Gone are the days where each classroom is an island, it seems.
New requirements, along with the "mandatory" passing percentages we're already familiar with, are coming to DISD schools. Now, you will be assessed at subject level. That means if you are a physics teacher and only have 1% of your students failing, but the other physics teacher has 30% failing, BOTH of you will have to provide documentation for failing more than what's acceptable (come up with intervention strategies for failing students, requirements during the 6 weeks, etc).
It's a tad more complex than that since you have to break out by sheltered, modified, and on level students, but you get the gist. There will be a follow up to this blog and we'll make changes as we get new information.
Here's the thing though, the intentions may very well be good. Teachers should have some idea of what to do with kids not meeting the standards we set for them, but adding more to the already crowded plate of teachers is NOT the answer. I know student brains aren't fully developed. I agree that there should be opportunities to correct past mistakes. I don't think removing all accountability from the students themselves is productive, helpful, or compassionate.
Better get those writing hands ready because it looks like there's much more paperwork in the future.
We'll throw in a pen or two with your holiday order from the Dallas Education Blog Store! Buy something for an educator you care about today!
Related Articles:
Grade Level Collaboration with Dallas Teachers
Team Teaching in Dallas Schools
Attendance for credit in DISD schools
Refusing to pass DISD students that don't earn it
Credit recovery in Dallas ISD
New requirements, along with the "mandatory" passing percentages we're already familiar with, are coming to DISD schools. Now, you will be assessed at subject level. That means if you are a physics teacher and only have 1% of your students failing, but the other physics teacher has 30% failing, BOTH of you will have to provide documentation for failing more than what's acceptable (come up with intervention strategies for failing students, requirements during the 6 weeks, etc).
It's a tad more complex than that since you have to break out by sheltered, modified, and on level students, but you get the gist. There will be a follow up to this blog and we'll make changes as we get new information.
Here's the thing though, the intentions may very well be good. Teachers should have some idea of what to do with kids not meeting the standards we set for them, but adding more to the already crowded plate of teachers is NOT the answer. I know student brains aren't fully developed. I agree that there should be opportunities to correct past mistakes. I don't think removing all accountability from the students themselves is productive, helpful, or compassionate.
Better get those writing hands ready because it looks like there's much more paperwork in the future.
We'll throw in a pen or two with your holiday order from the Dallas Education Blog Store! Buy something for an educator you care about today!
Related Articles:
Grade Level Collaboration with Dallas Teachers
Team Teaching in Dallas Schools
Attendance for credit in DISD schools
Refusing to pass DISD students that don't earn it
Credit recovery in Dallas ISD
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