Badin vs. Fredericktown
Miamisburg graduation 2012
Valley View vs. Greenville
Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.
Scott Elliott is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He writes about education, city and suburban issues, politics, business, workforce and consumer issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > July > 13 > Entry
Editorial: Ohio schools closed to Teach for America
If more people worked in a classroom not just for a day, but for a couple of years, there’d be better public understanding of how hard successful teachers work.
This is just one more reason why Ohio, as a state, shouldn’t be so uninviting to Teach for America, the selective program that places bright, young college graduates in mostly classrooms with low-income children.
Many Teach for America participants don’t intend to make teaching a career, and, in fact, are using the two-year commitment as a steppingstone to other professions. If they do move on to other things after having had personal experience with being responsible for 30 children day in and day out, they’re certain to have an appreciation of what teachers are required to do. Or, on the other hand, if they catch the bug and choose teaching as a career (which some do), that’s nothing but good, too.
Now in its 20th year, Teach for America isn’t operating in Ohio partly because the state has such strict licensing rules. Meanwhile, because most Teach for America graduates aren’t education majors, they can’t easily get jobs in the state when they’re done with their two years because they haven’t had the requisite course work that Ohio requires for a teacher’s license.
(NOTE: For more on TFA see The brand that is TFA at Get on the Bus)
Tough, highly specific licensure rules are pushed by teachers’ unions, which historically have resisted efforts to allow anyone but classically trained math teachers, for example, to teach math.
At a time when schools are laying off teachers and rarely hiring new ones, it might seem odd to be talking about adding new paths to the profession. But the pendulum will swing back; someday jobs will open up again.
When that time comes, it makes no sense to be on the wrong side of a policy question — not when Teach for America is bringing passion and energy to classrooms and creating new advocates for both teachers and students.
The New York Times recently profiled the program, noting that in some cases getting into elite law schools is easier than being chosen for Teach for America. This year there were 46,359 applicants, up 32 percent over last year. Just 4,500 were selected.
So respected is the program (and so tight is the job market) that 18 percent of this year’s Yale University graduates applied.
One unenthusiastic academic complained to The Times that experience is what sets the best teachers apart, continuing that many Teach for America participants don’t stay long enough to become good, let alone exceptional. (Other researchers disagree, insisting the program is an unqualified success story.)
But Teach for America’s philosophy is not to search out only those young people who will always be teachers; its recruiters are looking for grads who will throw themselves into hard work and be the leaders and doers in whatever profession they choose.
Needless to say, 4,500 young people aren’t going to change the face of American education. But, over time, a corps of alumni is being built that has a rich and firsthand understanding of the teaching profession. That can only be good for education — and especially for teachers.
Republican state Sen. Jon Husted, of Kettering, has legislation pending that would allow Teach for America grads to work in Ohio without having to jump through additional academic hoops. They’d get a “residency” license for four years, after which time they’d have to meet additional requirements that could require taking special coursework.
The legislation, after having passed the Ohio Senate, is stuck in the Democratic House of Representatives. Even when hiring is at a standstill, this is the wrong message to be sending. The state should be welcoming young people and programs aimed at getting the best and brightest into classrooms.
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorials, Education, Ellen Belcher, Ohio government, Ohio politics
Tweet
Comments
By Alwazaprincess
July 13, 2010 6:18 PM | Link to this
Ok, let me see if I have this straight. Jon Husted, the daddy of charter schools (yea, how is that working out for you Jon?) now wants to back Teach for America. This state has very strict rules about who can and cannot teach in a classroom. Not to mention HQT, or Highly Qualified Teacher, which states that a teacher must have the bulk of their education college courses in the area they are teaching. So now Jon and others want to put young people in the classroom who have no education coursework or experiance. Oh yes, let’s add in that this will only be in the classroom with low-income children. We are already vilified when test scores come out and putting Teach for America young people in our classrooms will only hurt us more. Why in the world Teach for America even exists in times when teachers are being laid off by the hundreds across the country is unbelievable to me! Young people graduating WITH education degrees can’t even find jobs. Go ahead and back this Jon Husted and others and I say let’s have Teach for America in your child’s school and not just the poor children’s school.
By bobby
July 13, 2010 7:11 PM | Link to this
Princess,One presumes that your concern over young education graduates inability to find jobs would cause you to support outlawing retire/rehire in all areas of education.
By Mike R
July 13, 2010 7:36 PM | Link to this
Alwaza, something has to give. We have to find new ways ‘cause teachers in this State are doing a disservice to our children. We’re falling further and further behind in math and sciences…that bodes poorly for our economic outlook! If teachers in the Miami Valley were doing such a wonderful job, why do the Japanese rent space from Wright State so their children can attend school on Saturday? They Japanese will tell you their children aren’t being taught math and science at a level for them to compete for quality jobs back in Asia. What are you teaching in your classroom, how to say, “do you want fries with that” in spanish?
By Joe
July 13, 2010 7:45 PM | Link to this
A 4 year residency license? That’s a slap in the face to all Teacher Ed graduates who already took the required courses, Praxis exams, and student taught for a 2 Year Provisional license. Add that on top of your prospective job being given away to a less qualified, less educated, less experience applicant. While I’m certain TFA has positive impacts on students and educators, it’s not needed in Ohio where thousands of good teachers graduate each year into an extremely competitive job market. I graduated in Education and cannot find a full-time teaching job in Ohio, so I now work in another field. I would love to teach in Ohio in any district, but until Ohioans and the Statehouse seriously commit to funding it’s schools constitutionally, it will not happen. I honestly believe that for many, TFA is a feel-good, resume building step on the way to law school, med school, etc…
By paul
July 13, 2010 11:50 PM | Link to this
As a parent of 2 children who graduated from local school of Excellence in the area, I have to say I’m deeply disappointed in our schools and the teachers. Math was a struggle and the teachers were simply not effective. (A classmate who excelled at math commented to us that if math didn’t already come easily to him, he doesn’t know how he would have passed, because the method used to teach it made it so much harder than it needed to be). The teachers were in disciplinary mode most of the time, especially the female teachers,and very unprofessional, for example, remarking about former “difficult” students by name in front of their class. Teachers made examples of certain popular students, not caring about the consequences. Very few teachers left a good impression with us. A major overhaul is needed in our education system.
By paul
July 13, 2010 11:51 PM | Link to this
As a parent of 2 children who graduated from local school of Excellence in the area, I have to say I’m deeply disappointed in our schools and the teachers. Math was a struggle and the teachers were simply not effective. (A classmate who excelled at math commented to us that if math didn’t already come easily to him, he doesn’t know how he would have passed, because the method used to teach it made it so much harder than it needed to be). The teachers were in disciplinary mode most of the time, especially the female teachers,and very unprofessional, for example, remarking about former “difficult” students by name in front of their class. Teachers made examples of certain popular students, not caring about the consequences. Very few teachers left a good impression with us. A major overhaul is needed in our education system.
By CalvinJ
July 14, 2010 8:55 AM | Link to this
For Bobby, a little humor: yes we can stop rehire for teachers right after we stop the Fed Gov from rehire at Wright Patterson where people retire and go to work for contractors doing the same job the next day. Not only do they get their military retirement that we pay, they don’t pay OHIO INCOME TAX on it thanks to your Bud, Jon Husted, of Upper Arlington pretending to live in Kettering. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Actually, they can stop superintendents and principals from rehire retire now. That will allow a lot of improvement getting rid of the old guard. And get rid of all those rehires who ARE NOT in the classrooms. All those extra people that schools hire because they are buddies or on the suck up list and fill up rosters, like personelle directors, athletic coordinators, tech people, food service management, etc. Lots of other people able to do those jobs.
By Max
July 14, 2010 9:25 AM | Link to this
Bad, bad, bad, legislation. There are already in place programs in which graduating teacher applicants can contract to teach in school districts under financial/academic emergency AND have part or all of their student loans paid depending on length of contract. Placing more unqualified teachers in the mix is like allowing undergraduate medical students to treat patients. Husted has returned to his comfort zone; the lunatic fringe.
By Max
July 14, 2010 9:44 AM | Link to this
Paul, by your description I think I know your situation and district. I have voiced my concern about the math curriculum as well as the bare bones arts programs with two Directors of Curriclum, two Superintendents, and twice, formally, before the school board. One the ‘national school of excellence’ tage was achieved, nothing that could be said or done could sway them to make some adjustments. Their attitude was ‘why tamper with success?’ Well, Paul, as you know, THAT’S precisely the problem; ‘success’ is not a stationary state of being. To be named a school of excellence - that is, to satisfy a lengthy checklist of criterium - while trimming the curriculum for proficiency and SAT tests’ standards is, I suppose, great for the district bragging rights come levt time, and, realtors. But, the district is reluctant to release followup figures of those graduates who actually finish college. They have sent surveys out in the past but, like your math situation, the results of how well prepared the students are to compete at the next level in math and science remains ambiguous at best. IF we are just going to teach ‘test taking’ then I gues they are doing a great job and, then, yes, any college graduate can teach that. Husted, by the way, does NOTHING for the district but the board really doesn’t press it less they appear ‘needy.’
By Max
July 14, 2010 1:21 PM | Link to this
CalvinJ: Not only do they get their military retirement that we pay, they don’t pay OHIO INCOME TAX on it…”——Well, this is news to me. My military retirement is taxable by fed and state (referring to OH St. Form IT 1040, and, Line 37 from the IRS 1040) from the 1099’s from Treasury. I also did some short term, contracting work for McDonnel-Douglas which was also taxable. If you have a way I don’t have to pay taxes, my tax preparer and myself would be interested where the changes in the codes are located.
By CalvinJ
July 14, 2010 10:26 PM | Link to this
Max: Law Change for Taxable Years 2008 and Forward: Effective for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2007, military retirement pay of taxpayers who retired from service in the active or reserve components of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or from the National Guard, and SBP benefits, are exempt from Ohio income tax and from Ohio school district income tax. Eligible taxpayers can use Schedule A of Ohio tax form IT 1040 to deduct such retirement pay included in federal adjusted gross income….Example: The taxpayer has included in federal adjusted gross income (line 1 of the Ohio income tax return, form IT 1040) $60,000 which the taxpayer received as a federal civil service pension. The taxpayer has 15 years of military service and 45 years of combined military service and civilian employment with the U.S. government. The fraction is 15/45 = 1/3. The taxpayer can deduct $20,000 on line 45g on the year 2008 form IT 1040: 1/3 X $60,000. Courtesy Ohio Department of Taxation. Probably one of Husted’s friends high in retirement military pay wanted to retire and stay in Ohio with a tax break. Too bad the rest of us have to pay. Example: The taxpayer has included in federal adjusted gross income (line 1 of the Ohio income tax return, form IT 1040) $60,000 which the taxpayer received as a federal civil service pension. The taxpayer has 15 years of military service and 45 years of combined military service and civilian employment with the U.S. government. The fraction is 15/45 = 1/3. The taxpayer can deduct $20,000 on line 45g on the year 2008 form IT 1040: 1/3 X $60,000. http://www.tax.ohio.gov/faqs/Income/military.stm#A4
By Null and Void
July 14, 2010 10:53 PM | Link to this
CalvinJ, Thank you for giving Max the spanking…Max, More due dilligence..
By Calvinj
July 15, 2010 11:27 AM | Link to this
Null: it’s rare I get a chance to help someone who makes knowledgeable and thoughtful posts. ———My only joy in it is to expose Jon Husted, of Upper Arlington, as the pork getting he is. Pork benefits are okay if they’re for your friends, like a higher up retiring from military to save hundreds of dollars a year in taxes to Ohio———Everyone who worked hard on the front lines for the State of Ohio who is getting back some of the retirement money they actually paid into their retirement funds, unlike social security, have to pay full tax. Think of a teacher in bad urban school with poor principals, nasty parents, bad students who are running the place; don’t they deserve a tax break? The military folk get big retirements after 20 years, get healthcare for life, etc.. the teacher has to pay for their healthcare.
By Max
July 15, 2010 2:40 PM | Link to this
CalvinJ, I went to the FAQ and one thing is unclear; is this for those who retired after 2007 or all retiree’s? Also, my point was - perhaps unclear - being a contractor for a company outside civil service is different than being on the government payroll. Your statement, then, ” people retire and go to work for contractors doing the same job the next day” doesn’t fit your response specific to ‘civil’ government jobs. That’s where I objected. I think you are confusing ‘contractors’ with ‘civil service.’ One additional point, what you said about healthcare for militray retirees is half true; basic healthcare for retirees falls under the Tricare system which requires care provider co-pays. Under Tricare Prime (family plan) there is a $38 per month charge PLUS - locally - primary care must either be received at Wright Pat or referred to in-network physcians/specialists. The argument for this ‘discount’ is easily explained in that over a 20-30 career in the military, retirees made less - with all the family moves, unaccompanied deployments, etc. - than their civilian counterparts. So, I think it is somewhat off center to compare military benefits with those of teachers whose pay scale is all over the raod nationally and in Ohio.
By Max
July 15, 2010 2:50 PM | Link to this
CalvinJ, aside from that confusion between civil service and contractors as well as the military healthcare system, I do share your sentiments RE Husted. He was a do-nothing in the House and continues doing little in the Senate. If you do need the facts about retired military healthcare, visit the Tricare website. I guarantee you there is no such thing as free healthcare to us. Even active duty military dependents have a co-pay if using non-military hospitals/clinics.
By Max
July 15, 2010 2:59 PM | Link to this
CalvinJ: “Think of a teacher in bad urban school with poor principals, nasty parents, bad students who are running the place; don’t they deserve a tax break?” ——No, they need the principals fired, parents held legally responsibile for their kids, and to assume their duties as educators instead of whining about every social issue they blame for not being able to do their jobs. Tax breaks and professional performance have no correlation.
By Jon H.
July 15, 2010 11:53 PM | Link to this
Max and Calvin J, Please stop. You are urinating on each others leg. You are both alpha males.
By Max
July 16, 2010 9:58 AM | Link to this
I guess I missed the ‘tone’ of the DDN commentary here and two ‘Get On the Bus’ offerings by Scott. It’s just so bad an idea I can’t believe DDN is supporting it. While I am passionate about education reform as many are, introducing 2-year stints of young dabblers into the mix to enhance ‘their’ career perspectives after 4 years of college offers nothing to the premise of educating our kids. This concept is too weird to even deem ‘left wing.’ That seemingly intelligent, educated college students cannot figure out a career path in 4 years without the continued, social coddling to help them find their way for another two years is an indication of education’s failure. The last figures I saw indicated 60% of all college graduates do not end up working in their major field of study (that is a little inflated because it does include those to continue in graduate studies). However, those Education graduates have a considerably higher level of postgraduate employment as teachers. DDN’s focus, however, is not on education; it’s giving recent graduates ‘life experience’ in urban settings. This smells like ACORN being sold to our school systems.
By Mary
July 17, 2010 10:56 PM | Link to this
Republicans want to take away jobs from Ohio teachers. Teachers are losing their jobs and Husted wants to give their jobs to unqualified people. Teach for America gives the illusion that anyone can teach children. Even though politicians keep piling on requirements for teachers in Ohio, Husted has decided that these people in Teach for America don’t have to spend thousands of dollars getting a license-just get them into a classroom. So what if they don’t know what a lesson plan is, put them on the fast track and let an Ohio teacher leave the state to find employment elsewhere. Husted wants to take away jobs from Ohio teachers.
By Mike R
July 22, 2010 9:11 PM | Link to this
“Teach for America gives the illusion that anyone can teach children.” Mary, based on the test scores, drop out rates, universities teaching High school level courses just to get the student up to entry-level status, and high school graduates not able to compete at the world level, it appears NOBODY is teaching these kids!
By Pornokontac
December 2, 2010 12:01 AM | Link to this
Спасибо понравилось ! Thanks !
By Shoked
December 6, 2010 3:00 AM | Link to this
Спасибо за материалы! :) Respect www.daytondailynews.com