Today, I’m handing my blog over to the educators of Florida … this is a guest post by my good friend voicing her concern over Florida’s Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), a new GOP led bill that will do everything from taking community control away from the local level to no longer considering a teacher’s experience or advanced degrees in salaries as well as adding even more standardized tests in our schools.
Please, if you oppose the bill, you must let the legislature and Governor Crist know.
Over the years, there have been many changes in Florida’s education system. As a teacher of almost 17 years in the state of Florida, the latest change is a slap in the face. I admit that at this time I am crying “UNCLE.”
I have given up on my dream of teaching. When the newest bill passes, it will mean that the career I have chosen has come to an end.
If you haven’t heard of SB6 or HB7189, let me tell you about it from a teacher’s perspective.
The main idea behind the bill is to have teacher’s salary at a base level. Then, based on how well their students perform on a certain day, the teacher will be given a “bonus.” They haven’t decided on an exact measurement of testing, however, FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Aptitude Test) has been thrown out there.
I have taught children with learning disabilities. By the time I get these children in my class, they could be anywhere from 1-4 years below grade level. That means that they will NOT test at grade level on the FCAT. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, it will not happen. My students have consistently shown gains, however, it is difficult to bring a child to grade level when they are so far below level. Yes, it can be done. However, it has to be a group effort. The child’s parents have to be willing to help out and the child has to be willing to work hard.
I also have had students who don’t care about the testing. They will just “Christmas Tree” the test. An 11-year old who may have stayed up to late the night before or the child whose dad was arrested the night before or the child with a stomach virus or the child or parent who doesn’t like me and doesn’t want me to be successful or the child who broke her arm or the child who just moved into my class will now determine my salary?
Testing is not only stressful for teachers, it is stressful for students as well. Many times students will vomit due to nerves before or during the test. Some of the students worry about their performance and do not want to be placed in remediation the following year.
The young teachers who are just graduating are of concern. These young teachers will not stay in Florida. Why are you asking? With a small base salary, they will not be able to qualify for a mortgage or car loan or anything else they need credit for. Bonuses do not count when making big purchases. The mortgage companies will not count the bonuses when purchasing houses.
In what other profession does someone else’s performance determine your pay? Should a dentist be paid less because his/her patient has a cavity? All of the information was given to the patient on how to take care of their teeth, but they chose not to floss and brush their teeth. Since the patient has a cavity and they didn’t use the tools they were given, should the dentist be penalized?
Another concern is that if their students do not show gains, the teachers will lose their teaching certificate. If they lose their teaching certificate in the state of Florida, then they will not be able to teach in any other state. How will they be able to provide for their families or pay back student loans
Tenure is also tied into this bill. At this time, many people are focusing on this aspect of the bill. If an administrator is doing his/her job, then they can get rid of a teacher who is on a continuing contract. They just have to be willing to document. When a “bad” teacher is in the classroom, it’s because an administrator is not doing their job.
Another key component is that teachers will no longer be paid more money for higher degrees. It doesn’t matter if you have a bachelors or a doctorate. Everyone will be paid the same. It’s amazing that the Florida legislature doesn’t value the teacher who has earned a higher degree. It’s amazing to me that the Senate feels that education is not important.
They will also terminate the Dale Hickman fund, which paid bonuses to teachers who became National Board Certified. This is a test in which teachers go above and beyond to get certified. Teachers have to prove that they work within the community to help students with education. It’s not just a 9-5 job. Teachers who are nationally board certified will lose the bonus that they receive for becoming certified. Another slap in the face to educators!
At this time, my sister and my daughter are beginning teachers. They are looking at teaching outside of Florida. I have talked to many teachers who have said they won’t be able to afford to stay in Florida.
When all is said and done, who will be left in Florida to teach the children?
A Soon to be Ex-Florida Teacher
Tags: bill, crist, Education, florida, house, legislature, persepective, SB 6, schools, senate, system, teacher, Thoughts
Wow – I had no idea about this – it is a bad idea IMO.
The dental analogy is a good explanation.
Will there be no exceptions for special needs/statmented kids?
I don’t think this would ever pass in UK (I am an ex- UK teacher).
Which brain child thought this one up? Someone with current, regular teaching experience? Hmmm.
note to self! don’t move to Florida! off to warn my Sister a Canadian Teacher!
It’s why I’m glad I have a union fighting on my behalf to stop this kind of thing in my state. I worry we will lose. If we do, I will quit. We had at least 2 kids last week do NOTHING on the state test – one because he really can’t/didn’t understand what was being asked, but the other told the principal “My mom says I don’t have to.” If only the principal could respond, “Then we don’t have to continue to enroll you here – your mom can homeschool you.”
This is terrible. As a former teacher (and future teacher when my kids are in school), I can’t believe this. Arggggggh.
I retired after 23 1/2 years teaching at the same Florida High School. I had planned to teach until I reached 65 or became physically unable to get to school each morning but I left 7 years earlier when FCAT mania made actual teaching a thing of the past. I loved my job, but the last few years I learned that most people think only of themselves and the bottom line as it relates to them. For that reason, we now graduate students from high school who can’t spell their own names and can’t make correct change for a dollar without the cash register to tell them how much to give back. Our legislators are playing a dangerous partisan game and our students are their victims. Our leaders rabidly pursue a “quick” fix when an important, monied constituent complains that his child’s teacher is not doing the job and “no child left behind” and this latest movement are just more “knee jerk reaction” with little science or rational thought behind it.If I were a new teacher, I would start looking for a less thankless job.