Friday, December 29, 2006

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!

When I go back to school on the 8th, I will be on for 2 days and then I will have 3 days out of the classroom for AB466 math training. I will then have to be out of the classroom for 2 days the following week to finish off the training. I am SO unhappy about this for two reasons. The first reason is because I hate to miss school days for training. It is not easy to write sub plans. The kids are essentially on hold until I return. I hate that. The main reason that I am unhappy though is because the training is SO STUPID!!!! Here is a synopsis of what the training is:

AB466 Training

Participants study all components of the program and learn how each component of the program works together to create a complete, comprehensive program. In addition the participants learn scientific research behind the program as it relates to actual classroom practices.


Why is this dumb? It is dumb because we have been using our curriculum for the past 5 years already. WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING!!! We are also very close to a new adoption as it is. The least they can do is wait for our new adoption when learning about our curriculum might actually be meaningful.

I had to take the AB 466 training about 5 years ago for the language arts program that we currently use. I was really excited about the training prior to the event. I had piloted the new materials and had a good chance to familiraize myself with the program. I was anxious to go and have my questions answered and get more info. I soon found out that I was not going to learn one thing from the training. The trainers told us on the first day that they hadn't even used the materials...can you believe it? As it turned out, I knew much more than the trainers did. I ended up bringing a lot of my own teacher created materials to share with the group. What a waste of time.

This training that is coming up will most likely be a waste of time. Due to the fact that we are a Program Improvement school though, we are forced to take the training. Apparently the lawmakers in California think that we teachers are so useless and unskilled that we need to waste our time this way. We are also losing big chunks of money by having to take this training. It costs a lot of money to train an entire school. Why can't lawmakers see that the money spent is going in the wrong direction? If they want to help children in Program Improvement schools, they should pour money into after school tutoring programs and parent/family education programs.

5 comments:

KJERRINGA MOT STRØMMEN said...

You are singing to the choir. You need to tell the legislature this.

under the red sky said...

I had to do the OCR (also AB466) training... on the weekends! Three different weekends...five hours away (Sacramento). I feel for you.. :(

Georgina Baeza said...

That stinks. I felt like that about many of my cohort trainings, first year teacher academy meetings, and graduate classes last year. This year, I have to attend a ton of Pre-AP trainings and sometimes they're a waste. Mostly because they schedule them from 4:30-6:30 on a Tuesday or Wednesday, which means I'm usually very tired and hungry.

Sorry you have to go to them.

Coco said...

I'm sorry...

ABr666 Trainin?! This is the first time I'm hearing about this.

From what you wrote, it sounds that they do this for every subject matter. Is this correct?

I teach for New Haven Unified School District in Union City, CA.
We, too, have our "troubles"...

Presently, I'm at Guy Emanuele Elem. teaching 3rd grade : )

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hope you have a joyous New Year!

Cuidate!

Tu amiga,
Coco

Msabcmom said...

KMS:
I know but they won't listen!

Gustavo and La Brown Girl:
You both are making me feel guilty now. At least I am doing my training on school time and not on my weekend or after school time. I also forgot to mention that it is being held on my campus. I should count my blessings!

Coco:
As far as I know, the AB466 trainings are for language arts and math only. You might only be required to take it after your school has been in P. Improvement for a few years.