For Teachers: Just read VA adopted A-F School Grading System (Fairfax: how much, job openings)

[Ranae319]

I'm a teacher in FL and I know very well about the school grading system. Fortunately, VA is using EOCs rather than a biased, inadequate state monstrosity of a test.

I'm planning to relocate and anxious about securing a position. My certifications are English 5-9, English 6-12, Reading K-12 and ESOL K-12. I've heard that ESOL and Reading may be more in demand, especially in certain areas of NOVA. I expect to receive my Virginia License by next month...just in time for the Job Fair in Feb!

I'd like to know what other subjects are critical shortage (other than Math/Science/Foreign Lang....no way I can certify in those!

Thanks so much for all of your assistance.

[Fredesch]

The best place to look is at the schools system's website here is Fairfax's Fairfax County Public Schools - Employment. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is looking at a $140 million shortfall in funding next year. The total budget for FCPS is something like $2.4 billion. Whether the shortfall is real or only a negotiating tactic with the county government or somewhere in between is debatable but the shortfall will affect how money is spent next year.

The student population is expected to rise next year and thus the shortfall. ESOL may be one of the areas in demand based on the demographics of the new students. The school where my wife teaches is expecting to loose reading specialists. I don't know if that will be a trend or just her school. How it plays out will depend on how much the county board of supervisors end up giving the school system and where the board of education decides to make cuts or defer infrastructure upgrades. Again, seeing the positions available on the school system website is the only way to find available positions.

By the way, Virginia uses Standards of Learning (SOL) which are very unpopular with everyone. Be aware the Washington DC metro area is the fourth most expensive place to live in the US. You will get paid more here, but will find everything more expensive as well. Good luck.

[marie5v]

Originally Posted by Ranae319

I'm a teacher in FL and I know very well about the school grading system. Fortunately, VA is using EOCs rather than a biased, inadequate state monstrosity of a test.

I'm planning to relocate and anxious about securing a position. My certifications are English 5-9, English 6-12, Reading K-12 and ESOL K-12. I've heard that ESOL and Reading may be more in demand, especially in certain areas of NOVA. I expect to receive my Virginia License by next month...just in time for the Job Fair in Feb!

I'd like to know what other subjects are critical shortage (other than Math/Science/Foreign Lang....no way I can certify in those!

Thanks so much for all of your assistance.

Reading and ESOL are pretty much in demand right now. If you have a good work history, references, and interview well then you have a very good chance of getting a job. I'm not sure how any of this is related to the school grading system. If you want to teach in Fairfax or nearby counties, then you will have the best chance of finding work at schools that have lower "grades" - low-income elementary schools. If you don't embrace that population and that type of work, then you will have difficulty finding work here. Competition is stiffer at the "best" schools.

[Ranae319]

Thanks so much for the responses. I see the cost of living is pretty steep in that area. Education budget cuts are occurring in almost every state. I will check the website for job openings. Thanks!

In FL, schools with higher "grades" are a bit more difficult to enter just as in VA. As for subject area, I've taught most of my years at Title I schools, so I'm very familiar with the student-body and, actually prefer teaching the students. In addition to the Core subjects, these students benefit just as much from lessons in Life Skills (which I find helps to improve their academic scores). Lack of exposure is part of the problem, so I try to "bring the World" to them via reading or "virtually".

I really appreciate all the assistance. Thanks again!

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by Ranae319

Thanks so much for the responses. I see the cost of living is pretty steep in that area. Education budget cuts are occurring in almost every state. I will check the website for job openings. Thanks!

In FL, schools with higher "grades" are a bit more difficult to enter just as in VA. As for subject area, I've taught most of my years at Title I schools, so I'm very familiar with the student-body and, actually prefer teaching the students. In addition to the Core subjects, these students benefit just as much from lessons in Life Skills (which I find helps to improve their academic scores). Lack of exposure is part of the problem, so I try to "bring the World" to them via reading or "virtually".

I really appreciate all the assistance. Thanks again!

An advantage to teaching at a Title I school is smaller class sizes. I've thought about the benefits of switching to a Title I school, but I think unfortunately critiques such as the grading system will keep people from wanting to work there.

Edit: On second thought, a large part of the new grading system seems to reflect growth in performance on the SOL tests. If a school is scoring in the mid to upper 90% range, it wouldn't be difficult to dip a bit in performance. I'll have to wait to see how it pans out.

[patriot201]

Title I schools have smaller class sizes? How much smaller?

[homebeyer2013]

Would there be advantages to using smiley faces (or frownie) instead of A-F?

[Ranae319]

Good question Homebeyer.....I think it would be an advantage if the results were directed towards the students; however, school grades tend to be the primary concern of the District, principals, core teachers, then it trickles down to students (many of whom don't care much about their personal grades--and even less about the school grade).