By Scott Elliott

March 31, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

I’m still waiting on the data from the district. When I get it, I’ll let you know what it shows.

By Avoice

March 31, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Scott, is this thread dead too? Did you try to get a hold of Don Messer? How about the info from teachers? Or is this over? Too bad for the consumer because the truth was beginning to come out.

By DPS TEACHER AT A BELOW AYP SCHOOL

March 25, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

FOR THE TEACHER WHO ASKED ABOUT THE FREE TUTORING: THE TUTORING IS FREE BECAUSE OF THE NCLB RULES…SCHOOLS NOT MEETING AYP,THE TESTS SCORES ARE NOT MEETING FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS CAN HAVE STUDENTS ATTEND THE FREE FEDERAL TUTORING. THE TUTORING SERVICES ARE FOR THE STUDENTS AT THE NON PERFORMING SCHOOLS ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF OHIO. THAT IS ONE REASON WHY THE FIVE LOWEST SCORING SCHOOLS IN DPS HAVE SO MANY NEW TO THE DAYTON CITY,TRANSCIENT,LOW INCOME, IEP,MENTALLY COUNSELED,HOMELESS FAMILIES,KICKED OUT OF A CHARTER SCHOOL(S) WEEKS BEFORE THE OAT TESTING(WOW,OOPS),WORKING BELOW GRADE LEVEL,AT RISK,CHALLENGING STUDENTS IN THEIR SCHOOLS YEARLY.WHEN CHILDREN ENROLL IN DPS THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY PLACED IN A DPS SCHOOL THAT IS LOW ACHIEVING AND HAS ITS PROBLEMS ALREADY…HOW CAN THESE 5 SCHOOLS AND IN THE FUTURE ANY OTHERS CATCH UP AND HELP THE ALREADY ENROLLED STUDENTS WHRN MORE PROBLEMS ARE ADDED TO THE SCHOOLS’ POPULATION DAYLY. SO THESE DPS SCHOOLS HAVE THESE FREE NCLB TUTORING SERVICES AVAILBLE TO THEIR STUDENTS EVERY YEAR….WHY BECAUSE THERE IS NOT WAY THE SCHOOLS CAN CATCH UP AND BECOME HIGH PERFORMING YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR….OF THIS PRACTICE BEING COMMITED BY THE DPS STUDENT SERVICES/ENROLLMENT OFFICES. AFTER THIS SHORTENED SPRING BREAK HOW MANY STUDENTS WILL BE ENROLLED IN THESE SCHOOLS…WHO KNOWS????…HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS MUST FIND A TUTOR FOR THE STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT MEETING THE GUIDELINED SET.I AM WAITING TO SEE HOW THE VALUE ADDED WILL AFFECT ALL THE DPS SCHOOLS(INCLUDING THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH SUCH HIGH PERFORMING CHILDREN IN ALL AREAS!)FROM A HARD WORKING DPS ELEMENTARY TEACHER WHO DOES IT ALL!

By Scott Elliott

March 25, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Barb, the district has little control over NCLB tutoring. The money is required by the federal law to be redirected from the district’s Title 1 cash to the tutoring companies. All districts can and generally do charge for use of their facilities by outside companies. BTW, for those concerned about the sick time issue I requested more detailed data from the district after last week’s meeting but it is apparently a labor-intensive process to extract the info from HR records. It is trickling in and I hope to have more on this by week’s end. Stay tuned.

By dps teacher 2

March 25, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Avoce, yes, unfortunately another dying thread. Too many want to look the other way while DPS teachers are facing a brick wall and upcoming contract negotiations. Still under these conditions we are the lowest paid teachers in the county, paying for the mismanagement and poor planning of an incompetent Bd of Ed. As the DPS system crumbles these administrators just can’t figure out why. DUH!

By Barb

March 25, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

I think according to NCLB after school tutoring is being provided in schools. Companies are paid to bring tutors in and tutor the children after school. I don’t know if it is federal or state money. Outside companies are hired. Since DPS could not cash in on this they now charge the tutoring companies to use rooms in the building although they have to provide tutoring. I know for me it was harder because the company rented the gym instead of letting teachers use their classrooms with all their material. Another way DPS put children last. I believed they charged to company something like $2000 a room. I could be wrong about that.

By Laura

March 24, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

Null: Who is paying someone to tutor after school?? Teachers at my building are doing it for free, no transportation.

By Avoice

March 24, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

This is another dying thread. It reminds me of DPS. It could live on but the people in charge choose to do nothing that would make it live and work for the people that matter most, the consumers. Come on Scott, step up and take a chance, investigate something with courage.

By Dayton Teacher

March 21, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Also, In the high lack of attendance, Is the thirty or forty DPS teachers on administrative leave? It seems this year people are put on leave for nothing, and brought back three or four weeks later without a second glance. We had a teacher put on leave for an unrully classroom, four weeks later she was brought back no administrative hearing, nothing besides being in a room with a sub for three or four days. I know someone who has been on leave since October, for an unrully classroom, When do we get to put administrators on leave for unrully buildings?

By Avoice

March 21, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

Scott, are you getting the message now? Are you seeing the same responses from different teachers? We have been trying to tell you this for the past couple of years. Perhaps you will finally begin to understand that things are bad and getting worse at DPS. The focus from administration is not about students, it is about fluff. Visit other school districts in the area and look at their board offices and how they treat teachers and students. Their priority is about support for teachers and money spent on student learning. DPS wants you to believe that they do this but you have been hearing otherwise from bloggers. Are you listening Scott? Please start listening and talking with teachers and stop drinking the propaganda cool aid from Ludlow

By hampster wheel

March 21, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

I am also a teacher in DPS. I have been there for 8 years. Each year this district requires more and more of the teachers and gives nothing in return.I have seen excellent teachers in this district leave because of how they are treated. This year, I have had at least 3 awesome teachers in my building tell me they won’t be back next year- regardless of if they find another job. Sick days are needed to keep sanity. I have taken a couple already- very out of character for me. I figured the district owed me plan time. I spent the day at home grading and catching up on plans, data, weekly progress reports and other parts of my job I can’t get done this year. I have always arrived in my classroom an hour before the teacher day begins so I could plan, clean, prepare, grade, make phone calls and make copies. This year, without plan time, I am unable to stay ahead. I think I am an organized and dedicated teacher but this year, I feel like why even try? I won’t catch up. I feel overwhelmed and like I am not giving the kids all they deserve- even though I am trying my best! One day I will feel like I am ready for the day only to have 5 extra students standing at my door because they don’t have a sub! Well, I almost got some teaching in before I had to stop and find a place to put these students and give them something to do…since they are 5 years older than my kids! Lucky for me, I have LOTS of sick days to use once my room starts becoming oppresive from the heat! I hope they are already looking for subs!

By Concerned Mom of 3

March 21, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

I am not a doctor, nor am I a researcher. BUT I do have a good bit of common sense… When a person’s stress level is increased over an extended period of time, the person’s immune system breaks down. (I would venture to guess there have been some research studies done on this.) The teachers may not be running fevers- but they aren’t just taking mental health days either. The increased stress they have experienced due to the recent budget cuts is causing the increase in sickness. Their schedules are very, very stressful!!! When the teachers talk about having no time to go to the bathroom- they aren’t kidding. They can’t leave a room full of inner city kids unsupervised while they go to the bathroom! When you hear the teachers say they only end up with about 15 minutes for lunch- they aren’t kidding! Not only do they not have the opportunity to go out of the workplace to grab a quick meal of fast food, they have to squeeze in running copies, handwashing and restrooming while they cram a sandwich down thier throats. No one in the business community would put up with those working conditions on a day to day basis… the teachers shouldn’t have to either. Also, on the few days of the week there are special classes scheduled- the special teachers (art, music, and pe) are out sick because they are overly stressed too! Guess who has to cover the class when the special teacher is absent and there is no sub? (The regular teacher!!!) Planning time before and after school is a joke! There are so many interuptions- there is no way the teachers have time to prepare quality lessons during that time. Too many parents/busses don’t show up on time at the end of the school day! Teachers end up supervising the students who are left behind. Somebody- please let the administration know the cuts need to be made elsewhere. I heard that if the levy in November does not pass- all the special subjects will be cut. (That means all the art, music, and pe will be eliminated…) then the teachers will really be stressed!!! I have always told my mom friends in Centerville and Oakwood that my kids (who attend Dayton Public Schools) have the same opportunities as theirs. That won’t ring true if the district continues in this direction… Me and my kids won’t be hanging around waiting for the district pass a levy and get their sh__ together… My kids time and education is too precious. We will seek out appropriate educational opportunities. The Dayton district will really be stuck with the “bottom of the barrel” if the administration doesn’t listen to the parents and teachers who do care about high quality education. Wake up… DPS is putting the teachers under a tremendous amount of stress!!! Stressed out teachers don’t provide quality educational opportunitites. They do what they have to in order to survive. The administration shouldn’t need the teachers union to point that out to them. Even I can figure this out.

By null

March 21, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Smoking you are right they are starting up tutoring after school to get ready for the test. How much are they paying? 25.00 an hour plus transportation. I thought the district had no money that is why they got rid of all those teachers at the beginning of the year. Maybe if our class sizes were smaller the tutoring would not be as necessary.

By School Supporter (Classic)

March 21, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Dear Dayton teachers. First, a sincere thanks for your work on behalf of students. I’d like to express concern that—if the discription here is accurate (it rings true to my experience)—administrator contracts apparently aren’t enforced or don’t require administrators to meet their legal obligations. There are folks from the business community trained to look into such issues. We would need DEA support (and especially groundrules), as well as an understanding that a fair evaluation would likely identify issues on all sides. Thoughts?

By Barb

March 21, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

I had to take 2 days off this week for flooding. As my basement was flooding I stopped at 11:00pm to email my coworker with things for a sub to do to give my students a days education. Of course I have to be careful because a good deal of the subs we see are not able to teach let alone handle a class. After being up all night I went into the building before the student day, ran off material for a sub (I was lucky I got one of the competent subs) Did whatever I could to make sure all my students were taken care of. Went home did what I could there and then spent a couple of hours grading papers. The next day while waiting for the company that was to extract my water I went back to work on the day I was not to be there and taught for a couple of hours left the students in good hands, went home did what I could there. I went back to the school at 1:30 to make sure I was there for the 7 conferences I scheduled. Sat for 2 hours since not one of the parents could come to their conference or let me know they would not attend. I am not super human, I do not do more than most teachers I work with. Many teachers do the same thing no matter what the union or DPS administration does. Still waiting for Stacy Thompson to make it in to see my class for a day. She did let me know that since October her schedule has been busy. Mine on the other hand is a piece of cake. How many other professions go in and put their work first. Many teachers do.

By Laura

March 21, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Well, “smoking” definitely, without a doubt is a teacher in DPS. I especially liked the fantasy part about having a building management workshop for administrators. WOW, what a novel idea. Maybe, someone could get some research about “best practices” for administrators. Like, leave your ego at home, don’t expect your staff to do something you, yourself wouldn’t do.

By smoking

March 21, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this

Well, there needs to be some clarification here. According to your article, Pat Lynch said that planning periods have been moved to the beginning and end of the school day. Are you sure you understood what she really said? WE DO NOT HAVE PLANNING PERIODS. PERIOD. Contractually, planning time must be within student contact time. There is no student contact time at the beginning and end of the day, and I do not see for the life of me how this could be up for interpretation. This time is supposed to be used for PD. What ends up happening is that these so-called planning times are eaten away with such interruptions as parent-teacher conferences (scheduled by administrators), staff meetings, other meetings, and �PD.� FYI: According to research findings, planning is crucial to effective teaching. To expect faculty to withstand a full teaching load without as much as a restroom break is inhumane (and unlawful). We cannot leave our students unattended; that is non-negotiable. Are we expected to wear diapers or something? I think what is really happening here is that administration has become a collection of thug bosses (Rumor has it there exists a couple of good administrators in the district; however, during my tenure I have yet to see this in action.). After all, if admin. jams up DEA with an influx of grievances, DEA might just become overwhelmed meaning, in all practicality, that some things are going to have to let slide, perhaps setting some unscrupulous precedences. Hmmm. Please allow me to be further candid. Because a teacher is a practitioner who embeds research-based best practice alongside creativity, being under the smashing thumb of a principal who demands things done her or his way bar none can, in itself, create loads of stress (especially in cases where the principal might be able to make students stand in a line if we�re lucky, but who does not have a diddly clue (nor gives a diddly *&%) about good instructional practice�and who has the competence to evaluate teachers?? Come on.). Add to this certain support staff who have been elevated to (non-contractual) faux-administrators and put into place strategically as snitches, but several of whom cannot even get students� attention let alone �model� or have a handle (or formal coursework for that matter) on the content area that is supposed to be their �specialty� (I have seen one or two exceptions, however.). Talk about a waste of money! The majority of the �specialists� are those who hunger for or have been tagged to slide right into administrative positions (if they have the proper license; oh yeah, I forgot that credentials don�t matter at DPS), so, I bet these are willing to do whatever it takes to please and appease the big cheese and the big cheese know it and use it. Also add conditions such as sweltering heat; air thick with a noxious mixture of student breath and body odor (I had dry heaves the first two weeks I started teaching in the district); announcement interruptions; discipline interruptions (due largely to principals mishandling referrals maliciously in order to satisfy their power trips or cover their own ineptitude and placing the blame on teachers who are, then, sent to classroom management training; is there such a thing as BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRAINING?); lack of teaching materials (By the way, did you know principals get a bonus for saving funding that is earmarked for the very things they are not providing?); technology that is either non-existent, doesn�t work, or is not hooked up or missing pieces; not enough textbooks; non-working copiers (because they are constantly slammed as teachers must carry their own paper and load it into the copier; guess admin. can�t figure out how to use the codes); splitting up classes when no sub is called so the students sit in classes all day (talk about overload) that are not the appropriate grade level and there is nothing for them to do (By the way, did you know principals get a bonus for saving funding that is earmarked for the very things they are not providing?); undue pressure to raise test scores; lice; puke; etc. Top it all off with paid after-school tutors who have been known to undo everything you just accomplished that day. Oh, and please don�t forget to add the misuse and abuse of data, data, data. Don�t get me wrong; I love teaching students and I appreciate having a job. But, think about it. Would you burn rubber to get to work?

By Laura

March 20, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

“A voice” is correct. If you want to know what the real story in DPS is, talk to the teachers- if they feel comfortable enough to talk frankly. Otherwise, the one to really tell it like it is, is Don Messer. Unlike people in the union, he doesn’t have to go back to a classroom and face any repercussions if he talks.

By Mary

March 20, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

This is why I keep beating the point about priorities. You do not have to be anti-sports, anti-athletics, or anti-kids to recognize the classroom has to be the number one priority and focus of schools and educational resources. To me, it is a blatant disregard to the classroom when you provide highly specialized and personal services in afterschool programs, but treat the vast majority of students to these highly inferior and impersonal classroom experiences and conditions. Compare numbers of coaches to athletes versus numbers of teachers to students and there is no comparison as to what is the highest priority and level of service. It appears educational leaders and decision makers are reluctant to face realities and make the tough, correct, but unpopular to some, choices in the public interest.

By Avoice

March 20, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Let�s see, Pat Lynch has the union viewpoint. No surprise there. Ed Sweetnich has the administration viewpoint so no surprise there. Why don�t you have a candid discussion with teachers? If you can get them to speak with anonymity and no repercussions from the many bosses downtown, I think that you might get to the heart of the problem. After all, isn�t that the focus of this article? Scott, we have been telling you this for years, especially the last two. What do you think goes on in this school system? Do you really believe that stories begin and end with the stuff that that Jill and Percy feed you? Instead of always going to these two why not try classroom teachers. Teachers are the point of sale anyway. For real fun you can try Don Messer. I am sure that Don would love to share some of the financial facts the district has with regards to teacher salaries and benefits vs. administrator�s salaries and perks. No wonder why teacher moral is so low. After hearing what the top administrators get in Dayton during these financial troubled times you might need triage. Good Dayton teachers are stressed and have been stressed for years. The problem is this year they have few, if any, breaks during the day. You can not even get a restroom break because you can not leave your classroom unattended. Schools are not clean and priority cleaning happens too frequently. Asthma abounds in the older buildings. Discipline at recess and lunchtime and between classes has slipped because the specials teachers that knew all of the kids have been fired. Teachers can write endless referrals and nothing is done. When a discipline issue finally can no longer be ignored by the Principal the teacher is told �what could you have done to better avoid this situation?� Dayton teachers know that their many bosses do not care about them and are having fun planning their endless meetings, power point presentations, next positions or made-up titles while we struggle to get kids close to grade-level. Re-read Dayton Teacher and Cough Cough. This is what is going on. You do not need a spin doctor or public information officer for this one. A candid, frank discussion with teachers would end your speculation. Oh and one more thing, I am sure that you will see a need for more subs in Dayton soon.

By Barb

March 19, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Perhaps the district that does not know why teacher attendance is suffering should do some Baldrige Data analysis. I wonder will that number change after spring break when many people already have plans? I can understand why you would not want to look at that data before setting a calendar that you have absolutely no data to support. How is the administations attendance? One would never know they can stop and have lunch whenever they want, run into the store between whatever they do. So many administrators and so few in the buildings. I guess it is only fair they have someone to walk through the school with and do a check list. You really do not need company during lunch when you have about 15 minutes for lunch, but with lengthy lunches it is so much nicer to have company. I think working conditions might have something to do with attendance. Our our school they call any extra time we have during specials a “gift.” Is it a gift when I work 2 hours everynight to grade papers and plan for the next day?

By Terri

March 19, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

So Scott, have you asked for the data for the last 5 years? Can you do the suggested analysis? I know I am much more tired, much more stressed and less likely to bring my best to school everyday or back to my home at night. I get to school at 7:30, my first class begins at 8, I have lunch from 11:50 - 12:20, teach until 2 and then work with students after THEIR day is done when I am suppose to have my plan period. I routinely stay til 4 - usually with one or more students getting my assistance or in meetings. When in my day will I be able to correct the 180 papers I collected, get myself ready for the next day, plan my next unit, confer with my colleagues, call parents, fill out required paper work, make copies, etc., etc? Even with a 45 minute plan period built into the day, I would have to do much on my own time. And of course after all of the above I go home to two kids with their own needs, a house to maintain, etc., etc. Yes - many are reaching their breaking point. Can’t wait til (our shortened) Spring Break.

By cough cough

March 19, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

And this is a surprise how? I believe there are combinations of factors that are affecting teacher attendance. The primary one being teacher burn out, when the classroom is stuffed with over 30 elementary students and no planning time, what do you expect? Basically the top administration has abandoned teachers and left us to fend for ourselves while they sit in their comfy offices downtown. They show up with their meaningless audits, insisting that we, in the classrooms, teach according to “best practices” but they haven’t been in an actual classroom for more than 20 minutes in the last 10 years. Best practices indeed. Maybe there is a case of “blue flu” going around? It’s hard to be dedicated when there is no support from your bosses, parents and community. A teacher cannot have an off day in the classroom. I am “on” whenever I have students. The only time I can have restroom break on some days is at lunch. On the rare occasion I am just worn out and can’t make it in. I call it a mental health day.

By Dayton Teacher

March 19, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this

I have had perfect attendance for the past five years. This year is a whole new game, I take off at least twice a month. Yes, I’m sick. Sick and tired of being in a classroom without a chance to use the restroom for 6 hours. Sick of getting 14 minutes of a 30 minute lunch, Sick of having to do work above and beyond my duties. SIck of having to cover for bus drivers, sick of having extra kids in my class because they can’t/ won’t find a substitute. Sick of principals who don’t follow the code of conduct. At my building we call them mental health days. If you think a 35% rise is bad, I can promise that number is going to go up quiclky!!! When the weather is nice, and the working conditions are not, it’s all the more reason to take off. I should be at work in twenty minutes, but I’m in no hurry, it takes a lot just to walk out the door.

By charterschoolhater

March 19, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this

This district has been plagued by employee absenteeism for a long time. Amazing what happens when your work is neither appreciated nor supported by a really incompetent administration. Most employees feel they are about there in the trenches by themselves with no one out there who cares what a great job they do or even want to support them in disputes with parents. Remember the little johnny is never wrong and the teacher, aide, bus driver, and others are always wrong. This is why employee morale has been down for years. High employee turnover. See a pattern. The same administration has run the system into the ground. Hey Scott why don’t you interview the employees and find out the truth instead of just focusing on such powder puff issues. You need some Sally Taylor in you.