Chicago Public School Teachers on Strike...

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Because its all about the children!

And that 15%-30% pay increase they want.
And because they are all upset, that the school day, was lengthened a half hour.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Poor poor CPS Teachers...


It takes a lot of nerve to ask for a 30 percent pay raise. You’d better be sure you had a banner year. Yet in Chicago, where just 15 percent of fourth graders are proficient in reading (and just 56 percent of students graduate), the teachers union is set to strike if the district does not agree to a 30 percent increase in teachers’ salaries.

The average teacher in Chicago Public Schools—a district facing a $700 million deficit—makes $71,000 per year before benefits are included. If the district meets union demands and rewards teachers with the requested salary increase, education employees will receive compensation north of $92,000 per year.

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, the average annual income of a family in Chicago is $47,000 per year. If implemented, the 30 percent raise will mean that in nine months, a single teacher in the Chicago Public School system will take home nearly double what the average family in the city earns in a year.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

The average CPS teacher, who has about 14 years of experience, gets a total compensation equal to about $74,798/year or $34.50/hour. The average percentage of CPS students who meet or exceed state standards is 66%. The percentage of CPS 11th graders who meet college readiness benchmarks is 21% in Reading, 19% in Math, 11% in Science and 38% in English.

The average Chicagoan works a comparable schedule to a CPS teacher, yet earns half as much in total compensation, 33 fewer days off, higher health care costs for lower quality health benefits and either a 401(k) that they contribute heavily into or no retirement package at all.

Thus, under the current union contract, taxpayers are paying teachers double their own salaries in exchange for student achievement that leaves about 80% of graduating CPS high school students below college readiness standards.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Poor poor teachers....

Teachers get 2.5 months off in June, July and August, 1 week paid time off in December, 1 week paid time off in April and 10 paid vacation days on the CPS calendar.

CPS teachers receive 10 sick days per year.

elvistheking44

This makes me fucking sick. I have a 6 year old at one of the CPS schools. One week into the school year and here we are. Chicago schools are a fucking joke and this just proves it. If these teachers were so "children first" they would be at home using this time to figure out new ways to improve their classroom. Instead they are marching around in circles actually celebrating the fact that my daughter is losing her education by the minute.

Its taking everything in my power not to walk down to our school and lay into these teachers. I don't want my daughter to have to pay the price for my feelings, so I've kept away so far.......

Job Stability? You want job stability? Guess what, EVERYONE FUCKING WANTS JOB STABILITY, JOIN THE CLUB!!!!

This could seriously be the last straw for me living in the city.........

Jason P

This isn't good for Obama.

elvistheking44

Jason P wrote:

This isn't good for Obama.

Or Rahm!

SPEEDY MCCREADY

ofthegirl99 wrote:

This makes me fucking sick. I have a 6 year old at one of the CPS schools. One week into the school year and here we are. Chicago schools are a fucking joke and this just proves it. If these teachers were so "children first" they would be at home using this time to figure out new ways to improve their classroom. Instead they are marching around in circles actually celebrating the fact that my daughter is losing her education by the minute.

Its taking everything in my power not to walk down to our school and lay into these teachers. I don't want my daughter to have to pay the price for my feelings, so I've kept away so far.......

Job Stability? You want job stability? Guess what, EVERYONE FUCKING WANTS JOB STABILITY, JOIN THE CLUB!!!!

This could seriously be the last straw for me living in the city.........

They are all upset due to the new job evaluation procedures. God FORBID these teachers are actually held responsible, for their actions. Every single one of us goes to work, and his held responsible. If we had the failure rate that the CPS teachers had, EVERY ONE OF US would lose our jobs.

QuarterToTen

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Every single one of us goes to work, and his held responsible. If we had the failure rate that the CPS teachers had, EVERY ONE OF US would lose our jobs.

But instead, these educators are asking for More Money to um...not do their jobs? :?
That just doesn't seem the least bit logical.

Responsiblity in their jobs is perhaps the most vital of any profession.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

I am watching the president of the teachers union on television, right now. One of her problems is, that they need new air-conditioners installed in the classrooms. HUH?? WTF!!!!!

Its fucking Chicago!

September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May

You fuckers are bitching about air conditioners??
Has someone informed this blithering idiot, that she has the SUMMER MONTHS off?

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Tell ya what teachers..
Go take $150 out of your $70,000 yearly income...
Go to Home Depot and buy a window unit air conditioner...
Take 5 minutes and put that fucker in the window...
And get your fat asses back in the classroom!!!!

adam42381

Coming from a teacher, asking for a 30% raise over 2 years is ridiculous. My wife is in her 9th year of teaching and I'm in my second. Combined we make right at $80,000/year. Sure, the cost of living is lower here, but it's not that much lower. Oh, and we're not union members.

cincybearcat

adam42381 wrote:

Coming from a teacher, asking for a 30% raise over 2 years is ridiculous. My wife is in her 9th year of teaching and I'm in my second. Combined we make right at $80,000/year. Sure, the cost of living is lower here, but it's not that much lower. Oh, and we're not union members.

So in Florida you do not have to join the teacher's union? Do you happen to know if this is true in any other states?

SPEEDY MCCREADY

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

I am watching the president of the teachers union on television, right now. One of her problems is, that they need new air-conditioners installed in the classrooms. HUH?? WTF!!!!!

Its fucking Chicago!

September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May

You fuckers are bitching about air conditioners??
Has someone informed this blithering idiot, that she has the SUMMER MONTHS off?

Personally, I would be willing to bet $10...
That 50% of those Chicago Public School teachers, would NOT be able to install a simple window unit air-conditioner.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME????????




SNews.com) - In the Chicago Public Schools, where the teacher’s union is now seeking a 30 percent raise over the next two years, only 21 percent of 8th graders tested at grade-level proficient or better in reading in 2011 and only 20 percent tested at grade-level proficient or better in mathematics, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

The reading and math scores of Chicago public-school 8th graders not only ranked below the national average and the Illinois average, they also ranked below the average for 8th graders attending public schools in other large cities around the country.

adam42381

cincybearcat wrote:

adam42381 wrote:

Coming from a teacher, asking for a 30% raise over 2 years is ridiculous. My wife is in her 9th year of teaching and I'm in my second. Combined we make right at $80,000/year. Sure, the cost of living is lower here, but it's not that much lower. Oh, and we're not union members.

So in Florida you do not have to join the teacher's union? Do you happen to know if this is true in any other states?

It is optional. We get the same pay and benefits, but don't have to pay dues. The only thing we don't get is union representation if a lawsuit is brought against us. Instead of union representation, the school district will back you as long as you aren't perceived by them to be the at fault party. I don't know for sure about all of the states, but most southern states don't have mandatory unions. My wife has taught in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida and has never been a union member.

elvistheking44

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

I am watching the president of the teachers union on television, right now. One of her problems is, that they need new air-conditioners installed in the classrooms. HUH?? WTF!!!!!

Its fucking Chicago!

September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May

You fuckers are bitching about air conditioners??
Has someone informed this blithering idiot, that she has the SUMMER MONTHS off?

Our neighbor offered to buy the entire school air conditioners, unfortunately the building our kids spend their entire day in was too old and could not handle the increase in electricity use...... :roll:

Good to see the picketing teachers partying out on the sidewalks as well today............

Real nice example we are setting for our children here folks.

riotgrl

I want to address a couple of things based on my understanding of this particular strike. First, the teachers are asking for more money because the school district is wanting to extend the school day and, I believe, increase the number of days in the entire school year which I believe is a legitimate thing to ask for - most of us would want our salaries increased if our working hours were increased. However, I do believe that they did negotiate a 16% increase over 2 years which would amount to the 30% number that has been quoted. That seems more than fair to me so that is part of the contract that should have been accepted by the teachers union.

Second, when teachers mention job security they aren't really talking about (well most don't but I am sure some do mean this) keeping their job regardless of job performance. In many instances, without "job security", teachers have been fired or demoted, becuase of petty office politics which is not the same.

Third, teachers may have the MOST responsbility for ensuring that their students are successful but they are NOT the only factor, therefore, why should teacher evaulations, hence teacher pay, totally reside upon the efforts of the teacher? What about parental support? What about student effort? You're going to base teacher pay on ONE test? What if the kid doesn't like the teacher and deliberately blows the test to "get back at them"? What if the kid is having a bad day and can't focus and concentrate during the test? There are too many factors involved to have teacher pay completely dependent on student test scores. And if we're being honest, no, your pay is not dependent upon the efforts of someone else to determine your pay. If you work retail, would it be fair to have your entire pay determined by your customers? I do believe that student test scores and student success should play a PART in the evaluation and pay process. And those teachers that are opposed to it completely are fighting a losing battle. The extension of the school day and longer school years are coming and are completely necessary for our country to remain competitive in the global economy.

How about a real conversation and a real debate about how to fix education that truly includes teachers, parents and students in the decision making process? Why should teachers spend their time blaming the parents and kids and the parents blaming the teachers. This just obscures the real problem and therefore prevents any real solution to the problem.

riotgrl

adam42381 wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

adam42381 wrote:

Coming from a teacher, asking for a 30% raise over 2 years is ridiculous. My wife is in her 9th year of teaching and I'm in my second. Combined we make right at $80,000/year. Sure, the cost of living is lower here, but it's not that much lower. Oh, and we're not union members.

So in Florida you do not have to join the teacher's union? Do you happen to know if this is true in any other states?

It is optional. We get the same pay and benefits, but don't have to pay dues. The only thing we don't get is union representation if a lawsuit is brought against us. Instead of union representation, the school district will back you as long as you aren't perceived by them to be the at fault party. I don't know for sure about all of the states, but most southern states don't have mandatory unions. My wife has taught in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida and has never been a union member.

The majority of school districts in KY don't have unions at all. However, I teach in the largest district and we have a very strong union. You do not have to join but you receive the same pay and benefits as union members, meaning you are a beneficiary of all aspects of the negotiated contract. However, if your principal or the district reprimands you, writes you up, or if you have any charge brought against you, the union will not protect you. I agree with adam42381 that southern states do not have a history of being unionized like they do in the northern and midwestern states.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

riotgrl wrote:

I want to address a couple of things based on my understanding of this particular strike. First, the teachers are asking for more money because the school district is wanting to extend the school day and, I believe, increase the number of days in the entire school year which I believe is a legitimate thing to ask for - most of us would want our salaries increased if our working hours were increased. However, I do believe that they did negotiate a 16% increase over 2 years which would amount to the 30% number that has been quoted. That seems more than fair to me so that is part of the contract that should have been accepted by the teachers union.

Second, when teachers mention job security they aren't really talking about (well most don't but I am sure some do mean this) keeping their job regardless of job performance. In many instances, without "job security", teachers have been fired or demoted, becuase of petty office politics which is not the same.

Third, teachers may have the MOST responsbility for ensuring that their students are successful but they are NOT the only factor, therefore, why should teacher evaulations, hence teacher pay, totally reside upon the efforts of the teacher? What about parental support? What about student effort? You're going to base teacher pay on ONE test? What if the kid doesn't like the teacher and deliberately blows the test to "get back at them"? What if the kid is having a bad day and can't focus and concentrate during the test? There are too many factors involved to have teacher pay completely dependent on student test scores. And if we're being honest, no, your pay is not dependent upon the efforts of someone else to determine your pay. If you work retail, would it be fair to have your entire pay determined by your customers? I do believe that student test scores and student success should play a PART in the evaluation and pay process. And those teachers that are opposed to it completely are fighting a losing battle. The extension of the school day and longer school years are coming and are completely necessary for our country to remain competitive in the global economy.

How about a real conversation and a real debate about how to fix education that truly includes teachers, parents and students in the decision making process? Why should teachers spend their time blaming the parents and kids and the parents blaming the teachers. This just obscures the real problem and therefore prevents any real solution to the problem.

I have no sympathy for these teachers.
None.
Thats just me.

When they initially asked for a 30% increase.
They instantly lost any type of support from me.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Under the new proposal, elementary school children will have a 7-hour day this upcoming school year, while high school students will see their day increase to 7 ½ hours. Those figures represent a 20% increase in the school day for students.

This is the increase that the teachers are bitching about?

Lets see once again...
2.5 months off during the summer
10 vacation days
10 sick days
1 week off for Christmas Holidays
1 week off for Spring Break

They make an average of $71,000 a year...
They work 8 months a year....
They have THOSE WONDERFUL PENSIONS( That I havent gotten into discussing yet)

And I am supposed to have sympathy for them?

And they are upset about 7-7.5 hours a day?

riotgrl

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

riotgrl wrote:

I want to address a couple of things based on my understanding of this particular strike. First, the teachers are asking for more money because the school district is wanting to extend the school day and, I believe, increase the number of days in the entire school year which I believe is a legitimate thing to ask for - most of us would want our salaries increased if our working hours were increased. However, I do believe that they did negotiate a 16% increase over 2 years which would amount to the 30% number that has been quoted. That seems more than fair to me so that is part of the contract that should have been accepted by the teachers union.

Second, when teachers mention job security they aren't really talking about (well most don't but I am sure some do mean this) keeping their job regardless of job performance. In many instances, without "job security", teachers have been fired or demoted, becuase of petty office politics which is not the same.

Third, teachers may have the MOST responsbility for ensuring that their students are successful but they are NOT the only factor, therefore, why should teacher evaulations, hence teacher pay, totally reside upon the efforts of the teacher? What about parental support? What about student effort? You're going to base teacher pay on ONE test? What if the kid doesn't like the teacher and deliberately blows the test to "get back at them"? What if the kid is having a bad day and can't focus and concentrate during the test? There are too many factors involved to have teacher pay completely dependent on student test scores. And if we're being honest, no, your pay is not dependent upon the efforts of someone else to determine your pay. If you work retail, would it be fair to have your entire pay determined by your customers? I do believe that student test scores and student success should play a PART in the evaluation and pay process. And those teachers that are opposed to it completely are fighting a losing battle. The extension of the school day and longer school years are coming and are completely necessary for our country to remain competitive in the global economy.

How about a real conversation and a real debate about how to fix education that truly includes teachers, parents and students in the decision making process? Why should teachers spend their time blaming the parents and kids and the parents blaming the teachers. This just obscures the real problem and therefore prevents any real solution to the problem.

I have no sympathy for these teachers.
None.
Thats just me.


When they initially asked for a 30% increase.
They instantly lost any type of support from me.

I totally understand that. I am certainly having a difficult time sympathizing with them as well. We are not getting a raise at all this year. And while it would be nice, I know that our state is really having a hard time funding anything right now. I suppose I just don't understand the vitriolic hatred many seem to have towards teachers. Most teachers are hard workers who really are trying to do right by their students but unfortunately, its issues like these that paint all teachers as selfish and self serving. LIke I said, its too bad we can't get past these issues to address the real problem. We are desperately falling behind other nations and many of our businesses, especially small businesses, can't fill their positions because of a lack of education and proper job training skills. If we all reaized that it takes all of us, parents, teachers, students, and the community, to create awesome kids, then maybe we could get somewhere with the conversation.

QuarterToTen

riotgrl wrote:

The extension of the school day and longer school years are coming and are completely necessary for our country to remain competitive in the global economy.

And as educators, teachers should be the first to realize and embrace this undeniable fact, and approach it as a challenge instead of immediately dismissing this perfectly reasonable request.

The education system needs to educate itself, first and foremost.

elvistheking44

Talks broke down last night around 9pm Chicago time, we are now approaching 9am Chicago time and no talks are happening.

I do realize that you put in two super, duper, exhausting 9 hour days this weekend to negotiate.

Teachers sure did get out early this morning to picket and party though....... :roll:

adam42381

riotgrl wrote:

I totally understand that. I am certainly having a difficult time sympathizing with them as well. We are not getting a raise at all this year. And while it would be nice, I know that our state is really having a hard time funding anything right now. I suppose I just don't understand the vitriolic hatred many seem to have towards teachers. Most teachers are hard workers who really are trying to do right by their students but unfortunately, its issues like these that paint all teachers as selfish and self serving. LIke I said, its too bad we can't get past these issues to address the real problem. We are desperately falling behind other nations and many of our businesses, especially small businesses, can't fill their positions because of a lack of education and proper job training skills. If we all reaized that it takes all of us, parents, teachers, students, and the community, to create awesome kids, then maybe we could get somewhere with the conversation.

Agreed.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Now I am watching parents...
Pulling out their credit cards...
And paying the local YMCA's, to watch their kids for a day.

I am also watching the school teachers picketing, and acting like its a BIG PARTY!!


If I drove by one of those picket lines today..
I would end up in handcuffs.

elvistheking44

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Now I am watching parents...
Pulling out their credit cards...
And paying the local YMCA's, to watch their kids for a day.

I am also watching the school teachers picketing, and acting like its a BIG PARTY!!


If I drove by one of those picket lines today..
I would end up in handcuffs.

My neighborhood school is about 8 houses away from mine, I walk my daughter to school every morning, best part of my day. I can see them all partying and picketing down there right now. If my daughter wouldn't feel the brunt of my disapproval I would have been arrested already as well........

The worst part, is that my daughter looks shell shocked today.

davidtrios

:corn:

davidtrios

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

The average CPS teacher, who has about 14 years of experience, gets a total compensation equal to about $74,798/year or $34.50/hour. The average percentage of CPS students who meet or exceed state standards is 66%. The percentage of CPS 11th graders who meet college readiness benchmarks is 21% in Reading, 19% in Math, 11% in Science and 38% in English.

The average Chicagoan works a comparable schedule to a CPS teacher, yet earns half as much in total compensation, 33 fewer days off, higher health care costs for lower quality health benefits and either a 401(k) that they contribute heavily into or no retirement package at all.

Thus, under the current union contract, taxpayers are paying teachers double their own salaries in exchange for student achievement that leaves about 80% of graduating CPS high school students below college readiness standards.

just wondering, where did you get these facts?

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Why the hatred towards the CPS teachers?

Well lets see...

It has to be difficult for a parent, to sympathize with a group of educaters, making an average of $71,000 a year. The median income of these parents is about $45-$50,000 a year. These parents work 8-10 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, 12 months a year. Most DO NOT have the luxury of a pension. Most do not get the summer off. Most do NOT get 10 days sick pay, 10 days vacation, 1 week off for Christmas, 1 week off for Spring break.

What do these parents get?
They get to be held hostage by a bunch of teachers. Teachers who at one point asked for a 30% hike in pay.
Teachers who are bitching about having to work 8 hours a day. Teachers who are bitching about the fact that they may be evaluated, and held responsible. Teachers bitching about air conditioners.

And I am positive 99% of these parents scratch their fucking heads, when they read the overall test scores of these children.

Indifference71

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME????????




SNews.com) - In the Chicago Public Schools, where the teacher’s union is now seeking a 30 percent raise over the next two years, only 21 percent of 8th graders tested at grade-level proficient or better in reading in 2011 and only 20 percent tested at grade-level proficient or better in mathematics, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

The reading and math scores of Chicago public-school 8th graders not only ranked below the national average and the Illinois average, they also ranked below the average for 8th graders attending public schools in other large cities around the country.

I can kinda understand asking raise with a longer school day, but to ask for fucking 30% with these pathetic numbers??? What a fucking joke.