[Eagle Eye]

Have I been to a publich school recently?

Yes, and this is what I saw...

Clean hallways that are decorated in red, white and blue with American revolution murals. The hallways are named after founding fathers;

Kids that habitually say 'sir' and 'ma'am';

Programs that compete at the state and national level in academisc, athletics, and JROTC;

Teachers and staff that are neighbors and people you're likely to see at church;

High school kids who are involved in mentoring programs for the elementary and middle school children;

Kids that make me proud and confident in the future.

And that school is a reflection of the community.


However, I've often said that if a local school sux then it then it, too, is a reflection on the community.

GIGO Garbage In, Garbage Out.

[Windcatcher]

I have friends who drive their daughter across the state line every single day so she can attend Catholic school rather than let the animals (yes, I said it) in the local public school at her. God only knows what language, habits, or "culture" she might pick up there, let alone the fact that one can't learn in anarchy. It's not that there aren't any Catholic schools in their state, it's just that they're full. Gee, I wonder why...

[JamesWilson]

They are rude, disrespectful, full of themselves, pretentious, out of control, sex obsessed and stupid.

In other words, future liberals - just as planned.

[ArmyTeach]

...which is why, with secondary and early childhood certifications and enough graduate credits for a masters degree plus some, I have had a ball over the last 20 years teaching and facilitating the education of the truly great, our American soldiers.

[dalereed]

Depends on your definition of lately!

I was in one in 1955!

[pax_et_bonum]

I substitute in a public high school and would like to say that your description is excellent.

I disagree with you on one point, though. My classes are not out of control. I wouldn't sub if I couldn't control the kids.

Welcome to FR!

[thefactor]

i am a police officer in new york city. within my precinct, there are a number of specialized units a cop might join. the one position i would never put in for is "youth officer." i begin work right when the public school kids are exiting their buildings. we call them "savages in training." i understand your frustration and can sympathize. good luck in your new career.

don't worry about the grammar police around here. they bust on my lack of capitalization. i like annoying them.

[ConservPhant]

When I first read your post, frankly, I was insulted.

I am a 16 and a sophomores in suburban Virginia. I am in public school and have always been. My high school is more than 800 students over capacity and we, as well as the middle schools, have trailer complexes. There is a high school being built, but it will not be ready until I am in college.

I have been in an honors class since I was in 1st grade. I would be pulled out of class along with about 20 other kids. The subject would differ every year, but was usually science or English. In 5th grade, I started the elevated, or honors, math class.

There are very few "beasts" as you describe. I am never on "pins and needles," as another poster mentioned, to avoid offending anyone. There are no roving gangs in my school, nor where some friends go in the city. While a good many are rude and disrespectful, there are few that dare cut up in class, especially the honors.

In every class, there is only as much disrespect as the teacher allows. By the end of the first class, we know how much he/she will take and adjust accordingly. How much of this "disrespect" is from past years when they got away with it?

I have never been in a "wild" class. From Kindergarten, teachers have always had control. In the regular classes, and everyone has to take some, there is more talking and more disrespect, but I have yet to see a teacher lose all control.

In every single honors or advanced class I have ever taken, there has been little need for classroom control, as the kids actually worked! The best teachers make us think and perform beyond our abilities. From my 15 or so different honors teachers, only my Algebra I was not adequate for the job, and I was unfortunate to get her the last year of her career.

There are kids who do not belong in my honors or AP courses. Either they drop down or they work to keep up. It is obvious who does not belong as obvious as it is who does belong. Every year my classes get bigger and are filled with kids who want to work. To give a blanket statement that children are "beasts" and are "stupid" and "lazy" is very insulting to me and those who do work. People tend to focus on the bad ones and forget to see the good.

As an example, my class was the first one to not receive a weight for GT or advanced classes. This means that level 7s (honors) are worth the same as level 3s (special ed). Only Advanced Placement classes are given a weight. Instead of fewer kids signing up for them because of lack of incentive, the numbers continue to rise.

As for the drug and gang problem, there is very little. Occasionally one will hear talk about drugs and smoking, but that is rare. There are no gangs to speak of and few assaults, on grounds or not.

On a side note, anyone here with young kids, get them into music if it is not too late! Almost all of the kids in music are essentially good and are high achievers. The music kids band together, providing friends and support.

[stevio]

Good for you and welcome to FreeRepublic.

[ohhhh]

The truth shall set you free. The reason the left wing controlled system is a wreak is because the Dept. fo education is a atheist center of counter productive communist fools who have thrown the children under the bus with the help of their arrogant and godless parents.
The systems has collapsed. The Ten Commandments of God stand true.
Unless the Lord be in it, the house is built in vain.