State Sen. Diane Black "interested"

sumneram
State Sen. Diane Black on Gordon's seat: "I am giving it some consideration. It is something I have thought about for a number of years."

Should we pay teachers more?

This is an age-old argument in education reform.

Should teachers make more money? Will paying teachers more improve student achievement? Will it increase retention? Will it make teachers happier and thus more likely to perform at a consistently high level.

Many people now say we don't need more money to improve education. And these same people argue that paying teachers more will not improve outcomes.

Here's what I find interesting. Many of these very same people argue that we can't have so-called "government-run" healthcare because it will limit the salaries doctors can make. They say that the best and brightest are attracted to medicine because it is challenging, impacts people's lives, and is financially rewarding.

I tend to think this argument makes some sense. Smart, talented people want a job that is challenging, that maximizes their talents, that has a big impact, and that rewards them for their effort.

So, why do we continue to pay teachers so little? If we believe that the smartest, most talented people will gravitate toward careers that provide significant financial rewards (law, medicine, engineering, business), what statement are we making by paying teachers low salaries?

Conversely, if we want more bright math minds in our schools, more talented writers teaching our children to write, shouldn't we provide them with an opportunity that is challenging, has a big impact, and is rewarding financially?

Teaching is definitely challenging. And it definitely can have a big impact. But when given an array of choices among jobs that meet those two criteria, how likely are the best and brightest to choose the least financially rewarding?

I'm not suggesting we make teachers the highest paid professionals in America (though they do have stewardship of our children for a long period of time). I am suggesting that if we truly want to improve outcomes and attract the best to the profession, we should expect to pay for it.

Starting salaries in the mid-40s to 50s and increases based on performance measures to get the best teachers above $100,000 a year. Good teachers could make $75,000 or more.

Even at the level I'm describing, we're not making teaching the most financially rewarding field. In fact, it may still be on the lower end of the scale. But it certainly makes teaching competitive with other professions that attract the best students our colleges have to offer.

Charter School Incubator coming to Nashville...

Here's the story from Nashville Biz Journal

not clear whether this is a state or local iniative, though in light of legislation that passed in 2009, it might make sense for their to be a statewide focus on expanding the number of Charter Schools across the state.

Ward's Out

THANK YOU!

After careful consideration and consultation with my wife Shelley, I wanted to let you know that I am discontinuing immediately my candidacy for Governor of Tennessee.

Your support in this period of political rigidity afforded my start. Thank you. I was the first Democratic candidate to enter the race, to speak at every opportunity throughout the state and the only candidate overall and thus far to set forth a specific, detailed, written plan for the state.

One year ago I entered this race to address our economic challenges of spending our money against ourselves. We source our energy from other states, constricting job growth and impeding technological progress while perpetuating damage to health and environment. Our K-12 education system loses about one-third of students while seeking self-validation and more funding. Two-thirds of our healthcare expenditures emanate from self-inflicted disease, which can be attributed to food sourcing and quality, while ignoring local and organic initiatives, branding and pricing opportunities for our 500,000 local farmers and distributors. We are a tourism state, yet mountain top removal is legal, and we lack a bottle-bill. Plus, we are a primary trans-shipment leader, but we ignore high-speed rail initiatives emerging in states surrounding us that would significantly complement tourism, build revenues and create jobs.

Traveling across the state, speaking to, and meeting with thousands of Tennesseans convinced me further of our acute challenges and the urgency of aligning our assets with our opportunities. Despite significant personal time, money and appeal of my vision for the state, long-standing political alliances proved impenetrable and fund raising ground to a halt, effectively ending the campaign.

Meanwhile, the world economy moves on and other states become increasingly strategic. With one year until our 2010 general election, I will return to private business. I will spend time with my family. I will remain active. Although I have not had a political career, I urge anyone who perceives a calling or the need to jump in and run. I am glad I did. I am grateful to you for helping. I look forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, many, MANY thanks.

Sincerely,

Ward

Will TN win the "Race to the Top?"

It sounds like we're in a good position.

Kim's for Roy

Dear Andy,
I would like to offer Senator Roy Herron and his wife my best wishes on his Congressional campaign in the 8th district. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Congressman John Tanner for his many years of public service, and I wish him the best in his retirement. I know Senator Herron will be an exceptional Member of Congress, and I will be honored to have him represent the 8th district and the great state of Tennessee for many years to come.
Senator Herron and I share a vision for our great state; the desperate need for unity, for finding common ground and coming together are important to both of us. Today, I hope we can begin moving our state forward.
Very Truly Yours,
Kim

This is a nice endorsement and could be the beginning of clearing the Dem. field for Herron. It could also be an attempt by McMillan to claim Herron's supporters as her own -- to claim the mantle of populist in the Democratic field. Wonder how that will work out?

Roy's Running!

For Congress:

Andy,
Tonight, my longtime friend and Congressman, John Tanner, announced he will not seek re-election to Tennessee’s 8th District.Given the challenges facing this nation, this state, and this congressional district, I feel like I can help make a difference by serving in Congress. And so, I want to let you know immediately of my decision to run.You deserve a much fuller explanation of my decision than I can give at this late hour. I will be back in touch with you soon to share more. For now, I respectfully ask for your consideration, your support, and your prayers.
Your friend,
Roy

Just hours after Tanner announced his retirement, Roy was in. I suspect there were phone calls to Mike McWherter and Lowe Finney and perhaps to Jim Kyle, etc.

I would think this closes the Democratic primary. Herron has represented most of this congressional district in the House and then Senate for over 20 years. His getting out of the Governor's race helps Mike McWherter shore up West TN. It also helps Herron's Senate colleague, Jim Kyle. Now, Kyle can solidify his Memphis base and build support in Middle and East TN among voters who may have preferred Herron over McWherter.

I thought Herron had a good shot of pulling an upset and winning the Democratic primary for Governor.

I think he is in the odds-on favorite to win the 8th District Congressional seat - his profile is perfect for the district, his family traces its history in the area back seven generations, and he's proven time and again that he can beat the Republicans who run in this area. Plus, Herron is a tireless campaigner. And now, he'll be campaigning in his own back yard.

Should Herron win, either Judy Barker or Mark Maddox (or both) seem likely to run to replace him in the state Senate.

Memphis City Schools: Moving Forward

There is a HUGE opportunity for Memphis City Schools to transform into one of our nation's premier urban districts -- if the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative works, it will dramatically change Memphis City Schools.

The change won't happen in 1 year. OR 3. But, if sustained, it will happen. And it could be a model.

Dr. Register is Right!

Here's his article from the Tennessean.

He's right.

MNPS is at a critical juncture and should absolutely "shoot for the moon." The children of Nashville deserve nothing less.

Former ED Commissioner headed to MTSU

Former Commissioner of the TN Dept. of Education Lana Seivers will be the new Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at MTSU. Murfreesboro Post has the story.

Dr. Dan Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving

We can hardly believe that Thanksgiving week is already upon us. And because of your support we have a lot to be thankful for this year.Not only did we have our best fundraising quarter yet, but we also widened our lead in the polls. We continue to raise more than our opponent in Kentucky and in small dollar donations. In the most recent Survey USA poll we also increased our lead to 11 points.We’re continuing to receive endorsements from all over the state. Read about our most recent one from the Kentucky Laborers’ District Council here.
As you can see – we have a lot to be thankful for. But we’re most thankful to have supporters like you. There is a reason why our campaign is leading by significant margins in small dollars donors and in the polls – it’s because of you.You’ve chosen to stand with me in my fight to bring quality healthcare, good jobs and affordable energy to the Commonwealth. This is not just my campaign – but our campaign for Kentuckians by Kentuckians. I hope you and your family have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving week.Happy Thanksgiving,

Dr. Dan

Murfreesboro has 2 finalists

for Director of Schools.

Linda Gilbert should be offered the job.

Jim Kyle: On The Move

Here's the email today:

Dear Friend,
A recently released poll in the race for Tennessee Governor shows that the more people know about Jim Kyle, the more likely they are to support his campaign to keep Tennessee moving forward.
When provided information about Jim’s experience, qualifications, and record, he catapults into second place. A recent Nashville Post article provides an analysis of how Jim is the one to watch in the Democratic Primary.
Will you help us continue to spread Jim's message and keep the momentum going?
Please make a contribution today!
Make sure your friends and family have signed up for our updates. We will be sending out information about events in your area and details about how you can get involved. We are counting on you to help spread the word about the campaign.
We look forward to seeing everyone on the campaign trail!
Thank you,
Katy CutrightCampaign Manager

Jim Kyle's Bringing the Cops

Here's the email:


Dear Friend,
I’m proud to announce that the Memphis Police Association - a group that represents over 2,000 police officers across the city – has endorsed me as their choice for Tennessee’s next governor.
I couldn’t be more honored to have their support. Public safety is one of the top concerns of Tennesseans, it means a great deal to know that the Association has recognized me as the candidate that can make the choices that will keep our cities safe.
These men and women dedicate their lives to protecting and serving the people of Memphis, and as governor, I will work to make sure that all police officers in Tennessee are properly equipped and well funded.
It’s great to have law enforcement as part of our growing team. I hope you will help us keep this momentum going.
Please get involved today!
Thanks in advance for your support.
Jim Kyle

Roy Herron -- Still Organizing

Here is the latest email from the Herron campaign touting 3 wins in Straw Polls. I know, some people discount the straw polls. But, to win, there must be some level of organization. And Herron has won every one of them so far. By convincing margins. Now, he's pushing the theme that he's the Democrat who can take on the son of the Pilot Oil fortune. Read on:

On Monday, we won our third straw poll in a row!We received 49% of the votes cast for five candidates at the Hamilton County Democratic Party’s annual Kefauver Dinner in Chattanooga. Two days earlier, we won the straw poll in Sullivan County with 57% of the vote. And in September, we won the first Democratic straw poll in Rutherford County, also by a large margin.If someone had said months ago, when our campaign began, that we would win the first three Democratic straw polls in this race for Governor, the pundits wouldn’t have believed it. Heck, I wouldn’t have believed it.But we did.Some pundits also claim a Democrat has little chance of being elected Governor next year. Some think that only the richest candidates should even be considered.But they forget what we can accomplish together with a lot of hard work – and with the support of people across Tennessee.I represent nine counties in West and Middle Tennessee. For 23 years, I have received the strong support of those rural areas. But winning straw polls in metropolitan areas like Murfreesboro, Tri-Cities, and Chattanooga – with margins a hometown candidate would envy – proves our message and hard work are reaching Tennesseans. Observers have noted the "small army of Roy Herron volunteers" greeting 3,000 Democrats at Jackson Day and our "unique ability to bridge the gap between rural and urban" Tennesseans. Our campaign team and volunteers are committed to the hard work it takes to win, and we’ll be working even harder in the months ahead to earn the trust and support of voters all across Tennessee.Will you help us?Our decisive wins in the straw polls prove we can connect with citizens all across Tennessee. But we need your support to reach others.Will you support our campaign by contributing $50, $100, or $250 to help provide the resources we need to win?Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."Let’s not miss this opportunity to work hard – and work together – to build a winning campaign and make Tennessee work for all of us.Thank you for your kind consideration!
Your friend, Roy
P.S. – You can learn about my record, sign up for e-mail updates, and volunteer at RoyHerron.com!

The Murfreesboro Finalists

here!

I will be surprised if they don't go with Linda Gilbert.

Set Proficiency Levels NOW

The Knoxville Chamber says so.

And, they are right!

TN should set high standards and set them now, rather than waiting for the tests to come out and then setting the bar artificially low.

And not just in reading and math. In science and writing. Kentucky is FAR ahead of us in science and writing gains because they have set high standards and consistently worked to achieve them.

Tennessee should follow their lead. If Kentucky beat UT in football as often and as badly as Kentucky beats us in academics, there would be a riot.

Let's riot now for academic excellence. We're getting beaten badly and the losers could be the next generation of Tennesseans unless we change the gameplan.

The BEP

Should ALWAYS be fully-funded! Cutting it should ALWAYS be off the table.

But Governor Bredesen and Comm. Webb seem to think otherwise.

There are reasonable solutions out there. Combined reporting of franchise and excise taxes, for one. Collection of 100% of the Hall Tax to the state General Fund for two.

The BEP is the state's funding formula for schools. BEP 2.0 was passed in 2007 and was to add up to $500 billion a year in new money to schools, but that funding level was not met b/c of "budget constraints"

While that is certainly realistic, fully funding "normal growth" in the BEP MUST always happen. the implications for schools and school systems are simply unacceptable.

As Buzz Thomas said at today's TSBA meeting, "the public schools belong to ALL of us and we should ALL pay for them"

He's right. And the BEP helps ensure that the public schools are at least funded at a basic level. The state has NEVER failed in meeting the obligation of full funding of the BEP. Now is not the time to start.

Straw Polls and REAL Polls

So, the Democrats are squabbling over the polls.

Roy Herron has won BOTH straw polls to date -- in Rutherford County and in Sullivan County. By solid margins. This could be a sign of solid organization, good groundwork, and a compelling stump speech. It definitely means Herron should be taken very seriously.

Jim Kyle claims the Sullivan County event was solid, but slightly attended, so the results could be discounted.

On the other hand, Mike McWherter released a statewide poll showing him with 26% of the Democratic primary vote while all other candidates were at less than 6%. A VERY solid starting point for McWherter. To be expected in light of the name recognition he enjoys because of his Dad, former Governor and state House Speaker Ned Ray McWherter. Plus, Mike's been out making the rounds.

So, if you look at Straw Polls and REAL polls, you see good news for two candidates in the Democratic field. Will Herron's organizational strength help him in the long-term? Can he overcome the name ID enjoyed by McWherter? Will another Democratic candidate (Jim Kyle) be able to translate a solid base in Memphis into a first place primary finish?

Right now, the good news and momentum is with Herron. But the lead seems to be McWherter's to lose.

Pre-K is Working in Tennessee

But that's not the headline you'll see in the Tennessean.

1) Pre-K is working. Taking kids who are likely to struggle and keeping them on track through 2nd grade is a GREAT outcome.

2) Rep. Maggart and her Sumner County counterpart in the Senate, Diane Black, have NEVER asked for the state to spend MORE dollars on K-12 or introduced legislation to shift pre-k money to K-12. If they were out there promoting alternative budgets, they might have a point. But in the context of a "just say no" to Governor Bredesen record, their arguments ring hollow.

No NEW BEP $

this article, about state employees and budget cuts, contains an important element about school funding...

The article notes that Gov. Bredesen proposes to fund the BEP in 2010-11 at the 2009-2010 level.

If true, this would mark the FIRST time since the BEP was passed that it was NOT fully funded. Each year, the BEP formula generates an increase in order to adjust for inflation, growth, and other factors that impact school cost.

If local systems don't get this increase, there will almost DEFINITELY be cuts to school systems across the state. Teachers? Textbooks? Transportation?

This is NOT good news.

It's about Standards!

Yep. And math is a BIG weakness for Tennessee.

Read about it here. And then let's make the new standards stick.

It's about Algebra!

It's actually about improving. Every student, every year.

But for now, it's about Algebra.

One of the more controversial and complicated aspects of the Tennessee Diploma Project reforms is that Tennessee students (starting with this year's 9th-graders) will now be required to satisfactorily complete Algebra II before graduating. Currently, the standard is Algebra I. And what this also means is that students who are used to taking math that gets them ready for Algebra, then finally completing Algebra I before graduating, must be ready for Algebra I no later than 10th grade. And it also means that they'll likely be taking Geometry.

That's a HUGE leap.

And it is necessary if Tennessee students are going to be college and workforce ready by the time they leave high school.

How do we do it? That's the big question.

If I were in charge, here's what I would say: We need to ensure that every child is ready for Algebra I by 9th grade. (I realize there will be some exceptions, but let's focus on a big goal and if we hit 90%, wow!)

EVERY child must be ready to take Algebra I and complete it satisfactorily by 9th grade. This will help them meet ACT college-readiness benchmarks. It will prepare them for the next level of math. It will mean they can meet the Algebra II standard by 11th grade and possibly take an even higher level math before graduating.

And, it will mean Tennesseans will begin to be more competitive in the global economy. The biggest and newest and most technologically advanced firms will become interested.

By the same token, we should increase by 50% the number of 8th graders who take and satisfactorily complete Algebra I. We should do so by 2015.

Overall, the key to getting education reform right is making sure every child improves every year.

But it is also about having high standards and doing what it takes to achieve them.

Every child in Tennessee ready for Algebra I by 9th grade. 50% increase in 8th graders taking and completing Algebra I by 2015 (by the way, 8th grade completion of Algebra I is one key indicator of a student's aptitude for the college level engineering, computer science, and statistics courses that lead to outstanding job opportunities -- hint: Companies will move to a state that is turning out these graduates in high numbers -- IT'S GOOD FOR TENNESSEE's weak economy)

Yes, maybe I could work on my grammar and sentence structure. But, the point is: BOLD GOALS. Every child every year. Algebra.

Props to Hubert Humphrey

via Liberadio

SCEA Serves Teachers AND Students

My column in today's Hendersonville Star News:

Matt Moynihan’s recent column (October 13th) presents claims that should be troubling to Sumner County citizens. Problem is, the claims Mr. Moynihan makes about our schools and the local teachers’ association are simply false. I’m not sure why Moynihan wants to attack our schools and the teachers who make them strong, but I would like to address his claims with the very facts for which he demonstrates a disturbing disregard.

First, Mr. Moynihan claims that the Sumner County Education Association (SCEA) has “dodged” its membership requirements and that its real numbers are well below a simple majority of all teachers. Fact is, when the School Board asked SCEA to demonstrate its strength, the numbers were well above 50% of all teachers. In fact, the local teachers’ association is among the fastest-growing in the state of Tennessee.

Next, Moynihan claims that SCEA stands in the way of professionalism. Wrong again. It is the SCEA that repeatedly asks that teachers be treated like professionals. The association has consistently pushed for both increased salaries and improved working conditions (and remember, teacher working conditions are student learning conditions). In fact, SCEA signed-off last year on a differentiated pay plan that provides incentives for teachers to earn National Board certification. Yes, rewarding those teachers who go above and beyond and earn a credential that research tells us actually improves teacher performance and student outcomes. Sounds like SCEA is doing its job and serving our teachers and students well.

Moynihan also suggests that SCEA has kept wages of teachers low. It is true that Sumner County teachers are paid lower than most others in Middle Tennessee. And this certainly hurts our ability to recruit and retain top talent. But not once in the 10 years I’ve lived in Hendersonville has the School Board offered a teacher salary plan greater than what SCEA requested. Did you read that, Matt? SCEA has consistently been asking for a solution to the problem of low pay – and the School Board has yet to respond. In fact, current leadership has yet to offer a plan for improved compensation. Not one proposal for improved starting pay or performance pay or any other plan that would further professionalize teaching in our County.

Yet another erroneous claim of Moynihan’s is that teachers are only evaluated once every five years. Absolutely false. First of all, all teachers in their first three years must be evaluated formally three times each year. Following the granting of tenure, a teacher is formally evaluated twice every five years and “assessed” in two of the remaining three years (the State Board of Education regulates teacher evaluation policy as indicated in TCA Title 49). That means a tenured teacher’s performance is reviewed formally four out of every five years. Should it be every single year? Yes. But Matt Moynihan should get his facts right before he attacks the professionals who serve our students and our community.

Making Sumner County Schools the best it can be means working with all sides to develop a plan for moving forward. Unfortunately, Matt Moynihan has fallen into the trap of senseless attacks based on fictitious claims. He would be well-served by taking a course in logic and reasoning taught by an SCEA member and professional educator in Sumner County.

The SCORE Recommendations are here...

and here's the story

Solid recommendations. Now, for the implementation. Will we meet the requirement of making "basic" on TCAP meet the college-readiness benchmark? Do we have the political will to improve our teacher preparation schools? Can politicians hold fast when test scores come out in 2010? These recommendations are the beginning -- will superintendents across the state take notice? Will political leaders participate in bold moves to better serve our children?

Teacher Compensation

Here's an interesting discussion on "merit pay" for teachers.

I tend to agree that you can't devise a system that pays teachers solely based on student performance on test scores. That would definitely lead to even more "teaching to the test" than now occurs. What you can do is pay based on an agreed upon set of multiple measures and include value-added data...that is, student growth from the beginning of the year to the end, to encourage teachers to adopt practices that move students forward, no matter their individual starting points.

Compensation structures for teachers should: enable systems to attract strong applicants, help improve retention of the best teachers, encourage all teachers to improve their practice, and provide low stakes exit strategies for the lowest-performing teachers.

Peer and principal evaluation as well as individual, quantifiable value-added performance of teachers and bonuses for mentoring and/or content-specific graduate degrees (mentoring has been shown to boost retention, and content-specific graduate training has been shown to increase student performance) -- parent/student feedback should also be taking into account.

Education/Jobs Initiative in West Tennessee

Here's the story.

Outstanding. Just the sort of thing Tennessee should be doing across the state -- getting more kids into college and giving them the training they need to be competitive in the workforce.

Memphis City Schools Prepares for Bold Action

Here's the story of how Memphis City Schools plans to focus on teacher effectiveness:

INTERNAL AFFAIR: THE MECHANICS OF PICKING BETTER TEACHERS

The Daily News.com

October 19, 2009



One in five of the Memphis school system’s new teachers quits after a year in the classroom. After three years, 40 percent of the new hires are gone. For those who do hang around, the process of becoming – and remaining – a teacher is the story of a system within the school system.



But Memphis City Schools Supt. Kriner Cash is challenging the direction of the teacher pipeline in a way that has the complete attention of teachers across the city.



It also has the attention of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle.



The city school system is seeking $99.6 million from the foundation of the Microsoft founder and his wife, which, if awarded, will be administered through a local nonprofit education foundation. That would be matched with $20 million from local private and business sources and $35 million to $40 million in school system funding.



“The achievement gap in America is real. It is affecting far too many of our young people and our children,” Cash said in August when the Memphis proposal made the top five list of finalists for the funding. “However, it can be closed without sacrificing the performance of the top performers. … This proposal focuses on supporting teachers.”



All of the funding would be over a five- to seven-year period. The precise time span and specific sollar amounts for the effor are still being discussed. The process includes discussions about how the school system will find the money to sustain the effort after the Gates Foundation is no longer involved.



The hard stuff

As the school system waits for final word on the grant, which should come by Thanksgiving, Cash has already rolled out other reforms, including a controversial and recently amended policy of not failing students through the third grade. There’s also a widely applauded move to teacher “looping” – having a teacher move with the same group of pupils as they advance to the next grade during the primary years.



And new and much tougher state standards are coming under the banner of the Tennessee Diploma Project. They will replace standards allowing a student to be declared proficient in algebra after getting less than half of the questions correct on the state test.



The school system now evaluates how effective a teacher is through two methods. The first is value added data programs that follow student test scores over several years and link student achievement to a specific teacher. The other method is principals watching teachers at work in their classrooms.



“The tools and processes that support these observations are limited, and our evaluation process is compliance-driven at best and punitive at worst,” reads the school system’s proposal to the Gates Foundation.



In focus groups, teachers complained that such observations were “largely ineffective and that many principals lack the capacity to utilize it fairly and consistently.”



For those who stay with the school system past three years, tenure is a formality with ineffective teachers kept and simply transferred from school to school. The proposal is a bluntly worded assessment of the current process used to hire and retain teachers.



The proposed reform plan would replace that with a four-part system in an ambitious rerouting of the traditional pipeline of teachers to the classrooms across the city.



The school system would create a “teacher effectiveness measure” (TEM) to chart growth in student learning, judge teacher knowledge and observe teacher practices in a more objective way from several sources.



“We will make smarter decisions about who teaches our students,” the proposal reads. The plan is so ambitious that evaluators at the Gates Foundation said it would probably take seven years instead of five.



“Memphis won’t have the grant until that process is over,” said Chris Williams, a spokesman for the foundation. He declined to comment on the Memphis proposal.



When the foundation announced in August that Memphis made the list of five finalists, Cash said he believed all of them would probably get at least some of the funding.



“It’s ours to lose. We’re going to have to really mess something up. We are going to have to fall in the Mississippi (River). … for us not to get this,” Cash told reporters. “… Bill and Melinda make the ultimate decision. … We think they are going to recommend all five of these districts. That’s our sense.”



However, the review process for the grant is rigorous.



“It cannot be mingled with other dollars and other funds,” Cash said. “We had to pass a very rigorous fiscal agent test in order for them to even begin to consider us.”



The foundation is not new to education reform and specifically teacher training pilot projects.



“In some districts, we got tacit agreement to move forward, but then the schools weren’t willing to do the hard things – like removing ineffective staff or significantly increasing the rigor of the curriculum,” Bill Gates said at an education forum in November 2008. “We’re not the first people to focus on effective teaching to improve education. We’re not even the first people in this room. A growing body of evidence tells us that teacher effectiveness is the single most important factor in student achievement.”



The foundation may have been convinced that Cash means business because of his decision to remove 30 “low-performing” principals after the 2008-2009 school year ended.



“MCS does not back away from making difficult decisions regarding principal leadership,” the school system’s proposal reads. “Holding principals accountable for the retention rates of effective teachers will motivate principals to address issues which are of greatest importance to their effective teachers.”



In the lead

The relationship between teachers and principals is key, said Stephanie Fitzgerald, a 35-year classroom veteran and president of the Memphis Education Association, the union representing most of the system’s teachers.



“If a principal recommends you for non-rehire in your first three years, that’s it,” she said. “There are cases, and we know of cases, where there’s been a personality conflict and a teacher has been non-re-elected and the principal didn’t have to give any documentation as to why he non-re-elected that person. It was strictly his version.”



That would change in the reform proposal.



Teacher recruiting would be outsourced to The New Teacher Project, a 12-year-old national nonprofit group with teacher evaluation and training programs in 28 states. It was co-founded by Michelle Rhee, the superintendent of the Washington, D.C., school system. And principals would get more training from the existing Urban Education Center.



Teach for America, a national nonprofit organization, has been sending college graduates to Memphis – what the program refers to as “core members” – since 2006. They teach for two years in low-performing schools. There are 100 in the Memphis school system and 50 alumni, including three who have become leaders in the school system.



“One of the long-term benefits is … on the front end of their commitment, only 8 percent of our core members say they are going to stay in education beyond their two years,” said Bradley Leon, executive director of Teach For America Tennesseee. “But two-thirds of our alumni are working full time in education. These are people who thought they were going to Harvard Law School or were going to go to work for Goldman Sachs. … We’re actively changing the career trajectories of some of our nation’s most outstanding leaders.”



The Memphis proposal says the Teach for America teachers help improve student achievement. But it also recommends isolating the teachers less and having them work in larger clusters, perhaps centered on fewer schools. Leon said he’s talked with Cash about that idea and both agree on the goal.



Universal challenge

The school system’s Human Resources department would also be ramped up in the reform push. Fitzgerald said MCS HR hasn’t been doing exit interviews with teachers leaving the school system, which might help in spotlighting mismatches of talented educators and talented principals.



Dr. Talana Vogel, graduate programs director at Christian Brothers University, said national studies confirm “working conditions,” including conflicts with principals, are among the most frequent reasons teachers give for leaving.



“Gone is the day that teachers can go in the classroom and shut the door and be on their own and make it happen,” Vogel said. “There has to be collaboration and community built into schools to foster effective teaching. That requires very, very skilled leadership on the principals’ part.”



Vogel served on the advisory board that helped put together the proposal to the Gates Foundation. She has examined the loss of potentially good teachers before they were ever hired.



Like the problems retaining teachers during their first three years on the job, Vogel said the problems in drawing the best teachers are a common problem for urban school districts and not unique to Memphis. Many of the districts, including Memphis, tend to hire teachers just before school year begins – around July, in the case of the Memphis school system.



“If Shelby County (schools) had a student-teacher who was particularly good, they would offer that person a contract pending their graduation the following semester,” Fitzgerald said. “They got them earlier in the pipeline.”



A massive school system job fair held just before the start of the school year is also less than inviting to some prospective teachers.



One unsuccessful applicant who talked to The Memphis News on condition of anonymity described it as a “cattle call” in which those who have been through the process before fare much better than the newcomers. She was seeking a position as an English teacher.



“If you appeal to them, they put your name on some list that principals can look at. Then the principal can call and interview you,” she said. “I never could get a person to talk to me to say, ‘What it is I did wrong?’ It was like being in a vortex – really mysterious.”



Going from table to table, she was asked the same five questions. At one table she was interviewed by a Spanish teacher.



Cash said the job fair is a “great opportunity” for the would-be teachers to look over schools and for principals to get “baseline information” on job prosects.



“However, we will be encouraging schools and candidates to make hiring a school-based event,” he said. “We want our candidates to visit schools in the process of making a highly informed commitment.”



How it’s done

Accurately measuring teacher effectiveness remains elusive, although teachers today perform in an era of federal No Child Left Behind Standards and an alphabet soup of state benchmarks and tests.



“The Gates Foundation has done two previous rounds of this that didn’t have any fantastic results,” said Fitzgerald, president of the MEA. “So, on this go-round … they stipulated that the teachers must be involved. Without the MEA involvement this grant never would have gone past the initial stages.”



The union was also instrumental in the two-tiered evaluation system that would allow teachers to stay on the traditional salary track with pay steps for experience. They would still be evaluated and subject to the same curriculum changes.



Those who choose the reform model would be evaluated more intensely, get more training and in turn receive incentive pay as they improve.



The top of the pay scale would be master teacher status, where a teacher’s annual pay could rise to between $75,000 and $100,000.



“There are a lot of things teachers could gain from this,” Fitzgerald said. “We think you ought to have that choice.”



Other educators worry about how the more aggressive pay scale will be maintained after the Gates funding runs out. Cash told The Memphis News he and his staff have made some initial projections on how many teachers might opt in, but he said it would be “premature” to discuss the number for now.



Fitzgerald said it’s too early to tell how many teachers may opt in. Still to be worked out is whether newly hired teachers can opt in to the reform model from day one.



“Nationwide there’s a lot of noise about the need for more effective teachers. What’s fascinating about it is no one has done the kind of research necessary to determine what makes an effective teacher,” she said. “Maybe one out of every 100 people who go into the teaching profession are effective from the second they walk into the room. Those are the naturals. And they are few and far between.”



With 18 first-graders at his feet in the library at Gardenview Elementary School, Cash demonstrated how much of an art teaching can be. He read “The Hungry Caterpillar” to a group of children who knew the story by heart.



At first the students were distracted by the whirs and clicks of several cameras directly behind them. Soon enough, however, Cash had their attention.



One little girl to his right wouldn’t make eye contact. Cash reached out to shake hands with her, but she still wouldn’t look at him. He asked her name and then got to the story.



When Cash said the book had been written 40 years ago, one boy offered, “My mom and dad are 40.” But the girl in braids still seemed wary. Cash kept his distance, prodding the group members equally for answers to questions about colors, numbers, what some words meant and what hungry caterpillars should eat.



By the time he got to Wednesday in the story, a key point in the caterpillar’s path to butterflydom, the girl was joining in with the other children. Cash asked how long two weeks is and with an intense look downward, she raced through the days of the week, impressing him. He called her Tamaria but a boy sitting next to her quickly corrected him, “Excuse me, sir. It’s Tanaria.”



Cash asked the students to name their favorite book and Tanaria raised her hand high, bouncing along with the other children. She proudly said her favorite book is “Animal Park.”



Changes to come

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, several dozen people, mostly adults, gathered in the auditorium of Douglass High School in North Memphis for a four-hour meeting to update teachers and parents on a broad checklist of items from H1N1 flu precautions to new state standards to the district’s no-retention policy.



A symphonic version of The Beatles “A Day In The Life” played over the school’s intercom system as teachers gathered in one part of the auditorium. A group of parents and children sat in another section, leaning in to listen to an interpreter translate the speeches into Spanish.



The teachers comprised about half the crowd and asked most of the questions after Dr. Linda Kennard, executive director of curriculum and instruction, talked about changes to come.



Effective this school year, students in pre-kindergarten through first grade get report cards without traditional letter grades. They reflect how the children are performing on specific tasks. Those students also cannot be failed or retained unless their parents insist.



“If a parent is convinced that repeating a grade will be a better educational decision for their child, we are going to follow your wishes and preferences,” Kennard said.



The city school system will phase in the same new report card system and no-fail policy with second-graders next school year and move to the third grade in the 2011-2012 school year. In later years, the plan is to fail students in grades 4-8 no more than once.



The more gradual phase-in acknowledges the controversy the no-fail part of the plan has prompted. A year after arriving in Memphis, Cash rolled out the no-fail plan as part of a larger focus on pre-K through third grade learning.



One of the first problems he identified as superintendent was the large number of overage students in the school system – 25,000. Critics of the no-fail plan argue the policy is a way of improving the numbers without fixing the problem.



But between the advocates and opponents is a skeptical middle ground that seems willing to give the policy a chance, as long as it remains wedded with Cash’s goal of having 90 percent of the school system’s fourth-graders start the year performing at grade level. The tactics include 90 minutes of reading instruction every school day.



“It’s going to take us a number of years to fully realize that. But that is our goal,” Kennard told those in the Douglass auditorium.



Some of the teachers asked about summer school for students who fall behind, which would remain in some voluntary form. But no one openly opposed the no-fail move.



“Social promotion ... does not work. But guess what? Retention doesn’t either,” Kennard said. “Time and again … children who were promoted although not having mastered everything – if you measure them against their grade-level counterpart who was retained – the children who were promoted did better.”



In this case, the students are to be watched more intensely by teachers with “interventions” during the school year.



Cash also wants to expand pre-K for the 40,000 children in Shelby County entering kindergarten without the benefit of pre-K.



Meanwhile, teachers are being surveyed for their wishes and preferences in preparation for “looping” teachers at the pre-K through third-grade levels. Looping is, for example, when a kindergarten teacher becomes a first grade teacher the next school year, moving with the students from the previous year.



Vogel did it at the University of Memphis’ Campus School and a similar school in Florida.



“You hit the ground the next year and you don’t have to spend time getting to know your kids, your parents – those relationships are already built,” she said.



Fitzgerald is a science teacher who likes experiments.



“This is like a giant research project,” she said of the Gates Foundation proposal. “It’s not a guaranteed home run. But hopefully we might get some information out of this that might help learning totally across the board.



“You keep learning how to deal with children. The children are changing and you have to change with them,” she said. “If I walked into a room today and only had the tools I had when I started teaching, they would eat me alive.”



http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=45470

Greg Fischer for Louisville Mayor

Here's the temporary website

Potentially nice. I also received an email but it was designed in a way that I couldn't cut and paste it for posting. Some sort of Halloween party/office tour/campaign kickoff

Is Ben Chandler running for KY Governor?

That is what I was left wondering after visiting Louisville this weekend. Ben Chandler had a column in the Courier-Journal about bourbon and horses and how state policy should be more friendly to both. Certainly not issues being taken up in Congress right now.

Maybe Chandler thinks Gov. Beshear's numbers are low? Maybe he wants to stay relevant in state issues so he can be a viable candidate in 2015? I'm not sure -- but that column sure sounded like something you'd write if you were running for Governor.

Roy Herron's Impressive Support in Sumner

Here's the invite I received to Roy Herron's event in Sumner County -- strong group of local Democratic leaders involved:

Andy,

I will be in Sumner County this Wednesday, October 14th, and I’d sure like to see you!

Friends are hosting an event to raise support for my campaign on Wednesday, October 14th, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Baber House at Kennesaw Farms (1000 Kennesaw Blvd, Gallatin). The host committee includes Charles and Baylor Anne Bone, Tom and Melissa Carter, Dennis and Rhea Condra, Keith Dennen and Leah Fisher, Jim and Betsy Hawkins, Craig Hayes, Mary Howard Hayes, Susan High-McAuley, Richard C. Orgain, O.D., John Pellegrin, George Phillips, and Dixie Taylor-Huff.

Will you join us?

Our campaign is off to a great start. We won the first Democratic straw poll in the Governor’s race, and the first campaign reports showed us leading our primary opponents in cash on hand that can be spent in the primary. But to keep building momentum, we need your help.

Would you come be with us and show your support on the 14th?

If you are unable to attend but want to help, would you make a contribution at RoyHerron.com?

I hope to see you in Sumner County this Wednesday!

Your friend,

Roy Herron

P.S. The host committee suggests a contribution of $250, payable online or at the door, but please bring what you can and come be with us!

Jim Kyle: The Green Candidate

Here's the email, quoting Tennessee Conservation Voters, labeling Kyle as an environmental leader in the legislature:

Dear Friend,
We are proud to announce that Tennessee Conservation Voters, a coalition of statewide conservation groups dedicated to the protection of Tennessee’s environment, has named Senator Kyle as one of their top-ranked senators.Of all the candidates running for Governor, only Senator Kyle was honored for his work protecting Tennessee’s natural resources.Chris Ford, Executive Director for TCV, said of Senator Kyle’s leadership:

"Tennessee Conservation Voters was pleased with Senator Kyle’s record on the environment this year. We were proud to name him as one of our 'TCV Legislative Friends,' one of only four state senators so honored. His leadership on protecting water quality, restricting destructive rock harvesting practices on state-owned land and improving energy efficiency are particularly note-worthy."

If you believe, like Senator Kyle does, that we need to protect our environment and our natural resources and that we need to make Tennessee a leader in creating renewable energy jobs, please take action now.
Thank you,Katy

Katy Cutright
Campaign Manager
Jim Kyle for Governor

Dr. Dan -- Kentucky's next U.S. Senator

Here's the email I got today. Lots of endorsements, potentially strong financial quarter!

Dear Andy,
The financial quarter ended last week and we want to thank you all for your support. With your help, we may have our best quarter yet! Over 60,000 Strong and Growing!
Our campaign on behalf of Kentucky's working families continues to gain momentum. Daniel has now been endorsed by labor organizations representing over 60,000 working men and women. Just last week, the Western Kentucky Central Labor Council acted on the International Association of Machinists' recommendation and recommended that the state AFL-CIO endorse Daniel. Last month, Daniel was unanimously endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Prior to that, Daniel was endorsed by the Tri-State Area Building and Construction Trades Council located in Ashland, Kentucky and the Owensboro Area Building and Construction Trades Council in Western Kentucky. Daniel also received statewide endorsements from the UA - Pipe Trades Association (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steam fitters) and Kentucky's Operating Engineers.
Women for Mongiardo
Women for Mongiardo held their first fundraising event last week. Hosted by the Hon. Eleanor Jordan, Virginia Woodward, the Hon. Robin Webb, Barbara Gould, Louis Combs Weinberg, and Dr. James D. Woodward the reception was a "Who's Who" of Kentucky's women leaders. Our campaign's Women's Organization Director Patsy Blevins was also in attendance. To find out more about how you can get involved with Women for Mongiardo click here.
Political Shenanigans
We want to take a moment to address the issue of audiotapes that were anonymously posted on an internet blog last week. As Governor Beshear said, this is nothing more than "political shenanigans." It is being orchestrated by political opponents to try and slow Daniel's growing campaign momentum. For anyone who heard them it is obvious that these are heavily edited snippets of audiotape that have been cut and spliced and pasted together with various sound effects added. Neither Daniel nor the campaign is going to give them credibility by commenting on their content.
Daniel wants to make it clear that he is proud to be Steve Beshear's Lt. Governor. He strongly supports Governor Beshear and he unequivocally supports him for re-election in 2011. Daniel is equally proud to have the Governor's support and endorsement for his Senate campaign. Daniel and the Governor are not going to let these kinds of political pranks interfere with their friendship.
As a practicing doctor who for almost 20 years has been committed to providing badly needed medical care in Eastern Kentucky, Daniel has often said he is not running for the U.S. Senate because he covets a political title or a political office. Daniel is running for the U.S. Senate because he passionately believes he can make a real difference in the lives of hard-working families---to create jobs, fix our broken health care system, and develop Kentucky coal to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
With your continued support, Daniel can make a real difference to improve the lives of Kentucky families. Join us at www.DrDan2010.com and let's put Kentucky families first!

NPR Repeats the Lies

So, I'm listening to Mara Liasson talk about the health care bill, the merging, the votes. And she says: Baucus has to make the bill agreeable to all 60 Democrats because it takes 60 votes to pass a bill in the Senate.

FALSE.

It takes 60 votes to break a filibuster. There are 60 Democrats. Surely, 60 Democrats would vote AGAINST 40 Republicans to break a filibuster. And then, 5 or 6 or 10 Democrats can vote against the final bill if they want to ... remember, we have Biden?

And what's with the courting of Olympia Snowe? Is this to make her feel relevant and powerful b/c Maine always votes for Democrats for President but has 2 GOP Senators who are outcasts in their party? Is it to make the bill appear "bipartisan" as if to be able to say, "See, that liberal Republican from Maine voted for it, so those other GOPers are crazy?"

Politically, what does it get us. Make the bill good. Make it work. And get 60 votes to break the filibuster and 51 to pass it. And then we'll see. I'm betting Americans want Congress to pass a bill and I'm betting they will punish Rs who stand in the way of progress instead of offering their own solutions.

Stop spreading lies, NPR -- use your journalistic skills to say something like "Democrats are trying to get all 60 of their members to vote for the bill to ensure they can stop a filibuster -- or, Democrats want to be able to block a filibuster, and need 60 votes for that, even though final passage requires only 51 votes"

a little clumsy, sure -- but much more accurate.

Tim Webb may be headed to Cheatham County

here's the story.

Roy Herron's latest email

from the best organized campaign in the race:

Andy,
The Democratic primary is exactly 10 months away, and over the next 10 days, we're trying something new. We call it “10 for TN.”Will you make a contribution during the next 10 days? And then will you ask 10 friends to join you?Our campaign is already receiving tremendous support. We decisively won the first Democratic straw poll and had the strongest presence at the state party's Jackson Day. But we need your help to continue building the grassroots support we need to win. Will you donate online today and watch us climb on ActBlue?The deadline to give is 10/15 (Thursday, October 15th).We hope you’ll be part of 10 for TN!Your friend,RoyP.S. Please make a contribution and invite at least 10 friends to be part of 10 for TN! Learn more at RoyHerron.com!

Carolyn Baldwin Tucker named Interim Director of Murfreesboro Schools

It took seven rounds of voting, but here's the story.

Murfreesboro Community Forum

Tonight. Come give input on the next Director of Schools.

Roy Herron Claims His Victory

Here's the email I received today from the campaign:

Andy,
Have you heard the news?We won the first Democratic straw poll in this race for Governor!I received about 38% of the vote in a five-person contest at a sold-out dinner sponsored by the Rutherford County Democrats in Murfreesboro. At the event, all five candidates spoke before the voting. I spoke about my top three priorities being “jobs, jobs, and jobs” and the top three ways to get these jobs being “education, education, and education.” I also talked about the values so many of us hold dear. News of our decisive win was reported in numerous places, including Chattanooga, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, and Nashville.Prior to the event, the Chair of the Rutherford County Democrats told the Murfreesboro Post what was at stake: "The candidate that wins this straw poll will send a strong message to the party, press and donors for weeks to come that they are a serious candidate to move our state forward.”I think the Chairman was right. And others agreed. One observer noted our campaign “seems to be out-organizing the field.” Another commentator said that I have “emerged as an early frontrunner.” Our strong victory on Saturday is further proof we can win.Our campaign continues to build momentum. I am humbled, grateful, and inspired to work harder than ever.

Your friend,
Roy Herron
P.S. I hope you’ll visit RoyHerron.com to learn more about our campaign and join our team!

Sen. Roy Herron wins first Democratic Straw Poll

in the 5th largest county in TN, the fastest-growing community in our state, Senator Roy Herron came out on top in the Democratic Straw Poll -- and by a comfortable margin -- Herron claimed 119 votes to fellow state Senator Jim Kyle's 81 -- former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan was third, and Mike McWherter finished 4th.

Here's the story.

YES they did...

here's the link to the story -- and they ALL voted for it.

The question now, what will the Sumner County Commission do?

If you're a concerned teacher, parent, citizen, I urge you to contact your County Commissioner and ask them to vote FOR the adopted budget.

Yes THEY Can!

The Sumner County School Board finally passed a budget last night! YES THEY CAN!

They did it, they did it, they did it, hooray! (yes, Bob the Builder was there to help)

here's the link...

to my column as it appeared in the Star News last week ... they're a bit behind in getting material online.

Sumner County School Board meets TONIGHT

Will they pass a budget?

What happened to Steve Nunn?

this odd story is here...

I met Steve Nunn once ... and had lunch with his father, the former Governor, in a "recruiting" visit with UofL law school and their dean. Rep. Nunn always impressed me as a moderate member of his party willing to work hard to get things done -- and he worked well with both Ds and Rs.

The facts as they appear right now certainly don't look good for the former legislator.

Diane Black: Partisan Obstructionist

Below is my column published today in the Hendersonville Star News.

I was surprised to read Senator Diane Black’s column in the Star News on Friday that indicated her opposition not only to President Obama’s proposed health system reforms, but also opposition to reforms being touted by pragmatic Republicans. Even more surprising (and disappointing) was the fact that Sen. Black offered no proposals or solutions of her own to indicate what she may support.

In her article, Senator Black said the most important item to consider in health care reform was whether or not a proposal raised taxes. Not whether it resulted in healthier citizens in Sumner County or Tennessee. But if any taxes are raised, she’s opposed. She also indicated opposition to a proposal that will result in increased competition for insurance companies. So, she has staked out her ground. She’s in favor of reform, but won’t tell us what she supports. And she’s opposed to reasonable plans being supported by doctors, nurses, and other Republicans.

Sen. Black begins her column with a compelling story about her time as a nurse. But her ultimate position is at odds with health care professionals. The American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association are both supporting H.R. 3200, the bill most talked about in Congress right now. But Senator Black opposes that plan. The AMA even admits the plan is not perfect, but that Americans need health system reform now. Senator Black seems willing to delay reform in order to protect either insurance companies or the very wealthy.

So, Senator Black opposes H.R. 3200. So do lots of Republicans, right? True. But some pragmatic Republicans are seeking responsible solutions instead of promoting partisan obstruction.

One example close to home is our own U.S. Senator Bob Corker. Corker is a Republican. And he opposes the public option. But he supports responsible measures to reform our health system. Measures opposed by Senator Black. For example, a Tennessean article on September 6th, 2009 indicates that Corker supports insurance exchanges to increase competition and taxes on the most generous employer-provided plans to pay for vouchers to increase access. According to her column, Senator Black opposes both of these measures.

It is very convenient to criticize a proposal as bad without offering any reasonable alternatives. But it doesn’t make for good policy-making. In this case, Senator Black is opposing proposals supported by doctors, nurses, and pragmatic Republicans. And she’s not offering any alternatives. Either she’s playing the role of partisan obstructionist or she’s protecting the insurance industry. One thing is clear, though: she’s not helping move the debate forward. That’s disappointing.

Sen. Andy Berke Calls Out Joe Wilson

here.

Sen. Harkin to Chair Education Committee

EdWeek has the story.

Let's hope this doesn't slow down much needed reform that the Obama Administration is pushing.

Summary of Sumner School Board Meeting

from last night:

Highlights:
Central Office presented a list of possible deductions that made it possible for insurance to remain at 85/15.
Discussions on the proposed reductions lasted about 45 minutes. Board Members Cox, Wheeler, Harris, and Wise expressed the sentiment that although they did not like the budget cuts, they would vote for the budget with the reductions.
Mr. Wheeler said, “Our responsibilities are to our employees, the taxpayers, County Commission, and our students…..even though I do not like this budget at this time I will defer to our responsibility to the County Commission to present a budget and vote for this budget.”
Mr. Wise commented, “ As I thought back to my school years I could not remember a favorite textbook, but I could remember my favorite teacher, my favorite coach and the people that taught me. So with this survival budget we have preserved our people … our teachers.”
Motion made by Mr. Wise: Accept recommended reductions, move into balance budget , and pass this budget on to the County Commission.
MOTION FAILED
Yes – Cox, Wheeler, Harris, Wise, Duncan No – Fussell, Gregory, Long, Brown
Mr. Fussell and Mr. Long stated that before they could sign off on this budget because they wanted to see and study a 4th column added to the draft budget showing the difference between the actual monies spent in 08-09 to the proposed budget for the SY 09-10.
Motion made by Mr. Fussell: Direct the Central Office to go back and add a 4th column to the draft budget showing the difference between the actual monies spent in 08-09 to the proposed budget for the SY 09-10.
MOTION FAILED
Yes – Fussell, Gregory, Long No – Cox, Wheeler, Harris, Wise, Duncan, Brown
At this point the meeting was adjourned.

This means there is still NO budget -- the board continues to delay the passage of a budget, though it seems the final agreement will be favorable to teachers. It is not clear what Mr. Fussell and Mr. Long hope to accomplish by these continued delays.

Sumner County School Board meets TONIGHT

Here's the agenda. Only item: the budget! Will they pass it?

President Obama's Remarks to Kids

Today, President Obama will speak to schoolchildren about the importance of working hard and staying in school. You can read his remarks here.

Dr. Dan -- On the Move

Here's the email I received today:

Dear Andy,
Before you begin your celebration for the Labor Day weekend we thought we'd share with you some great news:
Daniel Strengthens Lead in New Poll
In a new independent poll conducted by Daily Kos/Research 2000 released today, Daniel has a strong seven-point lead over his primary opponent, AG Jack Conway (37-30), and is in a statistical tie with Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson (41-45).
Check out the poll here.
In the primary, Daniel has a strong lead of 12 pts among women, wins among men, and in the general election match-up, Daniel performs better than Jack Conway among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
This is the second poll in the last month that shows Daniel as the strongest Democratic candidate to take on the Republicans in 2010 - further proof that Daniel is the one candidate to stand up for all Kentuckians from all over the Commonwealth. Other candidates may have more money, but Daniel is the only candidate in this race with a record of standing up for Kentucky's working families.
Join Us With the Governor
Governor Beshear will be the special guest at a fundraiser for Daniel in Northern Kentucky on September 23rd at Crosswind Farms from 5-8 p.m. Earlier this year, Governor Beshear endorsed Daniel, saying, "Now more than ever, we need strong representatives in Washington to give voice to Kentucky priorities and values. I believe Daniel Mongiardo, can be that voice." This will be the first in a series of three events that Gov. Beshear will be attending for Daniel.
We hope you'll join us for this exciting event. For information on attending please contact: Eric Richardson at eric@drdan2010.com.
On this Labor Day
This weekend we celebrate the working men and women of our country with parades, cookouts, and for some, a day of much needed rest. Daniel has long been a supporter of the labor movement and we're proud to have the endorsement of the Owensboro Building & Trades Association, the Tri-State Building & Trades Association and the statewide endorsements of the Kentucky Pipe Trades and Operating Engineers.
Daniel has a busy Labor Day weekend and will be at events in Wolfe County, Maysville and Catlettsburg! We hope to see those of you in the area there! For more information visit our website.
Even if you can't make it out this weekend, we hope that you all have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

SCORE at Education Oversight

You can watch the video here from todays (9/2) meeting of the committee. Interesting presentation, interesting statements from Rep. Tommie Brown.

The Launch is HERE

check out my new website, the beginning of my newest venture:

www.spearsstrategy.com

AC for Memphis Mayor!

here's his first TV ad...

Select Oversight Committee on Education

Meets Tuesday and Wednesday.

Here's the agenda.

President Clinton at Jackson Day

here's the link.

Dr. Dan is on the move

Kentucky's next U.S. Senator sent me this email:

Dear Andy,
We just got some exciting news.
According to a new WHAS/SurveyUSA poll released Tuesday, Daniel holds an eight point lead (39-31) over Attorney General Jack Conway in the Democratic primary and Daniel has replaced Conway as the strongest Democratic candidate against Trey Grayson.
Daniel Leads Across Board: Men, Women, Young, Old, East, West
The breakdown of the numbers is proof that Daniel is the candidate Kentucky families want to stand up for them in Washington. Daniel leads Conway among:
Men and Women (12 pt lead)
All ages: 18-34, 50+, with particular strength among 65+ (+21 pt. lead).
Conservative, Moderate and Liberal Democrats
College and Non-College Graduates
Those making over and under $50K a year
Western, Northern/Central and Eastern Kentucky. In Western Kentucky Daniel is favored 2 to 1! In Eastern Kentucky voters support Daniel 4 to 1!
Voters understand Daniel is the only candidate with a record of fighting for working families---who supports healthcare reform, developing clean Kentucky coal, and opposes the cap and trade bill supported by Jack Conway which will cause electric rates to soar and cost thousands of Kentucky jobs.
With strong support from women, seniors, and young adults, as well as conservative, moderate, and liberal voters from every region of the state, Daniel is putting together a winning coalition to not just win a primary, but to elect a Democratic Senator from Kentucky.
Read further analysis of the poll here.
Daniel Replaces Conway As Strongest Dem Against Grayson
By a narrow margin, Daniel has replaced Conway as the strongest Democrat against Grayson, with Daniel getting 40% of the vote to Grayson's 46%, while Conway gets 37% of the vote to Grayson's 44%.
Since April, Conway has lost 11 pts. and his lead over Grayson. In a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling in April, Conway held a 4 pt. lead over Grayson (37-33); now Conway trails Grayson by 7 pts. (37-44).
This new poll makes clear Jack Conway's support is limited to Louisville and non-gun owners---hardly a winning scenario in a statewide race against a Republican. In contrast, Daniel has strong support amongst all Democratic groups and can strongly compete in regions of Kentucky where Republicans traditionally do well.
But We Still Need Your Support
With these new poll numbers, it is becoming ever more clear that this election cannot be won with just one region, one kind of supporter or one source of money. It will be won with the support of people like you - the hardworking people of Kentucky from all across the commonwealth. We have consistently raised more money from small donors within Kentucky than our opponent and with your generous donation of $35, $50, $100 or whatever you can contribute we can keep on doing so!
We hope you'll continue standing up with Daniel for jobs, healthcare reform, and developing clean Kentucky coal. Visit our website www.DrDan2010.com to find out how you can get involved or contribute today!

Charles Ihrig on Health Care Reform

Here's his post.

Even though as a State Rep. he won't have much impact on federal policy, Charles is going out of his way to provide helpful information. As a practioner, he presents a useful perspective on this important issue.

Gates Foundation to invest in Memphis

here's the story! Memphis is one of 5 finalists and will receive a BIG influx of cash to experiment with research-based ways to improve teacher quality and student achievement.

Aubrey Givens for State Senate -- District 17

Here is the full text of Givens' press release issued today:

A Wilson County native, Aubrey Givens, recently announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination for State Senate District 17.
The 17th Senate district, composed of Wilson, Cannon, Dekalb, Trousdale, Smith, Macon, Clay, and parts of Sumner County, is currently represented by Republican Mae Beavers, who is not seeking re-election.
Givens, in a prepared statement making his announcement, said, "I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a voice for the whole community, but first, I am going to do a lot of listening in Mount Juliet, Woodbury, Lebanon, Smithville, Hartsville, Lafayette, Celina and all points in between." Givens believes he can be effective in the Tennessee Senate delivering "big results for the entire district."
Givens' supporters are impressed by his common sense leadership approach and have encouraged him to pursue a senate seat. "I am humbled by the warm wishes of so many who have helped me to embark on this campaign," said Givens. "I appreciate their trust and support…and I really do need their help to deliver a better Tennessee."
Givens's community involvement is extensive. Born and reared in Lebanon, Givens, an attorney, is an active member of the Wilson County, Robertson County, and Nashville Bar Associations. He has served as an alumni class chair for the Nashville School of Law Recognition Dinner and Silent Auction. A former Wilson county 4-Her and member of FFA, Givens devotes much of his spare time to mentoring young people.
A relative novice in politics, Givens brings his real-life experience as a student, employee, farmer, small business owner, and attorney to the race. He adds, "I have made a career out of helping everyday Tennesseans, now I hope to take this step and simply continue my mission as a legislator affecting change for a better Tennessee. "

Givens’ top priorities include:Education; building a better future for Tennessee students and the teachers who instruct them.
Economic growth; creating and keeping jobs in Tennessee; giving the working families an opportunity to advance themselves and better their future by engaging industry and technology in Tennessee.

Healthcare; assuring quality healthcare for Tennessee's working families, seniors, and for every child fortunate enough to be a Tennessean.
Fiscal responsibility; making our tax dollars work harder so Tennesseans will never bear a state income tax.

Tennessee should work to improve Teacher Quality

so says Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education.

And Bredesen adds that supporting teachers who are falling behind is important.

Race to the Top incentive pay funds -- that's one way to do it.

What he doesn't mention is comprehensive teacher and principal mentoring. I'm sure that's on his radar screen, and it costs $, but Race to the Top or other funds could pay for that as well.

Roy Herron Quote of the Day

"Too many people think Jesus never rode on a donkey and instead rode only on an elephant" - Roy Herron

Kim McMillan's FIRST web video...

it's here...

and it's not bad.

maybe she'll raise enough $ to put this on tv.

Also, now that Kyle is in the race, who wins the Democratic primary?

Senator Brian Kelsey...

...from Kleinheider ...

And, Susan has strong competition...

from AJ McCall... read his host committee list here

Susan Lynn Makes it Official ...

She's running for State Senate in 2010.

In case you missed it, Jim Kyle announces....

here it is.

The Order of Worship

or, U2's set list from their 3rd show in Dublin last week:
note the altar call of Moment of Surrender ... sure beats 7 verses of "Just as I am"


Breathe
No Line On The Horizon
Get On Your Boots
Magnificent
Beautiful Day
New Year's Day
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Stay
Unknown Caller
Unforgettable Fire
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (Remix)
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Pride (In The Name of Love)
MLK
Walk On
Where The Streets Have No Name
One
Bad
--------
Ultraviolet
With Or Without You
Moment of Surrender

Bredesen's W.P.A.

Here is a story about a state going out on a limb and trying an approach that is working -- using stimulus funds now and getting people back to work.

The state? Tennessee.

The template? W.P.A.

Yes, Works Progress Administration-type government work/subsidies are being used in Perry County, TN to drastically reduce unemployment and bring hope to the previously hopeless.

And, read the story. The long-term view is that this early investment will pay off well beyond 2010 when the stimulus dollars run out.

This is exactly the type of stimulus spending we should be seeing across Tennessee and around the country.

Because it puts people to work... and it works.

Senator Stanley caught with his pants down...

Here is the story... extortion is wrong, but then, so is sleeping with interns when you're married

Schools ....

Today is a today about schools for me. Principal and Teacher Quality Task Force at 4:30 and Sumner County School Board budget meeting at 6:00 PM.

You can follow the school board meeting with me here. I'll be there for a while. Looks like budget cuts are on the horizon.

Let's make maximum use of TVAAS

Here's a story about Metro Schools moving toward more consistent use of TVAAS data.

Yes, the data can help identify students and keep them on-track...but it can and should also be used to improve instructional practice and school leadership.

Corker for Prez?

Looks like Bob Corker may be running for President in 2012

which could mean an open U.S. Senate race ... possibly clearing the way for a Republican who loses for Governor in 2010 to run for U.S. Senate in 2012 -- Democrats can play, too.

Campfield for Senate?

it looks like Stacey Campfield may be running for state Senate.

Running for the open seat as a result of Tim Burchett's run for County Mayor.

No word on Democrats who may run....

Actually, teacher prep could be MUCH better

Here is a story on teacher prep in Tennessee.

In the article, a TBR administrator (Paula Myrick Short) says, "it's not like we were doing a bad job of preparing teachers" and then says we need to do more for what is coming in the future -- 3-10 years down the road.

But when I've traveled around the state and talked to teachers, they universally tell me that teacher prep programs in TN are not doing a great job. That there is no requirement that a student demonstrate content knowledge (by passing the Praxis, for example) before being accepted into teacher education programs. That the coursework in teacher ed bears little resemblance to actual classroom practice. That induction into the profession is weak to non-existent.

I have not heard any recent teacher ed graduate from a Tennessee college (state-run) that has said "wow, i had an excellent experience in teacher prep"

The article notes that the "mentors" are paid $250 for mentoring students and they maintain a full-time courseload acting as lead teachers. There is not sufficient training, not sufficient release time, and $250 per semester is far too small in terms of compensation.

Further, there is no mention of how these "mentors" are selected. Are they determined to be "highly effective?" Are they teachers who demonstrate exceptional value-added gains in their own classrooms?

This is the beginning of a good idea. But without proper funding and consideration of very important details, it will likely have little impact in terms of improving teaching practice.

2010 Governor's Race

Here they are -- the candidates. Democrat and Republican. Sort of ranked by likelihood they can win their party's primary.

First, the GOP:

Bill Haslam: The favorite. TONS of cash (over $3 million), progressive record as Mayor, access to personal cash, and fairly appealing publicly.

Zach Wamp: The Congressman. And the most likely conservative candidate to win. Strong statewide name ID, a solid conservative record in Congress, decent ability to raise money.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey: competing with Wamp for conservative votes. Should do well in NE Tennessee, decent fundraising, lots of name ID from beating John Wilder for LG in 2007 and holding the job - the official GOP answer to Gov. Bredesen.

Bill Gibbons: the only GOP candidate NOT from East TN. Tough on crime, not sure he can raise much cash, but may be able to lock down West TN Republican votes which could help if the race stays a 4-way contest


Now, the Democrats

Senator Roy Herron: a solid fundraiser, good connections, probably the best Democrat on the stump and a tireless campaigner. Lots of attention this session on paper ballots, ethics.

Mike McWherter: also from West TN, son of very popular former Governor Ned Ray McWherter, successful businessman, solid fundraising.

Senator Jim Kyle: not officially in, but looks like a candidate. Great job navigating this year's tough legislative session, good fundraiser, getting better on the stump, great recent article in the Tennessean -- Memphis base could be very helpful, depending on how the local pols play out for/against him

Ward Cammack: wealthy investment banker, Nashville, access to money, easily the most "liberal" of all the Democrats, very strong on the environment/economy -- which should help him in the primary. Still needs work on education, not super-exciting on the stump

Kim McMillan: former House Majority Leader, the first candidate in, decent money raised so far. The only female candidate on either side -- playing for the votes of Democratic women could be helpful in a very crowded primary -- if all 5 stay in and she keeps up her aggressive schedule and can raise decent money, she could win.

Do TN Democrats have an Education Platform?

So, I'm reading the Tennessee Journal and I'm noting the squabbling among Republicans b/c Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam is talking about the sorry state of Tennessee's education system. Haslam has some ideas: maintain the high standards set by Governor Bredesen, increase autonomy and accountability for principals, improve professional development. These are the basics, anyway. Plus, he plans to talk about public schools -- A LOT. And just focusing attention on Tennessee schools is very worthwhile.

So, Bill Gibbons and Zach Wamp are attacking Haslam, nit-picking at his remarks.

That's nice -- and here's the thing? Where are the Democrats? What will Ward Cammack do to improve Tennessee schools? What about Mike McWherter -- his dad was an education reformer of sorts. What does the legislative record show about Senator Roy Herron or Senator Jim Kyle? Have they shown independence, or allegiance to the entrenched special interests that have prevented real reform?

Kim McMillan? Where are you on schools? Charter Schools? performance pay? new teacher mentoring (with a responsible way to pay for it)?

So far, Bill Haslam is out in front on the one issue that is most important to our state's future.

Still waiting for the Democrats to catch up.

Maybe he'll have better ideas when he's Governor?

According to an article in the Tennessean, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey doesn't have any new suggestions for tackling the ongoing budget challenges in Tennessee. It appears it is too late in the game.

Here's the excerpt:

Lt. Gov. and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey said Friday that he expected the state to dip further into its $750 million rainy day fund to cover the shortfall. Bredesen is already planning to use $64.6 million from the fund this year, but intends to replace it in the coming year.
Ramsey, who is considering running for governor, has been critical of the state's use of one-time federal stimulus funds to cover yearly budget items, but said Friday it was too late in the fiscal year to make drastic cuts.
"I would prefer not to, but I don't see any way around it," Ramsey said. "I can't think of a better suggestion right now."

Maybe once he's Governor he'll have some ideas?

Democrats for Governor

Now include:

Kim McMillan
Roy Herron
Mike McWherter
Ward Cammack

Cammack was winning a KnoxViews poll earlier today, McMillan was a distant second

there may be one more... Governor Kyle, anyone?

Governor McWherter... again?

Looks like Mike McWherter is running for Governor...

Speaking in Murfreesboro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ0FXQo5rTc

Bob Corker for President?

Politics1.com has the story

and possibly state Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden) may run for Governor.

2010 Democratic Primary:

Ward Cammack, Nashville venture capitalist

former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan (D-Clarksville)

possible: state Senator and Democratic Caucus Chair Roy Herron

state Senator Andy Berke of Chattanooga

Paul Stanley and the GOP oppose fair wages

Read all about it right here.

At least the Senate Dems are finally standing up and voting "no" to nonsense like this.

Andy Berke on Education

Senator Andy Berke is right. We need a great teacher in every classroom!

That's possible with a comprehensive reform that includes his Teacher Fellows program to attract the best and brightest college students to the teaching profession.

It also means providing meaningful support by way of mentoring for 1st- and 2nd- year teachers.

And incentive pay for the highest-performing teachers to help keep them in the profession.

We should 1) raise salaries for all TN teachers to the national average and 2) reward the best teachers through a system that includes multiple measures to evaluate success

We should also more systematically use value-added data to improve classroom teaching and yes, to help remove ineffective teachers.

We can't just raise pay and attract bright people, we've also got to have accountability that results in keeping the best teachers and removing the worst.

Follow Me

yep. I'm tweeting.

you can follow me through the halls of Legislative Plaza in Nashville and to destinations across Tennessee here: www.twitter.com/andy2012

No Line on the Horizon

U2's new album is here. Well, on MySpace, anyway. And in stores next week.

The album is the logical follow-up to Achtung Baby -- almost 20 years later. Of course, U2 got distracted in the 90s and put out "Pop" -- with some good songs (Staring at the Sun, Velvet Dress) -- but overall, Pop was just not good. Their follow-ups, All That You Can't Leave Behind and Atomic Bomb were both very solid with a nice collection of truly U2 songs.

No Line has the potential to be better, in my opinion, though I am not crazy about Get On Your Boots, the album's first single. Here are my favorites: Moment of Surrender, White as Snow, and Cedars of Lebanon. Magnificent is another positive, forward-moving song with a high degree of intensity (think beautiful day or blinding lights).

More than 30 years after their initial start, U2 is officially "back" with 3 very solid albums in a row.

do this: take Achtung Baby, listen to it through, then do the same with No Line ...then be grateful that the error of Pop brought us two more amazing albums before this one.

McDonald's Doesn't Get It!

I have been to 3 different McDonald's restaurants in the last month searching for a chocolate milkshake.

each time, the machine was broken.

I don't get it.

McDonald's was built on milkshakes. Ray Kroc sold milkshake mixers.

That's the whole point of McDonald's. You could get a milkshake fast because they had a machine that could make 8 shakes at once. Fast.

Now, they have these modern machines and they seem to be broken.

McDonald's is all about the milkshake but you can't get one there.

Governor Ron Ramsey?

That's what would happen in TN if Phil Bredesen becomes Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Bredesen is a healthcare guy.

And he's clean.

And he's a Southern Governor.

So, those things play in his favor.

But would he leave the state to GOP control for DC? And how might this impact a possible Bredesen bid for U.S. Senate in 2012?

NOT Running...

for TN Governor is Lincoln Davis, Congressman from the 4th District and newly-appointed member of the Appropriations Committee.

Running for U.S. Senate in KY is Lt. Governor Dan Mongiardo -- who barely lost to Jim Bunning in 2004. "Dr. Dan" should be the early frontrunner, but Attorney General Jack Conway and Congressman Ben Chandler are both considering the race.

RE: the stimulus package. The package should spend -- it should create jobs by funding projects -- building schools and roads are the two most urgent needs. When you build schools, you create jobs, provide an investment that will benefit a community, and free up local funds to preserve teaching and other staff positions.

Roads help attract jobs to communities while creating jobs as they are being built.

So, spend more on projects like these ... and less on other social agenda items ... and less on tax cuts. Writing every American taxpayer a $10,000 check is not a bad idea, either.