VAM Scores In Florida

I just had to share a simple request

from my Union President.

He wants to share his story about how our

VAM scoring system for Florida teachers

 doesn't make any sense.

 It's Florida's Value Added Model

that's calculated into our teacher evaluations
(a.k.a. our VAM scores).

Yes....I'm a Union Member.

Yes....I'm a Republican.

That makes me a Republican, Union Member.

I.Am.An.Oxymoron.

I never thought I'd be calling

myself a moron...

any type of a moron...

but there you have it.
For the record, you're not a moron.
Just saying...

We all realized that the VAM equation
for our evaluation system
didn't make any sense when we were shown

this gobblygook for our upcoming evaluations

several years ago:

What on Earth is this?!
This is a serious post?
Illinois has a great deal of issues...
(don't get me started)
...but we don't have the "joy" of this.
 We all looked at the formula and asked

our principal, vice principal, and reading coach

to please explain the meaning to us.

Two years ago, no one could
give us a definite answer.

There's your first sign.

Huh.

Ummmmmm.

O......K.......??????
So you just smiled and nodded?

Do you see why I'm a member of our union?

Since then, this is the best thing to an explanation

that I've been able to find.

 Uh, the word "assume" is in there 3 times.
Have they not heard about
the equation on that one?!
Here's an article about a New York

teacher facing the same problems:

 Good golly!  Are they serious?
I'm still confused.
Ditto!

And yes.  I realize that all 3 of these

equations are looking a little different.

I can't even find a single one mathematical equation

to solve my problem. That's how lost I am.

Remember....I'm the oxymoron...

so don't expect much from me.

The formula could have very well been thoroughly

explained, and maybe I wasn't there that day.....

or it went right over my head.

Very.Possible.

Here's my Union President, Luke Flynt,
sharing his story.  He's explaining
the fairness of the VAM scores

to our school board members:

 Well.

There you have it.

Finally!  This oxymoron has finally gotten it!

The VAM scores are simply meant

to keep teachers from being successful.
Absolutely ridiculous!
How on Earth can ANYBODY hear this 
and think this system is at all credible?!
I have never heard of such a thing.
The predicted score was higher
than the total possible?
Are you serious?!
Students who missed 1 or 2 are
marked against him?
WHAT?!
Look up outrage in the dictionary
and you'll see an 8x10 glossy picture
of this nonsense!
I.am.so.sorry.
I'm proud of him and happy
that you have him on your side!

Less Successful Teachers = Less Money To Be Paid

Check.

Understood.

Well then...

why didn't the State of Florida

just tell us that to begin with?

They could have held a big press conference,

and let everyone know from the beginning...

that the state is setting teachers up for failure.
Alright. Whew! Glad to get that out in the open.

That way the state can save money,

or have it to spend on something
they consider more worthwhile.
Seriously?!  At what point do
teachers catch a break?
No other profession has to deal with
such nonsense!
UGH!

----------

Side Note:

When I was texting the word "VAM"

the other day, my phone kept wanting

to send it as the word "VAMPIRE".

Is my phone trying to tell me something?

---------- 

We're teachers....we'll jump through hoops of fire to

get our kiddos to where they need to be

by the end of each school year.
Puh-reach sista!
There's no equation for that but
simple blood, sweat, and tears.
#keepingitreal

We just can't necessarily jump through a

hoop of fire that's the size of an itty-bitty finger:

-- excerpt from Madagascar III --

Now if that thing was a little wider....sure thing!

I'd even squeeze myself into a leotard for that!

It wouldn't be a pretty sight....but Queen Chaos

would be hurtling through the air! 
Oh my eyes, my eyes!
LOL!

What am I saying?

I'm already hurtling through the air.

Aiming high and
shooting for the stars....

I'm just getting 3rd degree burns

leaving irreparable scar tissue while I'm doing it.

What to do....What to do....

We can't strike in Florida. 

Hmmmmmm......

I guess it's just time

for this oxymoron to get back to work.

Little Johnny needs to learn to read.
That's called priorities.

Now where did I put my flame retardant suit?

Oh yeah....let me grab some garlic while I'm at it.
Now that's funny!