This is the official Twitter account for #OklaEd, thehashtag that brings OK educators together. #OklaEd is not political & promotes constructive dialogue.
My name is Jason James, Supt of #AlexPS ~ #oklaed Advocate - "I have the right to remain silent, but not the ability" pretty much sums up my personal life
A1 - I might have a vastly different answer/perspective here. As an alt certified teacher I think doors were open for me to advance quicker than I might have without the shortage. #oklaed
A1) Just the lack of qualified candidates has been a major problem and we’re in Tulsa!! We’ve been very lucky in finding great teachers. It’s only going to get worse before it gets better. #oklaed
A1) T shortage has threatened S learning and has been a critical deterrent to our state's future, because we will never know the true impact on the learning of Ss. #oklaed
A1: It hasn't directly effected me in my teaching position. But I'm looking at building a strong feeder pattern. When the best Music Ed grads leaves for other states it sucks. #oklaed
#oklaed A1) we are all wearing a lot of hats. But we are finding ways to be creative and share what resources we have...oh what we could do with enough resources for every kid, think of the authentic experiences we could create @elonmusk
A1. Imagine being the Miami Marlins and the great teachers keep being recruited/traded/FA to the New York Yankees. There's still great prospects but no championships coming soon. #oklaed
A1: Teacher shortage hurts the students. It increases class sizes. Takes away from one on one time for Ss. The students are what matter. It’s all about them. This is inexcusable! #oklaed
A1: There isn’t ever a time to be relaxed around prospective teacher candidates. As a hiring manager I’m selling myself and my school more then they are trying to impress me. #oklaed
I think being in Mid-Del has had a massive impact on pushing me to grow and get better equipped. I have had wonderful examples from colleagues and admin across the district. #oklaed.
Boom! How many Ss have had life altering, negative things happen due to predators and other acts due to not being able to hire highly effective Ts #oklaed
A1b) Well, I’m not real great at teaching choir so they aren’t getting as good of vocal music education as they would with a certified choir T. #oklaed
A1- teacher shortage has made me consider testing in other subject areas, I could teach any level I wanted without the actual degree. If only I had the money for the certification tests.... #oklaed
A1: I hear lots of feedback from #oklaed leaders about growing class sizes, difficulty offering high level math/science classes & the need for more PD/support for inexperienced Ts but a lack of resources to do so. But also many are leveraging partnerships to creatively fill gaps.
None, Alt certs are Ts with college degrees in that subject and have passed all the T exams~ we need to educate people on the differences b/t alt & emergency Ts #oklaed
A1 The teacher shortage affects us all. Who will fill the vacancies? When an unqualified person is hired, it puts more pressure on the rest of us. #OklaEd
A1: I’m sad to say I’m part of the shortage problem. I left the classroom for a higher paying job. If I could afford it, I’d go back to the classroom in a ❤️ beat #oklaed
#oklaed A1: I have more papers to grade because I have an extra class of students. It's time to start redesigning education and how we structure it. The teacher shortage is not going to be a quick fix. @elonmusk
A1b) it’s caused all of us to work hard to help them learn how to teach on the job. Many want to do well but have no idea the scope or depth of the job. #oklaed
A1) The state has basically said that anyone can do my job. I’m a 33 year veteran with a M.Ed., and sometimes I feel less valued as a teacher outside my district. #OklaEd
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
A1 I now have to teach Teacher Basics 101: lesson planning, instruction/timing, and classroom management; plus basic science concepts as so many Ts are e-cert #oklaed
Alt cert here. 270+ hour of PD AND #21stcenturymasters with @DrTerriC. I know many alt certs who work hard and are DIVERGENT THINKERS when it comes to #oklaed
I wouldn't say you are part of the problem. You responded to it, but you have to take care of you and your family. You did not create or exacerbate this problem. That's on #okleg. #oklaed
#oklaed A1c) I think there is a big difference. In some situations, I think the alt certs for TAs make (sometimes) far better Ts than traditional route where no one has been in a classroom before.
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
A1b- I would imagine a lot more on the job training in classroom management and instruction. Which might work out, but might flop. That's a tough gamble. #oklaed
#OKlaed has to know that although we have numerous superstar teachers taking these alternative paths reducing the work to become a T will affect the quality of teachers
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
There is a big difference from alt cert who want to become an educator and emergency cert if the person does not want to learn. Just like some cert teachers aren't "into it". No room for Generalities in OK teacher shortage. #oklaed
In reply to
@DewinterAmber, @grendelrick, @MatthewTGragg
A1c #oklaed The biggest difference is in retention rates. We tend to keep traditionally certified teachers around longer. They're invested.
These are trends, though - not absolutes.
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
my wife, @451Flame is an Alt English T and an #oklaed Elem Principal........ highly effective Ts are not our problem...... people need to be educated on this issue....
Alt cert here. 270+ hour of PD AND #21stcenturymasters with @DrTerriC. I know many alt certs who work hard and are DIVERGENT THINKERS when it comes to #oklaed
A1c I am alt cert. I later received a Master’s in Secondary Social Science Education and now working on an EACS EdD. I might be an exception, but someone took a chance on me #oklaed
Alt cert here. 270+ hour of PD AND #21stcenturymasters with @DrTerriC. I know many alt certs who work hard and are DIVERGENT THINKERS when it comes to #oklaed
A1: As educators, we’ve had to create triage plans to support T’s as well as provide continued, long term support in teacher growth/ supports as it pertains to student outcomes. No small feat. #oklaed
A1c I was alt cert, am now NBCT (renewed this year), and pursuing a doctoral degree in educ. A lot of short and long term success is in what you do to make yourself better, no matter where you enter the profession #OklaEd
A1 cont. What makes the shortage hurt worse is vets aren't around to help guide newbies like in the past.. My 1st year had 5 newbies & over 30 +6 year vets. Now we have 2nd yr Ts as grade level chairs helping 1st yr Ts. #oklaed
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
A1c: a lot of what you need to know isn’t taught in your college courses. You learn it in the field. Internships, observing, etc. college can’t teach you classroom management. Or how important it is to build relationships w/ your Ss. #oklaed
A1c) There are differences but in my experience, I've seen great emergency certified teachers, alternatively certified teachers, adjunct and traditional teachers. I have also seen some who were not good for students. It depends on the heart of the educator. #oklaed
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
A1c: yes, there is an immense difference, especially when looking at classroom management, teaching strategies and knowledge about the various ways Ss learn. #oklaed
A1c) As an alt cert T myself, I'd say the difference is how those people follow up their certification. If they put in the work, and they have the right support, they can become excellent Ts. If they don't, they won't. #OklaEd
#oklaed A1b/c) I know many alt cert teachers who are.doing a great job...and alt cert = degree, sometimes more than one. It just means I don't have an Ed undergrad
A2: When I want to say yes, I am reminded by my rural school friends that students already traveling an hour to and from school. I could not imagine if it was longer. #oklaed
#oklaed Q2) who in here has family in admin? who wants to see EVEN LESS of them. District divisions are about two things: physical distance and student population. The districts are the way they are for a reason.
A1c) As an alt cert T myself, I'd say the difference is how those people follow up their certification. If they put in the work, and they have the right support, they can become excellent Ts. If they don't, they won't. #OklaEd
Q1- Ideally all teachers would go through a traditional ed program, but some don’t answer their “call” to teach until later in life - it doesn’t make financial sense for those people to go back & get another degree - and those people can still be effective teachers #oklaed
A2 #oklaed It's hard to argue that we have too many districts when the state keeps authorizing new charters, which by definition are separate districts.
Oh, and local control, yada yada yada
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
Statistics say 1st year Ts are less effective the 2nd and 2nd less then 3rd so forth. Alternative paths show we are getting more and more 1st years #OklaEd
A1c certainly we could all say it depends on the person but regardless if you don't have the content knowledge & experience, there is a huge learning curve. Doubt I could get emergency certification to be a medical doctor so why a teacher. #Oklaed
Absolutely not!! The number of students doesn’t decrease if the number schools decrease. As a PK-8 district we battle this every year. It gets old! #oklaed
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
A1 I am alt cert, working on my NBCT and starting a master's degree in English Ed. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for the time I spent in my field. I think the impact of those certs depends on the backgrounds and intentions of the teachers. #oklaed
I think any brand new teacher has an effect on students. I think most would agree that we were more effective in yr 3 than he 1. We have over 1800 emergency certs in #oklaed
A1C I do think there must be more training for non-traditionally certified teachers. That said, how are we going to pay for this when we can't pay for teachers? #oklaed
A2. I interpret #okleg saying that because some states do the education thing by county. Imagine ok County schools. Wouldn't that be mid-del okcps, Choctaw, Harrah, Put city, Millwood, Oakdale? #oklaed
A2) I think there may be some merit to consolidation, but consideration has to be given to local control and rural districts. It is possible to have a county office that does most admin functions and district focus on teaching. #oklaed
A2- I honestly think there are a few too many districts. However, I don't think that got us in the financial mess we are in. My home county has 7 districts in it and is one of the smallest counties in OK. #wontsolvetheproblem#oklaed
A2) If there were less districts would class sizes be smaller? Not likely. It’s not the number of districts, it’s the number of Ss in each class that matters #oklaed
A1c - I think...
Is it the number of trad. cert, alt. cert, emerg. cert, etc? Or, is it where quality teachers, regardless of certification, end up teaching? Would argue that smaller school districts have dispraportionate higher emergency cert and prob. lower quality t's. #oklaed
A2 If we eliminate districts what happens to student services? Does it improve or get worse because Ss spend more time being bussed to another town? #oklaed
A2) I think there MIGHT be some circumstances where it would be beneficial, but I don’t personally believe that any #okleg that proposed any kind of bill regarding consolidation has done the necessary research to know which ones would benefit. #oklaed
A2b #oklaed I believe in school choice. I don't believe in vouchers. Private schools have no accountability for academics or finances. Why would we send tax dollars there?
Oh, and the church & state thing...
#oklaed A2: I graduated from a rural school in SW Ok. If you take away the school, the town eventually goes away. It's time to think of new ideas besides consolidation. It's time to redesign what Ss learn and give them more opportunities. @elonmusk
Agreed A2: @hemmc in #avantps is all superintendent, principal, form and grant writer and bringer of joy. We need to protect our rural schools. #oklaed
A2b - I struggle with “choice”...clearly if a child has special needs that’s one thing, but for the ones that don’t - at what point is “choice” a middle finger to the families with no option for choice? #oklaed
A1: Larger class sizes, and it makes it tough to really be selective when looking for the best of the best teachers when there’s such slim pickings to choose from! #pdbearchat#oklaed
Oklahoma underinvests in education -- and not by just a small amount. What could our schools do if we invested $1,500 more per student -- which his how far off we are from the regional avg? How many teachers could we keep if we paid them a competitive wage? #oklaed
A2 I think when you consolidate districts and increase school sizes, you ultimately hurt many kids -- those kids who get lost in the crowd. At my school, I know everyone and so does the office. Our most vulnerable kids need the smaller community. #oklaed
#oklaed A2b) Until your tax dollars don't go to that school, certain schools would be over run w/o funding. When tax dollars can walk, this will be a death sentence for lower SES schools who already have trouble making ends meet and improving. School choice is...
AQ2- As much as I hate to say it, yes. Look at states with comparable populations. Status quo is not working. No need for mass consolidation, it needs to be strategic. #oklaed
Yet most new teachers tend to lose efficacy between yrs 2-4 bc the first year “supports” are gone & it is assumed they are now “experts.” A 1yr teacher & 25yr veteran are given same responsibilities. We must support NEW teachers beyond Yr1 to really invest in retention. #oklaed
A2: school consolidation seems like an easy out for #okleg. Shifting blame back onto us. It may be a solution but I doubt it’s the only solution. Just do your job! #oklaed
Q1c. Quality teaching comes from the heart and anyone can be a good teacher if their mind is set to it. There isn’t a program out there that makes a quality teacher it’s the person #oklaed
Q1c) Do you believe there is a major difference between emergency, alternative, adjunct and traditional Ts? Is there a significant impact on student learning? #oklaed
Checking in late from Edmond. A2) Too many districts, unless you’re in one of the little districts. Schools are the heart of small towns and the root of their identity. #oklaed
A2b: School choice is fine with me, but do not use my tax dollars to pay for charters and private school vouchers. And if you do, they better be held to the same standard. And they should let @grendelrick into their parties. #oklaed
A2b. I'm 100% for ANY thing (and I mean absolutely anything) that will hell students. Charter, Private, Public, a school in the outdoors, academy, magnet. I love what Harlem Children's Zone has done! #oklaed
Oklahoma underinvests in education -- and not by just a small amount. What could our schools do if we invested $1,500 more per student -- which his how far off we are from the regional avg? How many teachers could we keep if we paid them a competitive wage? #oklaed
Which then this has nothing to do with certification, as @DrTerriC noted. The growing inequality gaps are likely to intensify the disparities between richer & poorer school districts.
#oklaed
A2b- I don't have problem with choice I have a problem with funding inequities. True equalization and funding that formula adequately would be great! #oklaed
A2) Some districts cover many miles, ours more than 130. Some are many miles apart, there is not an absolute answer. Multiple studies show minimal savings, but it’s politics at its best. #oklaed
Out of the last 10 teachers of the year at our Norman High, 3 left at the end of the last school year—two to other states for higher pay and one to retirement as it pays better. We miss you @SPSheehan@SciGuyLiffy & @hemphillnhs#oklaed
A1c, I do know that School librarians who come to the job with no course training of experience teaching are more challenged than those who come from the classroom. Course training for professional educators is important #oklaed
A2 pardon my grumpy pants here, but come on....the state budget is how many billions in the hole and THIS is what the legislature is getting fussy over? Give me a break. Or better yet, do your job. #OklaEd
A2b) There are limits to the choice parents have in the choice of school for their child. Location comes to mind, but also online as opposed to traditional building. There are real factors that must be considered. #oklaed
A2b-School choice is fine. I'm not okay with vouchers. Also let's level the playing field a bit, underfunded public schools have the short end of the stick. #oklaed
Consolidation won't change per pupil funding by one dollar. You still have the same amount of money divided by the same amount of students. #oklaed#okleg#distractiongame
A2: school consolidation seems like an easy out for #okleg. Shifting blame back onto us. It may be a solution but I doubt it’s the only solution. Just do your job! #oklaed
Hmmmm. I am sure that there is data on this. However rural areas often have people who want to come home. Community ties could be stronger. I could see it going either way. #oklaed
A2) I teach in a consolidated district. It works well. I have no issues w/ targeted, well thought out & planned consolidations. Unfortunately, our legislators seem to think districts can just be tossed together willy-nilly and all problems will magically fix themselves. #OklaEd
A2: Don't think so. If you combine moore and norman, number of Ss supported doesn't change, number of staff needed to support doesn't change. at least I hope not. #oklaed
Out of the last 10 teachers of the year at Norman High, 3 left at the end of the last school year—two to other states for higher pay and one to retirement as it pays better. We miss you @SPSheehan@SciGuyLiffy & @hemphillnhs#oklaed
A2b) We have PS choice and it is limited. We have open and emergency transfer and the sending school can’t block. We also are required to provide virtual options. #oklaed
Yes! I always tell my candidates that they spend a total of ~45hrs/semester in my class— yet 45hrs is a normal WEEK they get in a semester long field internship. Those experiences and access to clinical faculty are a huge asset to the traditional route of certification. #oklaed
A2C - Efficiency does nothing to address the fact that we as a state our broke. We do not have a spending issues. We do not have an efficiency issue. We do not have budget issues. We have a revenue issue. Specifically a lack of revenue! #oklaed
A2b: all schools should be funded the same, have the same resources available to all students. Then you can have your choice. #oklaed when a school is preferred it’s Bc it’s funded better, has more resources. That takes away from communities of less preferred schools. #oklaed
A2b The biggest issue I have w/school choice is how it is promoted, help the less fortunate Ss. In reality it doesn’t help them because they can’t afford to move schools even w/vouchers #oklaed
A2) I think it is funny that the same people who are promoting “school choice” are saying we have too many districts. Doesn’t eliminating districts cut down on the amount of “choices” those parents/students have? #Oklaed
#oklaed
A2) the nmbr of districts isn't the issue, state aid is calculated per student. Other states want to copy our formula. The okleg keeps pushing more charters, etc. The nmbr of districts isn't the issue...or discussion would be too many legislative districts too...
#oklaed A2b: School choice should be about giving students more choices in the curriculum, where the curriculum matches their strengths, interests, and possible career choices. Those choices should be offered in every type of school. @elonmusk
Is this assertion or truth? School choice is the death knell for poor school districts. All kinds of capital leaves with the student -> economic, social, and cultural.
#oklaed
#oklaed A2b: School choice should be about giving students more choices in the curriculum, where the curriculum matches their strengths, interests, and possible career choices. Those choices should be offered in every type of school. @elonmusk
Parents exercise school choice when they decide where to live. If you can afford to live in Edmond or Moore or even Norman, you've made a choice.
#oklaed
A2b when I hear parents talk about their choices too many times the words are hear are worrisome. Parents’ choices are too often detrimental to children’s learning. A parent that wants a child educated w others like themselves, I feel our communities will be weakened #oklaed
#oklaed A2b: School choice should be about giving students more choices in the curriculum, where the curriculum matches their strengths, interests, and possible career choices. Those choices should be offered in every type of school. @elonmusk
Parents exercise school choice when they decide where to live. If you can afford to live in Edmond or Moore or even Norman, you've made a choice.
#oklaed
A2b - we wouldn’t need choice if we would just fund schools and pay teachers.....come onnnnnnn peopleeeee!!! If we still think we do, than we are really saying we don’t want our kids around “those kids” #letsberealhere#oklaed
A2c #oklaed Cries into the air and rhetorical questions about efficiency just distract from the current 7 year reign of failed leadership. Show me the waste. Show me the extravagance.
Angela Clark Little - late again. Is there a way someone could give me a reminder text about 7:45pm each Sunday? ;) #oklaed ADVOCATE & @EdmondSchools Mom!!
A2c) Desires for efficiency by taxpayers or school boards that do not have an understanding of education is bad for the state. Schools are not factories and that analogy hurts our students and has for years. #oklaed
So certified teachers are now “forced” to become the mentors to those who have no/little experience= even more job responsibilities added because of teacher shortage crisis. And it’s usually the new ones who are now the “experts” because 3yrs might= longevity in dept. #oklaed
Having looked at the data, #oklaed actually has fewer administrators when you look at the student-to-admin ratio at the district level. A lot of our administrators are pulling double and triple duty.
The better teachers want to work in the better "environments", ones that may allow them to work with "better" students. The "better" schools have more "choice" even if salaries are the same.
#oklaed
I just feel like consolidation is specific to the school in need. Almost like purchasing a canned program. Definitely not for everyone/small district. One size fits one. 🤷🏾♂️ #OKlaed
Like emergency and alt certs #OklaEd has some good charters and some really bad ones. As long as they follow rules protecting the $$ and kids I am ok with
Depends on the professor or school. I don't let graduate students take my undergrad courses for an extra paper. But others do. I have a special masters class offered once a year.#oklaed
A3. I'll repeat this. I'm for ANY school that will help our students whether it'd be a public, private, charter, catholic, magnet, someone in their backyard creating a school Sunday school, VBS too! Our Ss deserve more success. #oklaed
A3 - There are some good charters, but overall they represent a move away from equitable education to everyone. They do not play by the same rules.
How fair would we find it if UGA only had to get 7.5 yards for a 1st down and OU 15 in the Rose Bowl? #oklaed
A3: Don't know a whole lot on charter schools, but we toured a few during my intro to ed class in college and I liked them. The ones we saw served low ses students, had terrible facilities, and had wonderful teachers. Don't know all the behind the scenes stuff though. #oklaed
A2) I say get our per pupil funding up to regional average and then we can discuss these big ideas people seem to have for public ed. Consolidation doesn’t change the # of students and $ saved would be a drop in a very large bucket!! #oklaed
A3) A Charter School working in partnership with a school district can be beneficial for both. However, most charter schools serve their self-interests first and the students' second. In those cases, they drain resources. #oklaed
A3. Public schools were designed to keep the country educated upon its conception but our founders couldn’t foresee what public schools have now. #okleg should be looking to make public appealing to ps instead of holding the purse strings #oklaed
Like emergency and alt certs #OklaEd has some good charters and some really bad ones. As long as they follow rules protecting the $$ and kids I am ok with
Oklahoma Charter Schools provide school choice for Ss who need something different that what they are currently being offered, but are still held accountable like public schools. Be very careful not to confuse charter schools with school vouchers #oklaed
Find the least resourced schools and they're more likely than not being efficient. Neither school choice nor cost effectiveness will make up for the lack of state investments in public education.
#oklaed
A3) If charter schools want to take funds away from public education then they should have to adhere to the same rules, regulations, accreditations and testing of public education. #Oklaed
I actually would take the scrappy teachers at a #low# school any day. Some of the best teachers I've known have been at a low performing school, because they are already discounted and can be creative and teach under the radar. #oklaed
A3) I have seen great and horrible charter schools. It really depends on the people. I think that they are fine, but must be held accountable the same as public schools #oklaed
A2 Are they equating efficiency with best practices? The public needs to understand that children are not widgets. They come to us with a variety of needs and abilities. They can all learn to be productive citizens, but they will not all be college graduates. #OklaEd
A3- The idea of for profit schools is hard for me to swallow. If a charter school were to work alongside a public school, I think it would work well. #oklaed
A3. I will only say this from personal experience... they can get rid of Ts at will when public schools can’t. Still waiting on my bonus check. Very convenient timing #oklaed
Oklahoma Charter Schools provide school choice for Ss who need something different that what they are currently being offered, but are still held accountable like public schools. Be very careful not to confuse charter schools with school vouchers #oklaed
A3: I have an issue with for profit charter schools like those of our dearly beloved Cruella DeVos. If charters use public funded dollars they need to be held to the same standard our public schools are held too. #oklaed
A2b) Parents should choose where their kids go to school but our tax dollars should never be sent to private institutions that do not adhere to the same accountability as the rest who receive this money. #oklaed
A3: I wouldn’t have a problem with charters if I knew for sure every student had an equal chance at getting in. I care about the students. That’s my priority. Is it fair how you select your students? #oklaed
Q3b) Currently, there is a lawsuit challenging the way charter schools are funded in Oklahoma. Charter schools contend they should receive state dedicated monies, building fund, etc. Valid or way off base? #oklaed
A3) If charter schools want to take funds away from public education then they should have to adhere to the same rules, regulations, accreditations and testing of public education. #Oklaed
#oklaed A3: Any idea that takes away the educational opportunities of my children and students is going down the wrong road and not acceptable. Instead of creating more schools, it's time to redesign the schools that we have: curriculum, structure, and opportunities. @elonmusk
A3- The idea of for profit schools is hard for me to swallow. If a charter school were to work alongside a public school, I think it would work well. #oklaed
A2b; so true! Especially when the arts are eliminated because there’s no money to pay for teachers, they should have more choices, not less!! #pdbearchat#oklaed
#oklaed A2b: School choice should be about giving students more choices in the curriculum, where the curriculum matches their strengths, interests, and possible career choices. Those choices should be offered in every type of school. @elonmusk
A3) I have seen great and horrible charter schools. It really depends on the people. I think that they are fine, but must be held accountable the same as public schools #oklaed
A3b) Unless the Charters are in partnership with districts and agree to the same standards that every school is held to for funding then they are way off base. #oklaed
Q3b) Currently, there is a lawsuit challenging the way charter schools are funded in Oklahoma. Charter schools contend they should receive state dedicated monies, building fund, etc. Valid or way off base? #oklaed
Q3 Honestly, I think charters challenge us to up our game and currently they are only taking cost per student as far as funding goes. But in @OKCPS I question whether the district prefers charters and whether they support their public schools or are replacing them. #oklaed
I hope more people understand that we already have school choice. It also never ceases to amaze me when people try to say this is a conservative value. Since when is having no idea where your tax money is being used considered conservative? #oklaed
No they are not. Charters, for one, do not have to have certified teachers. There was a major article recently in the Oklahoman about this very fact. A public district in OKC is converting to a charter to keep emergency cert teachers. #oklaed
A3) If charter schools want to take funds away from public education then they should have to adhere to the same rules, regulations, accreditations and testing of public education. #Oklaed
A3- The idea of for profit schools is hard for me to swallow. If a charter school were to work alongside a public school, I think it would work well. #oklaed
A3b: This would require me to provide additional technology; network, equipment, etc, but no additional funding to do so. Can someone pay for my rent and utilities? #oklaed
A3b #oklaed Charters are exempt from many of the rules (and protections for students and teachers) that traditional public schools have. They knew before they began operation that they were also exempt from certain funding streams.
Q3b) Currently, there is a lawsuit challenging the way charter schools are funded in Oklahoma. Charter schools contend they should receive state dedicated monies, building fund, etc. Valid or way off base? #oklaed
Both. We all had bad Ts that were never let go. Ts didn’t hold other Ts responsible and neither did the system. I believe current Ps remember and want better for their kids. They don’t trust Ts or current system to prevent bad Ts #oklaed
I think this school could be making the best decision for their students based on all of the variables but this is just one way charters are not held to the exact same standard as public. #oklaed
A3 As with anything there are good and bad some charters are vital parts of their community and have seen success where others have not. We should be learning from those successes #oklaed
Again, I don't disagree with this statement. But, if this was true for all teachers, why are less-resourced schools more likely to have teachers with lower years of experience? Doesn't make them bad t's but great t's usually have more options to leave.
#oklaed
A3b cont.
Elephant in the room.
Charters get to teach what they want how they want and be held accountable for their own actions based on their own board.
Not as much political shenanigans from public boards.
#oklaed
Considering the large number of emer cert granted by the OKSDE this year, charters are not the only ones finding them necessary. What other requirements are different? #oklaed
No they are not. Charters, for one, do not have to have certified teachers. There was a major article recently in the Oklahoman about this very fact. A public district in OKC is converting to a charter to keep emergency cert teachers. #oklaed
I think the best way is for them to actually see teachers that love their jobs, love and respect the kids, and respect each other! (Even when things aren’t so rosy) If all they see is negativity, griping and whining, who can blame them for passing on teaching! #oklaed#pdbearchat
A3c) I think virtual charter schools are providing a different and needed service for students who can’t be in the classroom for various reasons. They shouldn’t be looked at as competition with brick and mortar schools. They are serving different types of students. #oklaed
I think this school could be making the best decision for their students based on all of the variables but this is just one way charters are not held to the exact same standard as public. #oklaed
A3b cont. Another elephant...
They also can/could dismiss students back to home schools, which could mean dismissing troubled students and only keeping non-troubled students. #oklaed
My problem with Virtual Charters is this: Why do they get to make a profit? Wouldn't it be in the taxpayers best interest for them to spend all the money they have to educate the S?
A3c) It depends on the student. I receive many students who went virtual for a while then discovered they needed the discipline of a school with teachers. These virtual schools are not interested at the corporate level in student education. #oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
Then you are probably in the same spot academically, and the problem is in the beuracracy. But that is not a reason someone with a degree that was accepted should not receive the advanced degree. I do understand your frustration though. #OklaEd
A3b cont. Another elephant...
They also can/could dismiss students back to home schools, which could mean dismissing troubled students and only keeping non-troubled students. #oklaed
A3c - I have had multiple students who came from virtual charter schools - they don’t earn the credits they need & don’t know the material of the credits they “earned” - to me they are nothing but a $$ making scam #oklaed
A3c) It depends on the student. I receive many students who went virtual for a while then discovered they needed the discipline of a school with teachers. These virtual schools are not interested at the corporate level in student education. #oklaed
Any district can hire emergency certified teachers. There are limits and guidelines for retaining those teachers for public schools. They are not the same for charter. Plain and simple, is different rules. Not the same level of accountability! #okaed
Discipline guidelines are different. Testing guidelines are different. Curriculum standards can be vastly altered based on the local board. Completely different set of rules! #oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
A3c: all I know is we have many different types of students (children) in the world. Not all prefer a classroom setting. If they learn better virtually then why not?! Are we not taught to accommodate each student? It’s about them, not us. I think we lose sight of that. #oklaed
So so true. However, this doesn’t mean they are always doing the right thing. We have to get better at educating what is a good education. Letter grade is not always true #OklaEd
A4) If we don't give Ts a $10,000 raise immediately and get them to $45,000 in the first 5 years of service we will never reverse the tide of T shortage #oklaed
A3) it’s a case by case basis and a blanket statement can’t be made about all charters. There are some I support and some I don’t. You have to look at their dynamic and make sure they are educating children for free and not for profit. #oklaed
A1: I do not think that certifications determine the quality of a teacher. Dedication, growth, love, and care are things that cannot be taught in the classroom regardless if you are traditionally certified or not. These are just as important as teaching. #oklaed
A4 - I think $5,000 to start just to show good faith, but I don’t think that will keep people here long term as other states continue to increase. We need to push north of $10,000 in the next five years #oklaed
What testing guidelines are different?
As the current District Test Coordinator who has been trained, by the SDE, someone forgot to tell me ........#oklaed
Discipline guidelines are different. Testing guidelines are different. Curriculum standards can be vastly altered based on the local board. Completely different set of rules! #oklaed
Many career changers can be very beneficial for school districts. Career changers = a different pool of contacts, a different pool of $$$. (Think business support!) Public school leaders need to think like independent school leaders. #oklaed
#oklaed HS students are not even glancing at T as a profession..... Those who do, leave the state or leave the profession chasing $. How do you take a job here for $10,000 less than one 4 hours from here?
A3) it’s a case by case basis and a blanket statement can’t be made about all charters. There are some I support and some I don’t. You have to look at their dynamic and make sure they are educating children for free and not for profit. #oklaed
A4 Talking to my @SNU_MAEL grad students, somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000.
But money alone isn't the problem. Politicians need to show more respect for the profession and quit with the senseless mandates already.
#oklaed
A3 How can the leg parcel out money to these other schools when the public schools are dying? or is that the point? Where will our state be without strong public ed? #OklaEd
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
A4) Starting to lose interest in this topic. The more that we talk about it without anything being done discourages me, and I am sure my fellow colleagues. We know we are worth more, but unfortunately #Okleg does not. #Oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
A4) I have one teacher leaving to become a lawyer to make more money. I have a secretary who isn't able to sponsor her husband as an immigrant to the USA due to $$$. I have at least three teachers working two jobs. #oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
Q4) When a new teacher grad with 0 experience can make $52k in TX, it’s hard to compete. But, T retention is about more than money. Ts need to feel valued and that their work is meaningful. OU is getting creative with incentives to keep our grads here. #oklaed
A4: 10,000 will be able to keep me in Oklahoma, if that doesn't happen. Good bye. I will take my fabulousness to a state that will pay me and respect me. Or leave the profession all together. At the end of the day, I have to take care of myself. #Oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
Then you are a quitter and I don't understand that....... j/k....... but we can't lose interest, that is what our POLs want... for us to stop paying attention. #OklaEd
A4) Starting to lose interest in this topic. The more that we talk about it without anything being done discourages me, and I am sure my fellow colleagues. We know we are worth more, but unfortunately #Okleg does not. #Oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
Teacher pay is part of the problem....needs to be at least $5 K to make a difference. Education funding needs to be addressed as well! Teachers are being asked to do too much with too little! #oklaed
#oklaed HS students are not even glancing at T as a profession..... Those who do, leave the state or leave the profession chasing $. How do you take a job here for $10,000 less than one 4 hours from here?
A4: I think it is going to take a lot more than money to keep people in the teaching profession period. We need support from the community and from the politicians if we are to turn the tide in this battle. #OklaEd
A3)Charters in Oklahoma are public schools and hold public school students in need of funding for their education as much as any other public school in Oklahoma #oklaed
A3 How can the leg parcel out money to these other schools when the public schools are dying? or is that the point? Where will our state be without strong public ed? #OklaEd
A4) Min. 10k more. I'd like to pay off student loans someday, or a car, or own a house...you know, all the things my single friends outside of education have done #oklaed
A4 It will take a serious raise for teachers to stop fleeing, $5000-10,000 AND a more respectful attitude from Legislature. Teachers are leaving for more money AND tired of being treated poorly by too many. #oklaed
Q4) T pay: many have proposed a T pay raise. What is the true number to stem the tide of Ts leaving the profession or leaving to other states? What is your real number? #oklaed
A4: we keep losing Ts to neighboring states so my suggestion maybe at least come a little closer to what they pay?! But honestly, the lack of pay stems from lack of respect. Let’s start there. #oklaed
A4) I misunderstood the question. Pay teachers comparable to teachers in California, Ohio, and New York. Our teachers do the same work for a third less. #oklaed
My boyfriend is a great teacher who is leaving the profession. For him it is the pay and the lack of respect. And having 6 preps as a result of losing teachers because of budget cuts. #oklaed
A4b) Teachers need to be respected monetarily and professionally. Our state has stopped trusting them to assess students and now rely on test scores to do the assessing on top of paying them in beans. This has to change!! #oklaed
A4b - It is absolutely a matter of respect. I stay because of three huge regions. 1. Family - my parents live 4 miles away and my mom helps with daycare. 2. I work in an amazing district with great leadership. 3. Bought a new house 18 months ago #oklaed
Absolutely! That is what I think we do now but that was not the norm for a lot of people who are making decisions now. I even help people find a new profession if it seems like mentoring doesn’t help #OklaEd
#oklaed A4: I have taught for 27 years, and the raise would have to be significant to make a difference. Teachers need a stipend each year, more money for higher college degrees or training, and paid health insurance for spouse and children.
A4b: more pay would curb some frustrations for teachers. It would show effort & the beginning of a working relationship between #oklaed/#okleg it would attract the best teachers. #oklaed
@mikeasanders Want to invite you to study the tweets in the #oklaed chat. Not just tonight, but every Sunday. Our state's educators have great ideas, and most importantly, know first-hand what is best for #oklaed kids.
A4 It will take a serious raise for teachers to stop fleeing, $5000-10,000 AND a more respectful attitude from Legislature. Teachers are leaving for more money AND tired of being treated poorly by too many. #oklaed
A4b) I feel kind of like this sometimes. "Why pay teachers for something anyone could do?" said #oklaleg. "Because if we don't, no one will," said #OKlaed
A4b) An indication of worth, no. A matter of respect, yes. Would love to teach kinder for the rest of my life, currently I would need another source of income to do it. #OklaEd
A4. How many on here know a T that has left? Daughter in 3rd year, 1 in OKC 2 in Austin area making close to what an 18 year vet does with several coaching stipends. Sad. #oklaed
A4b: Retirement??? That still exists??? Yes, pay is an indication of how others perceive me to be worth and it is also associated with respect. Unfortunately, for Oklahoma, there not much of either. #oklaed
A4b) Pay has never been my motivator. I love what I do so the money is a bonus for me. However, realistically if the pay is your only motivation or measure of success then I will reserve my comments because it's personal for each person. #oklaed
A5) Several of us Edmond Moms who are extremely active can’t get our Rep to respond to any of us but my Senator, @stephaniebice🍎, is fantastic, responsive and truly cares about #oklaed
A5) @senator_scott & @senatorpaxton are both amazing #oklaed supporters...... I'm a big, big fan of Rep Leslie Osborne and Rep Rhonda Baker..... We need more of them....... #oklaed
A4. Cont. If Ts made $60k, they would have MORE time to plan and focus on Ss vs leaving the school with their Macy's name tag on ready to work another 5-6 hour shift. One teacher lesson plans in the Ross work room. #realtalk#oklaed
