Program Improvement

Fall is truly upon us. I know this not because of the changing colors of the foliage around me. I know this because the excitement and enthusiasm of the first month of school has ended, and has been replaced by the day-to-day concerns of keeping a our school and district up and running for the long haul. Now we begin to discuss test scores and budgets. Now we start to figure out how we turn those expectations into realities.
During the last presidential debate, both candidates expressed their support for charter schools. One of the reasons why our school has had trouble maintaining a steady enrollment over the past few years has been charter schools. Initially we lost a great many students to the various charter schools that popped up, seemingly overnight. This impacted our funding, as well as the district as a whole. When those charter schools started to close, almost as quickly as they opened, those students came streaming back. Now we struggle to use our resources and staff to accommodate the children that are coming back to their neighborhood school. As a parent, I can definitely see the appeal, but as an educator I have yet to see a coordinated vision of the ideal of charter schools in action.
And these guys both want to "get rid" of "bad teachers." A nice sentiment, and one that the parent part of me is integrally connected. I want the best teachers for my son. The teacher part of me is still curious just what makes a "good teacher." The currency of education presently is the almighty test score. If teachers are to be rewarded for their test scores, why would anyone in their right mind want to take a job in a low-performing school? Since these teaching positions are generally held by new teachers or veteran teachers who have been involuntarily transferred, what sort of expectations are we putting on their performance? Who doesn't love a challenge? Who wouldn't rather have the satisfaction of a job well done and a sure thing? Working at a Program Improvement school is no sure thing.
Then there's John McCain's support of the Troops To Teachers Act. This program allows our returning service personnel a chance to start a second career in education. Hard for me to argue with, since I benefited from a similar internship program when I left my hitch as warehouse manager. But here's the troubling part: In the same breath that John was crowing about "getting rid of bad teachers," he went on to promote the idea of getting our veterans into classrooms: "We need to encourage programs such as Teach for America and Troops to Teachers where people, after having served in the military, can go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations which -- or have the certification that some are required in some states." For the record, Troops To Teachers doesn't advocate side-stepping the requirements for teacher credentialing, but it is unfortunate that Senator McCain chose to suggest that at the same time that he was promoting the idea of getting more qualified teachers into the classroom.
Yes, Fall is upon us.