"I am a public education advocate. As a parent and a former educator, I have become very concerned about what is happening to public education. Our public schools have suffered financially due to the surge in school vouchers. I have seen an increase and over-emphasis in high-stakes testing. I have witnessed the devaluing of the education profession as teacher unions have been minimized, salaries are stagnant, and demands for data and test prep have increased. I fear that public education will no longer be the cornerstone of our democracy, and our education system will be privatized. My children are receiving quality education in the Fort Wayne Community Schools. As a parent and an advocate for public education, I want to ensure that public schools can continue providing quality education and that public schools are a viable choice for all children."
Anne is a strong advocate for public education and will work to ensure that public schools will provide a quality education for all children.
Duff on the issues!
Merit pay:
"There is no research that shows that merit pay improves teaching. The teaching profession is a collaborative one. Why would teachers help out fellow teachers if they are in competition with one another for pay raises?"
High stakes standardized tests:
"Tests should be used to measure the level at which a child performs, not whether or not that child can pass or fail a grade level test. To know accurately at what level a child performs would be a great tool for teachers as they could provide their students with appropriate materials to educate them at their level and at their pace. I believe testing is over-emphasized and is costing tax payers an exorbitant amount of money and creating large profits for test manufacturers. Because of the high demands, teachers are teaching to the tests. Schools are finding it necessary due to the demands on testing as well as budget cuts that they must cut wonderful programs that make children want to be at school and that enrich their education. This overuse and abuse of testing - and the effects it has on our children - needs to stop."
Class Size:
"Class size has been on the rise. Limiting class size has lasting benefits especially in the early grades."
Vouchers/opportunity scholarships:
"I believe that this creates a two-tiered (class) system of education. States should focus on creating an outstanding system of public education. These bills take money directly out of our public schools."
Anne supports NPE's call for Congressional Hearings on Testing!
"Our US Legislators need to understand that testing is out of control. It is being used for purposes the tests were never designed for - to evaluate our teachers and grade our schools. Test companies make bigger profits with each additional test they create. There is definitely something wrong with this picture."
What they're saying about Anne!
Marvin O Ross, executive director of the Fort Wayne Education Association says, "I regularly attended Fort Wayne Community Schools school board meetings. I know firsthand how important it is to have school board members who have a sincere heart and concern for students, teachers, administrators and support personnel.
Anne Duff has had a very successful teaching career. She has been active in PTA and she is a parent of children in FWCS. Duff is wise to the reformers who wish to undermine public schools through funding cuts and constant attacks on the performance of the schools. As a strong advocate for public education, I heartily support her candidacy for an at-large school board position. She is a professional educator who would serve our community well."
Phyllis Bush, a retired high school English teacher, co-founder of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, (NEIFPE) and also a NPE Board member says, "Anne Duff has the unique background of having attended Fort Wayne Community Schools, of having worked for FWCS as a counselor, and of being the parent of 3 children who currently attend FWCS. When I first met Anne, she was a PTA officer, and she was concerned about the impact of school reform policies. Because of her intense interest in schools, Anne became a member of NEIFPE, a local grassroots group that is working to inform and engage the public about issues regarding education. Through NEIFPE, Anne has done a great deal of research on education issues, and she has become a strong advocate for public schools."
Anne Duff has also been endorsed by:
Ellen Cavacini, Retired Program Director, Leadership Fort Wayne; Susan Berry, Retired elementary teacher; Donna Roof, FWCS high school teacher
We urge you to vote November 4th for Anne Duff for Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees at-large seat.
For more information please visit Anne's website and Facebook page.
Anne is a strong advocate for public education and will work to ensure that public schools will provide a quality education for all children.
Duff on the issues!
Merit pay:
"There is no research that shows that merit pay improves teaching. The teaching profession is a collaborative one. Why would teachers help out fellow teachers if they are in competition with one another for pay raises?"
High stakes standardized tests:
"Tests should be used to measure the level at which a child performs, not whether or not that child can pass or fail a grade level test. To know accurately at what level a child performs would be a great tool for teachers as they could provide their students with appropriate materials to educate them at their level and at their pace. I believe testing is over-emphasized and is costing tax payers an exorbitant amount of money and creating large profits for test manufacturers. Because of the high demands, teachers are teaching to the tests. Schools are finding it necessary due to the demands on testing as well as budget cuts that they must cut wonderful programs that make children want to be at school and that enrich their education. This overuse and abuse of testing - and the effects it has on our children - needs to stop."
Class Size:
"Class size has been on the rise. Limiting class size has lasting benefits especially in the early grades."
Vouchers/opportunity scholarships:
"I believe that this creates a two-tiered (class) system of education. States should focus on creating an outstanding system of public education. These bills take money directly out of our public schools."
Anne supports NPE's call for Congressional Hearings on Testing!
"Our US Legislators need to understand that testing is out of control. It is being used for purposes the tests were never designed for - to evaluate our teachers and grade our schools. Test companies make bigger profits with each additional test they create. There is definitely something wrong with this picture."
What they're saying about Anne!
Marvin O Ross, executive director of the Fort Wayne Education Association says, "I regularly attended Fort Wayne Community Schools school board meetings. I know firsthand how important it is to have school board members who have a sincere heart and concern for students, teachers, administrators and support personnel.
Anne Duff has had a very successful teaching career. She has been active in PTA and she is a parent of children in FWCS. Duff is wise to the reformers who wish to undermine public schools through funding cuts and constant attacks on the performance of the schools. As a strong advocate for public education, I heartily support her candidacy for an at-large school board position. She is a professional educator who would serve our community well."
Phyllis Bush, a retired high school English teacher, co-founder of Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, (NEIFPE) and also a NPE Board member says, "Anne Duff has the unique background of having attended Fort Wayne Community Schools, of having worked for FWCS as a counselor, and of being the parent of 3 children who currently attend FWCS. When I first met Anne, she was a PTA officer, and she was concerned about the impact of school reform policies. Because of her intense interest in schools, Anne became a member of NEIFPE, a local grassroots group that is working to inform and engage the public about issues regarding education. Through NEIFPE, Anne has done a great deal of research on education issues, and she has become a strong advocate for public schools."
Anne Duff has also been endorsed by:
Ellen Cavacini, Retired Program Director, Leadership Fort Wayne; Susan Berry, Retired elementary teacher; Donna Roof, FWCS high school teacher
We urge you to vote November 4th for Anne Duff for Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees at-large seat.
For more information please visit Anne's website and Facebook page.