Actually, that's a fairly common trend in a lot of schools today. Special ed students, in fact, are in the general classroom with non-disabled students.

 

It is now being called collaboration.

And some of those in the private sector have a benefit that teachers do not. Union strikes to make sure they are getting the pay and benefits that they receive. It is illegal for teachers to go on strike.

 

The tenure is an argument that people pull out that really don't understand what tenure is.

 

If you are a bad teacher, than you can be fired. It is that simple.

 

 

On tenure...I'm sure you can. But if you aren't you're guaranteed your job. I can be the best at what I do, but if there are cutbacks, my job could be gone tomorrow, despite my performance, or my length of service.

 

The union jobs you speak of are dwindling rapidly. In the private sector, the dynamic is changing swiftly, in all industries.

I'd say the bottom line is that you can't do this at a federal level, or even state for that matter. I'd say that you could strongly suggest that school districts look into it, and maybe offer funding to some of the first few thousand that decide to try it but you can't just go in and say that it has to be done across the board. Too much at stake there.

On tenure...I'm sure you can. But if you aren't you're guaranteed your job. I can be the best at what I do, but if there are cutbacks, my job could be gone tomorrow, despite my performance, or my length of service.

 

The union jobs you speak of are dwindling rapidly. In the private sector, the dynamic is changing swiftly, in all industries.

 

And if there are cutbacks in my department, I can lose my job, too.

In fact, until the Obama money came through last year, the two people I was teaching with were out of a job.

 

Again, tenure is misunderstood.

Just so you understand, I don't underestimate your job, nor the challenges associated with it. I just feel that some teachers are prone to feel their situation is worse than others in other industries. I think there are a lot of jobs out there, and all have their pros and cons. I think of people I know who rarely got to see their kid play sports because they were working two jobs, or those who work for far less money than I do, even with overtime. I try to keep all that in perspective when evaluating my personal job situation.

 

Teachers do have a benefit that many in the private industry don't...tenure. And the retirement benefits are good, too....my company doesn't offer retirement at all. :lol: I'll just work into death.

 

I understand. I also believe that there is a tendency for some pull the "you get two months off of schools" line and not understand that even in cases where that it true, they don't take into consideration other time that teachers put in beyond that hours when school is in session.

 

I feel worse for our custodians, office staff and cafeteria workers who get paid salaries that, if they are of a single household, puts them in the poverty bracket. Yet, we talk about how education can get you out of poverty! Well...except for those classified individuals that work in it. :irked:

And some of those in the private sector have a benefit that teachers do not. Union strikes to make sure they are getting the pay and benefits that they receive. It is illegal for teachers to go on strike.

 

The tenure is an argument that people pull out that really don't understand what tenure is.

 

If you are a bad teacher, than you can be fired. It is that simple.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13kent.html?_r=1

 

There have been plenty of teacher walkouts. it says they are illegal. but didn't seem to to stop them.

I'd say the bottom line is that you can't do this at a federal level, or even state for that matter. I'd say that you could strongly suggest that school districts look into it, and maybe offer funding to some of the first few thousand that decide to try it but you can't just go in and say that it has to be done across the board. Too much at stake there.

 

While the calendar is set at the local level, funding comes from the state level. So, if a state is not going to fund the extra days of school, not sure how a local district could afford to add 20-30 days ONTO the school year.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13kent.html?_r=1

 

There have been plenty of teacher walkouts..

 

That is Washington, this is Kentucky.

I was always told it is illegal for Ky teachers to strike.

Wasn't there some sort of teacher flu back in maybe the 80's? I can't remember when it was, but I remember it being a big deal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13kent.html?_r=1

 

There have been plenty of teacher walkouts. it says they are illegal. but didn't seem to to stop them.

 

You saw this statement in your article, right?

 

Teacher strikes are illegal in Washington State, and a judge said each teacher would have to pay $200 a day in fines if not back in school by Monday.

 

They are likewise illegal in Kentucky. When some teachers in my district threw the idea around years ago, our principal informed us that our superintendent passed the word on that he would fire protesting teachers immediately. (How's that tenure for you now?)

That is Washington, this is Kentucky.

I was always told it is illegal for Ky teachers to strike.

 

It is in Washington, too.

 

Teacher strikes are illegal in Washington State, and a judge said each teacher would have to pay $200 a day in fines if not back in school by Monday.

I understand. I also believe that there is a tendency for some pull the "you get two months off of schools" line and not understand that even in cases where that it true, they don't take into consideration other time that teachers put in beyond that hours when school is in session.

 

I feel worse for our custodians, office staff and cafeteria workers who get paid salaries that, if they are of a single household, puts them in the poverty bracket. Yet, we talk about how education can get you out of poverty! Well...except for those classified individuals that work in it. :irked:

 

Many, many of the classified people I work with, work for health benefits and that is it.

 

The lady who works in my room brings home $150 A MONTH after her health benefits are paid.

You saw this statement in your article, right?

 

 

 

They are likewise illegal in Kentucky. When some teachers in my district threw the idea around years ago, our principal informed us that our superintendent passed the word on that he would fire protesting teachers immediately. (How's that tenure for you now?)

 

It is in Washington, too.

 

I guess I should have read his article completely. Nice catch TBG.:thumb:

Teachers do have a benefit that many in the private industry don't...tenure. And the retirement benefits are good, too....my company doesn't offer retirement at all. :lol: I'll just work into death.

 

In 14 years of teaching, I have yet to see tenure cause a teacher to NOT be fired if he/she was not meeting expectations as a teacher.

In 14 years of teaching, I have yet to see tenure cause a teacher to NOT be fired if he/she was not meeting expectations as a teacher.

 

 

I understand what you're saying, but I don't think I'm being clear. In most private industries (non-union), there is no job protection for those who are meeting expectations. Their jobs are subject to many things...economy, restructuring, take overs, cut backs, etc. Despite excellent job performance, many in the private industry can, have, and will lose their jobs and have no recourse whatsoever.

 

I'm not disputing the theory of tenure. I'm simply pointing out that it is a benefit that most outside of the field do not enjoy. There is certainly a definite security in knowing your job is yours as long as you perform to expectations.