Posted on 10/31/2005 9:04:55 AM PST by SouthernBoyupNorth
There's a growing movement in the US that says the educational concept of "No Child Left Behind" is putting an emphasis on basic skills even as it leaves super-achieving kids behind. Bob Davidson is a dot-com millionaire who has co-written a book with his wife Jan titled, "Genius Denied."
(Excerpt) Read more at kywnewsradio.com ...
Agreed. Also, I have to confess that the idea of erasing social divides start to sound like socialist style egalitarianism--though I'm sure that's not what you meant.:)
If I didn't know better I would swear you were one of the teachers I've been dealing with. These men and women are doing everything in their power to try and do what is best for these children and they are being thwarted at every turn.
I'm not going to stand for it, and I don't give a hoot who I torque off in the district office or on the school boarc. And if I have to go to the County Board of Supervisors about this (they appoit the school board) I will. I'm already an "Oh no not her again" person at the district office, I might as well keep going up the ladder :)
You're a sweetheart! Don't mind me, reality is kicking me in the butt these days.
Last year a veteran teacher said to me, "It goes without saying that you'll teach them as much as you can. But the other part of your job is to provide a safe place, that kids are relatively happy to be in. Try to remember to smile and say something nice to each one. Some days you might be the only one the child encounters who is nice and smiles at him. Some days that is all you will accomplish. It has to be enough."
Reality stinks.
Interesting to me since I offer free private tutoring to my own students. This year I am tutoring 13 students at my school (9 of them mine). Not all are my lowest students 9(some are my higher ones). In fact some of my lowest who could use a little tutoring aren't.
One fourth of my second graders have fathers in jail. Drug use among parents is common. Not one of my students live in an intact home. Homework doesn't often get done. 6 students out of 19 had a parent attend teacher conferences. One half of the school population has turned over since last year.
I live in a middle class area so I don't have that too much though ONE year I did. HOLY TOLEDO!!! I worked my tail off that year. Every day I was thoroughly exhausted. Yes, the home situation is THE BIGGEST determining factor in a child's success. I would add the attitude of the parents and student too. A third factor is the teacher. I respect teachers who have to deal with those type of situations. I have seen many, many wonderful things happen with dedicated teachers and in my own classroom too. Those stories aren't often told.
Two years ago the school (and district) began using the Direct Instruction reading program in their primary grades. If you aren't familiar with this program, it is a wholly scripted, phonics based program. This year they began using Saxon Math in the primary grades as well. This is another wholly scripted program. In two of the three primary subjects, they have removed teachers from the equation.
This almost makes me laugh. We have some new "alternative" schools here. Many of them use DI and Saxon Math. They are lauded by many of the parents who have kids there as some new innovative programs. A lot depends on perceptions I suppose. In my neighborhood, it's a competition for how many things you can get your child involved in and how much you can brag. It's funny listening to some of them talk, but the moment someone else starts on something else, the person stops the conversation. One parent was telling me about the hard work her daughter was doing at one of these alternative schools. She went on and on. I started talking about my own class and some of the things at my own school. She abruptly stopped the conversation and said she had other things to do. Another parent now thinks that since her child is in one of these alternative schools, that now they are some higher up people. She said, "You probably have some of 'those' students in your class." She forgot the many dedicated hours spent by teachers at my school to help her son overcome some internal phobias. He had succeeded a lot (beyond what was expected) because of his parents and caring teachers. He loved his teachers too.
Who will they blame when the students continue to fail? The question is, "Who do they blame already?" It is us. I have seen teachers blamed for about every problem out there. I see a lot of liberals do the same type of stuff to President Bush. The truth is that there are a LOT of different factors besides one. But blaming ONE is the most convenient and the easiest way to pass the buck. It's the fashion anymore.
No child's behind left labels some schools unfairly. I could go through a whole list of examples, but to be short if only 1 category is failed out of 40, then the school gets labeled. This could be as easy as not getting 95% attendance, something teachers don't control, certainly not in your school. It could be some of the resource students not testing up to grade level. I won't elaborate there. It could be the one kid who fits a certain profile not doing well on a test and so on and so on.
Most teachers I know are very dedicated and very good individuals. You don't hear about them very often. I appreciate those parents who are patient with me and I in turn with them. Parents are not perfect and neither are teachers.
I don't like it when there are those who create a climate of disrespect towards others. One example are the antiwar protestors who project a negative image towards soldiers--one reason I really dislike Code Pink people. That gets done towards teachers too. I do think that some teachers need to realize what they do bring upon the rest of us and get back to teaching. But I also think that we need to recognize the many dedicated teachers out there as well. I refer to it as acknowledging the bad and dealing with it, but recognizing the good out there too.
It is not an easy job, especially nowadays with the negative image portrayed towards teachers. BUT I salute you for your efforts. YOU NEVER KNOW what will happen later. I recently sent letters to several of my old teachers thanking them for what they did for me. One sent a reply back thanking me because she often didn't feel like she had much impact. She sure did, at least on me. She was a wonderful teacher and I'm glad I had her.
Teaching is one of the most noble vocations there is. Remember that the Savior was a teacher. (I'm not comparing anyone to him, mind you). We just need to remember that as teachers and act accordingly.
which often is caused by their failure in reading.
Amen to that
How we choose to take on that resonsibility is also our responsibility.
Amen to that.
who aren't overwhelmed by the discipline issues and other problems students often bring to school.
Yes, we often forget about individual responsibility.
I've heard good things about Hirsch.
Good rental cars I hear.
In our school district, they added a new one. No child will be retained in the same grade regardless of what they have not learned. Move them forward at all costs. Amen. PS by third grade they can then be labeled learning disabled and afforded additional help at significant cost. Amen.
males today in school are being feminized and get less and less attention unless they are the right color or show artistic skills
Not in my class.
God out of the schools
We got plenty of religious education at home and in Church, though I should mention that we did have daily Bible study part of the day when I was in high school. The ones who objected were other congregations.
I am a first grade teacher too and use whatever color is handy--most often blue though. The parents appreciate getting papers back because if their child has difficulty on something, they can reinforce the concept at home and we work TOGETHER.
You bring up something that I don't think some people realize. The self-esteem stuff is sometimes more often used by the parents than by the teachers. In fact, I don't know of one teacher at my school who uses it.
I must admit that I wouldn't resign over using red pen (it would take a lot to get me to resign because I love teaching so much), but it is good that your wife stood up for her beliefs. Note that in some cultures (Korean for example), using red pen is the same as writing a dead person's name. It is highly taboo in Korea at least.
I applaud you for being the supportive spouse of a teacher. Such is not easy. My wife knows so as well.
Reality stinks.
Add a little perfume and it smells better.
One of my students went up two grade levels this last month in reading. Her parents, she, and I are very excited.
Respect towards moms is just a basic thing for me. I learned it the hard way--I got many a sore backside from my dad when I disrespected my mom.
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