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It’s not about a baby alligator being flushed down a toilet and growing to gargantuan proportions in the sewer system.

It’s not about cats sucking the breath out of babies while they sleep soundly in their cribs.

It’s not even the one about motorists flashing their headlights only to find themselves the unwitting victims of a sick gang initiation.

It’s the one about teachers kicking back for a summer of lazy fun right after the dismissal bell on the last day of school. You know, those infamous summers “off”.

If you happen to teach as a profession, you are nodding your head in agreement. If I had a dime for every time someone said to me, “It must be nice to have the whole summer off,” I’d have so much money that I wouldn’t have to work another day of my life. And, I plan on living another 45-55 years.

Other variations are:

“What are you doing with all of your free time?” Uh, I don’t know. Catching up on housework, appointments, and everything else I didn’t have time to do while I poured the bulk of my personal time into my work from August –May. I even (gasp) collect cool ideas, articles and resources for lesson plans. And, if I’m interested on getting a jumpstart on the year ahead, I plan lessons. If I know what I’m teaching, that is.

“How are you enjoying your vacation?” I just got asked this at the dentist. Super nice woman too. I hope the daggers I tried not to shoot her way didn’t hurt too badly when they most certainly hit their target. I didn’t realize sitting in a dental chair was a vacay activity. Or the mammogram I am scheduled for next Monday. Nothing like having your girls smashed between glass plates to signal you’re on vacation.

I will tell you without giving too much detail so that I may remain anonymous that I have had a jam-packed calendar with work related “opportunities” as well. Trainings to improve my own teaching practices. Trainings to train other professionals to improve their teaching practices. Meetings to plan to train other professionals how to improve their teaching practices. Developing the trainings. Trainings to learn a program we are implementing at my school. Checking work email to make sure I am not missing any alerts or pertinent information about any trainings I need to attend or deliver. I think I’m forgetting a few things, but I honestly can’t remember because my brain is fried from all the lying around I’ve been doing for nearly a month.

Don’t get me wrong, I actually volunteer for this stuff. Well, some of it. More than a few of the days are part of the duties for the position I hold. And, I do enjoy a lot of it. I love learning. I enjoy using my brain and keeping it active. Really, I do. 

Just know when you see me out and about during the scorching, indolent summer months, I never really take much time off. And, I think I can safely say there aren’t many teachers who do. 

So, if you’re tempted to buy into the myth about teachers having the summer off, please keep it to yourself. Or run the risk of me feeling obligated to set you straight.  Your choice.

Enjoy your summer!

ED Inquiry,

I am a special needs teacher who is very disturbed by what’s happening in education.  I’m so happy to hear of the grassroots effort against the Common Core Standards and former educators speaking out against them.  I just don’t understand teachers being silent on what’s going on in education.  I’ve considered writing a book, but don’t really have a platform for it.  I would like to do more than just donate money.   What can I do that’s hands-on to help fight the insanity?

-Breaking the Silence

Hi Breaking the Silence,

Some teachers want to speak out but fear retribution by their principals and/or district leaders.  Others don’t mind teaching the new standards but shutter at all the testing.  I can tell you firsthand that it is a tough place to dwell right now. On the one hand, I myself would love to quit and fight the good fight, but feel that if I leave teaching, I am letting my kids down.

For those braver justice-oriented teachers, there are ways to get involved.  You can get with your local teachers and start an Opt Out movement in your area.  Here is a national Opt Out organization that can help you. http://unitedoptout.com.  Thanks for your inquiry.

Sincerely,

ED Inquiry

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ED Inquiry,

I’ve really been concerned about common core. I’ve heard teachers do like it. Are they being paid to say that? I’m a mom of 4 girls….my third one will start kinder in the fall; I have another in first and another starting 3rd grade in the fall. I want to be a voice for things I don’t agree with, yet I don’t know how or where to even start to research or who to go up against.

I do have a question though, is it possible to have a whole state BOYCOTT the test? I mean, I know its a long shot, but what would happen to the schools if they just didn’t do the testing? I think every state needs to just boycott the test and call it a day! Is that legal, or do we have to take it to the top? I know I’m very naive to this all, but I just wondered your thoughts and counsel in this area! Thanks for what you are doing. I enjoyed listening to the segment!

Sincerely,
-Bordering on a Boycott

Hi Bordering on a Boycott,

While some teachers appreciate the Common Core push, others vehemently oppose it. But, the bottom line is we have to have standards to ensure continuity and consistency.  However, it is the ridiculous amount of standardized testing that has most educators reeling.  Teachers want to teach, assess their own students and USE those assessments to drive instruction.

And as for the boycott…yes absolutely!  A whole state can boycott the test.  However, it’s very hard to do because most people are afraid.  Visit this Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/OptOutOrlando/ on more info for opting out of state tests.  And thank you for your inquiry!

Sincerely,

ED Inquiry

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Dear ED Inquiry,

I have a daughter that has been struggling with the state subject area exams given in high school in our state Indiana. She has taken one particular subject area test 3 times. She also has a learning disability and was supposed to get extra help and time but she did not receive that accommodation. She missed the test by 12 points and now will need to take it again in order to graduate with her sister next year. Any suggestions on what we can do. She would really like to walk through the commencement with her twin, but is afraid she may not be able. We have a very frustrated mother, child and father.

Thank you,
Irritated in Indiana

Irritated in Indiana,

First and foremost, I would question the powers that be as to why your daughter did not receive her accommodations. I hope things such as extra time and a small testing environment at the very least are allowed on your state standardized tests. If she was not allowed accommodations as specified in her Individual Education Plan, please find out why and who was responsible for this!

OK, I will climb off my soapbox now. I did some online research and found information from the Indiana Department of Education that specifies 3 ways an Indiana student can satisfy the graduation requirements for ECA’s (taken verbatim from http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/meeting-assessment-requirement-graduationwaiver-process).

The assessment requirement for graduation can be met in three ways:

1. Pass the English 10 and Algebra I End of Course Assessments (ECAs).

2. Fulfill the requirements of the GQE Evidence-based waiver:

• Take the ECAs in each subject area in which you did not achieve a passing score at least one time every school year after the school year in which you first took the ECA.
• Complete any extra help sessions offered each year by the school to prepare for the ECA retests.
• Maintain a school attendance rate of 95 percent or better over the course of your high school experience (excused absences are not counted against your attendance rate).
• Have at least a “C” average, over the course of your high school career, in the courses required for graduation.
• Satisfy any other state and local graduation requirements.
• Get a written recommendation from the teacher(s) in the subject area(s) not passed, as well as one from the school principal, and show proof that the academic standards have been met, whether through other tests or classroom work.

3. Fulfill the requirements of the GQE Work-readiness waiver:

• Take the ECAs in each subject area in which you did not achieve a passing score at least one time every school year after the school year in which you first took the ECA.
• Complete any extra help sessions offered each year by the school to prepare for the ECA retests.
• Maintain a school attendance rate of 95 percent or better over the course of your high school experience (excused absences are not counted against your attendance rate).
• Have at least a “C” average, over the course of your high school career, in the courses required for graduation.
• Satisfy any other state and local graduation requirements.
• Complete the course and credit requirements for a general diploma, including the career academic sequence; a workforce readiness assessment; and, at least one industry certification that appears on the state board’s approved industry certification list, which must be updated annually with recommendations from the department of workforce development established by IC 22-4.1-2-1.

School or district personnel should be able to assist your daughter with these alternative processes.

Keep us posted!

-ED Inquiry

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