Teacher Contracts, Unions and Technology

[Note: This post in not for or against the union or the Minneapolis Public Schools. Both sides have negotiated in good faith to make a contract happen. This post is simply stating the facts and exploring the consequences of the failure to agree on a contract.]

The Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers failed to agree on a teacher contract by the January 15th deadline.

As a result, the district faces a penalty of $25 per student. The Minneapolis district has 33,000 students. I used Google to do some math, just to make sure I did it right. That's 33,000 students multiplied by $25 per students. Google says that is $825,000. [Did you know Google could do math?]

$825,000

I'm focusing on the students. That is why I teach. Do I make enough money? No. Do I make what I'm worth? Probably not. Could I make more money doing something else? Sure. But I'm here to teach and it is about the students.

So what's the consequence?

MacBooks (education discount) = $900.00. That's 916 laptops for students or 31 classrooms that could be 1:1.

Netbooks = $300. That's 2750 netbooks or 92 classrooms that could be using technology for research, writing, and learning.

iPod Touch = $200. That's 4125 Touches or 138 classrooms that could be interactive.

$825,000 not going to student engagement.

$825,000 not going to student knowledge.

$825,000 not going to student learning.

It's about the students. $825,000.

[I'm not sure where the fine money goes. I should look into that. I'm guessing it isn't for technology in the district.]

[Figures based on classrooms of 30 students]