tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post5952177045763346936..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Self-paced learning at TYC the "least effective" approachGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-82127912919966151412010-08-26T11:21:59.100-05:002010-08-26T11:21:59.100-05:00I urge those interested in learning about the crim...I urge those interested in learning about the criminal personality to read: Inside The Criminal Mind by Stanton E. Samenow, Ph.D. How can rehabilitation take place if habilitation never occurred? You cannot push a rope. Self-paced? Oh, I am laughing so very hard. Who were the buffoons who started this program? I can assure you that the psychopath will externalize all blame regarding their shortcomings. In Texas, those who don't really know what they are doing when dealing with psychopaths, assume that the etiology of criminal behavior rests with a lack of education. What you have, in the end, is an educated psychopath who will continue to exploit others for their own gain. Please, give up on attempting to determine etiology and start focusing on the criminal thinking patterns. Otherwise, you will mimic the behavior of a cur chasing their tail. I speak with nearly twenty-two years experience. So, there!DeathBreathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4809026491538894062008-09-01T21:38:00.000-05:002008-09-01T21:38:00.000-05:009:36you should apply for the position of blog poli...9:36<BR/><BR/>you should apply for the position of blog police. two comments derails a string and makes something an embarrassment. Much worse has been posted than this...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-72384300859316239512008-08-09T11:41:00.000-05:002008-08-09T11:41:00.000-05:00New York Times editorial on the report, here:http:...New York Times editorial on the report, here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/09<BR/>/opinion/09sat3.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25823227985016475272008-08-07T09:36:00.000-05:002008-08-07T09:36:00.000-05:00How did this move from comments about TYC educatio...How did this move from comments about TYC education to comments about business managers? Once again, someone has a personal ax to grind. Damn, no wonder we don't get any respect! Some folks try to engage in thoughtful debate, and then this thing gets taken over by whiners with personal agendas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4839982556033088052008-08-06T23:19:00.000-05:002008-08-06T23:19:00.000-05:00No, the business manager yearly bonus is tied dire...No, the business manager yearly bonus is tied directly to how much ass they kiss in Central Office. It's been a contest going on for years. It's a secret and I can't tell you who it is, but the same business manager has won for the past three years. Hint: his last name is what pigs do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-48167760814653505442008-08-06T21:37:00.000-05:002008-08-06T21:37:00.000-05:00Does anyone know if TYC facility business managers...Does anyone know if TYC facility business managers annual bonuses are related to the amount of money they keep a facility under budget (i.e., the less money spent, the larger the bonus)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37310361459526068292008-08-06T21:30:00.000-05:002008-08-06T21:30:00.000-05:00The issue of youth not receiving education while i...The issue of youth not receiving education while in the security unit is not true for all facilities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27621142218406868762008-08-05T21:00:00.000-05:002008-08-05T21:00:00.000-05:00Howard Hickman said:"This report only analyzes edu...Howard Hickman said:<BR/><BR/>"This report only analyzes education during the reform, not before the reform."<BR/><BR/>I agree. And, after further examination, I have some disagreements with some of the observations and remedies given in the report. In particular, their opinion of the TABE test and its application at TYC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-64358606849321545872008-08-05T20:55:00.000-05:002008-08-05T20:55:00.000-05:00In regard to this quote from the above post of 08:...In regard to this quote from the above post of 08:32 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 5, 2008:<BR/><BR/>"To accomplish this goal, placing blame must be an object of the past."<BR/><BR/>I agree with Howard. If you won't acknowledge what went wrong, then how are you going to fix anything?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85087478177936280342008-08-05T20:24:00.000-05:002008-08-05T20:24:00.000-05:00If you had a choice of sleeping in class and going...If you had a choice of sleeping in class and going home on your MLOS or working in class and go home on your MLOS... Which would YOU choose???<BR/><BR/>That's right!!! You would sit on your butt and do nothing but you still would go home when your time was up.<BR/><BR/>These students have no motivation to learn what we teach, so after awhile you just let them sleep so we can help the students who want and need our help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-84864301207512591852008-08-05T17:42:00.000-05:002008-08-05T17:42:00.000-05:004:16,If the solution is "providing Ms. Gadow and T...4:16,<BR/><BR/>If the solution is "providing Ms. Gadow and TYC education personnel with the necessary resources and authority over all aspects of educational programming so personnel on the ground can provide an array of education, special education and vocational programs to meet the diverse needs of TYC students," why has that not happened since the reformers have had control of TYC for nearly a year and a half and TYC had increased education funding and access to federal education monies? Why is education now worse than before the reform? This report only analyzes education during the reform, not before the reform. Causation does matter because if you do not know where it is broke, you can not fix it. Why have the reformers failed?<BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-60984356854131730942008-08-05T16:16:00.000-05:002008-08-05T16:16:00.000-05:00Michael Krezmien and Will Harrell: TYC education r...Michael Krezmien and Will Harrell: TYC education reform worth the cost<BR/><BR/>08:32 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 5, 2008<BR/><BR/>The findings outlined in the recent report on Texas Youth Commission education conducted by the Office of the Independent Ombudsman resulted in a number of responses from the public and the media after The Dallas Morning News broke the story on July 30, 2008. However, there were some surprising and unexpected reactions that do not appear to be entirely aligned with the intent or the overall content of the report. <BR/><BR/>The document is extensive and difficult to summarize. Therefore, we believe that some of the specific phrases from the report quoted in various media outlets did not adequately represent the findings. <BR/><BR/>One unexpected consequence was an intended or unintended ascription of responsibility for the educational shortcomings of the TYC to the school staff — the teachers, diagnosticians, school counselors, administrators and other education personnel. Placing blame on teachers or other education personnel, whether directly or indirectly, was not the intent of the report. <BR/><BR/>The report repeatedly acknowledged the experience and dedication of the education personnel and highlighted the staff's resolve to educate the TYC students despite inadequate support and difficult circumstances. In fact, the ombudsman reported that the major problems with the educational programming were systemic and that systemic problems negatively impacted the ability of educators to provide students with the best possible education. <BR/><BR/>The teachers and educational personnel at TYC should not be targeted for systemic failures, but should rather be recognized (as they have been by the conservator) for continued efforts. <BR/><BR/>We were also surprised that some interpretations suggested that Texas and the TYC are unique with regard to quality of education services provided to incarcerated youth. This is not the case. Juvenile justice education continues to be an under-supported and under-examined aspect of such programming nationally. <BR/><BR/>The Justice Department has found similar problems in juvenile justice education programs in a number of states; practitioners, researchers and advocates have consistently identified education in juvenile justice agencies as needing more support and reform. <BR/><BR/>What makes Texas and the TYC unique is the open acknowledgement of the problems and inadequacies with the educational programming. What makes Texas unique is the TYC leadership and the commitment by Richard Nedelkoff and Deputy Commissioner Dianne Gadow to transform the TYC education system. What makes Texas unique is the legislature's commitment to juvenile justice reform and to supporting leadership as it guides TYC's transformation. <BR/><BR/>This is the time for all parties — theLegislature, the Texas administration, the TYC leadership, and the TYC education personnel — to meet the complex challenges of developing and implementing a progressive and effective juvenile justice education system in a unified effort. We have complete faith that Ms. Gadow will transform the education program if she receives the necessary financial and administrative supports to meet this challenge. <BR/><BR/>To accomplish this goal, placing blame must be an object of the past. Instead, the state can fulfill its role as a national leader by providing Ms. Gadow and TYC education personnel with the necessary resources and authority over all aspects of educational programming so personnel on the ground can provide an array of education, special education and vocational programs to meet the diverse needs of TYC students. <BR/><BR/>Education should be central to the rehabilitation of students in TYC. It is a proven means for preparing youth to leave the juvenile justice system and to become civically responsible tax-paying citizens. The cost of failure will be far greater than the investment to become a model for juvenile justice education. <BR/><BR/>Dr. Michael Krezmien is assistant professor of education at the Universty of Texas at Austin and Will Harrell is the chief ombudsman for the Texas Youth Commission. JD, LL.M. Dr. Krezmien can be contacted at krezmien@mail.utexas.edu. Mr. Harrell may be contacted at will.harrell@tyc.state.tx.us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88853672977231922002008-08-05T14:58:00.000-05:002008-08-05T14:58:00.000-05:00To the 7/31 poster who stated the Monahans distric...To the 7/31 poster who stated the Monahans district 'declined' to take over the WTSS students - yes the local district declined...they had to - MWPISD simply could not afford to take on the students at WTSS. The value the state places on the students in MWPISD is MUCH less than the value of a student in ISISD. TYC and ISISD made a concerted effort to complete this 'transaction' without the knowledge of the local district, but in the end they had to come clean with what they were up to. Thanks to the Lege's great work 'reforming' school finance, Robin Hood is still alive and well in Texas and you can thank your legislators for ISISD taking over the education department. Its all about the money folks. Our youth are only dollar signs to ISISD. I am sure the other state schools are looking over their shoulders waiting to see who is next. If your facility is located in a property rich chapter 41 district...look out!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4356194087461552632008-08-04T20:35:00.000-05:002008-08-04T20:35:00.000-05:0095% of the youth in TYC DO NOT want to learn or ev...95% of the youth in TYC DO NOT want to learn or even care about an education and that's the truth and the sad part of this whole curriculum written. These kids are mandated by the state to attend school and yet 95% of them don't even have a 3rd grade education. Yes there are those who DO want to learn, but not the majority of them. At the Al Price unit these kids can just get up and leave the classroom and just get a time out and steps given. These kids today are a whole new breed and not like it was back when we were in school back in the 80's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-22825678872794655202008-08-04T12:10:00.000-05:002008-08-04T12:10:00.000-05:008:18, you missed my point regarding self-paced edu...8:18, you missed my point regarding self-paced education. The report slams self-paced education. For the moment, we'll assume that is indeed correct. So why, then, are we going to do the same thing at WTSS when ISISD comes in, except with computers (and 1/3 the teachers)? Because computers make good PR? They won't eliminate the crossword puzzle problem, I can tell you that much. I can tell you from my experience working in public schools that the only real difference between paper and computer based self-paced education is the money spent on the computers and the admin types crowing about "bringing technology into the classroom."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-35524723189197201872008-08-03T18:52:00.000-05:002008-08-03T18:52:00.000-05:00I also notice that one student seems to be signifi...I also notice that one student seems to be significantly older/larger than the other. This would be very inadvisable, and I hope no facilities are double-bunking these days. Could it be a security classroom that just happens to have a meal slot?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-429249524883954722008-08-03T18:28:00.000-05:002008-08-03T18:28:00.000-05:00Does anyone know where and when this photograph wa...Does anyone know where and when this photograph was taken? It appears to be two students sharing a security cell, but I thought double-bunking was effectively stopped years ago. Also several years ago, all facilities were required to have security classrooms. If these two can share a cell and be trusted with pencils, then they would have gone to the classroom to do their work. Can anyone shed some light?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-83843109190011709282008-08-03T17:46:00.000-05:002008-08-03T17:46:00.000-05:00First let me state that I have not read the educat...First let me state that I have not read the educational report in detail so my comments will be based on personal experience and those told to me by coworkers as they relate to comments made in previous posts.<BR/><BR/>There have been numerous comparisons to public schools,so I will start there.<BR/><BR/>1. The school year in public schools in Texas start and end about the same time across the state (give or take a week). The school districts use approved textbooks and generally speaking start on chapter 1 and move along at the same pace. This means a student who regularly attends school and transfers to another school district 200 miles away will find his new class in a similar textbook and in about the same place as the class he left.<BR/><BR/>The TYC school year starts and ends on the same day across the state. TYC has the same state approved textbooks as the public schools. However, when a new student leaves the Mart O&A unit and goes to his first state school, he probably has not regularly attended public school in years. Students leave Mart O&A every week of every month and each needs to start on page 1 if they are to have any hope of academic success. With this situation, how can you do anything other than a self-paced program? <BR/><BR/>As one of the posters mentioned earlier, if a student refuses to work on assignments, there is not much the teacher can do. If after a month of either sleeping in class or just refusing to work on assignments, the student decides to start working, do you skip him ahead or restart him where he stopped? If you want the student to succeed, you start him where he stopped. This is why most classes have no more than three or four at the same place in the textbook. Depending on the number of Special Ed students in the classroom, the number of students working on the same material is even less. <BR/><BR/>I have had students start at the same place in a textbook and because of their individual attitudes toward education, a few students earned a half credit, others finished about half the assignments, and some didn't complete more than three or four assignments in the same amount of time. Each student was treated the same; each one had access to the same materials; and each one was offered help whenever it appeared they were having difficulty and weren't asking questions. The amount of help they accepted is reflected in the progress they made.<BR/><BR/>2. There were comments made about setting up classes by dorm versus by subject. <BR/><BR/>For the most part, students in public schools get a class schedule and follow it from one class to the next without any problems or obvious supervision. <BR/><BR/>TYC students do not go anywhere without an escort. Most of the time they are escorted by JCOs, but individual students are often escorted by teachers, casemanagers, and other staff. It is easier, faster, and more importantly, safer to move students from one dorm to one classroom. Once in the classroom, some students can be "pulled out" for other classes. This also allows a dorm JCO who knows the students to be with them throughout the school day.<BR/><BR/>When students are moved from the dorm to several classrooms, it takes longer for students to get to class; there are more students in the hallways at the same time (which is a safety issue); it is easier for students to duck into classes where they do not belong; and the JCO in the classroom may not know all of the students. Depending on the various triggers these students have, a JCO who does not know a disruptive student could make a situation worse instead of better. It also takes longer to get the students picked up, reorganized by dorm, and back on the dorm. <BR/><BR/>3. Public schools have guidelines on the ratio of students to teachers. I do not know of any such guidelines for TYC. Most of the classrooms I have seen in public schools can have 30 desks without the classroom looking crowded. Most of the classrooms I have seen at various TYC facilities are crowded with 20 desks. Despite this, there are some TYC classes with over 20 students.<BR/><BR/>When you look at the educational needs of the average TYC student, the best academic environment is a class with no more than 12 students. (Some Special Ed students would benefit even more in classes with no more than 6 students.) However, during the teachers' conference in Corpus Christi this past May, it was announced that since the TYC population was down, 39 teaching positions were being eliminated. I do not recall if there was a student/teacher ratio that was being maintained or just a general reduction in staff.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I know the TYC academic program had its share of problems before the reformers, but under the reformers, none of those problems were solved. Instead of solving problems, the reformers have made the problems worse and created new ones.<BR/><BR/>If any members of the lege, if any of the reformers, if any of the youth advocates truly want to help the students of TYC, let them put on the TYC uniform of a teacher or JCO and spend several days as a new hire in the classroom and on the dorm (and work at least one 12-hour shift). In my opinion, this is the best way to see the real TYC, but I doubt if any of the above mentioned are open-minded enough or brave enough to anything more than visit for a few hours in their suits and ties and interview students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-70168270397902409602008-08-03T16:05:00.000-05:002008-08-03T16:05:00.000-05:008/02/2008 07:40:00 PM said:"Man Dirty, if I didn't...8/02/2008 07:40:00 PM said:<BR/>"Man Dirty, if I didn't have to pay SS, I'd bank what I would be paying in an IRA. IMO, that's not a bad benefit at all."<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, I don't know of that many people who are that frugal. The way teachers look at it, they should be getting both SS and TRS, if they paid into both at some time during their career. In some instances, I agree with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-91060698889487427012008-08-02T19:40:00.000-05:002008-08-02T19:40:00.000-05:00Man Dirty, if I didn't have to pay SS, I'd bank wh...Man Dirty, if I didn't have to pay SS, I'd bank what I would be paying in an IRA. IMO, that's not a bad benefit at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63474663404565210512008-08-02T12:10:00.000-05:002008-08-02T12:10:00.000-05:00Central Office Education should have never allowed...Central Office Education should have never allowed administrators in the field to send youth to school by dorm instead of content or age appropriateness. The method was used by facility superintendents to maintain control of youth as a group. Education was the last thing on their minds and never a top priority. I recall many teachers complaining about the method to that madness. All youth were considered High School level. Youth on the elementary level had no teachers to provide them with an education. The result finds us in our current dilemna! Shame on us!<BR/><BR/>Bringing in an ISD was sure a good way to thank those teachers that gave years of service to TYC. What a boost for morale! Wonder what facility will be struck next? 6:54 p.m., you said it well!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10514221160808434492008-08-01T18:54:00.000-05:002008-08-01T18:54:00.000-05:00As a veteran teacher I can say one thing about ISD...As a veteran teacher I can say one thing about ISD's taking over TYC education. It is, and has always been, the tradition of the ISDs to put the weakest or least experienced teachers in the worst classes or situations. Take a look at most local JDCs and alternative schools. Very rarely will you find your master teachers working there. What you will find is the districts' "problem" teachers. I have thought this to be wrong my entire career. If you think that the ISDs taking over will make a total change for the education in TYC, you better look again--and look closely. The education that is being offered in many of these places is way below par. Many of the ISDs also use self pace curriculum,for instance in summer school--to "catch up the at-risk students". So what is so different. The ISDs failed these students in TYC the first time they went through, so why is it thought that they will be the "cure all" for these students now?<BR/> There are some very weak teachers in TYC, but there are more very highly motivated and qualified teachers. One of the biggest problems for TYC education is that once teachers comes on, it is almost impossible to dismiss them even if their evaluations are rock bottom, and they have multiple discipline reports.<BR/> I do believe that education in TYC does need reform. I do believe that many of the observations in the report were on target, and I am a TYC educator. However, it also states in the report that the education staff is the greatest asset to the education system, and that overall the teachers are genuinely dedicated to what they are doing despite the issues that face them daily that are totally out of their control.<BR/> Once again, as has happened in repeatedly over the last year and a half in TYC,the threat is to throw the baby out with the bathwater, instead of washing the baby.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-45330988433099561592008-08-01T17:23:00.000-05:002008-08-01T17:23:00.000-05:00I don't think it will be an issue much longer. If...I don't think it will be an issue much longer. If Whitmire has his way, TYC will cease to exist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2511282249699701252008-08-01T17:12:00.000-05:002008-08-01T17:12:00.000-05:00On 7/31/2008 08:08:00 PM Whitsfoe asked:"Teachers ...On 7/31/2008 08:08:00 PM Whitsfoe asked:<BR/>"Teachers that know TYC kids and aren't afraid of dealing with them are still needed. Actually, they're in high demand. Is there any difference in benefits?"<BR/><BR/>ERS retirement and insurance is leaps and bounds better than TRS. And, most teachers don't pay into SS like state employees do, so when they retire from public school, their SS benefits are reduced. So, yes, the benefits are better. The salaries are better too, but only because they work all year in TYC instead of 9 or 10 months in public school. TYC policy states that the local units are supposed to maintain pay rates equal to those of the local public school districts. However, some TYC units are screwing some of their educational employees on this, and not following this policy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-61561006776177191502008-08-01T08:51:00.000-05:002008-08-01T08:51:00.000-05:008/01/2008 07:25:00 AM Grits said:"Dirty, IMO the L...8/01/2008 07:25:00 AM Grits said:<BR/>"Dirty, IMO the Lege certainly deserves some of the blame, but there's PLENTY to go around in that report. It's not like the Lege is responsible because the professor observed "teachers working at the computer while students slept."<BR/><BR/>I completely agree. However, inept and irresponsible teachers are one thing. The problem I observe is that there are certain personnel in key positions that blatantly fail to do their jobs, even to the point that they make it difficult to impossible for other employees around them to do their jobs. I liken the problem to bottlenecks in the workflow that impede proper results. Some of these personnel are so awful at their jobs and so detrimental to those working around them, that if they were to leave and never be replaced, everything would still function better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com