Teachers & Parents 4 Real Education Reform: This One's For You !

I received an email from a DC teacher colleague, Liz Davis. Liz has formed an alliance with DC teacher Kerry Sylvia and DC parents Iris Toyer, and Margot Berkey and others asking for better bargaining for DC teachers. You may recall an editorial written in the Washington Post by Liz, Kerry and the Mooney Institute. They have created a position statement which deserves front and center. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts ? P.S. Teachers and parents for real education reform has a new blog- I encourage you to check them out @ http://realeducationreformdc.blogspot.com/

Position Statement from Real Education Reform DC :
Well The proposed WTU contract does not address many of the problems teachers face and will not make DCPS a better place to teach or learn. Successful reform of education in DC will require more than what we've seen, and we believe you know that too.

We who chose teaching as a profession want support for teachers to improve their craft but see nothing but disrespect and blame in the proposed contract.

The proposed raises and bonuses rely on private funding, which is not guaranteed. The green and red salary tiers will result in a teacher workforce that is a revolving door of short-timers. We think this approach disrespects the profession of teaching.

We need dramatic improvement in teacher salaries and high standards for teaching quality, but this contract is not the answer. It won't work and it may bring disrespect for teachers and teaching that cannot be reversed.

Arbitrary, unaccountable power in the hands of principals to make every teacher an at will employee does not lead to better teaching. DCPS hasn't clearly defined what good teaching is, but wants teachers to put their fate in the hands of principals, or worse, unreliable student test results as the measure of school and teacher quality.

The AFT is a national leader in fixing teacher evaluation systems, support systems for new and veteran teachers, and accountability to standards of good teaching practice. Why weren't they brought in to help develop the WTU's reform proposals? It's not too late for the AFT to work with the WTU and put forward a new plan.

How do we create a stronger contract?
Demand that the WTU leadership and negotiating team bring in the expertise of the AFT to develop and bring our proposals to the table. Don't worry! Voting against the proposed contract means that the current contract remains in force. We do not lose if we work for a better approach. Learn more and join with your colleagues who see another way to reform." Posted by The Washington Teacher.