“Nobody knows what to think. “
Based on actually being in the classroom, here’s what I think:
1. The Federal Department of Education could disappear tomorrow, and millions of teachers would never notice, because this turd of a department essentially does nothing except absorb taxpayer dollars and craps out wads of paper that accomplish nothing. Education is a state matter, and it was done better when it was left up to the individual states to decide about.
2. NCLB was an usurpation of state power; it also caused an outbreak of cheating because it mandates an essentially unreachable goal of 100% effective schools. Only a complete idiot thinks any human enterprise can achieve 100% of anything. 80-85%, without the useless “growth model”, is about all that can be done. Hoping for ever-increasing scores until 100% is reached is a stupid proposition.
3. Teachers get hounded by administrators, educrats, politicians, and other people touting whatever snake-oil theory some PhD came up with for their doctoral thesis (supported with research that has as much validity as witchcraft) designed to increase student learning. It would be nice if these folks would just go away, because they are not helping. Nobody actually in a classroom would use whatever nostrum, because it is usually obvious that the ‘theory’ doesn’t match the reality in front of you.
4. School discipline matters. We need to return to the more stern old-fashioned (conservative) methods of disciplining students, i.e., the “Board of Education”(young students) or expulsion (high school). Nobody should be allowed to take up a teacher’s time at the expense of other students who are doing what they are supposed to.
5. My state long ago did away with public-sector unions; all other states should do the same. Teachers can be compensating fairly without bankrupting the public treasury. As long as there is are some due process procedures to prevent abuses of power (i.e. a Conservative teacher getting canned because a Commie administrator doesn’t like them)there isn’t a need for labor unions in education.
6. Conservatives need to get control of local and state governments and control public education, especially in terms of curriculum. Abominations like homo history or sex education occur because liberals get into positions of power and use it, while conservatives get there and try to ‘get along’.
7. Social promotion: this is a great evil. If a student does not pass the 6th grade because they do not do the work, then they should remain in the 6th grade, or whatever grade, until they do. And if they get to the point where they are old enough to leave school, and are not making any progress, show them the door.
8. Last one: Students should be accountable for their own success. Neither I nor any other teacher can guarantee an equal outcome, or even a good one. It is not like stamping sheet metal or some industry where the worker has 100% control over the product until it goes out of the factory door. The best that can be done, is to guarantee the chance of a good outcome.
Sorry for the long rant Bruce...its been a long week.
That was excellent. There are many teachers in my family, and they would agree with you.
GenXteacher,
I enjoy a long rant....But please note that we are not primarily discussing how to fix the schools, but how to get the Republican Party to participate in that process, as opposed to standing diffidently on the sidelines. There seems to be some spark missing at the top.