Note:  this is entirely speculation.  Read and judge for yourself.

Sometimes one can settle for the status quo, until one looks over an someone else, and says, “wow, look at what they are doing.”  In normal times, having the DSEA try to win hearts and minds with public service announcements denoting how to prepare children for going back to school, might be commendable.  But what if it is being done to distract attention away from focusing on real problems?  Instead of removing a cancerous lesion, one chooses instead to cover it up with makeup?

Here is what Tennessee’s Head of the Teacher’s Union is doing….

  • Trying to head off a plan that calls for using student achievement data in determining whether a teacher can keep her license.
  • Challenging the idea that a teacher’s score in a given year is a valid indicator of a teacher’s future performance.
  • Opposes the use of public funds for the support of any non-public school or any non-public school student.
  • Opposes profiteering by corporate takeover of public schools.
  • Opposes any alternative licensure program that reduces standards for the education profession.,
  • Opposes the legislating of curriculum.
  • Opposes diversion of retirement monies to fund any other state programs.
  • Opposes any evaluation system that bases the employment status/compensation of teachers solely on subjective evaluation, statistical data, or any arbitrary standards.
  • Opposes requiring non-medical personnel to perform medical procedures for students, dispense any medication, or
    handle blood or bodily fluids.
  • Opposes growing commercialization of classrooms, which treats students as consumers rather than learners..
  • Opposes any further expansion of the charter school law until effectiveness of these schools is independently validated.

Here is the tepid Delaware comparison.

  • DSEA is delivering a professional development workshop on Component 5..
  • There is a challenge/review process if your evaluation by someone from DoE would impact your overall Component 5 rating.
  • If your report contains any inaccuracy you can take it to the Department of Education’s review process beginning June 3, 2013..
  • Opened a hotline for educators to discuss questions related to DPAS II and the implementation of Component V.
  •  Meets with Delaware’s Dept. of Education on a regular basis to share ideas about DPASII and, particularly, about changes in Component 5:
  • Supports the strengthening of state financial support for charter schools.

One should point out there is a small difference in tone.   One should be surprised.  Shouldn’t Delaware teachers at least be fighting as hard as their compatriots in Tennessee, that other original RTTT state?