Today's letters: Good teacher lost on bad decision

Good teacher lost on bad decision

We lost a good teacher to a bad test. The FCAT demanded expectations that were never in line with what could be realistically expected from the student body, particularly those challenged. Worse than that, FCAT sanctions place onerous pressure on principals and teachers to raise scores - by any means.

The unrealistic demands push good teachers to go astray. It is important to understand that a test not only evaluates what a student has learned but also in itself becomes a much focused teaching tool. A teacher should be congratulated for taking the time to work through test questions with a special education student. It's an opportunity to make progress. I did that when I taught in special circumstances.

I was proud of the Pasco School Board when it supported a teacher with obvious mental illness and I am now disappointed in its firing a teacher trying to make a test work that is not realistic and doesn't consider the individual nature of each and every student.

I say shame on the School Board and shame on the superintendent for firing a talented and devoted teacher. The teacher should be reinstated. There is no reasonable excuse for the firing.

Marc J. Yacht, Hudson

Teacher a victim of a failed system

The teacher in Pasco County who was fired for FCAT violations is a scapegoat for a failed system. At one time, citizens may have believed the FCAT would improve education. But now, most of us understand that the FCAT is just another divisive tool being used to segregate students. Wealthier communities enjoy higher scores and receive more state funds. Poorer communities suffer lower scores and, therefore, receive less funding. This is institutional racism cloaked in its finest apparel.

I am a high school teacher. During FCAT season, we must attend a brief tutorial on how to administer the test. We receive a book of instruction that none of us is able to completely read. Then, we are forced to sign a paper that stipulates we will not look at the FCAT booklet.

However, we are told that we must proctor the test by moving about the room, making sure all students are on the correct section of the test. How do you do that without glancing at the test? So, teachers are forced into a corner. We are the ones who must pay for the state's unprofessionalism. The state made big mistakes on last year's tests, yet who among them must lose their jobs? Who among them must be responsible to the taxpayers for the cost of a bungled debacle? Who among them will even apologize to the citizens of this state who believed in them? To the schools who depend on them? To the teachers who are sacrificed by them?

Because the state has done such a remarkable job of clouding the real issues in education, including the FCAT sham, it is hard for most people to see what's really at the core of this program. FCAT is not about improving education. It is not about fairness, equality or progress. It is about money and political manipulation. Sacrificing a teacher here or there to maintain rigid control and fear among educators is a small price for them to pay.

I hope the new governor is willing to undress the FCAT and promote a truly progressive education plan - one based on openness, clarity and honesty, and one that doesn't hold teachers hostage in the classrooms, afraid to make the wrong move, afraid to help students, afraid to do their jobs. Let's hope the new governor values what education is about: asking questions and finding answers.

Judy Castillo, Florida Coalition for Assessment Reform, Brooksville

Suspension was a better alternative

Kathryn Starkey, School Board vice chairwoman, wishes she had an alternative to firing Barbara Heggaton for helping her special needs students on the FCAT. She did.

Suspending the teacher without pay for a short period of time along with a reprimand in her file would clearly have sufficed. Losing several days' pay is significant to any teacher. She should be fired only if she commits the same offense a second time.

Instead, an admittedly stellar teacher has been terminated. Her real crime was working too hard to help her kids, or maybe she just cares too much for her students to be welcome to teach in Pasco County.

What a shame!

Robin George Yates, Hudson

Shame on all in teacher's firing

Reading the article about the firing of teacher Barbara Heggaton, an individual with 20 years of dedication, leaves me outraged. Shame on all who allowed this to happen.

Being a mother of two children with learning disabilities, I truly understand what happened here. These children, unlike most of us, cannot understand black and white. They need things put into words so that they can understand the question. This woman did nothing wrong.

As for Kathryn Starkey, she should cry. She knows it was not the right thing to do. I surely hope that someone with a heart will come forward and save this teacher at a time when good teachers are a rare commodity. Our fair state cannot afford to lose a really good teacher. Shame on all.

Elaine M. Vincent, Tarpon Springs

Explaining what Legislature did

Many people have been asking me questions about property tax reform that the Florida Legislature passed June 14.

Therefore, I want to let you know that during the special session I supported a fair and reasonable tax relief proposal, a tax cut designed to save Florida's property owners nearly $32-billion over the next five years. The savings will come in two phases, with the first phase this year and the second phase requiring voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 2008.

During the special session, we passed an immediate tax relief package of more than $15-billion that does not require voter approval. This means real savings on your next property tax bill, this year. Once this legislation is signed by the governor:

Property taxes will be rolled back to previous levels of last year and will be cut further based on that particular county's or city's record of taxing and spending. In Pinellas County, that means an additional cut of 7 percent and Pasco County an additional cut of 3 percent. Homesteaded property owners, second homeowners, snowbirds, owners of rental property, commercial and industrial properties will all receive tax savings.

All local governments (except school districts) will be required to cap their annual property tax revenue growth. Property tax revenue growth will be allowed to grow no faster than the growth rate of Floridians' personal income and population growth of the state.

The revenue cap creates unprecedented protections for all Florida properties - especially commercial properties and nonhomestead residential properties, which currently have no protection.

All taxpayers will be protected by making it harder for local governments to raise property taxes in the future.

This legislation will lead to immediate relief for Florida's homeowners, second homeowners and commercial property owners. It also provides a cap so taxes are predictable and affordable in the future.

On Jan. 29, 2008, voters will be given the opportunity to vote on how much they want to be taxed on their homes. If 60 percent of Florida's voters approve the constitutional amendment, property taxes will be reduced by $16-billion over five years. The average homestead property owner will be able to save 44 percent, or $1, 306 off their property tax bill.

Homeowners will have the choice of the current Save Our Homes system or moving to a new system of Super Homestead Exemptions based on the value of their home.

These Super Homestead Exemptions will create portability for homeowners who would otherwise lose significant tax savings when they move.

No homeowner would have to leave the current Save Our Homes tax system unless they choose. If they wish, they can remain in that system as long as they own their current home.

A new $25, 000 tangible personal property tax exemption for businesses will also be created, exempting 1 million small businesses from having to pay the tax. After next year, taxpayers would no longer be required to file returns for TPP.

Targeted tax relief will also be offered for low-income seniors, affordable housing and working waterfronts.

I hope this information assists you in understanding the property tax reform legislation and encourages you to vote on Jan. 29, 2008.

Rep. Tom Anderson, House District 45

[Last modified June 22, 2007, 07:45:33]