WTU rallies for new contract

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Why doesn’t WTU bargain for this? Making planning time more protected means that it will be even harder to get someone to cover the class. DCPS and WTU need to stop treating IEP meetings like optional extras. As I said, other districts don’t do this.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Because IEP meetings are not “water from a stone.” They are legally required with a specific set of procedures about who needs to attend and timing, and how a team member can be excused. So you’d think WTU would want to give some input about protecting the time these meetings happen and even obtaining more time for them.

Have you been in the bargaining meetings? You’re making some pretty serious claims based on nothing. Of course the WTU is bargaining for more planning time. That is what I posted along with the WAPO article.
Your “nope” towards empathy is sad to me. I attend the meetings as is my legal requirement. There is no legal requirement that I have to sit in for x amount of minutes or for all of the sections.

The meeting is the meeting. The regulations say you actually have to be excused in writing with the consent of the parents. I have empathy, but not for the disregard of IDEA that is rampant at DCPS. It all flows together- if teachers believe they can leave IEP meetings at will, then they also believe they can do whatever they want with IEP implementation.

I would love to know how IEP time is being discussed during bargaining. Let me know if you have any insight.

Just because you say something such as the bolded doesn’t make it true. I can be very engaged in a students IEP implementation without hearing the 15-20 minutes of the report being discussed about the child’s performance in a subject I do not teach. 15-20 minutes may seem small to you but in reality that is 50% of my planning time during that day.

I dont think I’ll convince you and it sounds like you’ve had a bad experience so I’m sorry for that. I just don’t believe for a second that I would do a better job implementing your child’s IEP by sitting and pretending to listen to something that has nothing to do with what I actually need to do. I can read the report anytime I need that refresher

That might be fine, but it’s supposed to be decided in advance, in writing. IEP meetings are supposed to be planned and coordinated, not chaotic with people randomly coming in and out. And the IEP meeting is where the team - the whole team - is supposed to discuss the child and the supports needed. It’s not supposed to be fractured. You need to hear if a technique one professional is using may be needed for you as well. I’m not against having an agenda where this kind of collaboration happens up front then teachers can be excused after their section, but it should be planned- and that’s what the regs require too.

I’m sure WTU will be very legalistic about protecting every aspect of the contract wrt teacher time, so I don’t find it at all inappropriate to want the letter of federal regs to be followed as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Why doesn’t WTU bargain for this? Making planning time more protected means that it will be even harder to get someone to cover the class. DCPS and WTU need to stop treating IEP meetings like optional extras. As I said, other districts don’t do this.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Because IEP meetings are not “water from a stone.” They are legally required with a specific set of procedures about who needs to attend and timing, and how a team member can be excused. So you’d think WTU would want to give some input about protecting the time these meetings happen and even obtaining more time for them.

Have you been in the bargaining meetings? You’re making some pretty serious claims based on nothing. Of course the WTU is bargaining for more planning time. That is what I posted along with the WAPO article.
Your “nope” towards empathy is sad to me. I attend the meetings as is my legal requirement. There is no legal requirement that I have to sit in for x amount of minutes or for all of the sections.

The meeting is the meeting. The regulations say you actually have to be excused in writing with the consent of the parents. I have empathy, but not for the disregard of IDEA that is rampant at DCPS. It all flows together- if teachers believe they can leave IEP meetings at will, then they also believe they can do whatever they want with IEP implementation.

I would love to know how IEP time is being discussed during bargaining. Let me know if you have any insight.

Just because you say something such as the bolded doesn’t make it true. I can be very engaged in a students IEP implementation without hearing the 15-20 minutes of the report being discussed about the child’s performance in a subject I do not teach. 15-20 minutes may seem small to you but in reality that is 50% of my planning time during that day.

I dont think I’ll convince you and it sounds like you’ve had a bad experience so I’m sorry for that. I just don’t believe for a second that I would do a better job implementing your child’s IEP by sitting and pretending to listen to something that has nothing to do with what I actually need to do. I can read the report anytime I need that refresher

That might be fine, but it’s supposed to be decided in advance, in writing. IEP meetings are supposed to be planned and coordinated, not chaotic with people randomly coming in and out. And the IEP meeting is where the team - the whole team - is supposed to discuss the child and the supports needed. It’s not supposed to be fractured. You need to hear if a technique one professional is using may be needed for you as well. I’m not against having an agenda where this kind of collaboration happens up front then teachers can be excused after their section, but it should be planned- and that’s what the regs require too.

I’m sure WTU will be very legalistic about protecting every aspect of the contract wrt teacher time, so I don’t find it at all inappropriate to want the letter of federal regs to be followed as well.

To your first point, my IEP team always has a pre meeting where we discuss exactly that.

On the latter, the WTU is powerless to protect our rights legally. Filing grievances is a years long process that most people give up on. Plus if we complain about a right being violated, we’re told we’re greedy and selfish and not in it to help the kids. I’m just not going to be receptive to policy complaints from you. It is what it is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Why doesn’t WTU bargain for this? Making planning time more protected means that it will be even harder to get someone to cover the class. DCPS and WTU need to stop treating IEP meetings like optional extras. As I said, other districts don’t do this.

Parent here. You are being ridiculous and you know it. Teachers have 50 different things on their plate and you want them to prioritize your precious child above everything else. Maybe try to empathize where they are coming from.

Nope. These meetings are legally required, not optional. They need to be a top priority. DCPS culture is that they are optional, which is not the case in other places.

Are you smoking something right now?

I guess NW schools don’t give IEP meetings the proper attention. I have had IEPs where we met 3 times in a month and each meeting was 2-3 hours because the parents were horribly confused and needed to give their input on every detail.

IEP meetings are important to everyone on the team but when you have RSPs with a caseload of 50+ kids and teachers with other students they must teach, it is very difficult to expect people to stay the whole time.

Also as a sped teacher I am quite offended, who do you think fights for coverage the most and complains that OUR students don’t get enough resources or are an afterthought? Parents like you who are combative and not collaborative only grow to the especially large shortage of excellent sped teachers. DCPS is known to rather have a lawsuit than provide great service. I tried to get something my student needed and they told me ‘let the parents sue,’ and I was just so upset. Now I realize that’s the norm and I have to fight and get my parents to speak up too. Now my students get what they need because we work as a TEAM. I cannot always do it alone, that is part of the reason parents are even a part of the IEP team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Under federal law where does it say a member must be at the WHOLE meeting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All teacher's unions have enormous power now with teachers quitting, retiring, etc. I suspect a deal will get done fairly quickly. One side has all the leverage and it's not even close.

Then why no contract after over 3 years? If they have ‘enormous’ power.

Please, I encourage you to stop spreading misinformation. It only hurts us and ultimately the kids pay the price as they have been. And yes, covid was a part of that and the learning loss. I volunteered to go back in Jan 2021 but even still I understand the hurt parents feel for their babies’ loss.

But we can only move forward and we (teachers) need a better evaluation system, title 1 schools especially need more resources, we need to figure out how we can stop chronic absences and tardies, and yes teachers do need a raise. I know we are paid ‘well’ but I want to continue living in DC, I support better wages for literally almost everyone.

Seriously, dial down the absurd melodrama. It’s so cringeworthy.

I’m sorry you don’t love your child and do not know how to handle or accept emotions. Therapy is helpful for unpacking that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

My school ALWAYS schedules them when the teacher is supposed to be in class teaching. Sometimes the SPED coordinator doesn't include the teacher in coordinating the meeting with the family. Sometimes I get the feeling that this is on purpose because she would rather not have the teachers there. Anyways, If there is no sub (and there aren't) what is the teacher supposed to do?

Yes, I get that feeling too. My guess is the SPED coordinator wants to keep the meeting short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Why doesn’t WTU bargain for this? Making planning time more protected means that it will be even harder to get someone to cover the class. DCPS and WTU need to stop treating IEP meetings like optional extras. As I said, other districts don’t do this.

Parent here. You are being ridiculous and you know it. Teachers have 50 different things on their plate and you want them to prioritize your precious child above everything else. Maybe try to empathize where they are coming from.

Nope. These meetings are legally required, not optional. They need to be a top priority. DCPS culture is that they are optional, which is not the case in other places.

Are you smoking something right now?

I guess NW schools don’t give IEP meetings the proper attention. I have had IEPs where we met 3 times in a month and each meeting was 2-3 hours because the parents were horribly confused and needed to give their input on every detail.

IEP meetings are important to everyone on the team but when you have RSPs with a caseload of 50+ kids and teachers with other students they must teach, it is very difficult to expect people to stay the whole time.

Also as a sped teacher I am quite offended, who do you think fights for coverage the most and complains that OUR students don’t get enough resources or are an afterthought? Parents like you who are combative and not collaborative only grow to the especially large shortage of excellent sped teachers. DCPS is known to rather have a lawsuit than provide great service. I tried to get something my student needed and they told me ‘let the parents sue,’ and I was just so upset. Now I realize that’s the norm and I have to fight and get my parents to speak up too. Now my students get what they need because we work as a TEAM. I cannot always do it alone, that is part of the reason parents are even a part of the IEP team.

Why are you personally offended? I’m not saying anything about you in particular. I’m saying that your union ought to be taking steps to ensure you get the time to complete tasks that are required by law. DCPS bears the ultimate responsibility, but since WTU is making out-of-class/planning time a major bargaining point, I think IEP time needs to be included. Otherwise the already bad situation will get worse. I would love it if WTU actually represented you in this regard because it gives you leverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Under federal law where does it say a member must be at the WHOLE meeting?

Here you go. It’s the “in whole or in part” language.

Honestly it is not any individual teacher’s fault. Lack of coordination by DCPS and WTU.

https://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/art/iep.team.members.htm

[Anonymous]

Why are you blaming the WTU? They are emit legally bound by IDEA- that’s DCPS. And when a meeting is planned for 10:30 am and there are 5-7 teachers who teach that kid there is just no way to get enough coverage for their classes. There are not enough subs. Or that means other teachers lose their planning for these IEP meetings. I agree that IEP meetings are important but I just don’t have two hours to devote to them and still do my job- which includes at least monitoring the students in my class. I really don’t know what the WTU could even bargain to alleviate this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you blaming the WTU? They are emit legally bound by IDEA- that’s DCPS. And when a meeting is planned for 10:30 am and there are 5-7 teachers who teach that kid there is just no way to get enough coverage for their classes. There are not enough subs. Or that means other teachers lose their planning for these IEP meetings. I agree that IEP meetings are important but I just don’t have two hours to devote to them and still do my job- which includes at least monitoring the students in my class. I really don’t know what the WTU could even bargain to alleviate this.

I am not blaming WTU. I am saying WTU needs to take IEP time into account when they bargain on planning time. WTU could obviously bargain for better or prioritized coverage for IEP. Instead, it sounds like they are bargaining to make planning time so rigid it could not be used for IEP meetings or to cover other teachers. That worries me immensely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you blaming the WTU? They are emit legally bound by IDEA- that’s DCPS. And when a meeting is planned for 10:30 am and there are 5-7 teachers who teach that kid there is just no way to get enough coverage for their classes. There are not enough subs. Or that means other teachers lose their planning for these IEP meetings. I agree that IEP meetings are important but I just don’t have two hours to devote to them and still do my job- which includes at least monitoring the students in my class. I really don’t know what the WTU could even bargain to alleviate this.

I am not blaming WTU. I am saying WTU needs to take IEP time into account when they bargain on planning time. WTU could obviously bargain for better or prioritized coverage for IEP. Instead, it sounds like they are bargaining to make planning time so rigid it could not be used for IEP meetings or to cover other teachers. That worries me immensely.

Covering teachers is not synonymous with IEP meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you blaming the WTU? They are emit legally bound by IDEA- that’s DCPS. And when a meeting is planned for 10:30 am and there are 5-7 teachers who teach that kid there is just no way to get enough coverage for their classes. There are not enough subs. Or that means other teachers lose their planning for these IEP meetings. I agree that IEP meetings are important but I just don’t have two hours to devote to them and still do my job- which includes at least monitoring the students in my class. I really don’t know what the WTU could even bargain to alleviate this.

I am not blaming WTU. I am saying WTU needs to take IEP time into account when they bargain on planning time. WTU could obviously bargain for better or prioritized coverage for IEP. Instead, it sounds like they are bargaining to make planning time so rigid it could not be used for IEP meetings or to cover other teachers. That worries me immensely.

Having to cover other teachers actually makes people less willing to come and stay for iep meetings. The teachers never get a break and will say I can’t do this meeting. I’ll be there for 10 minutes because I haven’t had a break all week. You really don’t want teachers covering for other teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Right, exactly. The person above is trying to get water from a stone. I maintain a great relationship with my families that had students with IEPs and still keep in touch with them through HS (I teach ES). Me running out of an IEP meeting bc I have many other responsibilities to tend to at the same time is not indicative of a bad attitude or lack of care for your child. It’s the reality of being a public school teacher

It’s indicative of DCPS and WTU not caring about SN kids. Those meetings are important. They are not afterthoughts. And if you run out I will call another one.

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Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Why doesn’t WTU bargain for this? Making planning time more protected means that it will be even harder to get someone to cover the class. DCPS and WTU need to stop treating IEP meetings like optional extras. As I said, other districts don’t do this.

Parent here. You are being ridiculous and you know it. Teachers have 50 different things on their plate and you want them to prioritize your precious child above everything else. Maybe try to empathize where they are coming from.

Nope. These meetings are legally required, not optional. They need to be a top priority. DCPS culture is that they are optional, which is not the case in other places.

Nope. They are not leaving an entire class of kids unsupervised so they can attend the entire meeting for Your Precious Bebe. Sorry.this

[Anonymous]

The fix for this is to pay subs far more and for Bowser to follow through and assign dedicated subs per school.