St. Petersburg Times, 6/4: (Wilcox) What can be done about the schools?

[teach1st]

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/04/Perspective/What_can_be_done_abou.shtml

(Opinion, by Dr. Clayton Wilcox)

Employee morale in our public schools is a very complicated and difficult issue to understand and much more difficult to influence.

On its face, the question is simple: Why are teachers unhappy? While I share responsibility for not "slashing" away more of the bureaucracy (for good reason) and for sometimes painting with too broad a brush in my public comments, the answers are really larger and more complex than the impact of one person.

If we agree that "times have changed," it also means "school" has changed for many of our veteran teachers. Few if any of our veteran teachers entered the field of education anticipating the pressures placed upon them by our nation's new education law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and its implementation language, or by Florida's A+ Plan.

NCLB and our state plan have generated reaction from local districts to improve student performance and comply with the requirements. Teachers were forced to look at certification and recertification differently. In-service and continuing education responsibilities increased. Locally, we addressed standards-based instruction consistently with the Sunshine State Standards, and we added pacing charts and common assessments to "drive" the curriculum and measure our effectiveness.

Read more (http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/04/Perspective/What_can_be_done_abou.shtml)

[Chancellor]

Notice difference in the 2 counties. Hill's talked about supporting teachers and working together. Wilcox used the platform as another chance to defend his position. H ehardly talked about improving morale.

[Haber]

It's not his problem--remember?

[Ron]

I have read, read and re-read Dr. Wilcox's article and am still concerned that he doesn't realize the true qualities of leadership. The article itself seems to be an attempt to deflect the criticism leveled at his administration by the poll most recently conducted to see what the climate of the system actually was. Rather, he should be taking the leadership role and putting the onus on his administrators to help the teacher who cannot do anything outside the classroom. Administrators run schools, teachers run classrooms.

Veteran teachers may not have entered the profession with NCLB in mind, but change is always in the wind in education. They have obviously adapted to the various changes because they are veterans. New education models are changed in the District as oftern as our socks it seems. Who can remember Baldridge, Kagan, CLS, Blueprint 2000? All made some sense, but where are they now? Some are here in different incarnations, some have been put to rest.

Our purpose is to provide an educated workforce for business and industry, if a social program results then so much the better, but people pay taxes to have their children educated to live the American Dream! Having said that, I would rather have a 20/25 year 3rd grade teacher teaching my elementary child reading in a manner they know works, than a 3/5 yr education major dictating curriculum and pacing guides to them from the "TAJ."

In order to provide the populace with an educated workforce, it is incumbant upon the Superintendent to grab the reins and lead. Not by consensus, but by leadership, setting attainable goals, getting down on the "factory floor" and demonstrating to his admins how to lead. No amount of technology can do it, no new programs will achieve it. Leadership is by action, not demand!

"In Pinellas County, I hope we address several key issues with a sense of urgency during the next few school years." Dr. Wilcox will not have time for a few years. The issue is now. Events dictate that in a short while, Pinellas County will either sink lower or recover. Will the recovery be lead by the Superintendent, or will we continue to wallow in our sectarian thought, political correctness and "blame game" mentality.

Remember, a Leader doesn't need consensus, he has it already. Something Washington, Ho Chi Min, Roosevelt and Churchill all knew.

[mermaid]

I need some time to digest CW's message. The following jumped out at me duirng my first reading. Does he not realize ALL schools have more frequent, FLAWED assessment tools know as KAPLAN Common Assessments. I don't know about middle and high schools but ALL elem. schools received scripts and pacing guides, not just SOME schools.

"In some schools where progress had not stayed on track with projections, we provided more assistance through scripted lesson plans and more frequent assessment systems, again changing the sense of autonomy felt by classroom teachers."

I'm wondering why CW never replied to the package I sent (certified, return receipt requested) of curriculum materials I analyzed along with my heart-felt plea to at least acknowledge some flaws in our assessment PIAP/Kaplan Common Assessments. He has stated one more than one occasion he wants to hear from and communicate with teachers.

I'm wondering why CW did not allow TEACHERS to ask questions at a recent PTA meeting. He stated point-blank NO teachers were to ask questions-only parents. There were few of either in the audience. The cafeteria had about 200 chairs, maybe 30 were filled and many of those were children receiving PTA awards.

I'm wondering why CW is not addressing the real issues brought to his table.

[D-Dub]

"Finally, as superintendent, I've learned a little humility in this process. I care passionately about our kids, but I've learned that my passion is no greater than the classroom teacher who quietly is doing his or her best each day without fanfare, a six-figure salary and support staff. Teachers have said, "Walk a mile in my shoes." I have learned there is a lot of wisdom in this old adage. "

Is this a nod to the teachers saying he knows how hard their job is? Or is it a backhanded comment that his job isn't easy?

Maybe he will take something away from the smack down he has received. I think he has good intentions and ideas. His delivery of them needs work.

[pemom]

If the district decides to truly focus on discipline and civility of the students, that would be a step in the right direction. We have seen a great focus on this on the part of the school district disciplining teachers for infractions but very little done to the students, especially those who are repeat offenders.

[re-re]

Ddub and Pemom!!!!!!

Agreed

[Higgins]

I also couldn't believe that there is actually a disconnect from Dr. Wilcox about the amount of testing and the use of pacing guides in all schools. This isn't just happening in C or D schools. In fact, the A and B schools are having to do as much with no support from the county. This is not meant as a slam for the C and D schools at all - they need and should get all the extra support that the county can provide. Just don't lead the public to believe that this is only happening in some schools and if your school scores high enough the county will reduce the pressure. That's not the case. I also have a very hard time with the comments made about veteran teachers. If a teacher cannot accept change, then that teacher would not last long in this profession. Questioning some of the changes does not mean that a teacher is unwilling to change. Maybe that is the problem some have with veteran teachers is that they are not always willing to accept everything at face value because of all the change they've witnessed. Anyone that has been in education for very long has seen most of the changes as something that was already used and discarded long ago - it's just now under a new name and in a new package. It appears that the county has difficulty listening and adapting, not the veteran teachers.

[Ron]

If the district decides to truly focus on discipline and civility of the students, that would be a step in the right direction. We have seen a great focus on this on the part of the school district disciplining teachers for infractions but very little done to the students, especially those who are repeat offenders.

Lots of words will be spoken, lots of plattitudes will be made and passed around, but when it is time to walk the talk, I doubt seriously that you will see any admins, especially Dr. Wilcox, around.

[El Guapo]

I honestly think its time to cut the guy a little slack. I do believe he has the best interests of children in mind when he creatws policy even if I don't always agree with it. Its easy to analyze everything someone says or does and I definitely would not want his job. He has got his own kids in the system which says a lot, I've worked in other systems where that wasn't the case.

[Michelle32]

I still think Dr. Wilcox deserves a chance. I always have. I never belittled the teachers complaints and issues. Those problems the teachers have are the problems I have with the school system. Florida schools have never stepped up and it is going to take time and hard work to do so. I think that the teachers have let it be know with out a doubt how they feel. I think Dr. Wilcox has great opportunity to step up and show all you teachers and all us parents he will be a leader and he will listen, and he will make it better.

[Strivin' for Success]

The veteran teacher comment bothers me as well. Was the survey solely
focused on veteran teachers? I think not !!! Even teachers
new into the system that have worldly experience can foresee what
is happening with this style of leadership. There will be no such thing
as a veteran teacher if things continue on this path. Our students first
and foremost must be able to behave before ANY learning can take place.
Not only their learning, but that of those they continue to disrupt.

[Natasha]

I still think Dr. Wilcox deserves a chance. I always have. I think Dr. Wilcox has great opportunity to step up and show all you teachers and all us parents he will be a leader and he will listen, and he will make it better.

If only, Michelle. I can only hope you're right.
I think one of the first steps is acknowledging what teachers are doing RIGHT!

Signed,
A veteran teacher
(and I'm a yellow car, not a caucasian female)
=)

[Michelle32]

Signed,
A veteran teacher
(and I'm a yellow car, not a caucasian female)
=)

You are crazy!

[lovehate]

You mean you're NOT a MAWW???

[HOPE]

I tend to agree with Chancellor -

Notice difference in the 2 counties. Hill's talked about supporting teachers and working together. Wilcox used the platform as another chance to defend his position. He hardly talked about improving morale.


I've read Dr. Wilcox's and Ms. Elia's editorials several times and can't help but be struck by the stark differences in "tone and delivery".

Wilcox belittles the teachers by seeming to tell us that we don't know what or why we are feeling the way we are, but that HE does. Besides asking about other issues of dissatisfaction and frustration (which is ALL he alludes to in this editorial response), the survey SPECIFICALLY dealt with our feelings about CW as a leader. His editorial comments (again) come across as "parent - child" authoritarian, while Elia's sound more collaborative, supportive and cooperative ("we").


Dr. Wilcox is starting to remind me of the guest on Dr. Phil's show that the unhappy family members "drag" there, who is completely oblivious to his behavior and the effect that it is having on the people who are close to him. Dr. Phil asks the guest - "are you here to defend the behavior or change it?"..."you can't change what you don't acknowledge"...

I don't get the feeling that Dr. Wilcox has any real desire to change anything about himself. He seems to have dismissed the survey, because it is "anonymous" (most staff are too fearful of reprisal to speak up - we see what can happen...is Jan Rouse another example?), and for all the "explanations" of our frustrations that he has come up with.

It is not supposed to be "us vs. him"!!! We are all supposed to be in this together. Sadly, I just don't know that Dr. Wilcox wants to really do what that would take, and his entourage won't tell the emperor that he has no clothes on.

[Birdie]

I need some time to digest CW's message. The following jumped out at me duirng my first reading. Does he not realize ALL schools have more frequent, FLAWED assessment tools know as KAPLAN Common Assessments. I don't know about middle and high schools but ALL elem. schools received scripts and pacing guides, not just SOME schools.

"In some schools where progress had not stayed on track with projections, we provided more assistance through scripted lesson plans and more frequent assessment systems, again changing the sense of autonomy felt by classroom teachers."

I'm wondering why CW never replied to the package I sent (certified, return receipt requested) of curriculum materials I analyzed along with my heart-felt plea to at least acknowledge some flaws in our assessment PIAP/Kaplan Common Assessments. He has stated one more than one occasion he wants to hear from and communicate with teachers.
Because he thinks he knows it all already.

I'm wondering why CW did not allow TEACHERS to ask questions at a recent PTA meeting. He stated point-blank NO teachers were to ask questions-only parents. There were few of either in the audience. The cafeteria had about 200 chairs, maybe 30 were filled and many of those were children receiving PTA awards.
Because he forgot that the "T" in PTA stands for "teacher."

I'm wondering why CW is not addressing the real issues brought to his table.
Because, again, he thinks he knows it all already. And if he really knows it all already, he should know that even in "A schools," scripted lessons have been shoved down teachers' throats and they have been forced to have Reading First, even though it was voted down by faculty members.

[5moreyears]

Amen, Birdie and Hope. My thoughts exactly!

[paying attention]

I find it interesting that the title of this article is, "What can be done about the schools?"

Note that this question is not answered by CW in his article, nor did he ask for suggestions from the readers. Instead, he used this space to once again defend his leadership and place blame (or hinted at it anyway), on teachers inability to accept or adapt to change.

The following paragraph touches on some issues that need attention but fails to provide any type of plan for addressing these issues (most of which are already addressed by school board policy anyway)...

"In Pinellas County, I hope we address several key issues with a sense of urgency during the next few school years. If we are to succeed in addressing classroom discipline and civility in a meaningful way, we must continue to encourage parents to partner with their children's school and classroom teacher. We have to create an environment where teachers can teach and our students can learn. We will have to find alternatives to support our administrative teams who find themselves caught between the need to deal with students who repeatedly violate the norms of acceptable behavior and the pressure to keep kids in school - yet out of the classrooms they choose to disrupt."

I find it interesting that Dr. Wilcox "hopes" to address several issues with a sense of urgency. He "HOPES"? Are these the words of a true leader with a plan and a vision? I think not! These are the words of a man without a plan trying to defend himself and shift the focus of responsibility to everyone (parents, teachers, community members), but himself.

Dr. W, when are you going to provide the employees and community members of Pinellas county with your vision or plan for improvement for our district schools? To date, we have seen very little leadership from you. Your position seems to be more of a defensive "CYA" position than a real "leadership" position. As a whole, this community did not hire you to only TELL us what isn't working (we already know), we hired you to come up with a plan to FIX what isn't working. So, once again, we ask where is your improvement plan?

As for teacher morale, it IS your responsibility. Stop blaming everything and everyone else for this problem and take SOME responsibility for it. Are you solely to blame? NO! But you do have a BIG part in it as the leader of this district. Please be a leader and take SOME ownership.

[Boomerbabe]

Expectations for academic performance continue to rise within all segments of the community, and teachers are expected to do "whatever it takes" to reach all children regardless of circumstance. This demands longer hours each day - hours far and above the normal day associated with similarly paying positions. A lack of discipline and loss of civility within many of our schools have created a very difficult and frustrating work environment for teachers and administrators alike.
Are these additional hours to be compensated or donated?

[D-Dub]

Are these additional hours to be compensated or donated?

That was rhetorical question?

Was my question also rhetorical?

|beer|

[Haber]

What is it my husband always said before he quit teaching?--"I'm paid for 3 days and volunteer the other 2."

[Richard Gash]

Surprise, today on my TV. I had a Little Rock station on and they were talking about how well the kids have done this year on the ITBS and how some other districts, mainly in California, Texas and Florida have gone to such extreme measures to test kids. They showed a conference from Florida regarding Little Junior's success with "comprehensive testing" and who do I see standing behind Little Junior talking to someone but the Crazy Cajun. They also had a side story about Florida requiring high school students to declare a major. Apparently, it was tried here in Arkansas and defeated.

[Haber]

Don't we always try the stuff others have found not to work and call it an improvement? Especially if someone is making money from it, i.e. Kagan, Kaplan, FCAT.