

Ha! How do you like that?

 

     … Blame it on my parents

         … Blame it on me

             … Blame it on the rain…

…Blame it on the “acting-advisor”

        …The “acting-director of financial aid

                       ...The “acting Dean”

None-the-less, the fact remains that I am apparently completely unemployable, and I simply refuse to take any more of those tests. Even the local mall does a background check and administers some type of personality test that I clearly cannot pass!

Listen up, you dumb fucks, I would not have bad credit if I were a thief.

I would not need a job if I had enough money to pay my bills. And when it comes to that “personality assessment” I am sorry to say that I do in fact think there is a big difference between someone who steals food to feed his family and Winona Rider.

 

Who gives a shit anymore? If you told me a fat bearded lady at the circus could decide my fate and tell me what direction I should choose next-- I would take it! I would even throw in a fat tip just for being smart enough to know that any answer--  no matter how grim is far better than just wandering aimlessly through life looking back on what might have been?

I wish I could say that after all this time I developed other ego strengths and finally felt okay with whom I am, you know.... “Just being me.” but I am sad to report that my “condition” (diagnosis) was amazingly accurate and predictable. Just like all the doctors said! I wonder if they derive joy out of being right— if they crack open a bottle of aged liquor in my father’s office and say, “see, we told you so. We told you there was nothing you could do. And so nothing they did. By doing nothing and I do mean nothing-- the illness take will its course, and I am now, in fact, nothing.

Nothing costs nothing (at least to him) and daddy made another fine investment, on the other hand, nothing has drained every hope, fear, security—chance-- every last breath from my body. I might have believed in me. And I know I’m alive because a tear just rolled down the side of my cheek. I am home.

I am the exact same 5 year old who needed to win the spelling bee. In college, I was the one to set the curve, not just make it, break the rules, and, break [them] I did. There is no glory in being second best. Second smartest, second brightest, or second anything.

But I still have not learned, for some reason with all of my failures, I am reminded of in so many ways. Me, myself watch them play out every time I shut my eyes or open them. Yes- blink, sometimes I ask myself, how did I get here? How did this happen? What happened to all of the plans I made for myself~ where did they go? Where did I go?

Constantly replayed over and over and over again in my mind. I must be FUCKING CRAZY! But at this moment, here, even as I say the words, I am not truly insane. 1 am merely in pain, what a tragedy that those two words rhyme-- they ruin what could have been a very profound misnomer of the human condition and the labels we hold so dear.

And so my search for mediocrity continues, and I wait for it each and every day; hoping it will find me beaten and worn from the storm… from all of the storms.

But dammit, it is still there.

I still have questions.

Those damn “elyssa” questions that made my professors so proud.

Damn ideas, damn thoughts, damn hope.

My mother still calls me everyday to see if I went down to get food stamps to feed myself. Fuck her and her fucking things. Fuck diamonds, couture, and fuck that life.

I was here mom, the whole time. Just not pretty enough with out any surgery.

Not pretty at all with all those scars.

I am the exact same 5 year old who needed to ace the Spelling Bee.

Set the curve, not just make it.

Break the rules; and break them I did.

There is no glory in being second best,

Second smartest,

Second brightest, or second anything.

Being second sucks. It sucks every goddamned second of the day.

Goodnight my dear friends, lets all try to have sweet dreams. Pepe awaits, as does Alanis and a pack of smokes that I can already taste. I hope you all still love me. I do actually believe that I deserve love and kindness despite the obvious fact that I am a royal pain in the ass. I refuse to work in Burger King.

What could have been, what should have been-- what might have been if you let me be…

m.e.

When in Chinese, the word Crisis is composed of two characters: One represents danger and the other represents opportunity...

JFK

Say it loud, say it proud...

Dear Elyssa: (****and friends!****)


Can you write a letter to your Senators? We're going to print out every letter you write and hand deliver them to Senate offices to make sure your voice is heard.


People all over the country are losing their jobs and their health care. These people desperately need the protections in the economic recovery package that help them retain their family's health insurance. And the entire country needs this bill to pass so we can create jobs and start turning our economy around.

Click to write a letter to your Senators now! We'll hand deliver your message to their offices.

I know I just reached out to you yesterday, but this is urgent! The fate of not only the health care provisions, but the entire economic recovery package is in jeopardy.

Please take a moment to write a letter to your Senators so we can hand deliver them and make sure your voice is heard!

Thank you for all that you do.

To your health,

The Writing Is On The Wall