HISD teachers walk out of contracts in high numbers, union says

Fed up with a stressful work environment, teachers are leaving the Houston Independent School District this year in what could be record numbers, according to the Houston Federation of Teachers.

"I think by the end of January, we're looking at 700 or more who have walked out of HISD," said Joanna Pasternak, the union's grievance director.

"It's extremely surprising," said Pasternak, who has worked 10 years for the union, following 11 years as a teacher. "We have never seen anything like this."

In response to a public information request, the district gave the union a report that shows 134 teachers had quit by the first week of November, Pasternak said.

That number included some terminations for cause but was mostly voluntary resignations, she said.

By the first week in December, the number had jumped to 366, she said.

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http://www.chron.com/default/article/HISD-teachers-walk-out-of-contracts-in-high-4180381.php

It is getting interesting here. The state legislature drastically cut the education budget 2 years ago. The district went through with a hacksaw. Experienced staff was laid off and TFA were seen by some principals as a way to stretch the campus budget. Class size was increased. Evaluations and bonuses are in part tied to student test performances (a new and harder test this last year) and teachers start the school on a growth plan before the students even take a test. This has been building for some time and many teachers that can retire are and the economy is such that those that can't retire are changing careers and the TFA kids are going back home.