Public dissension is rare among the New York State Board of Regents. But as further proof that concerns about the new teacher-evaluation law go well beyond the state’s teachers unions, a group of Regents have come out against the law. Seven members of the prestigious 17-member group issued what they described as “Position Paper Amendments” […]
APPR
Posted inNews & Opinion
King is optimistic about Common Core
While there may be some adjustments made to the Common Core curriculum and the Annual Professional Performance Review for public school teachers and principals, State Education Commissioner John King said that he has no plans to slow down or delay the implementation of either. Common Core has introduced higher standards for students in 45 states […]
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Preliminary teacher evaluations released
State Education officials have released preliminary statewide ratings for teachers and principals under the new Annual Professional Performance Review. The composite results show that 91.5 percent of teachers earned ratings of “highly effective” or “effective,” while 4.4 percent are “developing,” and 1 percent are “ineffective.” The data also show that 89.9 percent of principals are […]
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Commissioner King cancels Common Core forums
Sometimes reality can overwhelm rhetoric, and that appears to be the case with a recent set of statewide public forums planned by State Education Commissioner John King. King intended to use the forums to provide more information about the rigorous new Common Core curriculum. But after a disastrous first meeting (see YouTube video below), King […]
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RCSD’s Murphy a superintendent finalist in Oswego
The Rochester school district’s number two in command, Anita Murphy, is one of two finalists for the superintendent position at the Oswego, NY, school district, according to a report by Oswego County Today. Superint endent Bolgen Vargas hired Murphy in 2012. As deputy superintendent, Murphy is arguably Vargas’s most strategically important hire. Her close relationship […]
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Hundreds of city teachers appealing APPR
More than 600 Rochester school teachers have formally appealed their Annual Professional Performance Review, says Adam Urbanski, president of the Rochester Teachers Association. The appeals will be looked at by a joint district and union team beginning as early as next week. Teachers could only appeal their evaluation if they received either an “ineffective” or […]
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[UPDATED] Less testing for city students
Updated at 9:15 on September 17, 2013: The district plans to move forward immediately to reduce the number of tests taken by city students, Superintendent Bolgen Vargas said at a press briefing yesterday. The decision requires approval from State Education Commissioner John King, but Vargas said he’s confident that King will approve the change. Both […]
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Turned off to teaching
To say the US public education system is undergoing a major transformation would probably make some educators laugh. Teachers, particularly in urban and rural districts, are coping with an onslaught of criticism and intense scrutiny.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Teachers warn of the end of public education
It seems like at least once a month, a long-time teacher’s retirement or resignation a letter gets picked up by national media. The letters thank students, parents, and colleagues, but they typically end on a sobering note about the state of our public education system and the demise of the teaching profession. The Washington Post […]
