DC teachers contract

I'm SO tired of hearing the nonsense that the existing, failing schools systems don't respond to competition and best practices models!  As simple common sense would dictate, EVERY piece of evidence is to the contrary.  For example, in Florida, where students who attended a school that was labeled failing two years in a row (or two years out of four?), a study by Jay Greene showed that -- SURPRISE! -- a school that received one F showed marked improvements (in order to avoid the dreaded second F).  Or recall the article from the front page of the NYT a week or so ago about how charter schools now account for a meaningful number of students in Harlem and -- SURPRISE! -- Harlem's test scores are rising much faster than other comparable parts of the city.  And below is an article that demonstrates the impact on teacher contracts, which are too often rigid barriers to any type of sensible reform -- the head of the teachers' union ADMITS it!

Union President George Parker said the changes are needed so that the District's traditional public schools can compete more successfully with the public charter schools, which have lured away thousands of students.

"The landscape has changed. Our parents are voting with their feet," Parker said. "As kids continue leaving the system, we will lose teachers. Our very survival depends on having kids in D.C. schools so we'll have teachers to represent."

Fifty-one charter schools are operating in the city. In five years, charter school enrollment has grown by 7,000 students, to 17,500. During the same period, enrollment in the D.C. school system has dropped by about 10,000 students, to 58,000.

-------------------------

Bonuses, Relaxed Rules Proposed
Pilot Programs Are Response to Gains By Charter Schools

By V. Dion Haynes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 6, 2006; B04

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/05/AR2006060501572.html

A proposed contract to be voted on today by the more than 4,000 members of the D.C. teachers union would enable teachers to earn bonuses tied to student performance and to opt out of some union work rules.

Although both programs would be voluntary and limited to a few schools, the proposals are a turnabout for the Washington Teachers' Union, whose leaders in the past have opposed various forms of pay-for-performance and more-demanding work schedules...