Comments on: Oakland teachers push for changes beyond charter school conversion

By: Hmakesyouthink

Hmakesyouthink — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:27:13 +0000

James,
What are these new positions? What is the concern around them?
Weren’t these in the strategic plan?

By: jesse james

jesse james — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:59:46 +0000

Thanks Katy! To be clear, the issues I hope you’ll look into are the ones I wrote about in #13. Thanks again for all your hard work–I truly appreciate it! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

By: Jesse James

Jesse James — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:23:04 +0000

Thanks Katy! To be clear, my hope is that you investigate the issues posed in post #13. Thanks again!

By: Marcia

Marcia — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:50:07 +0000

I think this exchange about young vs. more experienced principals, especially the discussion in entries 17-19, is fascinating. It highlights one of the lessons I took from my years as a parent involved in OUSD at every level–that is that there are many pieces of the truth, and while some possess more pieces than others, no one holds them all. I encourage everyone to bear that in mind.

For example, on this blog I disagree with probably 95% of Nextset’s comments. And yet, I find a kernel in his posts that rings true often enough that I’m forced to rethink my views.

I have no doubt that both Jesse James and Socrates in 17 and 18 accurately describe their experiences. The fact that they’re contradictory doesn’t make either untrue.

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:18:53 +0000

Definitely. Thanks, Jesse James.

By: Jesse James

Jesse James — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:06:41 +0000

So Katy will this be something the Tribune will look at or not? It’s an important topic. You seem to have direct access to my employer, something I do not have. You give us some voice/power/clarity. To me, this is an important issue and directly relates to OUSD’s future. So will you look into into it or not?

By: J.R.

J.R. — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:51:14 +0000

A few more related links:

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ib_10.htm

http://blogs.denverpost.com/coloradoclassroom/2009/04/23/teacher-effectiveness-the-studies/153/

By: J.R.

J.R. — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:34:01 +0000

Experience has been underestimated, but I think its fair to say that it is more frequently overestimated. First a study showing that teaching experience after a certain point is negligible(once you have learned you job, you are good to go).

http://edpro.stanford.edu/Hanushek/admin/pages/files/uploads/teachers.econometrica.pdf

Much like Jesse I have witnessed many entrenched teachers stubbornly not even loosely following state and curriculum standards. There are other teachers who don’t use a gradebook/planner, and still others who don’t/won’t use assessment tools to track student progress or struggles. Some are so experienced they think know whats best for students even if it is detrimental(this is arrogance borne of longevity).

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:17:48 +0000

On a side note: Are there really that many 20-something principals out there? I know a few young principals in OUSD, but I can’t think of any in their 20s, at least off the top of my head.

By: jesse james

jesse james — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:08:40 +0000

I am sorry that’s what it’s been like for you–it hasn’t been for me. It sounds awful and I am happy that I haven’t dealt with it. My experience has been the direct opposite–old staff stuck in their ways to the detriment of student learning. Strange that we work in the same district and have had such different situations. Is it true that the young principals you worked with did not effect any positive change?