Submitted by Former_Teacher on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 14:06.
I taught math in DISD for two years and still have bad dreams (I've been out for almost a year, but they don’t stop). CEI’s are one of the many, many things I have a problem with. Comparing “similar” students, a mystery formula used in calculations, jobs depending on them (when DISD denied this was their purpose), etc. etc. and above all:
CEI'S GUARANTEE FAILURE.
If you are judging everyone against everyone else, someone has to be the best and someone has to be the worst. So let's say every student passed and everything was great... there would still be teachers with the lowest CEI's possible. I understand the desire to see how people rank compared to each other, and the easiest way for DISD seems to be reducing teachers to numbers (they do so much of that with the kids...). But I didn't grade my students from best to worst. I graded them on their individual achievements, or lack thereof. (Imagine if a certain percent of students HAD to be ranked a 1 out of 5 compared to the rest and given the lowest grades possible. I don’t think that would go over well!).
Low CEI's are also very bad for morale. I have worked hard and studied my entire life. School was my “job” before teaching, and I went to college on scholarship and earned straight A’s. As a teacher, I worked tirelessly through nights and weekends and put my life on hold for the sake of my students. For DISD to then grade (or degrade) me with a CEI of "2" was the ultimate insult. As a new teacher, I know I could have improved in many ways that come with time and experience. But I had realized that teaching was not right for me, and being labeled a “2” definitely made the choice to pursue another profession easier.
Hard work may not always result in success, but it should at least be acknowledged. I am thankful for the wonderful teachers and staff that supported me during my time in DISD, and I wish them the best for putting up with this and other DISD hurdles in order to educate our kids.
Submitted by boediger (not verified) on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 07:49.
I am a fine arts teacher at a middle school that is low performing. Myself and another fine arts teacher were told two weeks ago that the principal wanted to take the school in another direction, so our programs were cut. I was sent an email contract, but I have no job or school to apply it to. I know that we are not the only fine arts teachers in the district that have been affected, so CEI's aside, there is more that one side to the story.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 08:30.
I am a fine arts teacher at a middle school that is low performing. Myself and another fine arts teacher were told two weeks ago that the principal wanted to take the school in another direction, so our programs were cut. I was sent an email contract, but I have no job or school to apply it to. I know that we are not the only fine arts teachers in the district that have been affected, so CEI's aside, there is more that one side to the story.
Submitted by Attorney-At-Law (not verified) on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 20:46.
First, based on last year's data, teachers have been unprofessionally mailed letters from Shirley Boss stating their contracts may not be renewed?
Please observe the letter below:
This letter is to advise you that because you are in the bottom of the quintile for Classroom Effectitve Indices (Tier 1) or on a growth plan, the District will not extend your current contract. Please be advised that you will remain employed for the 2009/2010 school year pursuant to your current contract. However, you will e expected to show improvement in performance next school year, or your contract may be subject o non-renewal at the end of the contract term.
One very important point that should be addressed is that some teachers who do not administer TAKS, ACP, etc. should be included in this firing process.
For example: Choir, Band, Career and Technology, T & I Telecom, Fam. & Con. Science/Creative Arts, Physical Education teachers and so on don't have the stress as Math, Reading, Social Studies, Science teachers.
These teachers make the same salary as teachers who have to teach and prepare students all year long to pass test. This is documentation for the insurmountable law suits that will be on-going for the 2009-2010 school year. There should be test for every subject whether it’s Math, Science, Career and Technology Education or Physical Education. Every teacher should be held accountable!!!
After receiving such a cold, calculating and ruthless letter, who in their right mind would want to return to a campus and have something of this nature on their mind?
At this point, I have started a journal and I will use my cell phone to take pictures, videos, and voice recordings at any and everything that is prohibited within the district. This information will be sent to TEA, local as well as national media including the Washington D. C.
Education: New Mexico State University, 1974, bachelor's in business systems analysis
Salary: $173,670 This salary does not fit the degree. I have a Master of Science degree (GPA 3.75) and 22 years of service compared to his 4 years and make $60,000. It just does not add up.
His Wife, is DISD's executive Director of Technology
This is nepotism!!!!!!!!!
[Ed Note: I wish you good luck with your journal.]
You didn't apply for his job and should have. You are selling yourself short bud. Go for the gold next time the opportunity happens and stop being a rule Nazi. You are just gonna annoy all the other people who work with you. Pointing out the problem is not the same thing as solving the problem. Do something.
You know those kids in your classroom? You know them.. they are the ones that tell on the other kids in the classroom... and is the same one that takes up a lot of your valuable teaching time focused on other things... like your own rule enforcement that you would rather enforce some other time when you should be teaching to the TAKS.
You know those kids...the pets... they grow up and become teachers.
Submitted by Former DISD Teacher (not verified) on Sun, 04/26/2009 - 11:46.
It appears teachers are upset about the letters they received stating that potentially, they might not receive a contract after the 2009-2010 school year. In my opinion, that gives the teachers one year to find another job.
I am newly retired and so very glad I left the district via the Voluntary RIF. Yes, I have to "budget" and learn to live on 30% less income as a full-time employee. However, thanks to Obama, I can get Cobra coverage for dental and vision at discount rates. I am adjusting and life is good.
My advice to all you good teachers that have unfairly received a letter of potential non-renewal, go out and find another job with another district in the metroplex. All the districts are hiring right NOW. If you are eligible for retirement, work next year and use the year to plan for retirement.
You are not running away from DISD. You are going to a place of employment that will value you as a teacher.
The children of Dallas ISD will be the ones to suffer when veteran teachers who really know how to teach and care about the children leave. Then the parents might finally realize Hinojosa and the BOARD need to go!
Submitted by youngteach on Sun, 04/26/2009 - 18:39.
If you don't win UIL in say choir or One Act or Band, how many principles are truly concerned enough to get rid of a fine arts teacher. Don't get me wrong, I love the fine arts and electives teachers, and love working with them and think they are an immensely integral part of our schools, but they don't have to deal with TAKS accountability and that makes all the difference.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 10:14.
The following information is found on DISD's data portal regarding CEI's.
Because CEIs are based on relative performance, the percentage of students on a
teacher's roster who "passed a test" is not relevant. Students may "pass a test"
but not perform as well as similar students in the district who started at the
same level of performance the year before. These students will contribute little
to a teacher's CEI. Conversely, students who "fail the test" but perform much
better than similar students who had the same level of performance last year will
contribute greatly to a teacher's CEI. A teacher's CEI goes up as each student
outperforms his or her comparison group, which consists of all students in the
district with similar demographic profiles and the same level of performance from
the year before.
It appears the district is comparing students performances to other students with "similar demographics". We also have to remember that every student is not assessed by TAKS for every subject at every grade level. I would like to know how a 7th grade Social Studies teacher's class can be compared to another group despite not being assessed in Social Studies in the 6th grade. The only logical explanation is the students are compared to other groups based on assessments in the 6th grade other than Social Studies. If this is accurate, it is a horrible comparsion becasue the students may have similar Math and Reading backgrounds but extremely different Social Studies background. It is amusing to know a succesfull teacher with 100% student passing can score in the red(low level) CEI's. A teacher could also have an entire class fail the test and still have good CEI's as long as the students outperform the "so called" comparison group. At first I thought this was a joke but it appears to be very serious in nature. A lot of people will be affected by the faulty assessment methods. It also difficult to accept the district is capable of manipulating complicated statistical formulas but struggle with addition and subtraction. (budget)
Based on last year's data, teachers are NOW being told their contracts may not be renewed?
Tests that form the basis of the CEI have already been taken for this year, and since the CEI for next year will come from these results, EXACTLY HOW do they improve backwards in time?
Since that is impossible, this is really a warning that their contracts will not be renewed and that they have a year to find another job.
We all know there are errors in the computation of the CEI. That aside, how many lousy administrators and executive directors are being given the same info? Is Leslie Williams, king of total incompetence, being told to start his job search? How about Micheaux?
As far the superintendent, let it be said right now. Your contract also has one year left on it. When there are elections next year, you can kiss it all good-bye.
That is, unless you can push hundreds of thousands more in Royce West's direction so that he can find yet another loophole for elections.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 21:28.
DISD has just started to revv up its TEACH 4 AMERICA PROGRAM. They are looking for new teaschers and illegal immigrants. They are the only ones that will work for less and accept being treated like trash without speaking out.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/22/2009 - 10:14.
I did not receive an contract due to my CEI' sbeing in the red. The previous year I had an 87% TAKS passing rate. The problem you ask....I looped up with the majority of my kids from second grade....six of them were one question away from commended performance. They wanted these children to receive a perfect score. Is this my fault. I think not! But I am being penalized even though I worked my behind off to prepare them for the test. The year before that my CEI's were green. Does this make sense? They will be habdling a number of law suits. SO they better get ready. We are the only idiots that even have CEI's. I lose my job but Hinojosa keeps his? Where is the justice in that. Get ready Dallas!!!!
Submitted by Angry_teacher (not verified) on Tue, 04/21/2009 - 07:21.
Like many teachers I got a letter saying that after the 2009-2010 school year I would not get a contract. I have put my energy, time and MONEY into a classroom now I may not have a job after next year. I don't think its right to judge me because my students didn't do well on a test that I have been told not to use any practice test or study material on. I had a collegue tell me not to use any of this material because the district didn't want to lose title 1 funds if the kids do well. I'm like what?? They want the students to fail??
Well they have failed me because if I lose my job I could lose everything. EVERYTHING!!!!!
Why are we the only school district to use test scores to fire people? If you want me gone then just tell me to my FACE and not some letter in the mail.
I wish these parents would get up and start doing something about what goes on in the district instead of laying back letting it happen........
Submitted by 15 year old war (not verified) on Mon, 04/06/2009 - 22:18.
Do I need to look for a new school system all together? Trying to get a grasp on what direction DISD is going has been hard up til now. Now it seems to be a flush job, straight into the toilet bowl. Every action seems to bring an disaster, mystery and, fewer who know what's going on. How are the Richardson schools looking? Seems like each district in DISD has an agenda and none seem to be meshed together. Will they even know what the word "budget" means by the time next year rolls around?
Perhaps there won't be a need for real live teachers, go online kids, get a GED and move on into college.
Submitted by OnNeedofAJob (not verified) on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 22:47.
So those who have not got contracts yet will not be getting them? When did teachers get their contracts? I thought if you had a CEI of a 3 you were safe. I teach math and my contract expires this year. I guess I need to look for a job.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/19/2009 - 12:28.
DISD is using CEI's not to extend teacher contracts pass the 2010 school year if they were in the bottom tier. You would think a lesson was learned with a teacher in this district whose CEI'S were used to fire her. Along with the help of the union and I believe a lawyer, she got her job back. The district lost because you cannot hold test scores of students against the teacher. CEI's are based on ACP and TAKS results. Also, not all teachers have CEI's. Those of us who teach science and social studies do not stand a chance. Reading and Mathe students are allowed to re-test TAKS, but not science and social studies. The district does not take into consideration past CEI's. Also no one knows whose calculating the CEI's, we do not know the formula that is used, or what criteria is being followed. I do know that the results of my last year's CEI's were so screwed up they made no sense. Example: I had alot of students to withdraw which decreased my class size numbers in some classes to less than 8 students and those classes were not counted. I had one class not to be scored. Special Education students are not counted, students with high absences are not counted. So who is ????
Sigh...
I taught math in DISD for two years and still have bad dreams (I've been out for almost a year, but they don’t stop). CEI’s are one of the many, many things I have a problem with. Comparing “similar” students, a mystery formula used in calculations, jobs depending on them (when DISD denied this was their purpose), etc. etc. and above all:
CEI'S GUARANTEE FAILURE.
If you are judging everyone against everyone else, someone has to be the best and someone has to be the worst. So let's say every student passed and everything was great... there would still be teachers with the lowest CEI's possible. I understand the desire to see how people rank compared to each other, and the easiest way for DISD seems to be reducing teachers to numbers (they do so much of that with the kids...). But I didn't grade my students from best to worst. I graded them on their individual achievements, or lack thereof. (Imagine if a certain percent of students HAD to be ranked a 1 out of 5 compared to the rest and given the lowest grades possible. I don’t think that would go over well!).
Low CEI's are also very bad for morale. I have worked hard and studied my entire life. School was my “job” before teaching, and I went to college on scholarship and earned straight A’s. As a teacher, I worked tirelessly through nights and weekends and put my life on hold for the sake of my students. For DISD to then grade (or degrade) me with a CEI of "2" was the ultimate insult. As a new teacher, I know I could have improved in many ways that come with time and experience. But I had realized that teaching was not right for me, and being labeled a “2” definitely made the choice to pursue another profession easier.
Hard work may not always result in success, but it should at least be acknowledged. I am thankful for the wonderful teachers and staff that supported me during my time in DISD, and I wish them the best for putting up with this and other DISD hurdles in order to educate our kids.
I am a fine arts teacher at
I am a fine arts teacher at a middle school that is low performing. Myself and another fine arts teacher were told two weeks ago that the principal wanted to take the school in another direction, so our programs were cut. I was sent an email contract, but I have no job or school to apply it to. I know that we are not the only fine arts teachers in the district that have been affected, so CEI's aside, there is more that one side to the story.
boediger
Contracts
I am a fine arts teacher at a middle school that is low performing. Myself and another fine arts teacher were told two weeks ago that the principal wanted to take the school in another direction, so our programs were cut. I was sent an email contract, but I have no job or school to apply it to. I know that we are not the only fine arts teachers in the district that have been affected, so CEI's aside, there is more that one side to the story.
It Just Does Not Add Up
First, based on last year's data, teachers have been unprofessionally mailed letters from Shirley Boss stating their contracts may not be renewed?
Please observe the letter below:
This letter is to advise you that because you are in the bottom of the quintile for Classroom Effectitve Indices (Tier 1) or on a growth plan, the District will not extend your current contract. Please be advised that you will remain employed for the 2009/2010 school year pursuant to your current contract. However, you will e expected to show improvement in performance next school year, or your contract may be subject o non-renewal at the end of the contract term.
One very important point that should be addressed is that some teachers who do not administer TAKS, ACP, etc. should be included in this firing process.
For example: Choir, Band, Career and Technology, T & I Telecom, Fam. & Con. Science/Creative Arts, Physical Education teachers and so on don't have the stress as Math, Reading, Social Studies, Science teachers.
These teachers make the same salary as teachers who have to teach and prepare students all year long to pass test. This is documentation for the insurmountable law suits that will be on-going for the 2009-2010 school year. There should be test for every subject whether it’s Math, Science, Career and Technology Education or Physical Education. Every teacher should be held accountable!!!
After receiving such a cold, calculating and ruthless letter, who in their right mind would want to return to a campus and have something of this nature on their mind?
At this point, I have started a journal and I will use my cell phone to take pictures, videos, and voice recordings at any and everything that is prohibited within the district. This information will be sent to TEA, local as well as national media including the Washington D. C.
--------------------------------
Second, The Chief of staff, Dallas ISD http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/dallas/stories/031...
Education: New Mexico State University, 1974, bachelor's in business systems analysis
Salary: $173,670 This salary does not fit the degree. I have a Master of Science degree (GPA 3.75) and 22 years of service compared to his 4 years and make $60,000. It just does not add up.
His Wife, is DISD's executive Director of Technology
This is nepotism!!!!!!!!!
[Ed Note: I wish you good luck with your journal.]
Not nepotism
You didn't apply for his job and should have. You are selling yourself short bud. Go for the gold next time the opportunity happens and stop being a rule Nazi. You are just gonna annoy all the other people who work with you. Pointing out the problem is not the same thing as solving the problem. Do something.
You know those kids in your classroom? You know them.. they are the ones that tell on the other kids in the classroom... and is the same one that takes up a lot of your valuable teaching time focused on other things... like your own rule enforcement that you would rather enforce some other time when you should be teaching to the TAKS.
You know those kids...the pets... they grow up and become teachers.
Contract Changes
It appears teachers are upset about the letters they received stating that potentially, they might not receive a contract after the 2009-2010 school year. In my opinion, that gives the teachers one year to find another job.
I am newly retired and so very glad I left the district via the Voluntary RIF. Yes, I have to "budget" and learn to live on 30% less income as a full-time employee. However, thanks to Obama, I can get Cobra coverage for dental and vision at discount rates. I am adjusting and life is good.
My advice to all you good teachers that have unfairly received a letter of potential non-renewal, go out and find another job with another district in the metroplex. All the districts are hiring right NOW. If you are eligible for retirement, work next year and use the year to plan for retirement.
You are not running away from DISD. You are going to a place of employment that will value you as a teacher.
The children of Dallas ISD will be the ones to suffer when veteran teachers who really know how to teach and care about the children leave. Then the parents might finally realize Hinojosa and the BOARD need to go!
Fine arts do have a way to
Fine arts do have a way to be tested. It's called U.I.L. Contests.
Yes but...
If you don't win UIL in say choir or One Act or Band, how many principles are truly concerned enough to get rid of a fine arts teacher. Don't get me wrong, I love the fine arts and electives teachers, and love working with them and think they are an immensely integral part of our schools, but they don't have to deal with TAKS accountability and that makes all the difference.
CEI's
The following information is found on DISD's data portal regarding CEI's.
Because CEIs are based on relative performance, the percentage of students on a
teacher's roster who "passed a test" is not relevant. Students may "pass a test"
but not perform as well as similar students in the district who started at the
same level of performance the year before. These students will contribute little
to a teacher's CEI. Conversely, students who "fail the test" but perform much
better than similar students who had the same level of performance last year will
contribute greatly to a teacher's CEI. A teacher's CEI goes up as each student
outperforms his or her comparison group, which consists of all students in the
district with similar demographic profiles and the same level of performance from
the year before.
It appears the district is comparing students performances to other students with "similar demographics". We also have to remember that every student is not assessed by TAKS for every subject at every grade level. I would like to know how a 7th grade Social Studies teacher's class can be compared to another group despite not being assessed in Social Studies in the 6th grade. The only logical explanation is the students are compared to other groups based on assessments in the 6th grade other than Social Studies. If this is accurate, it is a horrible comparsion becasue the students may have similar Math and Reading backgrounds but extremely different Social Studies background. It is amusing to know a succesfull teacher with 100% student passing can score in the red(low level) CEI's. A teacher could also have an entire class fail the test and still have good CEI's as long as the students outperform the "so called" comparison group. At first I thought this was a joke but it appears to be very serious in nature. A lot of people will be affected by the faulty assessment methods. It also difficult to accept the district is capable of manipulating complicated statistical formulas but struggle with addition and subtraction. (budget)
Just Fascinating
Based on last year's data, teachers are NOW being told their contracts may not be renewed?
Tests that form the basis of the CEI have already been taken for this year, and since the CEI for next year will come from these results, EXACTLY HOW do they improve backwards in time?
Since that is impossible, this is really a warning that their contracts will not be renewed and that they have a year to find another job.
We all know there are errors in the computation of the CEI. That aside, how many lousy administrators and executive directors are being given the same info? Is Leslie Williams, king of total incompetence, being told to start his job search? How about Micheaux?
As far the superintendent, let it be said right now. Your contract also has one year left on it. When there are elections next year, you can kiss it all good-bye.
That is, unless you can push hundreds of thousands more in Royce West's direction so that he can find yet another loophole for elections.
Has nothing to do with CEIs
DISD has just started to revv up its TEACH 4 AMERICA PROGRAM. They are looking for new teaschers and illegal immigrants. They are the only ones that will work for less and accept being treated like trash without speaking out.
CEI's
I did not receive an contract due to my CEI' sbeing in the red. The previous year I had an 87% TAKS passing rate. The problem you ask....I looped up with the majority of my kids from second grade....six of them were one question away from commended performance. They wanted these children to receive a perfect score. Is this my fault. I think not! But I am being penalized even though I worked my behind off to prepare them for the test. The year before that my CEI's were green. Does this make sense? They will be habdling a number of law suits. SO they better get ready. We are the only idiots that even have CEI's. I lose my job but Hinojosa keeps his? Where is the justice in that. Get ready Dallas!!!!
7 years and now I get nothing
Like many teachers I got a letter saying that after the 2009-2010 school year I would not get a contract. I have put my energy, time and MONEY into a classroom now I may not have a job after next year. I don't think its right to judge me because my students didn't do well on a test that I have been told not to use any practice test or study material on. I had a collegue tell me not to use any of this material because the district didn't want to lose title 1 funds if the kids do well. I'm like what?? They want the students to fail??
Well they have failed me because if I lose my job I could lose everything. EVERYTHING!!!!!
Why are we the only school district to use test scores to fire people? If you want me gone then just tell me to my FACE and not some letter in the mail.
I wish these parents would get up and start doing something about what goes on in the district instead of laying back letting it happen........
We have heard it will be
We have heard it will be around 130-150 released.
[Ed Note: Polly want a cracker (cuz Polly isn't getting an embedded spam link)!]
Will DISD have teachers next year?
Do I need to look for a new school system all together? Trying to get a grasp on what direction DISD is going has been hard up til now. Now it seems to be a flush job, straight into the toilet bowl. Every action seems to bring an disaster, mystery and, fewer who know what's going on. How are the Richardson schools looking? Seems like each district in DISD has an agenda and none seem to be meshed together. Will they even know what the word "budget" means by the time next year rolls around?
Perhaps there won't be a need for real live teachers, go online kids, get a GED and move on into college.
So those who have not got
So those who have not got contracts yet will not be getting them? When did teachers get their contracts? I thought if you had a CEI of a 3 you were safe. I teach math and my contract expires this year. I guess I need to look for a job.
Less than 150
We have heard it will be around 130-150 released.
CEI
Allen,
Everyone knows that not all teachers have a CEI. All teachers that administer a test on the list have a CEI.
EVERY CAMPUS HAS A CEI.
EVERY DISTRICT HAS A CEI.
I assume the ratings are on the TEA website.
How do Dallas ISD schools compare to other schools in the state?
How does DISD compare to other districts?
Just curious.
ok, i'll bite. WHO is
ok, i'll bite. WHO is getting laid off now? are you to referring to the TA's or more teachers?
Contracts
DISD is using CEI's not to extend teacher contracts pass the 2010 school year if they were in the bottom tier. You would think a lesson was learned with a teacher in this district whose CEI'S were used to fire her. Along with the help of the union and I believe a lawyer, she got her job back. The district lost because you cannot hold test scores of students against the teacher. CEI's are based on ACP and TAKS results. Also, not all teachers have CEI's. Those of us who teach science and social studies do not stand a chance. Reading and Mathe students are allowed to re-test TAKS, but not science and social studies. The district does not take into consideration past CEI's. Also no one knows whose calculating the CEI's, we do not know the formula that is used, or what criteria is being followed. I do know that the results of my last year's CEI's were so screwed up they made no sense. Example: I had alot of students to withdraw which decreased my class size numbers in some classes to less than 8 students and those classes were not counted. I had one class not to be scored. Special Education students are not counted, students with high absences are not counted. So who is ????