Sunday, March 22, 2015

#205 March 22, 2015- Exhausting



I was exhausted at the end of this past week.  It hit me when I realized that I thought an 8:20 PM start for the Wisconsin Badgers' NCAA tournament game sounded like it was pretty late.  I joked with some colleagues that 8:20 used to be when we started thinking about what to do on a Friday night, but now I wasn't sure if I'd make it to the end of the game (I did by the way, watching them win their opening round game easily).  There are many reasons why my fellow educators and I were so tired this week.  Maybe I'm not as young as I used to be, maybe it was the conferences that went until 8 PM the night before (after teaching all morning) and the two long evening meetings early in the week, maybe it was the energy level of our students who enjoyed nicer weather and are anticipating their upcoming Spring Break. 

All of those are valid reasons for feeling mentally and physically tired, but we can't discount the reality that public educators and others working to drive a social justice agenda here in Wisconsin are facing attacks on so many levels that it can seem overwhelming at times.  After all, this isn't my first year of teaching and I've been through virtually every scenario imaginable in my nearly two decades as a public educator.  Yet, it feels different in recent years.  That enthusiasm that educators have for education and their students is still very much alive, but the undercurrent of frustration, anxiety and even despair is slowly moving towards the surface. 

This is true for public educators because our work is so interconnected with the lives of our students, the health of our community and the social, political and economic climate that our schools are embedded in.  Being a public educator is so much more than standing in front of a classroom and sharing our knowledge and wisdom with students.  We find ourselves helping families with housing and medical care.  We find ourselves counseling students through traumas.  We find ourselves torn and uncertain in the face of issues that have no easy resolution and try to find our way towards social justice as best we can.  We find ourselves becoming part of a system that, more and more, seems to be moving away from the values that we entered our profession espousing. 

To give an idea of what educators in Wisconsin are concerned about and some of the challenges we face here are some thoughts on multiple topics as we enter the last week before Spring
Break. . .

Politics matter in our lives- We've learned the hard way that the policies and legislation enacted have a significant impact on our lives and the lives of the families we work with.  The efforts to seize and maintain political power have adversely impacted our entire system of public education by significantly weakening the ability of educators to advocate for their students and families. 

There's a medium sized town in Wisconsin home to a boy named Tim. Calling Tim a "boy" might be a stretch since, at only seventeen, he moves about in what's clearly a man's body. He's six and a half feet tall; a mean, lean two hundred and thirty pounds; and fully capable of bench pressing . . . wel…
open.salon.com

This silencing of educators and the impact that it has on education policies has been noted by those who seek to profit from our schools and students.  They are using pro-student rhetoric to gain power, but they use that power to enact anti-student policy. 

Michelle Rhee's group is sneakily trying to rebrand itself to advance its anti-union agenda.
alternet.org

Ideological inconsistencies are hard to combat- It is painful to watch our state's governor go around the nation touting his self-defined "successes" that are built on the backs of the citizens he was elected to represent.  While I disagree with Walker's social, political and economic ideology, I would still feel obligated to accept some of its merits if it truly worked for the citizens of Wisconsin.  Yet, the evidence seems clear, most of us are being hurt by the recent policies enacted by Walker and the Republican lead legislature. 


Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) is a conservative hero with a record of taking progressives and unions in a state that went for Obama and beating them twice....
nationalmemo.com

Wisconsin gained 27,491 private-sector jobs in the 12 months from September 2013 through September 2014, a 1.16% increase, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
jsonline.com|By John Schmid

The inconsistencies that abound in this recent administration make us wonder why there are those who still "stand with Walker."  There is the myth of transparency and honest government. 

Scott Walker is traveling the country portraying himself as a straight shooter. "We said what we're gonna do, and we did it!" he told CPAC delegates in D.C. last...
prwatch.org

Another example is the illusion of economic conservatism that is really just a redistribution of wealth upwards. 

An analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau finds that Gov. Scott Walker’s budget would...
wisconsingazette.com

As Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tours the country touting his conservative credentials while gearing up for an expected run for president, there’s a conservative question that’s nagging back home.
chippewa.com|By Herald editorial board

In the end, it seems like we are not involved in an ideological conflict between Conservatism and Progressivism, but rather a struggle to expose an agenda that is much more self-serving and in the long run, harmful to our state.  We can engage in political discourse and heated debate, but we find it difficult to dispute a political platform that changes on a regular basis to fit specific political needs.  


Nationally syndicated conservative columnist Michelle Malkin, founder of the website Twitchy, tells Breitbart News that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker—a...
breitbart.com

Economics impact every aspect of our society- Money and wealth could be a driving force for positive change in America, but instead the drive to amass huge fortunes is harming all of us.  This impact appears in education where individuals and companies are using the current climate to profit from our schools or to promote a political agenda. 

Controversy around Common Core hasn't stopped companies like Pearson, McGraw-Hill and Apple from cashing in on huge education contracts.
cnbc.com|By Lawrence Delevingne

Milwaukee Public Schools is facing a cut of at least $12 million as a result of that move, but plenty of well-to-do suburban districts are acknowledging gaping budget holes, as well.
jsonline.com|By Patrick Leary

Who knew that being a billionaire would enable you and your family to buy an entire school district and even the state board of education? It isn't that difficult, if you have enough money. Do we l...
dianeravitch.net

It is visible in our politics where we see a small number of people with a disproportionate ability to impact policies and decision making. 

Only some of the money, the amount of which is nearly double what the Kochs spent on 2012 elections, would come from the brothers themselves
theguardian.com|By Amanda Holpuch

We see it impacting those who are most at risk and who rely on sound public policy to stay afloat.

Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget would totally dismantle one of the best long-term care systems in the country.
jsonline.com|By Tom Frazier And Lynn Breedlove

Inequities of all types are destructive to democracy- Our nation is facing some of the biggest gaps we've ever experienced in virtually every possible category.  Race and gender inequities are highly visible, but at the same time we are seeing the splits between any number of different groups expand.  A small number of individuals are benefiting from the direction we are headed, but the end result will be painful for everyone.  History shows us repeatedly that inequity breeds discontent, struggle and strife.  

A new report comparing Wall Street bonuses to minimum wage earnings sums up income inequality in America.
motherjones.com


Yet again, conservatives on the Supreme Court are poised to do significant damage to minority communities
salon.com

Educators see these inequities on a daily basis as we struggle to advocate for our students in a system that seems to be designed to magnify gaps.


Principal: How Common Core testing hurts disadvantaged students
The third in a series of letters between two principals -- one who likes the Common Core and the other who doesn't.
washingtonpost.com

We need accountability, but it needs to be valid and meaningful- Educators are no strangers to the word accountability, it has been used to attack educators on a regular basis.  The illusion that we haven't been accountable is one that opponents of public schools love to use, yet educators have always worked hard to meet the needs of their students.  We are facing a future where our efforts are measured in ways that are unfair, inequitable and unjust.  It is difficult to hear your efforts maligned while knowing that the "facts" being used against you are inaccurate and misleading.  

Schools with more economic, racial diversity tend to score worse on School Report Cards.
postcrescent.com

We should also be holding those who profit from our schools accountable for their actions.

Pearson, the education publishing giant, describes its practice of monitoring social media posts as a test-security measure, but some parents say the...
mobile.nytimes.com|By Natasha Singer

A real dialog about accountability needs to happen.

The goal of K-12 education is to prepare students for their future.
postcrescent.com

Take the example of student discipline.  Data shows that a disproportionate number of minority students are disciplined severely.  The end result is a radical change in policy that may not be effective in addressing the underlying concerns that exist.  Instead of removing consequences and weakening the authority of educators we need to work to address the root causes of the behaviors that impact the learning of all students.  Fully funding and supporting policies that are aimed at educating student proactively and that are restorative in nature will have an impact, without significant supports we will be left worse off than when we started our efforts.   

New York public-school students caught stealing, doing drugs or even attacking someone can avoid suspension under new “progressive” discipline rules...
nypost.com

One option is to reduce the pressure of standards and assessments and let students explore the world around them in a meaningful and positive way.

New research suggests that exposure to nature makes us more cooperative.
washingtonpost.com

So, what happens now?- It sure does feel bleak and appears that it might be easier to simply put our heads down and toil on.  Yet, we know that the struggle is worthwhile and that there is hope for the future.  The problem may not be our opponents and those who manipulate the system for their own ends, but rather it may be that sense of hopelessness and a feeling that we can't succeed in our efforts to resist this divisive and negative agenda.  People need to see the possibilities of what we can accomplish when working together.  We need to break down the barriers that have been erected to keep a flawed system in place and work collectively to move our society in a more united and positive direction.  It has been done before, and we certainly can do it again.  It starts by getting involved in the processes that exist, and continues as we forge new pathways and alliances that serve to promote true "liberty and justice for all."  
     








Sunday, March 15, 2015

#204 March 15, 2015- Springing Backwards in Education



Spring is the time when we typically think about fresh starts and new beginnings.  Even the "loss" of an hour is viewed as a step "forward" and we enjoy increased daylight, warmer temperatures and the change from what is too often a long, cold winter here in Wisconsin.  Spring should be a season of growth and optimism.

Unfortunately, spring has become a tough season for public education and those who work and learn in our schools.  It is a time when budgets are created.  Budgets which have become tighter and tighter in recent years.   The drive to "balance" Wisconsin's state budget, as misleading as that statement has become, has resulted in devastating cuts to local school funding.  Add to those challenges the threat of money being diverted to voucher schools and the costliness of "accountability reforms" like testing and Educator Effectiveness and school districts are left with no alternative but to make deep and disruptive cuts.
 

Propopents of the proposal in Walker's budget say a change in state law would allow cash-strapped rural schools to save money by educating all children in a...
jsonline.com|By Patrick Leary

The Madison School District needs to close a budget gap of at least $12.2 million.
m.host.madison.com|By Molly Beck | Wisconsin State Journal

Spring is also a time when educators make their plans for the upcoming school year and allocations for staffing is announced.  All of the uncertainty around school budgets, what programming will look like and things like class size and configurations are unsettling for educators.  We see stress levels increase for students, families and educators who all are wondering what their schools will look like next year.  Increasingly, we are seeing quality educators decide to leave the profession early or move to different places where a stronger commitment to education is displayed.       


A teacher asks her state superintendent to give her and her colleagues more instructional time -- or suffer an exodus of good teachers.
washingtonpost.com

Breaking education news about schools and further education. Find leading opinion, podcasts, comment and analysis on education from TES News
news.tes.co.uk

Enrollment at teacher training programs is down in many parts of the country, raising fears of a looming teacher shortage.
www.npr.org

Of course it isn't all about the money.  In fact, many educators would tell you that they would continue to work for the wages we receive (although we can't absorb any more cuts to our take home pay) if we could return to the days when we really could teach our students.  The current movement towards standardization and the mythology around educator and school accountability is impacting educator morale in ways that the financial aspects of education don't come close to reaching. 



It isn't just about educators and our desire to teach students in more holistic and integrated ways.  The damage being done to our students is very real, and very disturbing.  Professional educators understand that students learn more, enjoy learning and are more engaged when they are taught in creative ways that unite disciplines and that assess their progress through meaningful and realistic methods.  The "reforms" to education that have arisen out of the assessment and standardization mindset have not impacted achievement gaps, nor have they improved the quality of education for our students.  Instead, they have increased the discontent of educators, students, families and communities and paved the way for educational profiteering and privatization.  

I used to be a public school teacher.  I have taught in four different public schools in three different states.  I have taught in very affluent areas and lower income...
binkiesandbriefcases.com

Many teachers are tired of cycles of education reform that come with new trendy ideas about how they should do their job. What does all the hype look like from...
blogs.kqed.org

The people most often cited as 'education experts' in blogs and news stories may have the backing of influential organizations - but have little background in education and education policy, a new study suggests.
phys.org

If we are going to reinstate spring as a season of hope, then it is important that we change the way we approach education, and change the power structures that exist around our schools.  Administrators need to listen to the professionals who work in the schools they lead and be willing to cede some of the power to these educators.  Educators need to be vocal in their efforts to improve our instruction and actively work to promote policies and practices that truly work for students.  Our families, students and community members need to become informed about issues that impact them and be advocates for themselves in a system that all too often favors the status quo over the needs of the individual.  It is only through a cooperative effort of those who work in, learn in and rely on our schools that a truly great system of public education can emerge from the current chaotic climate that exists around education.     

Distributed leadership is not about delegating tasks, but giving individuals ownership over outcomes and creating a culture of innovation.
blogs.kqed.org

Award-winning educator writes that because Congress is not expected to eliminate annual standardized testing in the new version of No Child Left...
washingtonpost.com

Sometimes I scratch my head when I read about the government's efforts to improve schools: new standards and tests that have to be implemented immediately, punitive teacher evaluations, and threats of school closures and...
huffingtonpost.com

on-ajc.com

The Good, The Bad and
The Ugly. . .
The Good . . . The pushback against the excessive amounts of standardized testing is gaining momentum.  Now to see what happens here in Wisconsin.
 
My home state of South Carolina is an ideal lesson in education reform. SC is a high-poverty state (in the bottom quartile of affluence in the U.S.) that committed early to the accountability era b...
radicalscholarship.wordpress.com


State education officials moved Wednesday to dramatically recast California's system to evaluate school quality by suspending the use...
latimes.com|By Los Angeles Times

The Bad . . . It seems so obvious that right to work is anything but legislation that helps workers, yet half of the states in the U.S. now have these laws on the books. 

Overhauling more than a half century of labor law in Wisconsin, Gov. Walker Monday signed so-called right-to-work legislation banning labor contracts that require private sector workers to pay labor fees.
jsonline.com|By Meg Kissinger And Jason Stein

The initial results are not unexpected, and it is unlikely things will get better unless the law is repealed. 

Hoffman Construction, a major road building and mining company, is abandoning Wisconsin because of the Right to Work legislation just passed.
dailykos.com

America needs unions, our nation is stronger when democracy flourishes. 


Faith in democracy, whether it be in Washington or the workplace, is fundamental to the survival of our republic.
truth-out.org|By The Daily Take Team


If you’re in the American middle class—or what’s left of it—here’s how you probably feel. You feel like you’re struggling harder than your parents did, working longer hours than ever before, and yet falling further and further behind. The...
politico.com|By Nick Hanauer

International Monetary Fund researchers are detailing just how much societies suffer — and top executives grab — when trade unions have no strong presence.
inequality.org

Here in Wisconsin we've been told that unions are corrupting the democratic process.  Could it be that there is another side to the story that might tell a different tale?

The Wall Street Journal’s Kimberley Strassel either has no understanding of campaign finance, or is willfully misleading her readers. In either case, her...
republicreport.org

The Ugly . . . As Walker's candidacy gains momentum, we are left wondering when, if ever, the facts will finally catch up with him. 

thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com

Unemployment rates are up in every Wisconsin county and major city.
weau.com|By AP

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) has 2016 presidential ambitions, but he's facing budget problems in his home state. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)...
washingtonpost.com

Sunday, March 8, 2015

#203 March 8, 2015- A Wisconsin Vision



We are moving into our 4th year since the Wisconsin Uprising developed in response to the "bomb" being dropped on Wisconsin's public sector workers.  During this time we have seen Wisconsin divided into separate camps and the divides between political ideologies has widened into seemingly insurmountable gaps.  Over these past 4 years the attacks on ideals that are supposedly the cornerstones of Wisconsin's culture and history have come at a rapid pace.  Public education, labor rights, safety nets, environmentalism and social justice issues have all been trampled under the wave of Conservatism that has taken power in our state.    

With a vote of 62 to 35, the Wisconsin state Assembly approved right-to-work legislation after 24 hours of debate.
wuwm.com|By LaToya Dennis

Gov. Walker’s proposed budget would change the way thousands of Wisconsin families get care for an elderly loved one, or a member with disabilities.
wuwm.com|By Erin Toner

After his weekend appearance on Fox News, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is explaining his stance on immigration policy.
breitbart.com


Walker throws out some education-related numbers to show his policies are working, but they're not as impressive as he makes them sound.
washingtonpost.com

We have also become victims of a "leader" who has put his political aspirations ahead of the needs of many citizens in Wisconsin.  Instead of uniting a state to address the concerns that we face, he has taken advantage of the climate of fear and anger to advance his own personal agenda.  While claiming to be looking out for the "everyday taxpayer" Walker has done a remarkable job of building a political machine that has vaulted him into the national spotlight.   

As he entertains a bid for the Republican presidential nomination, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is enjoying popularity among conservatives as a fresh face with a compelling story about "leadership."
chicagotribune.com|By Chicago Tribune

Opponents of this new vision for Wisconsin often refer to our state's history of clean government, our progressive ideals and a legacy of labor activism that is embedded in our past.  We find ourselves talking about the "Wisconsin Idea" and defending a history that fills us with pride.  Walker, Fitzgerald and others are portrayed as something foreign to Wisconsin.  Yet, for all of our proud traditions of worker's rights, public education and progressive values, Wisconsin is no stranger to a different brand of politics. 

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s recent statements on the campaign trail show that he is becoming as dangerous as former Sen. Joseph McCarthy, who destroyed...
expressmilwaukee.com
 
In fact, as one talks to people in Wisconsin it becomes clear that this vision of a Progressive Wisconsin with a constant eye on social justice and political activism is one that isn't universally upheld.  The question we need to answer as a state is just where our true allegiances lie.  We have all heard the justifications for the wave of Conservative legislation from political leadership that talks about the fact that voters have elected people who support this agenda.  However, at the same time there seems to be a mismatch between what the voters choose and what they are given as representation.  Things like right to work don't often appear during campaigns, but turn up later in legislative hallways.  Dismantling public education isn't supported by citizens, but is done effectively through legislation and policy making. 


The poll results were unveiled in tandem with a new charter school accountability initiative being spearheaded by the Center for Popular Democracy and In the...
blogs.edweek.org

Supporters are stunned by proposed cuts by Gov. Scott Walker to the Discovery Farms program, which helps farmers run cleaner and more efficient operations.
m.host.madison.com|By George Hesselberg | Wisconsin State Journal

While this is from Chicago, the machine that drives political success is equivalent.  Those currently in power here in Wisconsin have done a masterful job of placing blame on others, vilifying their opponents and bending facts to serve their own ends.   

Closing mental health clinics was the mayor's idea—but that doesn't stop his supporters from blaming an independent alderman.
chicagoreader.com


Once elected, the voice of the "taxpayer" frequently changes and becomes a voice of self-interest and an advocate for the wealthy elite.  Political success and access to power become the priority over the needs of their constituents.  Voters, and some elected officials, realize too late that they have been "snookered" and have become pawns in a bigger economic and political "game."  A game that has disastrous impacts on a large number of citizens.      

That security cost $1.75 million from July 2013 to June 2014, but Walker’s transportation secretary did not figures that take into account the governor’s wave of recent national travel.
jsonline.com|By Patrick Marley

The retired Republican lawmaker dumps on his party and explains how Walker snookered him on Act 10.
urbanmilwaukee.com

Another aspect of this struggle that makes "winning" difficult, and even in some ways undesirable is the reality that cooperation and compromise aren't a part of the plan for those currently in power.  The question becomes how do you stay true to an ideology that values dialogue and discourse when your opponent is seeking your destruction.  Act 10 and right to work are pieces of legislation designed to decimate, not regulate labor rights.  Walker and his allies have shown no willingness to compromise, or even discuss alternative ways to address concerns that exist in Wisconsin.  So, to defeat them, do we have to play by the same rules, or lack thereof?  In winning back our state do we end up weakening the fabric that has made Wisconsin a place worthy of our loyalty? 

We also have to consider the reality that the message we are delivering isn't reaching the people that we need to reach.  We can surround ourselves with those who think in similar ways and lament the loss of our state to "outside interests."  But, at the same time we need to recognize that there are a substantial number of citizens who find the rhetoric from our current administration to be something that they can identify with.  Whether they are in complete agreement, can't bring themselves to vote for a Democrat, or come to their position through any number of pathways, the result is the same.  Progressives are losing at the ballot box in recent elections and are sometimes failing to deliver our vision of Wisconsin in a positive way.  It is those voters who are identifying only with a portion of the Conservative message, or who are reacting to a perceived threat to the stability of our society who we need to connect with and convince to change their allegiance. 

This can only happen if we continue the effort to communicate our ideals.  We need to present our vision of Wisconsin, not in negative or reactive terms, but rather in a positive, proactive manner.  The union ideals of solidarity, compassion and support for all members need to permeate our message.  This isn't a struggle of one group for recognition, but rather an effort to improve society for everyone.  Truly an "Injury to one, is an injury to all," and we are only as strong as our most disadvantaged, at-risk citizen.  To ignore this is to create an unsustainable and inequitable society that eventually must pay the price for the gaps that are created whether income, opportunity, achievement or any other. 

No thinking citizen wants to live in such a place.  We have to share a vision that leads all to a more positive place in a truly socially just society.  The Conservative ideals of prosperity, independence and freedom are ones that are not exclusive to one ideology.  How we get to the goal of a productive, independent and prosperous society is important.  A truly just society isn't built on the backs of anyone, it doesn't discriminate or subjugate.  Instead, it is built cooperatively and with an eye to the future.  Progressives truly have a vision of a place where our grandchildren can thrive, now we need to retake our place at the table and change the course of our state and nation.    

As Scott Walker’s support for ‘right-to-work’ bill is seen as another blow to blue-collar workers, labor movement and activists ask ‘what happens now?’
theguardian.com|By Zoe Sullivan