On its surface, I favor the proposed middle school change from block scheduling to eight periods. However, the process for this change begs closer scrutiny.
At the Monday, February 20th meeting at Forest Heights, it was stated by district leadership that in order to move from block to periods, the change must be approved by the Little Rock Education Association (LREA) (teachers' union) then the board.
When asked what happens if the teachers union doesn't approve, LREA President Cathy Koehler answered by saying that she felt that 80% of the teachers supported the change.
That's all good, but it didn't answer the question. The answer is: LREA has the power to effectively veto the will of parents and a policy decision by their elected school board.
A public employee union should represent its members in regard to wages, benefits and work environment. It should not be allowed to dictate the policy decisions of a public body.
Further, of the eight periods, one will be reserved for classroom preparation, one for subject collaboration, and one for grade collaboration. That's 3/8 of the day that teachers will not be instructing, but preparing to instruct.
I strongly agree with the need for dedicated time to prepare and collaborate, but couldn't the latter be consolidated into one period - say three days for grade collaboration and two for subject?
When I asked how the collaboration meetings would be conducted, we were told that there would essentially be a chairman, an agenda and minutes.
Every day?!
2/8 (or 1/4) of each day not in the classroom should be more than enough. One wonders if Ms. Koehler's 80% would be supportive of that change. Until they address the larger issue of the union setting district policy, all parents and their board need is one over 50%.
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