California Teachers Refuse To Give Homework (BERKELEY)

ABC News ^ | March 1, 2005

[srm913]

Students in the Berkeley school district aren't getting written homework assignments because teachers are refusing to grade work on their own time after two years without a pay raise.

So far, a black history event had to be canceled and parents had to staff a middle-school science fair because teachers are sticking strictly to the hours they're contracted to work.

"Teachers do a lot with a little. All of a sudden, a lot of things that they do are just gone. It's demoralizing," said Rachel Baker, who has a son in kindergarten.

Teachers say they don't want to stop volunteering their time.

"It's hard," said Judith Bodenhauser, a high school math teacher. "I have stacks of papers I haven't graded. Parents want to talk to me; I don't call them back."

The action was organized by the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, which wants a cost-of-living increase next year.

District Superintendent Michele Lawrence expressed sympathy for the teachers but said there isn't money for raises. She blamed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger not providing as much money to education as promised.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Vince Sollitto said the governor has promised that the bulk of new funding in next year's budget, $3 billion, will go to education.

Barry Fike, president of the teachers union, said the district will be getting more money next year and that teachers want a share.

But schools spokesman Mark Coplan said the district still faces a deficit for several reasons, including rising health care costs and the governor's plan to shift some big costs from the state to the district.

Fike said teachers are willing to start paying some health care costs, but without a raise that would amount to a pay cut.

[srm913]

Ah, the joys of liberal education.

[Puppage]

because teachers are refusing to grade work on their own time after two years without a pay raise

Nice that they have the children's best interest in mind.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Teachers unions - Unnngh.

[Onelifetogive]

...achers are sticking strictly to the hours they're contracted to work.

Apparently, teachers want to be considered the part of the hourly staff at schools (janitors, clerks, teachers, etc.) and not the "professionals" they used to claim to be...

[pissant]

And I'm darn glad they don't. Prevents commie indoctrination of the kids after school hours. As Martha would say, "That's a good thing".

[msnimje]

I am sure they are learning everything they need to know to be competitive in the world during school hours.

[Onelifetogive]

District Superintendent Michele Lawrence expressed sympathy for the teachers but said there isn't money for raises.

I have an idea...Fire the least effective 15% of the teachers and give the remaining ones a 15% raise. I would rather my child be in a larger class with a competent teacher.....

[paul51]

The kids are too busy screwing the teachers after school anyhow

[al baby]

It cuts into thier time to have sex with there students

[tfecw]

Ahh the joys of black mail. Pay us more or your kids suffer.


I wonder if they will wave that silly teaching certificate and let me teach over there. I hate unions and I'll trade 10 grand for at least 3 months of vacation a year.

[RobbyS]

If they are not grading work they have assigned, they are in breach of contract, because that is an essential part of the job.

[RobbyS]

I think that after 3 months of handling today's youth, you will be glad to go back to your old job.

[ClearCase_guy]

Pay us more or your kids suffer.

Exactly. You know, National Lampoon once had a cover with a photo of a cute dog, and a gun pointed at the dog's head. Headline was "Buy this magazine -- or we'll kill this dog!"

It was funny. Now the Teachers Union are telling the joke -- but it's not so funny anymore.

[tfecw]

eh prolly. I always had the teaching bug though. Cali wouldn't be the ideal place to teach though.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

I missed the part of the article where it stated what the teachers made currently.

[Jokelahoma]

Great! Put them on hourly pay scales instead of salaries, then. Take away any "home room" or "study hall" hours they have as well. Pay them only for the work they do, so they'll get no pay for 3 months of the year. Bet they volunteer to work a LOT when they're getting paid by the hour. Union b**tards.

[yankeedame]

"It's hard," said Judith Bodenhauser, a high school math teacher. "I have stacks of papers I haven't graded. Parents want to talk to me; I don't call them back."

Now why do I get the feeling that Miss Bodenhauser isn't laying awake at night, staring at the darkened ceiling thinking about those parents and that paperwork?

[paul51]

"It's hard," said Judith Bodenhauser, a high school math teacher. "I have stacks of papers I haven't graded. Parents want to talk to me; I don't call them back."

That's the way to get the old PTA behind you. Typical union hack. Too bad they can't fire them all.

[AdrianR]

This story is in ABC News, Yahoo! front page, etc. Quite a big coverage for a local story of one California town.