Local Teachers Ask For Support Against Proposed Changes To Evaluations

Teachers in our area are speaking out against Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed education reform – announced in January during his 2015 State of the State address – which, among other things, requires 50 percent of a teacher’s evaluation to be dependent on student standardized test scores, and favors an expansion of charter schools.

Public school teachers across the state are furious with the proposal, which they feel unfairly penalizes teachers for the state’s decision to implement Common Core curriculum across all grades at once, instead of gradually starting from kindergarten and expanding it one grade at a time. In addition, funding to schools would be dependent on test scores, which they say unfairly punishes schools in low-income areas.

Some educators and school officials around Brooklyn have been particularly vocal about their opposition. In District 15, which covers parts of Park Slope, Fort Greene, Carroll Gardens, Sunset Park, and more, teachers from two schools that have previously objected to Common Core testing have reached out to parents and neighbors for support.

“The values present in Governor Cuomo’s proposals are antithetical to our own,” states aletter from the teachers at PS 321, located at 180 7th Avenue. “And they place them at risk.”

The teachers at 321 do a little math about the evaluations, noting that 50% of a teacher’s rating would be based on test scores (it’s currently at 20%), 35% would be based on the one-time visit of an outside independent observer, with just 15% coming from observations from a principal or assistant principal at the school.

“And then, using these numbers, any teacher who is rated ineffective two years in a row can be fired,” they write.

At PS 124, located at 515 4th Avenue, parents are worried about teachers being forced out of a profession they’ve dedicated their lived to.

“This is so upsetting because we know what we have here at PS 124: teachers who love what they do and are dedicated to our students and their parents,” the PTA wrote in an email. “The value that is placed on guiding our students to be well-rounded citizens through inspiring our children to learn, honing leadership and encouraging creativity is second to none.”

Teachers at the Brooklyn New School, located at 610 Henry Street, released a similar letter, noting like 321 that losing their jobs as a potential outcome of poor test scores means they could end up focusing more classroom time on test prep.

“Faced with the reality of loss of a paycheck, there is a very good chance that we may begin to teach in ways we know to be counterproductive,” they write. “Time spent on test prep will mean less time for real learning and real curriculum study.”

Further south, the Community Education Council for District 20 unanimously agreed on a resolution last week to appose the Governor’s plan and to join the coalition of educators, parents, clergy, civil rights organizations, and community activists that are making their voices heard, while the teachers at David A. Boody Junior High School, in District 21, have launched a video campaign on social media, inviting the governor to visit their school and see first-hand how his policies impact their jobs.

The teachers at all the schools are asking for parents’ support. From PS 124:

We need you to let your legislators know that you disagree with this plan:

Email Governor Cuomo right now at gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us.
Visit http://www.nyteacherletter.org/ and sign the letter to let your legislator know you disapprove of the law.
Contact your assemblymen. Go to http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/ to find their contact information. Don’t stop there. Go to their offices and demand attention.

Share this issue on Facebook and tell your friends. Use social media to spread the word. Go to Albany. Make whatever noise you can.

PS 124 will cover the issue more in depth at its PTA meeting this Wednesday, February 25 at 6pm.

What do you think about the proposed policy changes? Do you they’re a good way of evaluating how teachers are doing, or will it just mean more time spent preparing for tests?