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by Starrman1 from Maryland

Last Post 1 day, 18 hours Ago


Cleaning House In DC Schools
Jul 5, 2008 | 9:59 AM
Category: News
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D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee says she plans to fire 250 teachers and 500 teacher's aides who did not meet a certification deadline. 

Rhee says the educators failed to meet a June 30 deadline to gain credentials, which are required by federal law. Teachers are required to have at least a bachelor's degree in the area they teach, and they must pass a test showing their knowledge of that subject. Teacher's aides must have a high school diploma or associate's degree, and need to pass an exam. 

Rhee spokeswoman Jennifer Calloway says the move is not expected to disrupt the coming school year. She says because the educators were not expected to meet the deadline, none had received class assignments.  

Leaders of teachers and teacher's aides unions say they are opposed to the firings.

Opposed??? How can these unions be opposed?

Plain and simple, the days of unqualified so-called teachers and teacher's aids are over. Those 750 people getting fired, failed to meet the qualifications of their job. If the average pay of these 750 employees was say $20,000 dollars a year, shouldn't  that money be spent on employing QUALIFIED teachers and aides? Makes very economical sense to me.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 11:04 AM

Unions need to start taking actions to make sure their members are able to become qualified. Instead of just collecting dues! Just being a member isn't enough to collect a paycheck. It's about time they realized if your not qualified for a job you shouldn't have it!
If you can't pass the test HOW the hell can you teach?

Maybe a lesson has been learned.
Starrman1 read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 11:32 AM

RED-DOG1 I am sure that the lesson learned was by a few, but I would bet that the majority are sitting around scratching their heads and wondering what happened. The ONLY reason the union is intervening at this juncture, is their sudden realization of the loss of dues from those 750 members. Like you pointed out, where in the heck was ALL of the union's concerns for these people long before that June 30th cut off date? Like I said before, I am not a big fan of unions, because they spend far too many of their resources trying to get slugs that have been fired, their jobs back,(usually after MANY warnings and disciplinary actions).
RED-DOG1 read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:18 PM

I was in the IBEW 26 back in the 80's and they trained me (but I did have years of knowledge beforehand from my father). 2 nights a week and made sure I could preform my job. So not all unions are bad. But yeah I saw the slugs.
beagle_buddy read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 3:15 PM

you bet the union is opposed Starr ...they're lookin' at dues being lost ...they also are watchin' their cozy relationship goin' down the drain ...sick, lame or lazy please don't cut the dead wood loose is the fight slogan they've probably adopted now...
Starrman1 read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 3:25 PM

RED-DOG1, "No not all unions are bad."
Just like everything else, we hear more about the bad ones than we do about the good ones I am sure.
Amen on the slugs, they just made it bad for the rest of us.
GrandmaM read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 9:20 PM

Guess what...there are consequences after all somewhere in DC. If you signed a contract and read the rules, then you shouldn't be surprised to lose your job if you didn't fulfill the requirements.

The DC teachers' union is the same one whose president looted its coffers to live the large life. She's been caught, and maybe the rest of the crew should learn to read what they sign.

Ms. Rhee, you are a breath of fresh air. Don't back down. I bet there are plenty of accredited teachers who would like to teach in the Nation's Capitol, as long as they know a competent school administrator is running the show. Now, I say DC needs to give Ms. Rhee all the money she needs to build a system in which the children can learn!
Prissy40
Jul 8, 2008 | 10:01 PM

I will await the beginning stages once school resides for 80-09. I am a parent that has lived this nightmare for over 5 years. Fighting to get what I know that my children were due. I even have one that is special ed and I await a better plan for that too. That system is whacked too. There are competent teachers taking the role of being here in the district, but they don't last long because of the lack of support from administrators, principals and parents. I am looking for the day of restoration and mighty changes. As a parent, I will promise to be a solution and not a problem!
Starrman1 read my blog view my photos
Jul 9, 2008 | 8:32 AM

Prissy40, I do not envy you or your children, you are facing an uphill battle for getting them an education. To bad that the majority of DC parents do not feel the same as you.
cemell2000 read my blog
Jul 9, 2008 | 1:09 PM

I think Ms. Rhee, the new chancellor, is doing a great job from what i read in the newspapers, and she is fortunate to have the fine support of Mayor Fenty. When I lived in the District several years back, I knew at the time the qualifications of teachers in the district and their performance left a lot to be desired (and i am not an educator by profession). IT IS ABOUT TIME that DC take their educational horse by the reigns, and do something about it. And then to expect more from the DC children, as was...totally absurd. I have to agree with some of the foreign countries when it comes to education...IT IS THEIR #1 PRIORITY, and thus, it should be with the district and the whole USA. Even though i have retired in another state, i still keep in touch with happenings of DC as i have a real fondness for the city, for what it stands for and what it gave to me while living and working there. I say...GO DC SCHOOL SYSTEM!!
BigSmooov read my blog
Jul 9, 2008 | 2:58 PM

I still have my report card out on Chancellor Rhee. I've been paying close attention to everything she's "attempting" to do. It's too early to judge her...but I don't know.

I'm going to wait and see if the eggs she is breaking will create omlets.....or a mess!.
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Starrman1

Made it to 66 this year, and that was a feat in itself, if you know me. Still waiting to hear ANY action plan for removing illegal aliens from America, and everyone seems to be blowing smoke.

Member Since: 12/18/2007


 

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