Workload Up, Resources Down, Teachers Say in Survey
WEAC members overwhelmingly agree: their workloads have significantly
risen in the last five years, but school districts are providing few financial
or human resources to help them keep up.
“This
survey shows teachers are very worried about meeting the increasing
demands imposed upon them.” |
According to a survey WEAC conducted in February, members feel very strongly
that state and local requirements are increasing their workloads, and
they want more assistance in the form of professional development, training
and compensation, especially pertaining to the new statewide tests.
“This survey shows teachers are very worried about meeting the increasing
demands imposed upon them,” WEAC Collective Bargaining Director Bob
West said. “Legislators and local school boards are asking more and
more of educators in areas such as testing, academic standards and curriculum.
Educators want to continue providing the best education possible for children,
but are worried that the training and development opportunities they need
will not be provided.”
Some of the report’s findings include:
- 87% of teachers want the local association to bargain more paid time
for professional development beyond development time for the new statewide
tests.
- 85% say that since the new academic standards will increase workloads,
new contracts below the Qualified Economic Offer should not be accepted.
- 56% say the High School Graduation Test (HSGT) will increase their
workload.
- 52% say their district is asking them to make more curriculum changes
because of the HSGT.
- 87% believe staff development, training and workshops are needed to
develop or change curriculum to prepare students for the HSGT. West
said teachers are especially concerned about the broad impact of new
high-stakes testing requirements.
- 81% believe denying students a diploma on the basis of one test is
bad education policy.
- 48% say their schools had “appropriate materials” to prepare
for the HSGT.
- 48% believe a “vast majority” of students would be prepared
to pass the HSGT in their district by the 2002-2003 school year.
- 57% say the exam will hurt many students in the long run.
“We hope public officials listen to what people in the classrooms
who work directly with children are saying,” West said. “Politically
popular ideas do not necessarily benefit children. WEAC believes one passive
paper-and-pencil test should not be the sole determinant of graduation
or advancement.”
The statewide survey of 598 K-12 teachers has a margin of error of plus
or minus 4.5%. Copies are available from Jeff Leverich, research coordinator,
at (608) 276-7711, extension 285.
Posted March 26, 1999