Dr. Bedden appreciates that poorly performing teachers not only hurt our children but also damage our community's future. We are fortunate to have as RCSS SOS a person of his intellect- and courage to act upon what his intellect appreciates.
Teachers who aren't performing won't be asked back to Richmond County classrooms.
"We're not an employment agency," Superintendent Dana Bedden said. "But we're not out on a witch hunt."
Each year, Georgia school teachers must sign new contracts to remain employed, but more teachers than usual won't be offered new contracts, Dr. Bedden said.
The school system is doing a better job of documenting teacher performance, he said, and there have been concerns in the past that principals weren't supported if they tried not to renew a teacher's contract.
About 1 percent to 2 percent of the school system's teaching staff won't be asked to return next school year, Dr. Bedden said.
"We're trying to do a better job of holding people accountable," he said.
Norman Hill, the director of Human Resources, said 24 teachers won't receive new contracts. Some resigned knowing they wouldn't be asked back.
"This year's process focused on ensuring that principals understood that if non-renewal was the most appropriate option following superintendent and HR review of circumstances, that the principal's recommendation would be supported," Mr. Hill said in an e-mail.
Last year, 19 teachers were not extended renewals, he said.
Dr. Bedden has spoken often about accountability since taking over as superintendent in August 2007, and more accountability could be coming.
Richmond County is piloting the Georgia Department of Education's new teacher evaluation instrument. The form is meant to do a better job of measuring and documenting performance.
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Dr. Bedden appreciates that poorly performing teachers not only hurt our children but also damage our community's future. We are fortunate to have as RCSS SOS a person of his intellect- and courage to act upon what his intellect appreciates.
So, if you work in the county office or you are the Director of Campus Police and you are pathetic at your job, Dr. Bedded will create a new one for you at the taxpayers expense. However, if you are a teacher and underperforming, you are terminated. I certainly agree with the termination of the teachers as this is what should happen with any employee not capable of doing their job. I hope Dr. Bedded will implement this policy immediately throughout the system otherwise these teachers will have grounds for law suits since they are being treated differenly than documented non-performing employees.
I wonder what he considers " aren't performing." Is it the student pass/fail rate? Too bad parents that could care less about their children's school performance can't be disciplined. Teachers can only do so much. I'd be interested to see what he based his decision on.
Craig Spinks, you are an uninformed suck-up sycophant (look it up). It is unfortunate that the many incompetent administrators, including Bedden himself, are not held accountable. Some of these principals don't even have the slimmest grasp of the English language; others are nearly senile. I see many settled lawsuits in Richmond County's future, thanks to Dana, the emperor who wears no clothes. He's not an SOS (although he should send one); he's a [filtered word].
The teacher evaluation offers the poor preforming teachers a way out with dignity and some protection from political pressure for the good preforming teachers. Dr. Bedden continues to move in the right direction.
And we all know justus4 has a complete understanding of the situation and that his superior knowledge surpasses all. If the firings were anything like last year they fired first year teachers who were not being mentored but that were suppose to be under Georgia State Law under the taps program. So again it may be RCBOE not doing their job like they should.
great post, g-dog.
I wonder how many are MATH teachers?
thx, asitis, you are correct. not a witchhunt? whatever. i guess Stein's poor performance as dir. of public safety isn't grounds enough for her to go? i love how he talks out of both sides of his mouth.
Actually nonsmoker, the law for contracts was changed this year to extend it until May 15. I find it hard to believe that in all of RCBOE there are only 24 incompetent teachers.
I hope the superintendent and HR review of those performance docs isn't just pushed paper because I do believe this process could be thoroughly abused by the many principals who don't want to deal with teachers whose views or opinions differ from their own.
that might happen...
How can teachers teach, when their classrooms are full of ignorant children, who have had no home training?I think they should, kick out the kids, and keep the teachers. Let the parents of those unruly students, teach their own kids.
I know some teachers at my kids school who should not have their contracts renewed
Actually, G-Dog, Justus is correct, as the process has been explained to teachers.
Wow, 1941, you going to kicked out of the Democratic Party!
This is a great step for the Richmond County Schools. I work in another county and wish that our school system would do the same. Some teachers simply don't cut it--for a variety of reasons. As for it being the kids fault--I don't entirely agree. I teach the same students as the other teachers and I don't have near the problems they do. Yes, some kids are turds. But those who want to learn, will learn. And those who don't, well, they won't learn. But I sure will try. Alot of these teachers just give up. They are tired of fighting the behavior battle. If you give up, then you are not in the right profession.
How many administrators (school and county-office) will not have their contracts reviewed?
Basically you have to do nothing as a teacher in order to not get your contract renewed. Terrible teachers have their contracts renewed every year because so much documentation is needed to not renew a contract. Teachers can dispute the non-renewal of their contracts and there must be documentation. I'm sure the 24 that aren't being renewed basically did nothing all year but collect a paycheck. Most of the time these are collaborative special education teachers that do this because there is another teacher in the room that does all the work.
Cracker, I think you are unfamiliar with the true role and duties of a collaborative special education teacher. They are in fact supposed to be actively participating in instruction, closely monitoring student performance, developing and implementing accommodations for the individual needs of the students based on their disabilities, offering individual assistance, etc. I would argue that these teachers are not the ones that are doing "nothing all year but collect a paycheck."
What about that principals that year after year that are supposed to lead that have no idea of what true leadership qualities are? They lead by force and fear? Fear of bad reviews and domination tactics? Connections still are alive and well in RCBOE. IA is a joke, policing oneself is never good without an unbiased opinion!
What about administrators who's schools have been on AYP for 3 or more years, what about their contracts?
What about the ones that get off that list because of those tactics and the board allows it to happen and turns its back because it gets results.
AugTeacher, The operative word in your post is "supposed."
You are correct Cracker. But only to cover your blanket statement: " Most of the time these are collaborative special education teachers that do this because there is another teacher in the room that does all the work. " I suppose it was merely to oppose the operative phrase in your post regarding the general education teacher that you suggest "does all the work."
This is a good start DR Bedding.Nexit stop wasteing so much money in the R.C.B.E.P.department.Why when gas was nearly five dollars a gallon some police were driveing SUB's. and getting free fuel.Do they still drive them? Then find out why the I parent web page does not work. The teacher showed me how to check on my sons assignments at the start of school.I had to wait till I budgeted the extra thirty dollars a month.Put the computer on my charge card and went on line.Not one time has the home work been posted.Called down town talked to the lady over the program. Was told they caint make the teachers post the information.Went to the school for help was told the same thing.Some teachers do what ever they wont.Students are afraid to ask for help cause the teacer will make fun of them.But not all teachers are bad maybe Bedding will fire some more.He needs to look at the ones who have been teaching for many years.They know how to work the system.Make I-Parent Web page easier for the parents to check on your student.Let us post comments to the school and teachers.Make them work with us not blame us.Maybe try makeing teachers change classes not the students.
Asitis, administratiive jobs do not affect students, therefore, the teachers would have no claim in court. Administrative positions can be done with as the Administrator sees fit. Kudos to Dr Bedden for separating the wheat from the chaff in the class room where students dependc on the teacher to learn..
nosmoke, it is obvious you have an axe to grind with Dr Bedden. He fire you or one of your family for incompetence?
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