They did all that and now they are hiring recruits without certification and with only 5 weeks training.
Teach for America contract could bring up to 110 new teachers to Huntsville schoolsHUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Huntsville school system could have its pick from up to 110 of the "best and brightest" new teachers in the U.S. if the board approves the superintendent's latest staffing plan.
The board last week began considering a three-year, $550,000 contract with Teach for America, a non-profit organization that recruits recent college graduates from all backgrounds to teach for two years in schools in poor neighborhoods. The goal of the program is to close student achievement gaps.
.."Once they are selected, they spend five weeks working in a real summer school, preparing students for the fall. The teachers also learn more about teaching framework, curricula and lesson planning.
Here is more about the career teachers who were laid off this year. Wonder how they feel about being replaced by recruits with such little training.
The Investment That PaysIn Huntsville, Alabama, for example, high school classrooms are packed with 40–50 students after the state laid off more than 1,000 teachers because of budget cuts. Colorado's Falcon School District is charging students $1.00 for each bus ride to and from school to prevent the elimination of instructional services. And among an array of cost-cutting measures, McKeesport Area School District in Pennsylvania reduced school support staff, including custodians and secretaries, and eliminated more than 20 academic tutors who helped struggling students. Actions like these and countless others across the country may reduce spending in the short-term, but they come at a significant cost to our nation's economic future.
They have laid off support staff up to 280, including a man 2 years from retirement. Good luck to the new "recruits" working without support from these staff members.
Huntsville board upholds layoffs during emotional hearings with school employeesHUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Emotions ran high today as laid off school system workers, including three members of the same family, packed the Huntsville school board’s meeting room to express frustration at losing their jobs.
The board upheld its decision in the layoffs of 40 support workers who were part of a reduction in force, or RIF, that was approved last month. At that time, 280 people lost their jobs, including 77 support workers who were past their probationary periods with the system.
..."Many of those who spoke up at today’s hearings have been working for the school system for decades, including Gary Tripp. Tripp, his son, Gary Tripp II, and his brother, Jerry Tripp, were all laid off in last month’s RIF. Tripp’s wife, Christine Tripp, was laid off by the school system in February, along with about 140 others.
The elder Gary Tripp would have had 30 years with the system on June 30, his wife said, the same day his layoff is scheduled to become effective. The couple’s son has two small children to support.
It was a similar story for many of the employees. Bryant Benson Jr., a landscape worker, told the board that he didn’t deserve to be laid off after having a good record with the system for almost 23 years.
“I’m close to two years until retirement,” said Bryant Benson Jr. “I don’t think it’s right. That’s all I can say.”
That's heartless.
I always say if TFA teachers are so capable and so ready to take over classrooms from experienced teachers....why the heck does
Bill Gates plan to provide them with ear wiring to talk them through classes.Teachers will get live in-ear feedback just like NFL coaches thanks to technology funded by the Gates Foundation. Picture from FastCompany articleGates Foundation Puts Whispers in Teachers' Ears With NFL-Inspired Tech
Teachers-in-training will have their very own personal angel to discreetly coach them through new lesson plans, with the same ear-bud wiring that feeds live information to NFL coaches. Teach for America is hoping that private coaching will speed up the painstakingly slow process of teacher development, allowing teachers to get both tailored instruction and the experience of being at the head of the classroom, without risking a disaster for students.
"Once a teacher understands what it feels like to be successful, it takes root immediately," Monica Jordan, coordinator of teacher professional development in Memphis City Schools, told Education Week.
This is all so ludicrous. And when people do come to their senses, it will be too late for those whose careers were cut short so Wendy Kopp's TFAers could be hired for 3 or 4 thousand a piece.