First to Worst: Why Public Schools are no Longer Free

Wanted to post this for quite a while now. I got it from a handout that I found in the office of University High School (there was a stack of them).

"FIRST TO WORST: WHY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NO LONGER FREE"

Reality:
- Our school district is in a crisis! We are faced with a $5M deficit!
- We need to move fast or we will lose valued teachers and programs.
- In California, a high quality public education is no longer free.

A Series of Legislation Has Destroyed Funding for Public Education in California!

1950's
California was rated #1 in education in the U.S. - #1!
- People were moving to California rapidly and the state was booming.
- Many school districts were state of the art and flush with public funding.

1960's
Riots broke out in Los Angeles
- Disparity in education was blamed. Wealthy neighborhoods had wealthy schools and poorer neighborhoods had little money and poor schools. At the time, each community funded its own schools through property taxes.

There was a movement to create parity in education.
- A law suit, Serrano v. Priest, resulted in limits placed on the amount of money a community could spend on education.
- Decisions on curriculum and education funding were centralized in Sacramento, taking it away from local school districts.
- Instead of raising education standards in the poorer areas, education funding was lowered in all districts to match funds available in poorer districts.
- The net effect was statewide mediocrity in education.

This was just the beginning of education problems in California.

1970's
Howard Jarvis helped pass Prop 13, which had devastating unintended effects on education funding.
- Prop 13 is still in effect today:
1. It limits the amount the state can require citizens to pay on property taxes.
2. It limits assessment for increasing property taxes.
3. It limits the ability of a community to levy taxes on itself - most new taxes (i.e. parcel tax) must be approved with 2/3 voter approval. Consequently, California residents pay extremely low property taxes in relation to the rest of the country.
4. It limits the amount of future funds available for education.
5. It causes education funding to become much more volatile as a result of dependence upon economic conditions.

REALITY:
Centralization in Sacramento of funding and education decision making coupled with Prop 13 (limiting property taxes - leaving schools underfunded) has been devastating to the California school system.

Private Donations are Critical to Ensure High Quality Schools

1980's
Education Foundations began to form throughout the state in response to the decline in state funding.
- High performing school districts realized that to maintain high quality public schools, private funding must be secured.
- Private funding for public schools became the new reality n California.
- Initially, Education Foundations largely supported enrichment programs (music and the arts). MBEF was formed in 1983 for this purpose.

1990's and 2000's
Education funding became extremely volatile.
Education Foundations evolved to fill in the gaps to provide programs considered vital to a quality education (computer, science, librarians, counselors, in addition to music and arts).
- State budgets are approved well after school districts are required to provide balanced budgets to the state.
- Categorical funding (funding of specific programs) has increased earmaking funds largely in lower socio-economic area and dictating how districts use limited funding, further removing local control of spending from school districts.
- State and Federal mandates were passed, including No Child Left Behind, without corresponding funding and setting unreasonable expectations for underfunded districts.
- Private funds have become critical for high performing school districts to continue to provide high quality education. In fact, California has more than 500 education foundations state-wide; more than any other state in the country.

REALITY:
- Private funding for our public schools is essential for quality schools!
- A minimum private donation (compared to private school tuition) from every family will supplement inadequate state funding and will ensure we continue to have outstanding PUBLIC schools in Manhattan Beach!

Final Rejections List....

I'm assuming since it's practically the beginning of the 2011-2012 academic school year, I have most likely been rejected by the teaching positions I have applied to all throughout summer that have never contacted me regarding a status.

THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- Escondido Charter School District: History Middle School Teacher
- Central City Value High School: Social Studies Teacher--World History
- The School of Arts and Enterprise: Full-time Social Studies
- Santa Ana Unified: Social Science 6th-8th Grade--Villa Fundamental School
- Santa Ana Unified: Social Science 6th-8th Grade--Spurgeon Middle School
- Santa Ana Unified: Social Science--Valley High School
- Santa Ana Unified: Social Science--Lorin Griset
- Los Angeles Unified: Jordan High School
- Film and Theater Arts CHS: Social Studies Instructor/Advisor
- The Accelerated School: 7th-12th Grade History Teacher
- Army & Navy Academy: Full-time Social Science Teacher
- Escondido Charter School District: Middle School History Instructional Aide
- Los Angeles Leadership Academy: 7th-8th Grade Social Studies
- College Preparatory Middle School: Teacher-Social Science
- Los Angeles Leadership Academy: 7th-8th Grade English-Language Arts
- New Millennium Secondary School: Social Studies Teacher
- Options for Youth-Los Angeles County: Group Instructor - English Language Arts
- Irvine Unified: Social Science 9th-12th grade.
- Soledad Enrichment Action Charter School: English and Social Science Teacher
- Birmingham Community Charter High School: History Teacher
- Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools: College-Ready Middle Academy #7: Social Science Teacher
- Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools: Health Services Academy High School: History Teacher (U.S./ AP U.S.)
- Partnerships to Uplift Communities: High School History Teacher
- Environmental Charter: Social Studies/Language Arts

Update on REJECTIONS...

Westerly School: Middle School Humanities Teacher

Dear Ms. Nguyen,

Thank you for following up on the status of your inquiry into the Humanities position.Due to the large volume of resumes we received, we were not able to respond to each applicant.
Based on the most qualified candidates that we felt were a match for Westerly, we chose people to interview over the phone. From that list, we called in finalists to meet us in person and to teach a lesson. We eventually hired someone we felt best matched our criteria.
Thank you for your interest in Westerly School. We wish you the best of luck in your search.

Appreciatively,
C_Rodenhizer_Signature

Orange County High School of the Arts: Social Science

Hi Diana~

Thank you for your interest in teaching at Orange County High School of the Arts. Applications are currently being reviewed. If you are a selected as a candidate, I will contact you to schedule an interview.

Thank you!
~Jena

Juan Bautista de Anza Charter School: History/Social Studies Teacher

We are doing paper screening until mid July. Positions will not be filled until late July when we know our enrollment. Thank you for your interest in JBdA.

Dr. Sandra Thorpe, Executive Director

[I am assuming I did not get the position since it is late-August - email was sent in June/July].

Rowland High School: Social Science Teacher

Applications are being screened by the site administrator.

Ann Fisher

[I am assuming I did not get the position since it is late-August - email was sent in June/July].

College-Ready Public Schools - Alliance Technology & Math Science High School: World History/AP European History

Hello Diana Nguyen,

July 20, 2011

We would like to thank you for submitting your application for the World History/AP European position at Alliance Technology and Math Science HS as advertised on Edjoin. We were very fortunate to have various applicants interested in our History teacher vacancy. After careful consideration, I am sorry to inform you that you have not been chosen for the position.

We thank you again for your interest with our organization and wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Leandro Otero
Recruitment Coordinator

College-Ready Public Schools - Alliance Technology & Math Science High School: US History/AP US History

College-Ready Public Schools - Alliance Technology & Math Science High School:

[I am assuming I did not get the position since it is late-August - email was sent in June/July].

Los Angeles Education Partnership: Social Studies Instructional Coach

Hello all,

Thank you again, for your interest in the position. Unfortunately, funding did not come through for our partner for the 2011-12 school year and we will not be interviewing until further notice. Again, thank you and we wish you the best.

Regretfully,
John Matich
Director, Professional Development

College-Ready Public Schools - College-Ready Middle Academy #4: US History Teacher

Hello Diana Nguyen,

Aug 1, 2011
We would like to thank you for submitting your application for the History teaching position as advertised on Edjoin. We were very fortunate to have various applicants interested in our vacancy. After careful consideration, I am sorry to inform you that you have not been chosen for the position.
We thank you again for your interest with our organization and wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Leandro Otero
Recruitment Coordinator

College-Ready Public Schools - Christine O'Donovan Middle Academy: English/Social Science Core Teacher

Good Afternoon Diana Nguyen,

I would like to thank you for submitting your application for the English/Social Science Core Teacher at Christine O’Donovan Middle Academy, an Alliance College-Ready Public School. I regret to inform you that you were not selected for the position. We appreciate the time that you invested in your application and wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Sandra Salib

West Covina Unified - Edgewood High School: Social Science Teacher

Dear Diana Nguyen,

Thank you for your interest in employment with the West Covina Unified School District.
We were fortunate to have received applications for this position from a number of well-qualified individuals with divergent types of experience and backgrounds. It was difficult to make a decision as we considered applicants relative to the special needs of the position. While your qualifications met some or many of the preliminary requirements, there were other applicants who we felt exceeded our expectations and more closely fit our particular needs.
Although you were not selected for this position, we would like to encourage you to apply for other job openings as they occur and for which you may feel qualified. Access to all West Covina Unified School District job openings are posted on EdJoin.org.
We appreciate your interest in employment with the West Covina Unified School District. Best wishes and continued success in pursuing your career goals.

Sincerely,
Michael F. Seaman
Assistant Superintendent

Alhambra Unified School District - Alhambra High School: Social Science High School Teacher

Hello Diana Nguyen,

Thank you for your interest in applying for the position of Social Science Teacher.
We regret to inform you that this position has been cancelled. We appreciate your interest in our District, and we invite you to apply for any future positions that you feel you qualify for.
Again, thank you for your interest with the Alhambra Unified School District.

Sincerely,
Laura Tellez
Assistant Superintendent-Human Resources

Long-term Substitute position at Plaza Vista

Haven't updated in a long while.

For about one month from July to August, I have been a long-term substitute for the Resource Center at Plaza Vista in Irvine, CA (K-8 school). It was a great experience with its ups and downs, but I would be so honored to be able to sub here again.

Now this school is like no other school I have ever subbed at before. I have never ever seen as many rolling backpacks in my life--that is when I knew the atmosphere of this school concentrated on academics. Every student here is required to either join chorus or orchestra as their elective. There are all these students walking around with tubas, clarinets, etc. in the morning. (Note: One of the orchestra teachers has 70 students in one class sitting!!!). They also offer foreign language such as Spanish.

It is a great thing, a K-8 school. The population of the school is quite small. That way, all the teachers know the progress of every student there from kindergarten all the way through eighth grade.

I did not get the job. :(

So here's how my interview went down.It was a 25 minute interview that should have lasted 30 minutes (not sure if that's bad). They were really enthusiastic about how I would incorporate literacy within the classroom, my thoughts on teacher collaboration especially with Language Arts, etc. I brought each interviewer a portfolio for them to look at filled with a sample lesson plan w/ actual student work, sample syllabus, my teaching philosophy, etc. Sent them a Thank You email. The only disadvantage I have is the lack of actual teaching experience. :(

My "Thank You" email:

"Dear Ms. ***,
I would like to thank you, everyone in the Social Science Department, and Mr. Patrick for taking the time out of your busy schedules to talk to me about the World History position available at Valley High School.

Even though I lack teaching experience, I believe I offer many new, exciting ideas when it comes to incorporating literacy into teaching history. I hope these ideas will contribute in Valley's transition through the "Persistently Low Achieving Schools" (PLAS) program and will eventually benefit the students at Valley High School in the long run.

I look forward to hearing from you once the final decisions are made regarding this position.

Thank you once again for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,
Diana Nguyen"

----------------------------------------

I then get this email from the Social Science Department Head (July 14th, 2011):

"Diana,

You are an exceptionally gifted and will become an amazing teacher some day. This round of interviews produced some really good candidates and it has been difficult to make a decision, but you have made it into the top group and we are still in the process of selecting. So I hate to keep you waiting on pins and needles, but you will hear from me soon I promise.

****"

My response:

"Dear Ms. ***,
Once again, I am thankful for having the opportunity to still be a candidate for this position. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Sincerely,
Diana Nguyen"

-------------------------------

Finally, on July 16th, 2011, I got this:

"Diana,

We have decided to hire two other candidates, but you were among the few that we were considering. Please do not be deterred. You had an excellent interview and have a great deal to offer any school. I wish you luck and have no doubt you will land a job soon.

****"

I will definitely keep trying.

My First Interview Ever at Valley High School (SAUSD)!!!

Got a phone call last week and was offered an interview (finally). When I got the call and realized who it was, I was in shock! The department head emailed me and asked for a sample lesson plan as well as a sample syllabus, which I sent to her.

The interview is today at 12:30 pm and it is for a World History teaching position at Valley High School in Santa Ana Unified. One of the reasons why I think I got the interview is because the principal at Valley High School was the same principal I had when student teaching. Hopefully, he remembers me.

I've been preparing all weekend asking friends to give me mock interviews, typing up notes, going over educational terminology, rethinking about how I would teach history, how I would discipline students, etc.

In addition, I prepared portfolios for each interview which I will hand out when I see them. The portfolio includes an updated Cover Letter/Resume, the sample syllabus, my Teaching Philosophy (in the form of a cheat-sheet), a sample lesson plan supplemented with sample student work, and copies of my Letters of Recommendation.

Wish me luck, since it is my first interview ever after receiving my credential! *sweatdrop*

Supplemental Authorization in English/Language Arts

Since I am having such a difficult time finding a full-time position teaching History/Social Science, I thought I should obtain a supplemental in the mean time. Might as well; maybe that would help open some doors. The supplemental I chose to work towards was English/Language Arts since there are so many ways to teach cross disciplines between both English and History. Instead of taking the CSET examination, I chose to take classes off a checklist offered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

At first, I was not that enthusiastic about it, especially since I was so passionate about teaching History. Once I started taking some Literature courses, Writing courses, etc., my view on English/L.A. has changed. I could definitely see how I would love to teach both History and English in a set Humanities Core class. It is also a great attribute because I really endorse the whole aspect of having literacy within the History classroom.

So for the past year and a half, I've dedicated time to taking online/evening classes at a local community college (Coastline Community College District) and finally completed the minimum amount of units required to add the supplemental onto my credential. :)

I just mailed the package on July 1st, 2011 enclosed with all my official transcripts (University of California, Irvine, Golden West College, and Coastline Community College), $55.00 check, the completed application, and the worksheet stating all the classes I took that would make me fully competent in the subject matter.

Classes completed: [Total of 45 units]

Grammar or Language Structure

·         Subject A Entry Exam (UCI admission): Requirement Satisfied (9/2002)

·         Fundamentals of Composition (CCC – Eng C099): Pass (3 semester units)

·         Freshman Composition (GWC – Eng G100): B (3 semester units)

Advanced Composition

·         Critical Reading and Rhetoric (UCI – Writing 39B) : A- (4 quarter units)

·         Beginning Poetry Writing (UCI – Writing 30): B (4 quarter units)

·         Critical Reasoning (CCC – Eng C102): A (3 semester units)

·         Creative Writing (GWC – Eng G280): B (3 semester units)

Speech

·         Interpersonal Communication (GWC – Comm G100): A (3 semester units)

·         Public Speaking (GWC – Comm G110): C (3 semester units)

·         Essentials of Argumentation (GWC – Comm G220): A (3 semester units)

Drama or Theater

·         Japanese Theater (UCI – Easian 120): A- (4 quarter units)

·         History and Appreciation of Cinema (GWC – Thea G102): A (3 semester units)

Literature

·         Introduction to Literature (CCC – Eng C140): A (3 semester units)

·         Children’s Literature (CCC – Eng C143): A (3 semester units)

·         American Literature: Short Story (CCC – Eng C145): A (3 semester units)