Judge Carl Ginsberg states Dallas ISD November ballot for home rule school district charter is "inconsistent with reality"

Based on the AFT court hearing on Wednesday, it appears that Judge Carl Ginsberg is likely to issue a temporary injunction against Dallas ISD on Thursday. 

Even if he doesn't, it is clear that civil court Judge Ginsberg has found clear violations of state law requiring members of the District Advisory Committee (DAC) to be elected. 

Judge Ginsberg also pointed out that the notion of rushing a November election is "inconsistent with reality."  Judge Ginsberg was kind.

In other words, a November vote makes no sense at all.

Dallas ISD Trustees are obligated to uphold the state laws and policies of the District.

Since state law was violated, Dallas ISD Trustees should require that the District Advisory Committee election be held in the Fall and make no other appointments until that required process is completed.

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Dallas judge calls November home-rule vote unrealistic-Click Here-June 18, 2014-Click Here

"Dallas civil court Judge Carl Ginsberg called the November target date for a district-wide election “inconsistent with reality” given all the deadlines and timetables that must be met.

 "While he has yet to issue a formal ruling, Ginsberg agreed after four hours of testimony Wednesday, saying the evidence “clearly shows that the District-wide Advisory Committee was not assembled according to the law."

"Ginsburg indicated that if he rules in favor of the teachers union, the DISD District-wide Advisory Committee could meet again at the beginning of the fall semester and select its four representatives to the home-rule constitution committee in accordance with state law.

 "The judge agreed, saying some members were there illegally.

"Any hopes to get the Dallas ISD home-rule charter initiative on the ballot for November may have been dashed Wednesday afternoon."

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Dallas-Judge-calls-November-home-rule-vote-unrealistic-263730091.html

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Dallas judge calls November home-rule vote unrealistic-June 18, 2014 at 7:41 PM

District judge agrees with big finding by Alliance-AFT in home-rule case against Dallas ISD; decision expected Thursday

Court Hearing Could Delay DISD’s Home Rule June 18, 2014 5:56 AM

Judge to rule Thursday in Alliance AFT home-rule case Posted: Jun 18, 2014 8:51 PM CST

Teachers Group Seeks Temporary Injunction Against Home Rule in DISD 

Esteemed attorney in past Dallas ISD desegregation case is co-counsel for teachers group in home-rule lawsuit

AFT President Randi Weingarten calls for "Reclaiming the Promise" of Public Education

"Public education is under assault." 

"They aren't in education to make a difference. They are in education to make a buck." -- Randi Weingarten

AFT
Reclaiming the Promise - Uniting for Public Schools

Published on Jul 22, 2013

In her speech at TEACH 2013 AFT President Randi Weingarten contrasts AFT's vision for "Reclaiming the Promise" of quality public education for all with corporate education "reformers" ineffective approach of cuts, competition and closings.

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Texas AFT Lobby Day brings educators and more from Dallas and across the state to 2013 Legislative Session

 Our Kids, Our Future

AFT Lobby Day Rally - State Capitol - Austin, Texas 

• "More Money - Less Testing - No Vouchers" - "We Love the word public because it is about Us" - Allen Weeks, coordinator of the parent/community group Save Texas Schools
• "Show Me The Money" - Nelda Martinez - Mayor, Corpus Christi, Texas

Lobby Day in Texas drew supporters of public education to the lawn of the Capitol building in Austin today.

Sponsored by Alliance  AFT, state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers,
the objective of the annual event is to provide opportunities for public school workers,
parents and stakeholders to:  educate themselves about the current legislative session;
meet and talk to legislators and; act to do something to make a difference for pubic education.

There were buses and cars from Dallas -- loaded with educators, support staff, parents, grandparents, and their students.

Lobby Day participants visited with Texas lawmakers before and after a mid-day Rally, featuring
several speakers.  Mayor Nelda Martinez of Corpus Christi was among them.

A strong advocate for public schools,  Mayor Nelda Martinez was admired for her plea on behalf of public education, "Show Me The Money!"

It was good to once again participate in Lobby Day and have the opportunity to interact with diverse groups and individuals acting to preserve public education by visiting the 2013 Legislative Session.  

These voices and more are needed for local action as well.

Mayor Nelda Martinez - Corpus Christi, Texas - "Show Me The Money"

Randi Weingarten of AFT takes on high-stakes testing

From Crooks and Liars - Click Here

March 20, 2012 08:00 AM

By Kenneth Quinnell

"American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten attended the International Summit on the Teaching Profession and came away with a renewed sense that high-stakes standardized tests are hurting the U.S. education system and its students.

I think the first thing we have to do is move off the test fixaton. Top-down, test-driven accountability as a salvation has not proven to work. People will say, “Oh, she’s anti-accountability.” But I’m for making sure teachers can really teach and for multiple measures to assess teachers, like peer review, self-reflection, administrative review and assessment of student learning. But right now there are a disproportionate number of points [in many teacher evaluation systems] allocated to test scores.

The president gets a lot of credit for saying in his State of the Union, “Let’s not teach to the test.” NAEP [the National Assessment of Educational Progress] scores from the last decade had a better rate of growth than in this decade, and that says a lot about the effects of top-down, test-based accountability. We have to get away from that concept. I think if there’s a reset button where we get away from that, we can unleash creativity. We can unleash the Common Core, we can work on teacher quality through what we know works: cooperative environments. Then I think we’ll have a different conversation in America.

She noted that countries that do better in educating their students than the U.S. don't share our test obsession ..."


Why Education in Singapore Works - A School System Focused on Collaboration and Trust

National Teacher Day

Proclamation

WHEREAS, teachers make public schools great; and

WHEREAS, teachers work to open students' minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams; and

WHEREAS, teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship; and

WHEREAS, teachers fill many roles, as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors; and

WHEREAS, teachers continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories;

Now, therefore, I, Carla Ranger, serving as Dallas ISD Trustee of District 6,

Do hereby proclaim Tuesday, May 8, 2012, as National Teacher Day in District 6.

I urge that we observe this day by taking time to recognize and acknowledge the impact of teachers on our lives.

Signed this 8th day of May, 2012.

   Thank A Teacher

 

"I'm not the hero, it’s the kids that come out of their situations, they are the heroes to me."

CHARLES

Alliance-AFT

Dallas, TX

Making a Difference