Notes on the Illinois Newsletter

Submitted by Claire Wapole on Wed, 09/08/2010 - 9:37am

 

Noteon the Illinois Newsletter
I received the newsletter from The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.  At first blush, I was really pleased to see how much impact a bunch of parents can have on state legislation.  The entire front page of this letter is dedicated to education issues.  The people who have been elected to serve the State of Illinois are realizing that education is a, if not "the", primary concern for many of us. However, while reading over the newsletter I found myself frustrated at the actually content, the actual "work" being done in Springfield.  In a nutshell, here is what this newsletter is saying:
The State of Illinois is slated to receive $415million in federal aid.  A report is coming out showing where these "badly needed" funds will go.  Sad to say, the rest of our fine state has school systems as needy as Chicago Public Schools. I glanced over the distribution report.  It's filled with lots of little towns and "townships" I have never heard of.  They are all holding out soup bowls saying "please sir, may I have some more" too. So, CPS will get it's serving of financial gruel along with all the rest.  I have no idea where the feds are getting this money.  I have read how we are in debt up to our mountain range to other countries.  Just wondering how this money seems to appear when folks pitch a fit and whine hard and long enough for it. I know that approach does not work with me and my kids.
You know that Race To The Top thing?  We didn't win again. That's two years in a row Illinois didn't make the cut.  Every time I hear the phrase "Race To The Top"  I think of fifty people representing the fifty states running up the steps to the top of the Sears Tower.  Some guy wearing an Illinois sash across his chest gets to the top huffing and puffing and red faced and sweaty and the person at the top clicks a stopwatch and says "Sorry Illinois. Not fast enough. You lose.". We didn't sufficiently show progress in the four areas required.  So, we didn't get this money, and again, I don't know where the feds are getting this money from anyway.
A teacher evaluation reform was passed. I'm honestly not sure if this reform will affect CPS teachers. Here is the sentence that jumps out at me "The reforms passed include modifying teacher evaluations to provide for more constructive criticism if needed".  So... we needed a reform passed in order to give teachers "constructive criticism if needed"?  Someone is getting paid to introduce this type of stuff and many others are being paid to vote on it?  Can I get a senate seat? I'm sure I can come up with bills and reforms at least as ground breaking at that one. 
For some reason, getting an an advanced degree to teach or be a principal at an "institute of higher learning" (I am assuming this means college or university) is not working for Illinois.  So now, and I am not making this up, "some not for profit organizations can train and issue certifications for teachers and principals".   But before you frown and ask "What?"  let me reassure you, "these certifications and programs must meet high standards set by the Illinois Board of Education."  Feel better? I have no idea why this is needed, why this is being accepted and again how our elected officials got paid to introduce and vote on something like this.  I just know I have done volunteer work for MANY not-for-profits and I am having a hard time imagining them putting together a teacher/principal program equal to that of a university.  Just me.
When you title a paragraph Longitudinal Data System you are pretty much counting on the general population to skip over that piece of info. I made myself read it though, and reread it.  It would seem a system is in place to keep track of "key student growth information".  I am assuming they don't mean height and weight. It is the "hope" and we are just hoping here, that this legislation will provide teachers with "best teaching practices" for students from pre-k through college.  College? Really?  The state of Illinois is actually going to keep track of my children's education progress and the teaching methods that work best for them from the time they are four until they are twenty-two?  It's sounds both impossible and unbelievable, but it must be true!  I read it right there in the newsletter! My responsibility as a parent just keeps getting easier and easier. 
There was a paragraph on Charter schools too.  I confess, I still don't understand the whole Charter School thing.  I nod my head when I hear parents talk about it, but I'm pretty clueless. I talked to one mom during an ungodly long dance recital I endured last spring.  Her kids were in a Charter school...but she also home schooled them.  I just pretended to understand that concept.  It was enough that we were both suffering through two hours of unsynchronized chorus lines. I didn't want to push it.  Anyway, it would seem that the number of Illinois Charter schools has doubled to 120.  What is even more interesting is that with this legislation, at least 75% of the teachers at charter schools have to be certified...a whole 75%!  I didn't realize that up until now you COULD teach without a certification.  The lady who cuts my hair needs a license to pick up a scissors. Just throwing that out. 
I do want to mention that hearings regarding CPS are going to be conducted by The Chicago Educational Facilities Task Force, CEFTF (great, more initials to decode) and all are invited to attend. These hearings will discuss the closings of schools, the openings of schools and school facilities.  I wonder if this would be the group to throw out the idea of opening another selective enrollment high school on the north side? 
Again, I have to say, I'm really pleased to see education taking center stage right now...or at least getting out of the shadows. The actual legislation may be a little questionable, but at least it's making it into a few headlines.  I had a guy at my door a few days ago collecting signatures to get his friend on the ballot to run for alderman in my area.  He made it a point to tell me that this candidate was focusing on education issues, not streets, not garbage, not zoning, but education.  I questioned him about TIF and he took my name and email address.  By that evening I had an email from the candidate himself addressing my concerns over TIF monies and other education issues.  I like that kind of response. We have a movement happening.  Keep up the good work fighting for our children's education.  

I received the newsletter from The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.  At first blush, I was really pleased to see how much impact a bunch of parents can have on state legislation.  The entire front page of this letter is dedicated to education issues.  The people who have been elected to serve the State of Illinois are realizing that education is a, if not "the", primary concern for many of us. However, while reading over the newsletter I found myself frustrated at the actually content, the actual "work" being done in Springfield.  In a nutshell, here is what this newsletter is saying:


The State of Illinois is slated to receive $415million in federal aid.  A report is coming out showing where these "badly needed" funds will go.  Sad to say, the rest of our fine state has school systems as needy as Chicago Public Schools. I glanced over the distribution report.  It's filled with lots of little towns and "townships" I have never heard of.  They are all holding out soup bowls saying "please sir, may I have some more" too. So, CPS will get it's serving of financial gruel along with all the rest.  I have no idea where the feds are getting this money.  I have read how we are in debt up to our mountain range to other countries.  Just wondering how this money seems to appear when folks pitch a fit and whine hard and long enough for it. I know that approach does not work with me and my kids.


You know that Race To The Top thing?  We didn't win again. That's two years in a row Illinois didn't make the cut.  Every time I hear the phrase "Race To The Top"  I think of fifty people representing the fifty states running up the steps to the top of the Sears Tower.  Some guy wearing an Illinois sash across his chest gets to the top huffing and puffing and red faced and sweaty and the person at the top clicks a stopwatch and says "Sorry Illinois. Not fast enough. You lose.". We didn't sufficiently show progress in the four areas required.  So, we didn't get this money, and again, I don't know where the feds are getting this money from anyway.


A teacher evaluation reform was passed. I'm honestly not sure if this reform will affect CPS teachers. Here is the sentence that jumps out at me "The reforms passed include modifying teacher evaluations to provide for more constructive criticism if needed".  So... we needed a reform passed in order to give teachers "constructive criticism if needed"?  Someone is getting paid to introduce this type of stuff and many others are being paid to vote on it?  Can I get a senate seat? I'm sure I can come up with bills and reforms at least as ground breaking at that one. 

For some reason, getting an an advanced degree to teach or be a principal at an "institute of higher learning" (I am assuming this means college or university) is not working for Illinois.  So now, and I am not making this up, "some not for profit organizations can train and issue certifications for teachers and principals".   But before you frown and ask "What?"  let me reassure you, "these certifications and programs must meet high standards set by the Illinois Board of Education."  Feel better? I have no idea why this is needed, why this is being accepted and again how our elected officials got paid to introduce and vote on something like this.  I just know I have done volunteer work for MANY not-for-profits and I am having a hard time imagining them putting together a teacher/principal program equal to that of a university.  Just me.


When you title a paragraph Longitudinal Data System you are pretty much counting on the general population to skip over that piece of info. I made myself read it though, and reread it.  It would seem a system is in place to keep track of "key student growth information".  I am assuming they don't mean height and weight. It is the "hope" and we are just hoping here, that this legislation will provide teachers with "best teaching practices" for students from pre-k through college.  College? Really?  The state of Illinois is actually going to keep track of my children's education progress and the teaching methods that work best for them from the time they are four until they are twenty-two?  It's sounds both impossible and unbelievable, but it must be true!  I read it right there in the newsletter! My responsibility as a parent just keeps getting easier and easier. 


There was a paragraph on Charter schools too.  I confess, I still don't understand the whole Charter School thing.  I nod my head when I hear parents talk about it, but I'm pretty clueless. I talked to one mom during an ungodly long dance recital I endured last spring.  Her kids were in a Charter school...but she also home schooled them.  I just pretended to understand that concept.  It was enough that we were both suffering through two hours of unsynchronized chorus lines. I didn't want to push it.  Anyway, it would seem that the number of Illinois Charter schools has doubled to 120.  What is even more interesting is that with this legislation, at least 75% of the teachers at charter schools have to be certified...a whole 75%!  I didn't realize that up until now you COULD teach without a certification.  The lady who cuts my hair needs a license to pick up a scissors. Just throwing that out. 


I do want to mention that hearings regarding CPS are going to be conducted by The Chicago Educational Facilities Task Force, CEFTF (great, more initials to decode) and all are invited to attend. These hearings will discuss the closings of schools, the openings of schools and school facilities.  I wonder if this would be the group to throw out the idea of opening another selective enrollment high school on the north side? 


Again, I have to say, I'm really pleased to see education taking center stage right now...or at least getting out of the shadows. The actual legislation may be a little questionable, but at least it's making it into a few headlines.  I had a guy at my door a few days ago collecting signatures to get his friend on the ballot to run for alderman in my area.  He made it a point to tell me that this candidate was focusing on education issues, not streets, not garbage, not zoning, but education.  I questioned him about TIF and he took my name and email address.  By that evening I had an email from the candidate himself addressing my concerns over TIF monies and other education issues.  I like that kind of response. We have a movement happening.  Keep up the good work fighting for our children's education.