HISD accepts proposals to reform schools; teachers union frets
Today is the deadline to submit proposals to reform three HISD high schools, and Jason Spencer is on the case for the Chronicle. (I have already checked -- the story appears to be accurate.) Unfortunately, the story provides a disturbing look at the mindset of those who consistently oppose ANY school reform:
"My community has made it quite clear that they are not interested in outsourcing the schools and I intend on representing the will of my community," said trustee Kevin Hoffman, whose northeast Houston district includes Kashmere.
Trustee Arthur Gaines, who represents the Yates community, said HISD should fix the schools on its own. "We have strong supervisors and good resources."
[snip]
A deal with KIPP and YES would likely have a hard time winning the support of teachers, said Gayle Fallon, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers.
"KIPP has a great program, but I can tell you right now they would run smack into a lot of legal problems with things that they require of their teachers," Fallon said. "They work a longer day. They get paid more. They are there because they buy into the program. They know what they're getting into when they hire on."
What's missing? Not one word of concern about improving the education of students. Trustee Kevin Hoffman is worried about his community's outsourcing concerns, Trustee Arthur Gaines thinks HISD is perfectly fine to run the three schools, and teachers union president Gayle Fallon, well, she's worried about the teachers.
Here's some irony for you: all those "smart growth" fans (Chronicle included) like to wax poetic about people returning to the city instead of fleeing to the 'burbs. A big factor in that flight is good schools and when HISD tries to improve three schools that are faced with state takeover, the public education power elite stomp their feet and say NO! And of course, the Chronicle played its own part in making this whole thing very difficult for HISD.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/14/05 03:47 PM | Print |
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