The whole thing is a joke. Not because teachers don't matter or kids who are bad can't change, or even because I'm cynical. I'm not a cynical person at all. I'm a very upbeat and positive person.
The problem is this isn't the school system number one, two, or three priority. When the school is getting their main job done then they can take on more tasks. I very consistent on this. I don't think they should buy new football uniforms when they need new textbooks. They shouldn't repave the student parking lot until all the toilets work in the school.
Do the most important job first.
HOWEVER, I FEEL OUR KIDS ARE IN SUPER CRISIS IN OUR COUNTRY. PARENTS CEASED TO DO THE JOB LONG AGO. CHURCHES NEVER HAVE DONE WELL AT BEING PSEUDO PARENTS. THAT LEAVES THE SCHOOL. MANY OF THESE KIDS WILL BE IN PRISON BEFORE THEY ARE 35. OTHERS WILL BE ACTING SUFFICIENTLY TO WARRANT IT BUT JUST HAVEN'T BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE SYSTEM YET. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC PROBLEM GETTING WORSE HOURLY. I guess I feel anything like this that has a CHANCE OF TURNING AROUND EVE 5% OF THE KIDS IS WORTH THE TIME OUT AND THE EXPENSE, WHATEVER IT IS. And, I believe it would likely turn 20-30% or more of the kids around--especially if it teaches them enough communication skills that they ferret out the other later contacts they so desperately need.
It IS troubling that there was not a group "qualified" person there but there may have been. Certification is not everything. It is "ostensibly" to protect the consumer but the truth is, it is a gatekeeping function and beyond that designed secondarily to protect the professional from suit.
If these characters running such a show have had a fair amount of experience doing this enough times--even 5-7 times--they should know from experience how to handle it. . . if they have half a brain and half a heart. Sounds like they do.
I finally read every word of the article. I'm not impressed with the commercialization aspects but I am still impressed that they'd set up such an event. It is still worth it, in my view.
The schools are a trauma center/emergency room/war zone. SOMEHOW SOME OF THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED IF THERE IS ****ANY**** HOPE OF ANY READING, WRITING AND MATH GETTING DONE AT ALL.
THANKS for your kind response. Blessings,