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March 23, 2009
1.
We received an email from our principal today stating that he was given
a list of who has/has not registered for DATE. He stated we were all
required to register by Friday. In the meeting we had on campus with a
DATE representative, we were not told this program was a requirement of
all teachers, but were lead to believe it was a choice as to whether to
jump through the hoops to receive a portion of the funds.
Answer: It is important for all teachers to create an account, whether
they want to participate in the program or not. For all eligible
campuses once scores are released, it will be important for all
professional employees to turn in an application form, even if they
place a check on the data base --not participating. We must have a
record for every person.
2.
I have just completed typing in my 45 lessons with TAKS objectives.
Every time I try to save my document, it gives me a database results
error. It says description: record is too large. It tells me:
One or more form
fields are empty.
You should provide default values for all the form fields that are
used in the query.
All
fields are filled. On the soc. Security # I only provided that last 4
numbers. Is that the problem? I’m hoping not to loose all my work!!
Answer: This problem should now be corrected – please try again.
3.
My co-teacher and I have been told that we may NOT participate in DATE
because we are doing a Job Share. Yet, we work (as a unit) just as
often and as hard as the core teachers to prepare our students for the
next academic year and to ensure that ALL of our students pass the TAKS
tests—not only that, that they are commended. That is our expectation
for our class and for this school. This really bothers me that we
cannot participate since we are just as much a part of our school’s
success as any other teacher or staff member. Just because we do not
“teach” 5 consecutive days does not mean that we are not at home or even
up here at school on our days off planning lessons, checking and
responding to emails, grading writing samples, and working to ensure
that our students have the best shot at success. We work 2 days every
week and alternate Fridays. This gives us the same exact number of
hours at the end of the month as any teacher who would be working half
days. Why should it matter if the time is not consecutive? We are
doing this because it’s what is best for our students.
Answer: The plan quotes the TEA definition of a full time teacher as “An
educator who is employed by a school district and who, not less than an
average of four hours each day, teaches in an academic instructional
setting.” The question is not consecutive days, but teaches an
average of four hours per day.
At
this point, TEA will not allow us to change the plan even if we wanted
to do so. However, all such input will be considered if the state
continues with the DATE program in future years.
4.
I would like to submit an appeal to the committee to rethink our
situation. If you are giving teachers who work half days 5 consecutive
days the Part 1 Funds, isn’t it unfair to not give it to us just because
we do not work those days consecutively? We put in the same amount of
hours, just spread out differently. Please reconsider our situation for
Part 1 Funds. I would be happy to meet with you to further discuss this
matter.
Answer: See response to question #3.
5.
I am having a similar problem to one addressed at the last session. I
tried the “fix” you suggested to no avail. I am getting an error
message that reads as follows:
Database Results
Error
Description:
Record is too large.
Number:
-2147467259 (0x80004005)
Source:
Microsoft JET Database Engine
One or more form
fields were empty. You should provide default values for all form
fields that are used in the query.
This only started when
I got to line 24 of the lesson plan documentation; everything before
that entered fine. No matter what I do I cannot save any more
information past line 23. Do you have any suggestions? Do I need to go
back and make all the lessons shorter?
Answer: This problem should now be corrected – please try again.
6. Another question –
do we need to write out the whole TEKS description or is putting the
number and letter (16B) sufficient?
Answer: Just the coding (number and letter) are sufficient.
7.
Where do you register
Answer: Go to
www.irvingisd.net/DATE and follow the instructions.
8.
I joined Austin Middle School on February 17, 2009. My principal
advised me to contact the committee to inquire whether or not the grant
applied to me.
Answer: The grant states you must be employed in a professional
position from October 31, 2008 through June 5, 2009. Starting after
October 31st will not allow one to share in any DATE payout.
9.
I wish to notify the Committee that I do not want to participate in
DATE. I choose to decline filling out an application at this time. To
whom or where do I send my email?
Answer: You will still need to register, but you do not have to
participate in the mentoring or lesson plan documentation. If you
campus qualifies, then you can indicate on the application form that you
are declining any potential monetary award, which is
not due until
September 1st. If your campus does not qualify, then you do
not need to do anything.
10.
I work as a counselor at Kinkeade ECS, but I am not certified as a
school counselor. My actual title is Student Service Specialist. I have
scheduled some appointments for parent mentoring, but now I am wondering
if I am eligible to participate in DATE? Please let me know how this
will work out.
Answer: You are eligible for Part 2 in DATE.
Be sure to
document your time mentoring parents and/or students.
11.
When are the deadlines to turn in the documentation and the application?
Answer: On June 5th, you need to present your documentation
(Mentoring and/or Lesson Plans as applicable) to your campus principal.
The documentation should be the printout from the webpage that contains
the data you have entered throughout the year. Your principal will
review the documentation, and both you and the principal needs to sign
the document. It is suggested that both the educator and the principal
keep a copy of the signed documentation to hold during the summer. In
August, once all the TAKS data is finalized, as well as the
Accountability Ratings, campuses who meet the eligibility requirements
under Part 1 or Part 2 will be notified. Educators who meet the
requirements on the eligible campuses will need to turn in their
Application and Documentation to the Assistant Superintendent of
Personnel & Administration no later than September 1, 2009.
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