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Post Strike

This analysis explores the tumultuous period of education reform in San Diego led by Superintendent Alan Bersin, a non-educator and former federal prosecutor. Bersin's aggressive tactics, including the imposition of the Balanced Literacy framework and increased administrative control, sparked significant unrest among teachers and administrators. The San Diego Education Association (SDEA) raised concerns over the lack of consultation and the resultant climate of fear. Ultimately, despite some efforts at reform, the outcomes led to increased teacher turnover and stagnant student performance, illustrating the complexities of educational change.

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Post Strike

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  1. Post Strike • Business community unhappy • Pushed in a “get-tough” board • Non-educator superintendant—Alan Bersin • Former federal prosecutor • Friend of Clinton and Gore • SDEA not consulted

  2. Supt. Bersin • Bersin given carte blanche • Based on NYC District 2 • Invited Anthony Alvarado from NYC as chancellor for instruction

  3. Curriculum • Balanced Literacy • All elem. teachers required to teach it for 3 hours/day • Balanced Literacy Coaches in each school • SDEA protested

  4. Blueprint for Student Success in a Standards-Based System • Added constructivist math • Double-periods in middle schools • Secondary 2-3 period literacy blocks • Summer school • Longer days

  5. Funding • From administrative layoffs • Shifted Title I funds • Fired 600+ paras • Gates, Hewlett, Carnegie, Broad

  6. Top Down • Bersin disdained teacher buy-in • Command and control • “You don’t cross a chasm in two leaps” • “Do it fast; Do it deep; Take no prisoners” • “You’ve got to jolt a system.”

  7. Impact on Staff • Teachers felt exhausted, stressed • Climate of fear and suspicion • Arrogant, condescending, disrespectful, • Bullied by grade switching, evaluations • Forced jargon: “I am a reflective practitioner” • Teacher negativity did not soften over time • 90% of principals replaced • 1/3rd of the teachers left

  8. Decline and Fall of Bersin • Bersin threw Alvarado under the bus (’02) • Appease angry teachers • School board majority shifted • Bersin fired

  9. Academic Results • Gains were modest– less than statewide ave. • High schools test results did not improve • Dropout rate increased

  10. San Diego EA Today • In the buildings • CBA not an obstacle to reform • Connect with parents, neighborhood • Fight layoffs with allies • Focus on organizing, bargaining, enforcement

  11. vs. 2006 2011 WEA STAFF PRESENTATION – JUNE 16, 2011 San Diego Education Association

  12. Key Factors Allowing For SDEA’s Involvement: Built the capacity to organize in the community & have developed strong relationships city-wide (Central Labor Council, Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, Equality Alliance, SDOP, etc.). Elected “adequate” people to the School Board through grassroots campaigns Demanded and received “hands off our contract” agreement with partner organizations as pre-condition for our involvement The contract is NOT the problem so it won’t be even discussed as part of a solution WEA STAFF PRESENTATION – JUNE 16, 2011 San Diego Education Association

  13. Questions Ideas Suggestions Rebuttal

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