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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Shots fired into Medford home Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car Bates-Dotterrer race leads state's campaign spending spree Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Shots fired into Medford home Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car Elderly woman's kidnapper sentenced to 15 years Emergency Services Politics and Elections Fire chief has sheriff's back Phoenix council races draw a crowd — and debate Winters worn down by criticism Eagle Point might get on the bus Richardson accuses Kitzhaber of 'corruption' in final debate Education Kids Unlimited Academy awarded $450,000 grant County helps fund RCC job training SOU student says free speech issue overblown SOU interim president leads in a different direction Medford school officials consider costs of full-day kindergarten Environment Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Reintroduction of McCloud River salmon inspires film, tribe Rite Aid bear cub may be released into the wild in spring Rite Aid cub well, could come back to southern Oregon Neighbors smell trouble in proposal to spread waste on Sams Valley farmland State news Nation - World Obituaries Donna Lee Norvell Faith Ann Honer Sherry Nell Bean Pat V. 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Old-fashioned hat maker Real Estate News New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford People In Business People in Business Transportation Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27 Our View: Cost is a poor excuse for local pot tax Letters to the Editor, Oct. 26 Dana Milbank: Larry Pressler's quirky Senate campaign Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Editorials Our View: Cost is a poor excuse for local pot tax Don't bet on pot windfall for schools Our View: SOU's 'free speech zone' constitutionally questionable Our View: Kitzhaber is still the best choice Our view: Merkley-Wehby race leaves us unconvinced; Walden seems destined for permanent position Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 26 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 25 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 24 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 23 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Guest Opinion: A glimpse into the reality of our elections Don't overlook importance of Jackson County commissioners race Measure 92 misleads rather than enlightens Lifestyle Latest stories Get A Life: Let your facial expressions show Rocks and Rhetoric Engagement Wedding: Potter-Hazel Wedding: Martin-Berg Food Community blog: Quick breads take well to gluten-free ingredients Community blog: Barrel Aged and Sour Beers Ledger David Cellars has a new winemaker and big plans Community blog: There's a method to mix, match alternative grains Ashland resident's cookbook showcases gluten-free creativity Home and Garden How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Recycle plastic at The Expo Friday and Saturday How to know when trees and shrubs need to go Dear Monty: Is your real estate agent a secret agent? Health Community blog: Finding My Roots Dr. Jeff Hersh: Controversy over breast cancer screening Dr. Murray Feingold: Choose a diet best for you Community blog: The Crowd And The Win - Better Health Joan Endyke: The importance of a healthy diet when pregnant Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Engagement Wedding: Potter-Hazel Wedding: Martin-Berg Wedding: Hale-Lombardi Wedding: Henderson-Carroll Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present harmonious voices, dissonant notes Beekeepers Ball is one sweet soiree Scottish music duo plays highland magic Theater Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music Patty Griffin plays the Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present harmonious voices, dissonant notes Beekeepers Ball is one sweet soiree Scottish music duo plays highland magic Community Events Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Dining Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel ... Shots fired into Medford home ... Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car ... Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel ... Shots fired into Medford home ... Wind pushes tree over onto Grants Pass woman's car ... Teachers agree: Classes are still too large Annual survey also highlights facility issues in Central Point and Rogue River school districts Local administrators didn't need a statewide survey to tell them teachers are overworked, classes are too large and resources are scarce. By Teresa Thomas MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Posted Jun. 30, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Jun 30, 2014 at 2:15 AM By Teresa Thomas Posted Jun. 30, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Jun 30, 2014 at 2:15 AM » Social News Local administrators didn't need a statewide survey to tell them teachers are overworked, classes are too large and resources are scarce. At the end of May, the Oregon Department of Education released the results of the Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning Oregon Survey — more commonly referred to as the TELL Survey — administered Feb. 24 through April 7. More than 19,300 licensed, school-based staff statewide, including 631 teachers and principals in Jackson County, responded to the survey. "(The results) were more affirming than surprising," said Central Point schools Superintendent Samantha Steele. Teachers, principals and other staff were asked to rate how strongly they agreed or disagreed with about 100 statements regarding time, facilities and resources, community support and involvement, student conduct, teacher leadership, school leadership, professional development, and instructional practices and support. Districts had to have a 35 percent participation rate for the state to publish their results. About 50 percent of teachers in the Ashland and Rogue River school districts participated in the survey, while about 70 percent of teachers in the Eagle Point, Central Point and Phoenix-Talent school districts participated. However, the Medford School District fell short, with only 23.6 percent of its licensed staff completing the survey. The survey went out only three days after the district had signed a tentative agreement ending an 11-day teacher strike, and "we didn't feel it was reasonable to push for high participation in the survey," said Medford Superintendent Phil Long. Of the educators who responded to the survey, 64 percent of those in Eagle Point, 67 percent of those in Phoenix-Talent and, 77 percent of those in Central Point said the size of their classes doesn't allow them to effectively support students' needs. Steele said that while her district aims to keep primary class sizes under 25, it varies by school, ranging from about 20 to 28. At the secondary level, core classes tend to be larger, while "specialty" and advanced classes are smaller, she said. Last year, there were nearly 40 students in one of the district's seventh-grade classes at Scenic Middle School, but this fall the district will add an additional full-time teacher at Scenic, she said. Phoenix High School Principal Jani Hale said the school cut 20 percent of its teaching staff in 2008. "So really, were people surprised that after year after year after year of budget cuts, class sizes are still not where they need to be?" she said. Hale said the high school works hard to ensure English classes don't exceed 30 students. But it doesn't have enough teachers with advanced math credentials to keep those math class sizes smaller. "In a pre-calculus, we will have roughly 40 kids, while Algebra 1 classes are in the low 30s," she said. According to the survey results, local teachers said they need less "routine paperwork" and more non-instructional time, professional development and feedback. Fewer than 50 percent of participating educators in Rogue River, Phoenix-Talent, Eagle Point and Ashland agreed with the statement: "The non-instructional time provided for teachers in my school is sufficient." The results also indicated that facilities and resources were more of an issue in Central Point and Rogue River than in neighboring districts. Rogue River is a small district with a small budget and, like other districts, is coming out of the recession and accompanying budget cuts, said Superintendent Paul Young. "We are trying to do facility upgrades but that's a really hard push," he said. Most of the schools in the Central Point district do not have adequate heating and air conditioning systems, Steele said. She noted, however, the district has invested nearly $600,000 in a new computer network. "The survey confirmed what our technology department had already told us," she said. "I would have been concerned if teachers were satisfied with the old network." Local administrators said the results of the survey, which are available at www.telloregon.org, will help them make future decisions. They also note the survey shows that teachers have done a lot with limited resources. "When I look at those numbers, I see that teachers are aware they are making progress but are also aware of how hard they have to work to get us there," Young said. Steele said she was glad to see that 97 percent of the participating staff in her district felt they worked in a safe environment, that 98 percent felt the school administrators facilitated using data to improve student learning and that 100 percent believed they were making a difference in students' lives. Nearly 100 percent of the Phoenix-Talent staff also felt their school was a safe environment, and nearly 95 percent said the community was very supportive of the school. "Bottom line for a principal, no matter what our expectations are, safety is the No. 1 responsibility," Hale said. In response to a summarizing statement at the end of the survey, the large majority of local participants agreed that their schools were "a good place to work and learn." Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt. By Teresa Thomas MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Posted Jun. 30, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Jun 30, 2014 at 2:15 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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