L.A. teachers union rejects contest for federal school-reform grant

The Los Angeles teachers union won’t sign the state’s application for federal Race to the Top school-reform grants, diminishing the state’s chances of claiming up to $700 million in grants tied to specific, but controversial reform strategies.

The grant has the potential to bind the state to future policies that would cost the state more than the one-time dollars would pay for, said A.J. Duffy, president of United Teachers Los Angeles. He added that the extra costs could strain school district finances and ultimately result in damaging budget cuts.

California fell short during the first round of competition for a share of the $4.35 billion in federal grants, but tried again at the urging of U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and developed a new strategy. A few school districts would pursue reforms more specific and more aggressive than in the original state submission.

The approach was a calculated gamble because federal evaluators rewarded plans that reached as many students in a state as possible. The two winning states — Tennessee and Delaware — scored high marks for doing so.

A handful of school districts, including Los Angeles Unified and Long Beach Unified, expressed early interest. The number of school systems has since swelled to 123, along with dozens of independently operated charter schools. These school systems represent more than 1.7 million of the state’s 6.3 million students. That’s more students than in all but six other states. Unions in 17 districts also signed on.

But other unions followed the lead of the California Teachers Assn. and nonunion critics in opposing the effort, including the unions representing San Franciso Unified and Long Beach Unified, according to state documents.

L.A. schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines said the money would help pay for reforms that L.A. Unified already was pursuing. These include revamping the teacher evaluation system, making better use of data to improve instruction and turning around struggling schools.

Duffy, however, characterized the required blueprint as vague on key points and overly prescriptive on others.

“We agree we need a new evaluation system, no question about it,” Duffy said. “But this money requires the evaluation system of teachers to be tied to standardized test scores and there’s too much solid evidence to show this is not effective.”

The union's leadership made the decision not to take part in Race to the Top on behalf of the membership.

The state will formally sign its application Tuesday -- the federal deadline -- at an elementary school in Long Beach. Expected participants include Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.

“We feel like we’ve put together a strong application that puts together the best thinking of some progressive district leaders,” said education department spokeswoman Hilary McLean. “We’re hopeful the federal government will recognize the innovative ideas we’ve put forth.”

--Howard Blume

Comments

[Arnold Thomas]

One minute A.J. Duffy is pleading with voters to pass Measure E to save vital programs, and then in the blink of an eye he wants CA to reject Obama's Federal prgrams?

Mr. Duffy, do the children in the LA public schools need money to provide vital services, or not?

Or, is this a case of the children needing the money, but the UTLA requirs "control" of the money, and the children be damned.

I am tired of A.J. Duffy, and others of his ilk, who stand in front of the LAUSD Board of Education (A Board that they control) to sound alarm bells about the critical need of funds for vital programs, and then reject the federal money because it may be tied to teacher performance. BTW, LAUSD is one of the worst performing school districts in the nation.

Mr. Duffy, you just helped me to decide how to vote on Measure E. I vote No.

You may be serving your membership well, but you have lost the right to claim that you serve the children of this district. For them, I truly feel sorry.

[Dr. Bryan]

Just one more example proving LAUSD has no connection with the quality of the classroom or any desire to improve the educational experience of the students. THE UNION EXISTS FOR THE TEACHERS AND ITSELF--NOT THE STUDENTS.

[George]

Same story, different year. The Union is always "interested" in reform, but will never endorse a measure that will make teachers accountable. Yes they want money "for the kids," but won't lift a finger to protect kids from incompetent and often dangerous teachers. Yes they "want the best for schools too," but not if it means modifying a tenure system that requires 6 years and almost a million dollars to fire one teacher. Henry VII never had it so good. Spare it Mr. Duffy, we've heard it all before.

[Dan B]

Until federal and state officials get off their kick of linking teacher and administrator evaluations to standardized test scores, UTLA and CTA are taking a correct position. Why isn't the federal government developing a pre/post test for each grade level that can fairly evaluate the amount of learning taking place in any school or classroom. Diagnostic/prescriptive tests were used in LAUSD in the early 1980's and were highly effective, but discontinued for unknown reasons. Also, other factors such as quality of lesson plans, classroom environment, parent involvement and attendance/reliability should be included in any overall professional evaluation of teaching. Use of standardized test scores rewards teachers in high socioeconomic schools and unfairly judges teachers who are teaching the most at risk student in poverty and rural areas.

[spatter]

We can only hope the union destroys itself with its own arrogance.

[an L.A. teacher]

No Child Left Behind, Race to he Stars - why do federal programs sound like the names of movies or television shows?

[Letting People Know]

One way to make sure that the system is effective, is to end social promotion. I do not care if a kid is 12 years old and in the second grade, if the kid cannot read, he can't read. Linking evaluation to test scores is going to bring about what happened in Texas in the 90's. Teachers were so concerned about pay, that they would give kids the answers to the test and cheat rather than teach the material. The students learned nothing, except the answers That is where CA is heading if this passes.

[LAUSD Teacher]

Here's one scenario that shows tests scores are a bad evaluative idea.

Imagine you have a student who worked hard and did well in your 9th grade algebra class. The day before the STAR test he tries pot and messes himself up. He takes the test and flunks it.

Does this mean you were a bad teacher?

[mjblocker]

Dear "Letting People Know":
Trust me, you don't want a second-grader sitting in class next to a 12-year-old who can't read. You also don't want a 12-year-old sitting next to a peer who can't read. There's a reason for his illiteracy, and it's not his teachers. There's no shortage of 12-year-olds in Southern California who can't read. Now, everybody reading this: Take a look around the room in which you are sitting. See any books?

[vicky]

think it wil hepl?

[north carolina medical malpractice attorney]

Teachers were once considered as one of the most important casts of our society. In fact it can be said that they are in way our nation builders. That's why, they deserve to have that Federal grants. It will meet the needs of teachers and this way also many of them will be inspired. The government should fairly give this opportunity to all educators. By helping teachers, we would surely have many achievers. Thanks anyway for imparting this post. Keep posting.