Test Taking Faculty Meeting

The meeting is with everyone in the library and hopefully will be quick enough to allow time for phone calls.  We were given a list of emergency preparedness steps to do in our box, just an FYI.  We were also given a laminated sheet of what to do in various emergencies to post in our room.  Alex has been selected to be a principal at a small District 7 high school and he will be leaving after testing.  We will have an interim (retired) AP for the remainder of the year and someone next year, depending on displacements and seniority and whatnot.  Take a test taking strategies poster on your way out.

Kathy Garner is leading a discussion of test-taking strategies.  She has pulled some old video tapes and has added a BrainPop video and some YouTube videos to her website (since Michele isn't here to put them under teacher resources.  I guess that this is a taste of what next year will be like), that you can (should) show to your ET.  YouTube requires you to enter your SSO username and password to show the video.  Some are made by teachers and some by kids.  Kathy Gonnella says that if you don't have a cart in your ET or don't know how to use technology, see Kathy Garner, but every ET should see at least a few videos.  Apparently Michele will put them on the website tomorrow when she gets back.

Alex has asked us to have small group discussions about what we are doing in our ET to reinforce good test taking strategies.  I mentioned that I told the kids not to eat any fat or sugar before testing which Robin restated as reinforcing healthy eating.

On a side note, there were two agendas for this meeting, both provided only minutes before the meeting started, a pink one which I think is from the PD committee and which we are disregarding and a blue one which I believe is from administration, which is the one we are using.

Back to the all mighty test.  We are sharing with the whole group.  Sharon says choose the "best" answer.  Students often think two answers are right, but reinforce that only one is the best. Steve says make sure that you understand what the question is asking for. Other people shared stuff, but I stopped listening.  I started wondering about free books, because it was my understanding that we had set aside money for the free books this year, but no one has done anything about this and what's up with the money for the books.

This year's testing schedule is very different from last year. Apparently we are having practice testing on 5/9, minimum days 5/10-5/13 with one testing session per day and some classes, and testing on 5/16 and 5/17 with all classes meeting those days (I think).  The schedule will be provided tomorrow as it was just run by SBMC last night.  Several faculty members are expressing that they are frustrated to find out that the schedule is so different from last year and we are only now finding out.  Kathy says that we were told several weeks ago, but again faculty members expressed that while it may have been mentioned, nothing was concrete and we were not given specifics.  There is a high level of frustration that things like schedules are not communicated adequately or in a timely fashion.

Short Break

Faculty meeting begins.  An announcement that the father of two students died suddenly last night and to cut those kids a break.  Faculty members suggest a collection for burial expenses and a sign up for food delivery.  Wednesday, 5/4 the principals' meeting will be here so the yard will be used for parking.  We have a new complex manager who will be here on Friday because they may be drilling on the South field on Friday to do testing for the new gym building.  Camp Emerson will be Aug 30-Sept. 1 with Howdy Day on Sept. 1 from 1:30-3:00.  The PIGG day will be either August 29th or September 5th depending on furlough days.  Start thinking about eighth graders who may want to do speeches at culmination.  X period starts this week.  Give out program cards in ET, collect them in X and turn them in to the Student Services office.  Make sure that every kid in your room is supposed to be there.  Sheila is sharing an article from the LA Times about improving test scores of African-American students by having them read articles about overcoming adversity.  Also students who are directly taught about how learning occurs and that people are not born smart or dumb makes a difference.

Now we are having our Spring Recertification of district policies. Don't discriminate.  Report child abuse.  Don't be alone with kids. (Time out for an anecdote about a teacher who was recently removed from Palms for "baking cookies for a kid". ) Be vigilant about bullying and cyber-bullying. (Side conversation about "burn pages".) Be vigilant about hate crimes - take them seriously. Be safe, don't do stupid things to put yourself at risk.

Now a UTLA update - there is a proposed one hour job action and a protest on Pershing Square on Friday May 13th.  There is some dissent about whether or not we should go forward with it.  We are being asked to sign a pledge to do the one hour job action and to commit to attending the rally (separate sign ups). There is a question about whether or not we should do the testing in light of the proposed cuts.  Cecily says, per UTLA lawyer, you must administer the test or you will likely lose your job.  We are working on fixing testing at the state level, but that fight is not for this week.  We are joining together, statewide for actions during the week of testing, including the one hour action.  There is a movement in the state and the union to move toward a strike, but we aren't there yet, though it is on the table.  We need to stop being reactive and start DOING things and this is our start.  Noriko suggests that there may be some riffed teachers willing to not give the test and test the union contract.  Cecily says she will talk that over with her people.  Remind those teachers you know at other schools to show up and walk out for the job action.  Only 27 people signed during the meeting.

Professional Development 4-15

Thank goodness taxes aren't due today! We are trying to get through this quickly so that Spring Break can BEGIN!  Heather needs caffeine.  Really.

We all had to scramble to get Mr. Deasy's letter out during period six.  Maybe we can voice our concerns about the schizo behavior of the budgetary divas.

Zimmer's great ideas about school deconstruction have been approved. That should take 18 months to gain approval.  He thinks it will be done in 2014.  We think that this should be the Alicia Lindheim Memorial Gymnasium.  And the Terry Cowart Building.

Need to power off all computers and unplug them.  Lock all valuables up or take them home with you.  Take attendance before you leave.  Also lock up all windows and doors.  Read "The Huge Sway of a Teen's Pal" and pair-share your reactions and thoughts.

District wants to take $114 mil from our benefits hold back as well as $60 mil from worker's comp. AND offer us 12 more furlough days for 2011-2012.

Megan is giving CBTL gift cards for turning in surveys - Jacobson, Perez, Barbeau.  She has also given us the CCCI template to use with SDAIE.

Professional Development Grade Levels - 8th

Michele Levin here...

8th grade teachers are trickling in as we get ready to start our PD session. Wow, we have some late tricklers..more like drops.

We've been given the list of of students who are currently ineligible for culmination. There will be a student ET and a parent informational meeting on April 28th (5:30 pm) to discuss the requirements. We need clarification on the ET meeting - all kids or just those who are ineligible. (Kathy says all kids) We're talking a bit more about culmination requirements. Kathy would like 8th grade teachers to come to the parent meeting on the 28th. Anyone, anyone? Ferris?

Culmination. Hoping the veterans will give some advice to the new folks for planning. Oakes suggests those involved in the planning do it in a small group. Setting rehearsal times for June 21st pers 5 and 6, and June 22nd ET to lunch. Culmination is the 23rd at 5:00 pm @ Uni. Speeches will be taken care of. Mr. Oakes reminded everyone @ parking.

 10 week activity ideas? Free dress day this Friday - Done! Leadership is working on some fun lunch activities and Spirit Week. What for our 8th graders? Like the idea of a pre-culmination reward donuts. So we'll do specail seating on the 28th, then those eligible will leave for donuts.

Dance -  I heard Noriko mention something @ being scarred for life. Kids need to get their yearbooks during the dance.

Diane is taking over while I leave for a meeting to see if our 9 year old file server will reboot after 280 days. Guess what, it did! POE is the best computer in the world.

. AND...Panorama pics will be distributed on Friday during ET.  Ping pong tournament? Softball game June 17 @ lunch. Awards Ceremony - auditorium - June 4th from 5-6 pm.  Student designed program cover?  Pick up elsewhere? Not lobby...

I'm back. Field Day - where do we want to have it? Idea is for the beach on the public bus. We'll have to look into the details. UCLA has a park. Noriko will look into us going there, special for 8th grade.

The parents are looking into the 8th grade trip.

Sarah is trying to weasel out of the dance. I can't imagine why. People aren't listening very well at this point. We're talking more about culmination requirements and the parent meeting. Lisa and Sarah will present. Lots more talking. Boy, we're not adhering to our norms today. I blame myself since I brought a tub of candy for everyone. Sorry.

I think we really need an 8th grade meeting where we sort of chat and break bread. LAUSD is a bit stressful at this time.

1. Culmination Requirements
2. 10 Week activity
3. Dance - June 17th 4-7 pm
4. Softball Game - June 17th lunch
5. Awards - June 4th 5-6 pm
6. Field Day - June 20th
7. End of Year Parent Trip

Done with 8th grade activities discussion.

ET teachers are getting the LETTER requesting parents to come to parent conference night. This is the same night as the culmination meeting. Folks are filling out the letters and discussing how their students are doing in their classes. Boy, we really need time to talk about our kids in a casual environment IMHO.

Faculty Meeting

I would like to start by saying the agenda for this meeting was not distributed until 5 minutes before the meeting, at the conclusion of the PD. Reminder - Conference Night is April 28th from 6-8 (I think, time isn't written here). This year - invite 25 families since not enough are showing up. The Open House is from 12:30-2:30 on Saturday, June 4th with the play at 3 and 7:30, 8th grade awards from 5-6.  Air conditioning update - worth it in the end, but painful while it happens, yard will be torn up, classes will have to move around.  Make room in your closets at home for all the stuff you will have to store at home since people will be in your room all night and things grow legs.  The administration building will be first, the classroom building a year from now. Send the parent and student surveys, raffle for people who get all their kids to return the parent surveys. Being done tomorrow during Pd.3 (over lots of complaints about lots of lost instructional time). For some reason the district doesn't understand that teachers lesson plan more than a day in advance.  You have until next Tuesday to get them to Meghan.

Kathy passed out salmon teacher preference sheet and buff staffing sheet. We are going ahead as if the RIFs go through.  Not on the form is that we are going down to one counselor. On the form it does say that we are losing our tech coordinator.  Because of RIFs, we will need a categorical program coordinator. This form is a little weird because it doesn't break down kids by grade level so we don't know how many sections of each class we need. We can still have the Thursday meeting about the master schedule. Maybe my questions will be answered soon.  Teachers can move around on the master, maybe we can meet our needs with our displaced teachers.  I still want to see the sections and how it will work.

Lisa wants everyone to return the X-period form to her ASAP.  Students will have one day to get the teacher's signature if they are choosing a class that requires it. 

Anne will speak about last night's meeting with Zimmer - basically we have three options.  1. The plan as previously stated, 2. Build the gym, no field at all, and field money goes to another to school, 3. Spend no money at all at Emerson.  Anne has been cut off by a flurry of voices.  This meeting is devolving into an arguement and I really want to get to Gavin's science fair, so I hope this ends soon. Ugh - I just checked the agenda and there is still a UTLA update after this.  I feel like a kid counting down the minutes to summer vacation. My recommendation is that we write out a plan and let the faculty vote at their leisure.

Academic Growth Over Time (aka Value Added)

Kathy is introducing the topic and it is obviously a sensitive one, so there are many disclaimers and caveats including the presentation being done by district personnel. The LA Times is gearing up to release data on elementary schools and then middle school math and English. The incoming superintendent and the board is very interested in value-added so we need to better understand the enemy.  On a side note, rebranding value added as Academic Growth Over Time reminds of creationism being rebranded as intelligent design.

This is meant to be an overview of the way it is calculated and not an in depth presentation.  Students will be evaluated in terms of absolute achievement and growth compared to prior performance and predicted growth. We are being presented with some rather simplistic models of oak trees and gardeners to compare achievement with simple growth to prediction and growth over time which is a weighted growth model and supposedly more fair to the poor beleaguered gardeners. Right away there are worried looks, sighs and verbalized concerns. The AGT model takes into consideration prior CST scores, income status, grade level, ethnicity, and such.  In a future model, attendance and team-teaching will be taken into consideration (students with absences beyond a threshold will not be part of the consideration). For this year, students will be accredited to the teacher in whose class they were on norm day, even if they haven't been with that teacher since that day.  Only students with at least two years of prior testing will be included. Students will only be compared with students of the same background/ status.  I have particular concerns about this because if I do a good job and a kid redesignates to Resource than all the good teaching that I have done doesn't get credited to me. Behavior is also not a consideration - D.O. is concerned that when a difficult student is moved into the class mid-year, the scores of all the students in the class will be negatively impacted and there is nothing you can do.  The district says that they didn't include this because the placement of behavior problems is something in control of the teacher and the school and they are only going to weight things that are out of the control of the school.
There is no benefit to you as a teacher  if you improve the attendance or behavior of a student, even if those are equally valid measures of the "goodness" of a teacher.  Currently value added doesn't affect your performance review.
Supposedly, it compares the growth of a student to students all over LA Unified that have similar attributes. Doing this for ELA grades 3-9 and Math grades 3-7. Separation of algebra and general math students in grade 8. Doesn't know how they handle it when teachers move from grade level to grade level - doesn't think it matters what you teach. Unsure of the error analysis on this process. Minimum number of students you must have in order to be included is 11 - obviously a bigger sample size will lead to a smaller confidence interval on the results.  Oooh, in case numbers are too hard for you to understand there are helpfully color-coded balloons to represent your worth as a teacher.  Blue and green are good, gray is neutral and yellow and red are bad.  You are rated on a scale from 1-5 with 3 being average for the district.

There is both a measure for the previous year and a three-year average at the school and teacher level. Instead of paying money to do these calculations, couldn't we spend the money on lowering class size which has PROVEN benefits? This is fishy and it smells like union-busting? Is there any data that shows that knowing this stuff benefits kids at all? And if any of this starts effecting our pay, why wouldn't this turn into an arms race of teachers cheating to improve their value?

Apparently there is some accounting for a ceiling effect and regression of the mean.  So if you teach very high achieving students, it is assumed that the only place to go is down, and it considered high value-added if your kids don't go down as much as other high achieving kids. Data is available for whole school and then broken down by sub-group (EL, SPED, SED, ethnicity).

Now we get to see our data! It's a sneak peak of what the paper will be publishing on April 12th. Overall, in ELA we are gray, slightly below the district average and in the three year, we are below average for our Basic and special education students. By grade level, our seventh graders are well above grade level, while sixth and eighth grade students are slightly below.  In math, we are significantly below district average across grade level at the one and three year evaluations. Students with the same name may accidentally get swapped. If you want to be a teacher who has value-added as part of your STULL next year, you can sign up.  The school would get money, but not the teacher.  Apparently we are doing this because there is a perception that LAUSD isn't getting the job done, but I must ask myself, wouldn't hiring more teachers and lowering class size draw students back while improving educational outcomes? With RESEARCH to back it up. Isn't raising class size contrary to our stated goals?