When I disagree with something, I usually speak up. Especially when it's something that's important to me -- my family, beliefs, friends and oh yes, my job. That's why I'm confused by this article from the Seattle Times. It's about a progress report for the Seattle Public Schools conducted by McKinsey & Company. "A tale of two districts" the article calls it -- one economically divided, north and south, that correlates to academic performance.
The report also found that compared to other districts, Seattle is slow to post job openings and slow to hire teachers. Once new teachers are hired, only about a third get into the district mentoring program, meant to support new teachers. And overwhelmingly, teachers leaving the district said in exit interviews they left because of stress.
But here's what confuses me. The article states that the preliminary report was compiled without teacher input. Now, since we all know teachers have the greatest impact on student achievement, this seems odd. Then reading further, I'm baffled by the reason why:
Some members of the Seattle Education Association (SEA) disagreed with advice McKinsey gave to other districts, so the union's representative board voted late last year to recommend teachers not participate.
Huh? It would seem to me that if you don't agree with the recommendations, that would be even more of a reason to participate so your voice could be heard. If the ultimate goal here is to give all our students a better education and help them succeed, why doesn't the teachers union want to be part of that process?
President of the SEA Wendy Kimball said, "The unfortunate thing in [the union's] decision is that it limits the teacher voice in being able to shape what is going to happen in the future," she said. "But I support their decision. I'm not going to participate."
Now, I'm not trying to ruffle feathers here. I'm truly asking an honest question. There must be a good reason, so you tell me...why keep quiet?
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