Independent Teachers

Why are you attempting to destroy our union? Denver Public Schools teachers work harder than any professionals I know. My typical school day is 10 and a half hours. I also work nights, weekends, and most holidays. For fourteen years, I have raised the achievement level of my students who have often come to me reading far below grade level, though they are high school students. Do I think DPS teachers are responsible for this situation? NO! Many of our students are second language learners with no one at home who speaks English, yet these students’ CSAP scores are used to judge DPS teachers on the “school report card.” Many of our students have been diagnosed with significant special education disabilities, yet these students’ scores are used to judge DPS teachers on the “school report card.” Many of our students come from homes where parents work two and three jobs each to try to support their children. Parents fortunate enought to be educated themselves usually try hard to help their children in school. Many do not turn off the TV, video games, and other distractions to insist that homework be completed. Many do not insist that their children attend school daily; some parents pay little attention to attendance. The scores of students who do not attend school regularly, who complete few in-class or homework assignments, and who know that they receive no consequence for scoring poorly on CSAP are used to judge DPS teachers on the “school report” card. Instead of attempting to dismantle public education, the foundation of a strong democracy, why don’t you find out what really happens in public school and make an effort to support teachers? At the very least, quit trying to take away our right to lobby elected officials. If you think that the issues teachers support will not benefit their students, take a second look.