Teacher raises

I am writing in response to the tentative labor agreement between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the United Teachers of Dade. Shame on the UTD and MDCPS for even considering such an agreement that would give a few paltry extra dollars to already inadequate teacher salaries.

To UTD President Karla Hernandez-Mats, I ask how this tentative agreement can be a relief to teachers when an overwhelming number of teachers are already struggling to live from paycheck to paycheck?

To Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, I ask how can you be proud of such an agreement that affects only the “effective” and “highly effective” teachers. Teachers do not choose the students that they teach?

Some teachers are assigned all advanced or gifted classes in which students receive high scores. However, some teachers are assigned all Level 1 students, who are struggling readers, in middle and high school. Teachers’ evaluations are based in part on subjective snapshot administrator evaluations and the scores of their students on the Florida State Assessments.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 8:15 PM with the headline "Teacher raises."