$$$$ Bookstores will buy back EPS 201/202 Texts Today’s Lecture Write #7 is a make-up opportunity. Complete only if you have less than 5 total lecture writes. Maximum points earned for 5 lecture writes is 10 points. “Teachers make a difference in the lives of their students.” “Schools can change.” The challenges and rewards of teaching. James Scholar Projects Due 12-9, them to me.

EPS 201 Final Exam is Wednesday, December 15 TIME: 8-11 AM LOCATION: 228 NH Study guide will be distributed on December 7 Final Exam on Units 2 & 3 Key Readings in Units 2 and 3 for the Final Exam are: NCLB lecture notes, Darling-Hammond critique of NCLB, Michie readings, Peterson, Freire, Spring on Charter Schools, Tozer parts of Chapter 13 and 14, Neumann (see next week’s study guide for list of readings). ****One option on the final exam will be: You select one reading that influenced you the most and give details.

“Waiting for Superman” Claims that nothing is being done about “dropout factory” schools. Study released this week: Shows a decrease in the number of “Dropout Factory” Schools in US (schools that have a >40% dropout over 4 years) Identified 1,750 schools, down from 2,000 in 2002 How was the reduction accomplished?

A recent study shows progress in reducing “dropout factory schools” nationally as states focus on problem. Some States made graduation rates a priority– and 29 states improved their graduation rates. NCLB has helped. Nationally, under NCLB all schools must report graduation statistics the same way for Adequate Yearly Progress (and must meet state goals). Result: Makes graduation rates comparable state by state. States are tracking graduation rates of students over the four years of high school. Allows states to track how many students in 9 th grade graduate in 12 th grade.

November 30, 2010 America’s Promise Alliance Study Shows progress in reducing dropouts—in all types of schools. Study shows graduation rates increased to 75% nationally for all students (up from 72% in 2001) Minority students still have lower graduation rates--65% (80% for white students) Many states developed plans to keep students in schools. Efforts include: –Developing early warning systems for students in lower grades (then mobilize school and community resources for these students) –Talking to dropouts—need support and to see relevance of school –Getting parents involved –Taking away a dropout’s drivers license –Creating academic programs and mobilize community based supports –Setting clear goals

Teaching Profession Many are concerned about the gender balance among teachers. Just 25% of public school teachers in the United States are men, according to the latest data from the National Education Association. More men teach at the High School level than at middle school or elementary levels.

Rules for Teachers 1915 Female Teachers as Moral Exemplars 1. You will not marry during the term of your contract. 2. You are not to keep company with men. 3. You must be home between the hours of 8 PM and 6 AM unless at a school function. 4. You may not loiter downtown in any of the ice cream stores. 5. You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have permission of the chairman of the chairman of the school board. 6. You may not ride in carriages or automobiles with any man except your father or brother. 7. You may not smoke cigarettes. 8. You may not dress in bright colors. 9. You may under no circumstances dye your hair. 10. You must wear at least 2 petticoats. 11. Your dresses may not be any shorter than 2 inches above the ankles. 12. To keep the classroom neat and clean you must sweep the floor once a day, scrub the floor with hot soapy water once a week, clean the blackboards once a day and start the fire at 7 AM to have the school warm by 8 AM when the scholars arrive.

In the 20 th century, unions helped female teachers gain: Equal treatment Equal pay

What are the general working conditions for teachers?

Concerns about working conditions. Even in suburban schools there are concerns about working conditions (Spring,Ch. 8) TIME: Teachers average 45 hours of work per week (in school, planning, grading) State testing—pressures and time away from teaching Number of students per day—forces compromises between ideals and reality—effects the amount of time for evaluating students’ work Time for required paperwork to meet regulations Extra non-class duties for teachers Preparation time during the day Limited time for reading professional material, professional development, and collaboration with other teachers. PROFESSION Limited participation in forming school and district policies No control over class size which changes quality of student/teacher interactions Concern about respect for the profession

Teaching Profession Ideology Today is Changing Working Conditions Conservative Ideas About School Reform High Stakes Accountability (Test results) Merit pay Views about Unions

Profession of Teaching Political Economy is Changing Teaching How has today’s poor economy, especially in Illinois, effected school budgets and working conditions for Illinois teachers? RIF, resources, class size, pay increases in new contracts

Teacher Salaries in Illinois Starting salaries vary (smaller districts have a lower starting pay scale). Median starting salary in Illinois is $34,630.

Some Chicago Suburbs Have Highest Teachers’ Salaries “Chicago-area teachers top state in earning six-figure salaries” July 14, 2010|By Diane Rado, Chicago Tribune An extraordinary number of public school teachers in the Chicago region earned $100,000 or more in 2009, straining school budgets and taxpayer wallets and fueling the debate over what teachers are worth and how they get raises. In the affluent enclaves of Highland Park and Deerfield, almost half the teachers in Township High School District 113 took home six-figure salaries — the highest percentage in the state. In Park Ridge and Hinsdale, about 43 percent of high school district teachers earned $100,000 or more, according to a Chicago Tribune salary analysis. Six-figure teacher salaries of that magnitude are rare elsewhere in Illinois and in most parts of the country. The highest-paying districts note that they are top performers that get accolades and national rankings, and they need to be competitive to attract top teachers as parents expect.

Some of the Rewards of Teaching Spring Chapter 8 Enjoyment of interacting with students Having a satisfying job--creative decision making in the classroom Having autonomy in the classroom Involvement in extra-curricular activities (athletics, drama, chess) Tenure provides job security

Should teachers have tenure? Yes or No What are the pros and cons of tenure?

Many blame bad teachers for the failure of public schools. They also view unions as protecting bad teachers. Does tenure mean that you cannot fire a bad teacher? Randi Weingarten, President of AFT Tenure provides for due process in evaluating teacher performance.

98% of Illinois School Districts have contracts negotiated by bargaining units—state or local unions. Union contracts decide: Salaries Annual cost of living adjustments Pension Incentives Working conditions Tuition reimbursements Time off Health plans Extra pay for extracurricular activities

SALARY RAISES FOR TEACHERS BASED ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Most contracts reward teachers for longevity, LOCKSTEP, each year of additional experience brings a raise. A masters degree, brings an average of a $5,000 raise in base pay.

Why do unions generally oppose merit pay structures? PROS AND CONS Districts must negotiate with unions at a local level regarding salaries and raises.

Last spring, states competed for Race to the Top Grants Many states and districts could not get union agreement. (6 minutes) ****Unions opposed Education Stimulus Plan Grants March 26 EASTON PENNSYLVANIA District could not compete because the: LOCAL TEACHERS’ UNION WOULD NOT SIGN THE “RACE TO THE TOP” APPLICATION BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO DISCUSS PAY FOR PERFORMANCE FOR TEACHERS Why do unions generally oppose merit pay structures?

Unions are not perfect Management is not perfect Unions give teachers some voice in their profession.

NEXT Tuesday, December 7 Distribute Study guide (it will also be on my homepage after lecture) Brief review for Final Exam –Same format as Exams 1 and 2, you will answer 4 short essay questions.