tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410387772840321888.post2151109673025535135..comments2023-10-03T11:28:42.397-04:00Comments on Badass Teachers Association Blog: BadassTeacher Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249079678877556839noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410387772840321888.post-81421187723054985062014-11-19T23:48:58.116-05:002014-11-19T23:48:58.116-05:00TURNING KIDS INTO GRENADES: In NYC, the ramificati...TURNING KIDS INTO GRENADES: In NYC, the ramifications of the APPR evaluation has caused an emergency hiring and staffing crisis. <br /><br />Inner city schools with predictably low test scores have seen teachers leaving and staying away, fearing low ratings. Cuomo's policy ensures that the kids with the most need get the least help. <br /><br />But here's the craziest part - even though the tests are only given in Math and ELA, it's not just Math and English teachers steering clear of low performing schools. NYC was unable to devise evaluation plans for other subjects, so they made a stunningly inept decision: let's count Math or ELA scores for all teachers, even if they teach gym, music or art.<br /><br />This means students who score poorly on tests become fully toxic, with teachers of all subjects avoiding their schools. Those who stay in these schools are punished for getting anywhere near them. The 20% of my evaluation based on last year's Math scores took my 'effective' rating down to 'developing' - but I teach art! Do they want me to teach Math on my lunch break? Am I supposed to pressure the Math teacher to do more to raise scores? I can't because he left for a different school. Then, replacements were so hard to hire, they brought in four TFA teachers who have never taught before.<br /><br />Can't we see what APPR is doing to these children?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com