For the Record: GDPS California Addresses Misinformation on Teacher Chronic Absenteeism
Cristina de Jesus
Chief Executive Officer, Green Dot Public Schools California
Angel G Maldonado
President, Asociación de Maestros Unidos
(Union representing Green Dot CA’s teachers)
While we appreciate Fordham Institute’s longtime support of the charter school movement, and their recognition of the excellent education that Green Dot Public Schools provides, we take issue with both the accuracy and intent of the recently released “Teacher Absenteeism in Charter and Traditional Public Schools.”
We challenge the thinly veiled assumption that a unionized school network somehow puts students at a disadvantage. At Green Dot Public Schools (GDPS) California we are proud of the partnership with Asociación de Maestros Unidos (AMU), the union that represents Green Dot teachers.
We believe we are offering an alternative vision for both traditional and charter public schools looking to provide students with a high quality education and teachers with strong support to that end. Together with AMU, we have worked hard to address chronic absenteeism. Moreover, we’ve worked hard to ensure that our schools are places where highly effective educators can thrive and see themselves in the teaching profession with us for years to come.
Our collaboration is evident: our 2015-2016 data shows Green Dot CA has a chronic teacher absenteeism rate of 6% which is comparable with other CMOs in California, and across the country.
Together, GDPS CA and AMU are proud of our commitment to ensuring that our students are taught by a team of excellent educators who are proud to work for Green Dot Public Schools California and committed to student growth and achievement at every level.
“Our 2015-2016 data shows Green Dot CA has a chronic teacher absenteeism rate of 6% which is comparable with other CMOs in California, and across the country.”
In fact, we believe that the partnership we have with AMU frequently allows us to more quickly and effectively address issues and improve outcomes within our team of educators because of the trust, communication habits and supports that we have built together.
We are disappointed that a report clearly designed to paint an ugly picture of unionized teachers so carelessly portrays Green Dot Public Schools California. In the report, the author asks us to imagine what an organization with Green Dot’s reputation could accomplish with a chronic teacher absenteeism rate of 10% instead of 34%. We don’t have to imagine – it’s already happening. 6% – It’s happening because Green Dot Public Schools California is an agile learning organization – responsive to data and enduringly in partnership with our teachers. Our partnership with Asociación de Maestros Unidos makes us stronger.
