tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538047423456915315.post6533434225179200132..comments2012-01-17T17:55:25.830-05:00Johnnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538047423456915315.post-46978393713797863102012-01-17T17:55:25.830-05:002012-01-17T17:55:25.830-05:00If it wasn&#39;t so depressing, I&#39;d be curious to see how &quot;the incentives and accountability measures&quot; help to attract and retain &quot;the best and brightest.&quot;<br /><br />How does that work, exactly?<br /><br />Thom Ryder, Roanoke County/VEA Legislative CommitteeNewthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09462582676426709639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538047423456915315.post-32362351229777997002012-01-13T09:27:12.634-05:002012-01-13T09:27:12.634-05:00I hope members of our legislative committee are reading the blogger posts and comments. They need to STRONGLY oppose this legislation!!! <br /><br />First, it limits the number of years new teachers are on annual contract which is a disadvantage for the new teacher as well as the school division. In a time of teacher shortage, the last thing we should do is limit the amount of time a new teacher has to gain a better performance foothold in their new profession.<br /><br />Second, the provisions in HB576 that allow RIFs without a consideration of seniority, simply encourages school divisions under tight budget constraints an opportunity to fire/layoff those who cost the division more in salary/compensation. What kind of system rewards service and expertise with that type of action? ANSWER: All divisions trying to balance increasingly tight budgets. Furthermore, most RIF policies already allow for RIFs of those whose evaluations are sub-par...seniority is only a consideration, if all other performance indicators are equal (that is the policy in my division and it is based on VSBA recommendations).<br /><br />Finally, why is McDonnell putting forth such proposals when the new state evaluation model hasn&#39;t even been fully implemented, much less its effectiveness analyzed? Where is the evidence to illustrate that this new policy will make education more effective and accountable? Why is McDonnell pushing a draconian policy that robs educators of essential protections which allow them to do their jobs more effectively without fear of retribution?<br /><br />ANSWER: Because he and his minions want to dismantle public education so their big money, corrupt backers (ex - K12 http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111216006162/en/Faruqi-Faruqi-LLP-Announces-Investigation-K12)can privatize education and end the &quot;great social equalizer&quot; that is public education.<br /><br />We&#39;ve got to wake up, Virginia educators...we won&#39;t fair as well as Wisconsin or Ohio, if we don&#39;t act and act FAST!!!L Worleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595911282413000781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538047423456915315.post-86791288265345327312012-01-12T21:13:07.222-05:002012-01-12T21:13:07.222-05:00As a former teacher, Dick Bell is no &quot;friend of education.&quot; This is a continuing assault on public education and an attempt place blame on school staff for the ills of our society.lovelle53http://www.blogger.com/profile/09770020003944726717noreply@blogger.com