concerned I completely agree with you which just adds to the inability for them to ever come up with a productive way to evaluate. It is a lost cause. At least when they admit it is about money that is something we can use concrete numbers for.

Eagle, using test scores or development scores isn't an effective measure. You will see some resistance anytime new rules are put into place, but you have to find a way that is fair. Text or development tests show how the students are doing not how the teacher is doing. Correlation doesn't equal causation. Factors such as the students home life and personal problems weigh in to much that isn't the teachers fault or anything they can control.

concerned I would agree that could be an effective way to evaluate, however how long would it be before a number of teachers and their union brings up that administrators are biased towards them in order to not give them raises and save money or any other number of reasons why it is not fair. That process has been tried in Oceanside, California and Carmel, Indiana (I know teachers in those disticts) and the backlash to it occured in the name of 'fairness'. I am not sure there is a good way to evaluate teachers everyone will agree on. The CTA may be using evaluations as the cornerstone of their argument, however last week when I was in Chicago I was bombarded with media clips about not having enough money and unable to contribute more to benefits by union members (they brought up a 4 year wage freeze), so I think the money is still a large part of why the strike is occurring. To bring that back to Wisconsin, I don't recall evaluations ever being mentioned as a reason for the behavior in Madison it was all about salary and benefits, it always comes down to money. As I said I am done with the teachers, I don't care anymore, I don't want to have that attitude since there are a large number of teachers that get it and are grateful for what they have they just get shouted down, but since I don't have kids I really don't care anymore.

Eagle, I would argue the otherside. If the CTU strike was simply about money they would have taken the 16% raise (over 4 years not over just one so 4% just over the cost of living/inflation increases). Instead, they are standing up to make sure they have a say in working conditions and their own job security. Teacher Evaluations are necessary, but they should be done on a formula that is fair. Basing them on the development of their students doesn't accuratly show the quality of the teacher. It shows how much effort the student is putting into the work. The old adage of you can lead a horse to water comes to mind. Teacher should be evaluated based on in class reviews done by administrators. Something that could have been done all along but ask a teacher when the last time their principle volunteered to sit in on a class an watch...or even help

A school that cares about the kids....

Lake Forest High in session despite strike

http://www.suntimes.com/news/15216812-76...

dtb, while I am not fully aware of what the proposed teacher evaluations are, what type of evaluation has been used in the past? I am sure any evaluation process will be seen as unfair by some, but hey welcome to life, I have had several evaluations that were based upon my entire department, is that fair? They can say it is about evaluations however anytime a camera is stuck in one of the complainers faces it all comes down to salary and benefits, it is embarrassing that they think they can fool everyone into thinking different. I am so over the whole teachers union thing no matter where it happens, I had no opinion prior to last year but then the facts emerged and I saw how ridiculous they were behaving. If I hear it's about the kids one more time I am pretty sure I am going to puke.

yada

An "opinion" piece really doesn't prove anything.

Act 10 did NOT prevent people from joining unions (which would be unconstitutional), it did limit some of their power.

GAzelle thank you for your comments - You are correct Walker has destroyed education. Those connected to education and parents know that. ACT 10 IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/jud...

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/jud...

pudssweetie and it is pretty obvious that you do not understand that a lower court can rule over a higher court that has deemed Act 10 as Constitutional...when the legal issue in question is totally different.

They should demand new negotiations... it was wrong... what happened, the way if was done. I know you righties love this nonsense... but the RIGHT to unionize and negotiate for what is best for our kids and schools is a good thing!
My daughter works in a mentoring program in Madison in the poorest school district in Madison. Since the Walker cuts, classroom size has become a huge problem... has become crowd control. We should invest in good teachers educating our children and grandchildren... they are our future!

I agree with 6:21 and 6:22.

They can demand all they want DON"T GIVE IN

When will you people come to the realization that it is those in government (especially the federal government) that control everything in this country and yet they have the citizens fighting/arguing with one another. 500 plus government officials at the federal level are causing all of the problems in this country and they have us all brainwashed and blaming each other for THEIR failures! Absurd!

fedup... extortion from Union Puppet Masters!!! of course, thank God Scooter is above it all... LMAO!!!!

Most people are fed up with the whining WEAC and other teacher unions who believe they are more important than doing a job they aspired for attended college for and took a position to teach the young. They perceive themselves as above all other professions. If you do not like your situation find a good job. We are sick of you

Most people are fed up with the whining WEAC and other teacher unions who believe they are more important than doing a job they aspired for attended college for and took a position to teach the young. They perceive themselves as above all other professions. If you do not like your situation find a good job. We are sick of you

More money. More Benefits. More,More, More, More. You would think money grows on trees. Evaluations: YES! If you not a good teacher then worry if your a good teacher, don't worry. Remember it is for the CHILDREN.

fire them all and start over.

eagle - it's not about the money at this point - read up on teacher evaluations and you may see.

pud - show me where the court ruled on the merits of Act 10.

Yada and it is pretty obvious that you do not understand that a lower court cannot rule over a higher court that has deemed Act 10 as Constitutional.

WI public unions can not strike--but go ahead and believe your right masters.

concernedwi, I think the joke that is the Chicago teachers strike proves your theory wrong, they are the highest paid teachers in the country and were offerd a 16% raise and they walked. It is all about power and as much as they can grab, not the indiviuals but the union and the political friends they have. Sadly there are just enough foolish members that goose step their way to the beat of what the unions tell them.

I think it, there for, it is true.

"Walker & people like you are the ones that have their head stuck where the sun don't shine."

Wow, don't hold back.

FED, if you are saying that the Madison School Board is in the hands of the unions, you must have proof. Can you share it with the rest of us?

It shouldn't all be about the kids. The kids are important, but so are the valuable employees that we entrust with them. They shouldn't have to settle when they are highly education and trained to provide the best education for the children. The best pay and benefits that a school district has the better teachers stay, the better education that the kids get. So it is about them in the end.

FED, was the school board bought before or after the election of school board members? How much was it bought for? How are you aware of this rampant corruption but you haven't alert the GAB yet? As elected officials, they could face sanctions. Please stop posting and immediately give the GAB this information, it's the only way to stop this outrages negotiation from happening!

Sure doesn't sound like it's all about the kids does it?

Maine, the school board is comprised of elected representatives that the people voted for. This is where the people's voice is. If you aren't happy with how your school board is representing you than run yourself or vote for someone new next time.

Will the taxpayers who are footing the bill have any representation/say in the matter? If not, this is extortion, which is supposed to be illegal. Just keep raising property taxes and see what happens.

SAXCAT----You obviously don't understand that the JUDGE said - "NULL AND VOID" - Therefore rights must be restored IMMEDIATELY.

As for the article, I would tell Matthews to stick it. Start talks when they normally do.

Oh God, here we go again !

Easy with the CAPS yada. You're starting to type like eyster. or maybe your are eyster. YADA YADA YADA seems to be all that comes out of either one of you.

FEDUPTAXPAYER - You are one SICK dude. Walker & people like you are the ones that have their head stuck where the sun don't shine. Walker's attack on teachers is no surprise because this is the type of Behavior he exhibited as County Executive. Many things happened while he was in this position & and that is why you have the FBI John Doe Investigation which has also moved to the state level.

http://www.walkerinvestigation.com/

Walker's attacks on: workplace protections, wages, benefits, etc comes from a Governor that was unable to complete his own education. Walker & many citizens of WI do not have a clue on what teaching entails. All Walker wants to do is "divide & conquer" and play games with the lives of hard working people. Walker continues his demonizing of the teaching profession thinking the public will believe him. Those that do not understand are the LEMMINGS following Walker off the cliff. Eventually this will all play out in favor of those in education that continue to work hard & continue with their education as teachers.

"Governor Walker: Fact V. Fiction"

http://www.madisonteachers.org/2012/05/1...

Because Chicago is what we all should be trying to copy.

Our tri-cornered hat-wearing comrades sure have themselves worked into a frothy lather over this. You want to pace yourself for the long proletarian struggle. [ http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012... ]

The head of the Madison Teacher's union knows very well that he has most, if not all of the school board in his pocket. They will quickly agree to this and will probably sign a long term contract before a court can stop them, if they can move that fast. This ventriloquist knows how to make his sock puppets sing in harmony.

How long 'till Dave Parr follows suit, I wonder?

I think the story meant to say the contract ends June 30, 2013.

This guy should be a comedian! To honestly think that the school boards would lock themselves into another 2 year contract with a toxic union based on a ruling that the WI supreme court is almost sure to overturn?!?!? Tell you what buddy, come back around in February when you were supposed to....we'll see how relevant you are then:)