Bad Kids in Class [Palm Beach teachers: 'We leave teaching because of kids' bad behavior.']

The Palm Beach Post ^ | April 14, 2002 | S. Colavecchio and K. Miller

[summer]

Very interesting article -- especially this part:

Adler conceded it's mostly discipline problems -- and not low salaries or the school violence concerns that have garnered so much attention -- that beat down teachers and prompt many of them to flee the profession.

[summer]

FYI.

[Clemenza]

Palm Beach County is one of the wealthiest counties in the state, yet has some incredibly lousy schools. Unless you are in an "honors" program, you're screwed, whether you are a teacher or student. The level of "political correctness/affirmative action" and the lack of teacher retention has led to some of the most unqualified hires you can think of.

[summer]

You have a point, but this article makes a valid point too -- the behavior of some kids is just out of control. And, it costs a ton of money to then place these kids in alternative schools.

[summer]

Thanks for sharing that.

[summer]

For index.

[chiefqc]

When you sow the wind, you reep the whirlwind.

[summer]

FYI.

[Clemenza]

When I was a kid in Nassau County, NY, all the teacher would do to shut some of us "good kids" up is tell us that we would be sent to "BOCES." BOCES, of course, was our "alternative school, who students would largely go on to Sing Sing following their first year of freedom after graduation.

[LoneGOPinCT]

How can this be? I thought it was a Utopia inhabited by only the purest of the pure. Were we misled?

[Malesherbes]

And waiting in the wings, of course, are the trial lawyers, just itching to sue any teacher who tries to discipline any of the little darlings.

[Artist]

Homeschooling bump.

[summer]

And waiting in the wings, of course, are the trial lawyers, just itching to sue any teacher who tries to discipline any of the little darlings.

That's true. Teachers have a tough time of it because of potential litigation. FL has tried to help by providing teachers with professional liability insurance at no cost, but, the litigation mentality still exists and remains a serious threat to good teachers who are trying to do their jobs.

[umgud]

There are schools all over the nation with students like these. And when you add their performance into the statistical mix, it biases down the overall performance. Then, the politicians scream that the schools are failing and need more money. Even Bush shouts that we can leave no child behind. My position is that there are a lot of children that will not learn and be productive no matter what you do. I say we should leave these children behind and concentrate on the ones who want to learn. It would be money better spent IMHO.

[Doug Loss]

So don't discipline them. Call the police and press charges. Getting hit hard enough to leave bruises and swelling is assault.

[summer]

But, Clemenza, the difference now is that many of these kids have friends in the equivalent of BOCES, and telling them they might go there too is a meaningless threat. It is often difficult to say or do something that would instill some fear in these kids to shape up. If the parent is on your side, that helps a lot -- but in too many cases, the parent is not.

[Skooz]

Great article. Thanks for posting it.

My wife is a superb teacher with ten years experience. She teaches at a private Christian school which pays about 1/3 of what she used to make in public schools. But at this school she:

• Is not pressured to join the NEA
• Actually has the support of the principal--he tends to back her, rather than the public school habit of always taking the kid's side
• Can actually get parental involvement
• Does not constantly fear a lawsuit for disciplining an unruly child
• Does not have to put up with being hit by one of the little angels she teaches

On the last point, my wife was slugged by a student as she was escorting him to the principal's office. He punched her in the face and left a bruise. The principal's and other teachers' reaction? "What did you do to provoke him?" It was her fault, you see. The little angel would not have slugged her had she not had it coming.

The student was suspended for three days. THREE DAYS! Of course, the parents placed all blame on my wife. It was all her fault, you see.

I was a real punk in school and stayed in trouble, but the thought of slugging a teacher never crossed my mind. If I ever did, and the school had told my dad about it, I would not be here today.

[summer]

I say we should leave these children behind and concentrate on the ones who want to learn. It would be money better spent IMHO.

I agree, and by that I mean: 8th grade is it. After 8th grade, if a kid can't pass the tests or is a discipline problem, let the kid take a leave of absence -- and go out and work 40 hours per week in a low paying service job. Give the kid a free bus pass to get to work. If after a year or two of this, the kid decides education has value, then, let them back into the school system. I really believe this is what we should do. Some kids will change. Other kids will be quite happy to work at Burger King -- and, frankly, may learn more there.

[Clemenza]

Agreed, which is why I ask my friend Rich why the h*ll he ever became a teacher in the first place.