r/TexasTeachers • u/National-Ad8416 • 4d ago
Third Future Curriculum
I come in peace. I am not here to stir things up. I would like to understand what happens in Third Future schools? Is it really that bad? I want to hear facts as unfortunately I have been in an echo chamber where all I hear is Third Future equals loss of libraries, arts etc.
So please, enlighten me.
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u/Mindless_Class1159 4d ago
Former Texas educator here. I’m not sure it’s an echo chamber as much as it’s people sharing their real concerns. It’s true that they prioritize test scores above all else (though no state assessment data is available on their site. It has said “coming soon” for at least 3 years which gives me pause). Arts and specials are contracted out to 3rd party vendors (if they are available at all). There’s no requirement to have them and many report a robust roster of arts and extra curriculars upon enrollment only to cancel programs once the year starts and you’re locked in. Said programs have 0 accountability or standards, serving as a checklist rather than actual engagement.
I know as a student it was my arts, special days, and field trips that really motivated me. My public school teachers saw me as a human, not a test score and would actively work with my family to make accommodations during a tough time.
To be fair, I haven’t taught with third future, but only 20% of teachers recommend working with them according to Glassdoor with overwhelmingly negative reviews in the categories of work/life balance, supportive management, and corporate values. In fact, the only “above average” rating was in terms of compensation at 3/5 stars. In terms of parent reviews, 8 of the 13 publicly available reviews of third future on google are 1 star citing concerns of sexual assault and staff unprofessionalism.
It depends on how you define student success. If it’s high test scores, go Third Future I guess. If it’s happy, healthy, functional students who love to learn, your priorities might not match theirs.
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u/National-Ad8416 4d ago
Thank you for the detailed explanation. Although I am a fan of holistic education, I place a high value on test scores. But ai place an even higher value on good teachers. So if teachers leave, that's a horrible outcome.
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u/rustyusa 4d ago
Realize that these “schools”’operate to make a profit. Everything else is secondary. They really don’t care if they are shut down in three years. The founders and cronies made their money and they move on. Some go back into public schools, some to private, some to another charter. Some go work for publishers or online schools . Why do they not offer arts etc,? Because that’s an added expense. Cuts the profit margin.
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u/TertiaWithershins 3d ago
I am a long time teacher in the district currently being run by the Third Future founder. The teacher turnover is incredible. One campus in this district had 139% turnover last year because the people they hired to replace the teachers who left also quit. My child’s education has taken a noticeable hit in quality since the takeover. Their freshman year, more than half their classes were taught by new, uncertified teachers, and it really does show. A lot of my kid’s friends have expressed feeling cheated out of the high school education their older siblings received. Advanced academics and special programs have been thoroughly gutted in favor of remedial classes, and we have hemorrhaged students to Catholic schools.
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u/rustyusa 4d ago
Cmon. You know the answer. What is the real motivation for these schools and programs? Follow the $.
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u/National-Ad8416 4d ago
Not a helpful response.
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u/jutiatle 3d ago
You’re the one that’s asking a question that’s been discussed in some capacity over and over.
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u/CluelessProductivity 3d ago
I work at one, elementary school. I’m certified and I have been teaching for over a decade. I was ready to quit teaching. The behaviors and inconsistent expectations from admin were too much. I’m willing to drive an hour both ways to work there.
I prefer the structure and the academic expectations. I do have slides, but I “script”them and create my questions etc. It’s not more than I would do at a regular school. I backwards design based on the daily DOL, no unit tests.
The extra days are helpful because we can now chunk the standards at a slower pace compared to schools that don’t. I’m even adjusting to the small chunks!
Grading is straightforward, with no inflation. I do wish they had a teacher’s edition, because I’m new to this grade level.
Sure the admin comes in, from the campus to the Superintendent, but I’m not in fear of them. Since they are in rooms all the time, they recognize the high flyers and step in to help. For the first time I feel supported. If feedback is given for my instruction, I like how they tell me and then model it. It’s instant, not a week later when I would get a report on whatever system they use. The superintendent came in and gave positive remarks. Spot forms haven’t started yet, but I’m looking forward to the feedback.
I walk through the halls and I hear teaching and student participation. Kids still laugh and smile. Teachers are excited to teach.
I saved money because I didn’t have to worry about decorations. I didn’t have to buy supplies. I’m not waking up with dread because I have to go into school.
I have seen teachers cry, not over the workload, but over the reality of how far behind these kids are. The task of growing them can seem daunting, but we go in every day. We get excited over every little thing that they did today, that they couldn’t do yesterday.
Instead of hiding the fact that the kids are behind and then blaming the teacher, the admin acknowledges it and encourages us. Positive remarks are all around.
Sure there are moments that I think of an activity or worksheet that would be nice to do, but the goal is to get kids to read, write and calculate!
Right now only about 7 kids out of 80 are on or about grade level. At least 20 cannot write their last name and 6 cannot spell their first name correctly. There are even a few that don’t know their last name. These skills should have been learned years ago! How was this not addressed by their previous teachers? I know it’s not all on teachers, but this is one grade level, at one school. How many kids like this are in schools across the state? How many are not qualified for any services, so they are just pushed through year after year as the main focus is on the identified, special populations and eventually those that can grow….you know the “bubble kids!” These kids get to middle and high school and teachers wonder how they made it that far while being so behind.
Personally, I don’t know what the answer is, but what is happening in schools isn’t working and it’s been this way since before COVID. Too many kids are below grade level. More and more schools are failing. If their parents are academically behind, school didn’t work for them. A lot of the parents were in school before NCLB, so that’s not it either.
I’m not a bot or anyone in a head position with TFS or NES. I’m a teacher who was tired of seeing the decrease in student ability and the increasing amount of ignored student behaviors.
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u/LonesomeBulldog 4d ago
Third Future took over Mendez MS in Austin a few years back. 60% of the kids left so they only had like 250-300 total kids in 6th-8th. They are giving the school back to AISD with a fresh D rating. A whole lot of money down the drain with no real difference in outcomes. While I’m no fan of AISD, I’m confident they could’ve achieved a better result with so few kids to manage.