[wintertime]

Teachers want parents involved in fund raising. Most parents want to be involved in helping their kids perform well academically.

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I was once waiting for my son in the lobby of our local government school. A working man, wearing construction clothing was attempting to talk with a teacher about his son's reading.

Construction man: I am worried about my son's reading. What can we do to help him improve.

Teacher: We think your son is in the right group. ( And, then proceeds to walk away, leaving the man bewildered.)

First of all, the teacher did NOT answer this man's question. Second, since what the man and his wife needed to do was likely complex, the teacher did NOT say, "Please, make and appointment so that we can review some reading exercises that will help your son at home."

I was NOT impressed with the teacher. The father was NOT nearly assertive enough, but, if he had pushed the teacher, she would have labeled him "difficult".

With my own son, he was several grades ahead of his first grade class. The teacher responded by giving him MORE homework, not more advanced work. In fact, she made NO effort to even see if what I was reporting was true. When I spoke with the principal, he comment was that, (maybe) my son could be tested in the summer, ( This was 8 months away.), and in the mean time he would be given first grade work.

I put up with this for a few more months and then homeschooled. By fifteen he had finished Calculus III and all of his general college requirements. He tested in the 96% in math on the Wechsler IQ test.

[perseid 67]

Public schools categorize students and the parents of students to much. If the construction worker had owned a car dealership, that would have been a different conversation.

The categorizing of students in the short run simplifies the life of the teacher.


In the long run, the categorizing of people will lead to pain for everyone.