New curriculum selection process delayed— new RFP must be issues now

[Anonymous]

So is anyone going to jail over this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So is anyone going to jail over this?

Jail, really?

[Anonymous]

Put a price tag on the amount of time wasted on this already and that students have to use a failed curriculum for an additional year too. The public costs aren't insignificant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So is anyone going to jail over this?

Jail, really?

See Dallas Dance, former superintendent Baltimore County Public Schools now residing in prison.

[Anonymous]

This was never the case in the past. Unfortunately, people entering admin are "Yes" men and women who don't think for themselves. It's become the norm to move up those with
1) little teaching experience (big mistake)
2) a limited view of the school system (e.g., having taught only in a "W" school), and
3) no empathy.

Perhaps 3 should be #1. But really 1 and 2 help to shave away at empathy. The system is sick. I don't know how else to explain it. Whistleblowers are made out to be crazy when in fact many are unearthing the ugly truths. So some leave. Others retire early. Or, you have those, once very inspirational and creative, who shut down completely.

Until kids and parents start pushing back, however, the system will continue to crumble. I've been saying this for the past few years, emphasizing that MCPS is heading toward implosion. But like abuse victims, sickness has become the norm, and because unethical practices (50% rule, guidelines in the Code of Conduct, re-teaching/re-assessing to the point of exhaustion) have insidiously been introduced to the system, teachers just accept more and more, as we're blamed for lacking compassion when we complain. "Think of the kids!" is what we're told!

Well, when Johnny Beebop thinks he can sleep through a test and still earn a 50%, we are thinking of the kids when we complain of these unethical practices that are killing academic stamina.

And it's even bigger than the classroom. When you have companies determining WHAT we should teach - companies like Discovery who think they can "do it better" - you have teachers who do indeed turn into robots. How can you fight a big (dysfunctional) machine that's in bed with corporate America?

Its very hard for many parents tp push back. They are often shushed at the local school level and the central office just ignores them. There was tons of activity when 2.0 rolled out. Parents created a petition and an on-line survey. Starr dismissed it. Local principals were given pats on the back for hushing up parents. MCCPTA did nothing because Francis Frost was another kiss up type to MCPS. Everything about the system is play along or we will make your life more difficult.

I was always struck at the subtle gender-based bullying that goes on to keep parents quiet. The subtle eye roll/sneer face, a staff member alluding to a parent not to rock the boat, the playing dumb look, or the subtle threat tp assign your child to bad teachers. It was entirely laughable but many parents fear the passive aggressive approaches that MCPS staff love to use. If you are AA you are looked at as part of the problem. If you are Latino they assume you didn't understand them. If you are white, you are looked at as whiny. If you are Asian, you are told you should let your kids play outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This was never the case in the past. Unfortunately, people entering admin are "Yes" men and women who don't think for themselves. It's become the norm to move up those with
1) little teaching experience (big mistake)
2) a limited view of the school system (e.g., having taught only in a "W" school), and
3) no empathy.

Perhaps 3 should be #1. But really 1 and 2 help to shave away at empathy. The system is sick. I don't know how else to explain it. Whistleblowers are made out to be crazy when in fact many are unearthing the ugly truths. So some leave. Others retire early. Or, you have those, once very inspirational and creative, who shut down completely.

Until kids and parents start pushing back, however, the system will continue to crumble. I've been saying this for the past few years, emphasizing that MCPS is heading toward implosion. But like abuse victims, sickness has become the norm, and because unethical practices (50% rule, guidelines in the Code of Conduct, re-teaching/re-assessing to the point of exhaustion) have insidiously been introduced to the system, teachers just accept more and more, as we're blamed for lacking compassion when we complain. "Think of the kids!" is what we're told!

Well, when Johnny Beebop thinks he can sleep through a test and still earn a 50%, we are thinking of the kids when we complain of these unethical practices that are killing academic stamina.

And it's even bigger than the classroom. When you have companies determining WHAT we should teach - companies like Discovery who think they can "do it better" - you have teachers who do indeed turn into robots. How can you fight a big (dysfunctional) machine that's in bed with corporate America?

Its very hard for many parents tp push back. They are often shushed at the local school level and the central office just ignores them. There was tons of activity when 2.0 rolled out. Parents created a petition and an on-line survey. Starr dismissed it. Local principals were given pats on the back for hushing up parents. MCCPTA did nothing because Francis Frost was another kiss up type to MCPS. Everything about the system is play along or we will make your life more difficult.

I was always struck at the subtle gender-based bullying that goes on to keep parents quiet. The subtle eye roll/sneer face, a staff member alluding to a parent not to rock the boat, the playing dumb look, or the subtle threat tp assign your child to bad teachers. It was entirely laughable but many parents fear the passive aggressive approaches that MCPS staff love to use. If you are AA you are looked at as part of the problem. If you are Latino they assume you didn't understand them. If you are white, you are looked at as whiny. If you are Asian, you are told you should let your kids play outside.

OMG! This is SPOT ON. Exactly what we have experienced these past 5 years in MCPS. It is just terrible. We have had some good/great teachers, who I appreciate, but the admin at our school is a nightmare, and we have not had great success through the PTA. It is extremely difficult to push back against such a large system. I don't even always blame the admin. Sometimes, they are just in a tough place. We can't afford private and are stuck in MCPS, so we just try to fill in the gaps as much as we can.

[Anonymous]

You have to do it in a big group — you have to organize. I’m staff and think we need to do the same, but too many feel they have too much to lose. Rooting for the parents to gain traction!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, when Johnny Beebop thinks he can sleep through a test and still earn a 50%, we are thinking of the kids when we complain of these unethical practices that are killing academic stamina.

You know that is not true right? The 50% floor is only when a good faith attempt is made. You can not just scribble two words and get 50%. You can not sleep through a test. 50% on a test is still a grade killer. The practice is also used outside of MCPS.

Listen, genius, I don’t know you’re deal but every zero I added to my gradebook was changed to a 50%.

I am moving my family to a place where this bullshit 50% rule is NOT a practice.

Maybe you simply don’t get it, but the 50% rule erodes education & creates apathy.

Do us all a favor if you’re an educator - leave the profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really am disheartened to be leaving public teaching, but this is why. I feel like I’m a part of the problem if I stay and tolerate it. I tried agitating from the inside and was treated punitively.

I applaud you.

I am leaving for a smaller system with more autonomy.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Your
Let me correct this before someone attacks!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, when Johnny Beebop thinks he can sleep through a test and still earn a 50%, we are thinking of the kids when we complain of these unethical practices that are killing academic stamina.

You know that is not true right? The 50% floor is only when a good faith attempt is made. You can not just scribble two words and get 50%. You can not sleep through a test. 50% on a test is still a grade killer. The practice is also used outside of MCPS.

Listen, genius, I don’t know you’re deal but every zero I added to my gradebook was changed to a 50%.

I am moving my family to a place where this bullshit 50% rule is NOT a practice.

Maybe you simply don’t get it, but the 50% rule erodes education & creates apathy.

Do us all a favor if you’re an educator - leave the profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really am disheartened to be leaving public teaching, but this is why. I feel like I’m a part of the problem if I stay and tolerate it. I tried agitating from the inside and was treated punitively.

I applaud you.

I am leaving for a smaller system with more autonomy.

Good luck!

You too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So is anyone going to jail over this?

Jail, really?

See Dallas Dance, former superintendent Baltimore County Public Schools now residing in prison.

He went to jail for perjury. Has anybody perjured themselves in this case?

[Anonymous]

From MCPS Regulation on Emplyee Conflict of Interest:

“MCPS employees are expected to be knowledgeable about and conduct themselves in accordance with this regulation and Board Policy BBB, Ethics, and to assume responsibility for ensuring that their behavior and activities are consistent with the policies of the Board and do not constitute a conflict of interest....”

“It is a conflict of interest for an employee to
1. Take advantage of relationships with students, parents/guardians, employees, or others doing business with the school system for personal benefit or to benefit another individual or entity, or
2. Use their position, MCPS resources, and/or confidential or proprietary information acquired in their official school system position for personal benefit or to benefit another official or entity.

“.... Employees are encouraged to disclose potential conflicts of interest in advance or seek prior guidance regarding conduct about which there may be potential concerns.”

“..... In order to avoid conflicts of interest, employees shall recuse themselves from participating in any procurement decision, selection, or other decision-making process from which they...may personally benefit.”

“.... Employees may not disclose or use proprietary information acquired by reason of their employment with MCPS that is not available to the public.”

VIOLATION

“An alleged violation of this regulation is cause for an immediate investigation by the chief operating officer/designee. If it is determined that an employee has violated this regulation, the employee may be disciplined, including reprimand, suspension, or termination, in accordance with applicable laws....”


So...just how many regulations did the “Discovery Brothers” violate? How many recommendations did they ignore? What type of an investigation was conducted? By whom? And...what consequences did they face for their obvious violations? MCPS is stonewalling. The memos released so far are full of platitudes and “passive voice” obfuscation. Hey, MCPS, “trust and support” is a two-way street.

[Anonymous]

*Employee* Conflict of Interest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So is anyone going to jail over this?

Jail, really?

See Dallas Dance, former superintendent Baltimore County Public Schools now residing in prison.

He went to jail for perjury. Has anybody perjured themselves in this case?

I would think participating in the bid rigging of a multimillion dollar contract could be worth jail time.