Academic slums ( Dumb Government Teachers)

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/williams121907.php3 ^ | Dec. 19, 2007 | Walter Williams

[FrdmLvr]

This is coming from a school teacher: I believe the reason children aren't learning is two-fold. The curriculum has been dumbed down, stemming from how teachers are taught to teach in college (and reinforced through constant in-service). The second reason is the children themselves. Whether its a result of the years of lame curriculum or genetics, their capacity for learning has greatly diminished over the past twenty-some years.

My biggest gripe is being told by other teachers and principals that traditional teaching methods are passe, "children don't learn that way". I always ask then why did we learn so much more under those methods than our kids do now? I'm one of those neanderthal conservatives.

[brytlea]

I’m not sure they had tenure in TX (where I taught in public school), I only was glad when I had taught long enough not to be probationary.

However, it’s harder to fire people in most businesses these days, sadly, since they will sue if they think there’s anything the can accuse the company of.

I think it’s sad that anyone can keep a job just because they can’t be fired. Not that I like people getting fired, because sometimes it’s not a fair situation, but most people want to keep good employees.

susie

[Mr Rogers]

You seem enamored with the word strawman. However, calling an argument names is NOT the same as answering it.

But then, suggesting that I’m “highly manipulative” or “emotionally abusive” isn’t very logical, either.

Grow up. My point, which you have not refuted, is that teaching requires far more than intellect, and that test scores do not reflect those other job qualifiers.

[Northern Yankee]

Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

[KC_for_Freedom]

Sad to say, my teaching college changed requirements on me several times during the year I spent student teaching and getting my credential.

ED Physc classes are not worth much, there are several schools of thought on the right and wrong way to teach and learn, but the classes are mandatory.

At San Jose State, the teaching techniques class was great, both in math and science but the best program back then was the Math Asilomar conference on teaching approaches and if it is still there, it was a great source for ideas and quite relaxing too.

Interesting about English, I had to drop down to part time to take these classes because they were not offered at night but I was quitting when I found a teaching job anyway. I was also allowed to take English IA via correspondence since it was primarily essay writing. I am sure there are many good correspondence programs out there.

[KC_for_Freedom]

The one nice thing about a California credential is that it is accepted almost everywhere, (this probably is true in all the states too — maybe the only good ourgrowth of the teachers strong union).

The other good thing is that it is a lifetime credential, I don’t believe they still offer them. This is good because I may be returning to work (out of retirement) and teaching would be an interesting job. Curious to see if the methods I learned teaching my peers (engineers) would transfer over. I am probably looking at a private school gig because I am not young enough to deal with today’s kids.