[mlmr]

I am wondering...

[samadams2000]

Cant comment of pubic schools.

Made the change to sane Catholic school education.

Its a cost I should not bear but when my child comes home singing God Bless America I know its worth every penny.

[cmsgop]

One Answer= Teachers Unions, Filthy Commie POS!

[VOA]

Are School Administrations Nationwide Trying to Hurt George Bush?

Naively, I'd think the easier question to answer would be: "are there are any public school
systems that are neutral toward Dubya and Co?".

[mabelkitty]

Absolutely.
It's called "vouchers"....

[coloradomom]

I work with struggling readers in a public school. I'm a strong supporter of No Child Left Behind, but I know many teachers and parents in my school district complain about it. It's hard work to teach children with various learning problems, but it is so important to give them the gift of literacy! I am very, very thankful for the accountability structures in NCLB, and I'm also very disappointed that some teachers use it as an excuse or a scapegoat.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Apart from spending huge amounts of taxpayers' money that could be better spent at the discretion of the taxpayers, the Act underscores school accountability for student progress ... a big no-no with public school unions.

[Clara Lou]

In the past week I have talked to a number of teachers and administrators about different issues pertaining to next semester. I have been told three times so far that the school cannot manage A or B anymore becasue Individual Student Goals(or whatever the technical name is) cannot be honored because of the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT.
I am a Texas public school teacher. From your post, I'm certain that you do not live in Texas. My first question is this: What are "Individual Student Goals"?

[Mannaggia l'America]

Bush and No Child Left Behind is being attacked on many fronts.

Ads are running on TV here in Pennsylvania. I don't recall exactly who is running them, but its either the teacher's union or the National School Boards Association.

The most recent ad I saw was a teacher complaining the she has to spend all her time "drilling" for the standardized tests that she can't teach other stuff (probably stuff from her union propoganda handbook).

Take a look on nsba.org - they have critical documents about NCLB - oh, they try to make them sound like they are supportive, but they basically want to gut it, but still want more money from the Feds.

[SpyGuy]

I can't answer your specific question. But it is clear that most public school teachers and administrators are pro-Demoncrat "liberals". You can bet that their political views are going to make it into your children's heads.

I have encountered several early-elementary-school-grade children (not mine) who come home after school and start spouting anti-Bush propaganda (e.g., "Bush started the war in Iraq to steal their oil", etc.). Who do you think put those ideas in their heads?

Here's some facts for you:

1. The National Education Association (NEA) is the single largest union in this country.

2. The NEA is very active in political lobbying. In fact, the NEA is the most powerful lobbying group in Washington DC.

3. The NEA is affiliated with the DSA: the Democratic Socialists of America (www.dsausa.org). DSA advocates turning America into a total socialist state (think the National Socialists of the Nazi party in Germany).

4. The most radical ultra-Leftist members of the Democratic Party (e.g., Pelosi, Waters, Sanders, McKinney etc.) are card-carrying members of the DSA.

Does that scare you enough to pull your children from the government-controlled indoctrination camps commonly known as "public schools"?

[pfflier]

Yes. I hear the rants daily.

[ChocChipCookie]

Here's a hint. Yesterday my sister, PS teacher, received a call through her school's call chain inviting her to a get-together with a member of John Kerry's staff. She declined, of course, but there's little doubt it's actually a bash-Bush get-together.

[SoftballMominVA]

I teach at a public school in VA

The complaints probably refer to students with an IEP, or Individual Education Plans. And yes, this is a real problem.

Some students are not going to read on grade level with their peers. It's not going to happen for about a dozen reasons. Some are born mentally retarded, brain damaged, severely autistic, in addition to those who are learning disabled. Yet, only 5% of the special education population may be exempted.

In my school we have about 50 Learning Disabled kids, but we have 10 kids in the severe population. These kids have IQ's in the 30's and 40's. What magic wand can we wave to teach them to read on grade level? Several are still learning self care--at 6th, 7th and 8th grade.

Is there a problem? You bet. Our school WOULD have passed except for the special education population. We had to exempt too many.

Anyone out there have an answer? I'm open to suggestions. Perhaps their parents should home-school them?

[doug from upland]

You can join me in what I have done on a small scale. Teachers have the right to demand a refund of their dues that were used for political purposes. I think they can go back at least three years. If enough teachers did it, it could cause them some damage.

[Eva]

The quality of public school education is inversely proportionate to the growth of the NEA. Think about it.

[Salvation]

It's called the politics of the leftist NEA.

Teachers are inundated with propaganda, and often criticized if they do not speak out against the right, whoever the person might be.

[RGSpincich]

No doubt the school administrators are trying to oust Bush. Voter registration cards were included with my daughter's HS diploma. We all know how the youngster voters vote.

[BOOTSTICK]

Here in Florida some lefty group has a commercial running on TV, that Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program is hurting children, because it "makes children drill, which is bad for children".I cannot remember the name of this outfit, but they quote several lefty orgs. in their propaganda.

[Bullish]

Left wing, liberal teachers will always blame conservatives for ANY problems. They actually teach it in their curriculum.

It's in the very fiber of their being. They can't help themselves.

It's pretty darned evil too, and we need to put a stop to it or our future looks pretty bleak.

[fightu4it]

These people do not want any independant testing of their students. Much the same as my local public school corporation does not want an independant audit of it's finances, and because of a spinless State Legislature, they do not have an independant audit of their finances.

These people have forgotten who they work for and who is paying the bills.

[ArmyBratproud]

Look, I come from a family of public servants...mutilated, law enforcement, teachers, firefighters,nurses, etc. First of all, let me commend you for staying involved with your youngster's schooling. You will need to do this a lot. It is the only way you can ensure that your child is getting a good education and not govt. funded insanity. What your hearing is just a new name to an old tune. In my free time I actually substitute teach in a school district that requires me, due the fact that I actually work as a teacher when I am there, to have a degree and attend quite a bit of training. I actually have to help students learn when I am there...which is a good way to make sure you have quality substitutes(Let me suggest that if you have free time, check the requirements for Substitutes in your child's district. Some just require a high school diploma, some more. You may want to substitute teach...its rewarding and it is an ideal way to keep an eye on what is really going on in your district). So trust me when I tell you that what you are hearing is garbage that is pumped out of brochures from teacher associations and unions. (Think NEA...in some states...they have chapters by a different name...very sneaky). Trust me, I have read them. The thing is...what they are saying is completely untrue. Thanks to No Child Left Behind...there are actually millions of dollars still sitting there that have not even been used yet. Bush has actually increased educational spending at a larger rate. This is where he and I disagree. Throwing money at schools has been historical in doing nothing. There is enough money there. I check posts on another web page that is full of teachers from around the country...and they have the same thoughts as I do.
On the other hand, thanks to Bush and No Child Left Behind, teachers are now actually being held accountable thanks to things like testing and auditing. This is where Bush has redeemed himself with me over throwing wasted money at schools. As I mentioned before, throwing more and more money at schools has done nothing. The reform is not needed in the financing. The reform is needed in the system itself. Hence the testing, audits, and holding teachers accountable. I work around some very experienced teachers, and this their view as well. Think of it this way. It should not cost an extra penny for me to help a youngster sound out a word or learn Government and Economics. A) That's my job...B) Most of it is in a textbook and teachers aid book, so it makes it even easier. C)I'm happy to do it. So don't buy into their line when they tell you something can't be done because of No Child Left Behind. The only reason something is not getting done is because they don't want to put in the effort! Remember, Bush actually pushed and got increased spending for schools. School districts manage their programs and money, not the President. School districts manage their programs and money, not the Sec. of Education. So if a school says they can't do something because of program schedules or finances...then you need to ask for new leadership in the school district. Because odds are your current leadership has not managed its resources very well. Either that, or they are just towing the NEA(DNC Outlet) party line. Which to me... shows a lack of integrity. Also, keep in mind that in every career field...there are people that gripe. Hang around a military district/base/inst. some and you will see what I mean. Sometimes it is warranted, and a lot of times it is not. I have a sibling that is a Fire Fighter and former soldier. I have a sibling that is a Police Officer. And they both would tell you the same thing about their fields. There are Fire Fighters nation wide who are angry that the director of their national association said that the entire membership endorses Kerry. Those endorsements came for chapter and district heads who want to stay in favor with Kerry's buddy. All of the fire fighters I know, and I am fortunate to know many, support G.W. Bush. And in the same aspect, let met make you feel better by informing you that Education/Teacher unions and associations speak only on behalf of their own political agenda (yes, political) and some who work in the education arena. THEY DO NOT SPEAK FOR US ALL!