Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Are the Right People Becoming Teachers? ( Teachers are NOT Professionals)
EdNews.org ^ | January 9,2007 | Martin Haberman

Posted on 01/30/2007 5:45:59 AM PST by wintertime

(snip)

1. The practitioners know and can do things the public in general cannot do. They have a specialized body of knowledge.

2. The specialized body of knowledge practitioners have takes an extended period of time to learn.

3. The educators who prepare the practitioners are experts who agree upon the specialized body of knowledge practitioners must have.

4. Admission to a professional training program is highly selective.( snip).

6. Only members of the profession set the standards for licensure and certification.

7. The primary responsibility and loyalty of a professional is to serve the client and not simply the institution or governmental agency in which the practitioner may be employed.

8. Neither the public at large nor an employing institution may control the way in which professionals relate to their clients, or the treatments, methods or procedures they use.

9. Neither the public at large nor an employing institution may set the purpose, goals or objectives for the practitioner’s practice with clients.

10. The public at large does not decide how to evaluate professionals.

11. Only members of the profession can determine malpractice and dismiss or disbar practitioners.

12. Professionals determine the cost of their services.

19. Professionals are trained to serve clients with problems. By definition “professionals” do not seek to perform services to clients without problems.

21. Professionals share a code of ethics to which they commit and adhere. They cannot be directed to perform or not perform services for clients which conflict with their professional code.

The case that teaching does not meet any of these twenty one criteria can be readily made.

(Excerpt) Read more at ednews.org ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: homeschool; school
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 581-588 next last
To: JenB

"And a small member of high school teachers seduce their students."

Absolutely...sadly I know that all too well.

"What do you propose? Regulating homeschoolers even more? "

I suppose I could ask you the same thing - I wasn't trying to get a defensive reaction out of you, but it is a complicated issue.
This is a thread posted by a homeschooling mom who regularly paints public school workers with a broad stroke.
I have known many homeschoolers. Mostly they are good at what they do - but they are human just like the rest of us.
There are some here upset that elementary teachers are not proficient enough in various subjects. Hmm....the homeschool moms that I know aren't either. They learn with their kids as they go.
My husband has dealt with many homeschooled kids who come into the public school system. Some of them are at grade level - some of them are below grade level - occasionally they are above grade level.
It is common for a bright homeschooled kid to be woefully lacking in one or two subjects. Why? Probably because it reflects the weakness of his instructor.

I am well aware of the problems with the public system as well....my point? This is not the black & white, good vs. evil subject people here are trying to make of it.

"Why is it the government's business to put a stamp of approval on parenting?"

It appears that is what the voters have asked for.
Unfortunately - there are enough idiots out there mistreating kids and neglecting them that the government steps into regulation mode to "protect the children."

"Should we let the government monitor kitchens to make sure kids get healthy balanced meals? "

Well...they do come into peoples' homes who run at-home daycare. Part of that is the home inspection (including the kitchen). They do scrutinize how the kids are fed. I was told by one daycare worker they even quizzed her about how she was disciplining the kids and told her she could not use "time outs"

"Most homeschoolers are motivated to make their kids succeed."

Yes, most are.
Some do it for religious purposes and may or may not offer an equivalent education in non-religious subjects.
Some do it because they are educators themselves and know they can handle it better than the school system.

Some do it because they are transients and the last school they were at hotlined them for child abuse and they don't want their kid being scrutinized at the new district.

Some do it because they're kid runs the house and refuses to go to school, so they give in - hand the kid the video game controller - and go to work.

One man did it because he had just kidnapped an 11 yr. old boy and knew he couldn't come up with proper ID to enroll his victim in school.
He claimed the kid was homeschooled.

Homeschoolers don't like it when others point out these problems.

"It's much easier for lazy parents to take the eight hours of free daycare, free transportation, and free food, than having the kid around. (I am NOT saying that all parents who send their kids to government schools are lazy and using daycare. Just talking about the subset you mentioned)."

The parents who are doing it for the right reason are working hard...the ones who aren't doing it for the right reasons are not working hard and are damaging their children.


221 posted on 01/30/2007 9:28:33 AM PST by Scotswife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 153 | View Replies]

To: bigred41
I am a fan of public school, (don't curse me yet) I went to both public and a private Lutheran school. I appreciate the education and opportunities I got from both. I am considering home-school right now for my son. I am looking into all options with an open mind.

You won't getting any cursing from me.....my daughter is in 3rd grade in a public school. My husband is a product of public schools and I am a product of Catholic schools.

I applaud homeschoolers and am very supportive of it, however it is not for everyone. I learned by the time our daughter was 4 that it was not going to be an option for us.

Getting involved in their children's education doesn't seem to be a high priority. Dressing them well, making sure they get on the right teams, have the right friends, or drive the right cars seem to be far more important.

I understand EXACTLY what you mean. I've seen it even at this level. Thankfully the parents of my daughter's friends who I've become friendly with are mostly of the mindset that involvement in their children's is a high priority.

222 posted on 01/30/2007 9:30:04 AM PST by Gabz (I like mine with lettuce and tomato, heinz57 and french-fried potatoes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 216 | View Replies]

To: wintertime

"Hey! I have an IDEA!

Why not have NEA workers take infants from their mother's arms at birth? The infants could be raised in government orphanages"

haven't had your coffee yet today?

"Gee! Some parents leave their kid alone at home and some even run meth labs. ( eyeroll with disgust)"

Why do you roll your eyes with disgust?
Do you think I lie? I live in the middle of methland.
It happens.


223 posted on 01/30/2007 9:31:08 AM PST by Scotswife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 210 | View Replies]

To: perseid 67
It is interesting that the go kiss a teacher crowd while demanding absolute worship of teachers are so quick to assume all homeschooling parents are running meth labs

I have a pretty good idea of what homeschooling parents are doing during the day with their kids - I think the overwhelming majority of homeschooling parents are teaching them and loving them and just doing the best they can. I have never bashed homeschooling - not once. I think homeschooling is a great option and one that most kids flourish under.

Are there a few bad apples? Yes, but I don't think it is fair to judge the whole by the actions of a few. As a public school teacher, it would be nice to be afforded the same courtesy.

But I can wish in one hand and spit in the other and I know which one will fill up first.

224 posted on 01/30/2007 9:34:10 AM PST by SoftballMominVA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 219 | View Replies]

To: WV Mountain Mama

YIKES.


225 posted on 01/30/2007 9:34:26 AM PST by Gabz (I like mine with lettuce and tomato, heinz57 and french-fried potatoes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: WV Mountain Mama; Amelia
Oddly enough, I saw an article posted by Amelia a month or so ago that stated that $5-6k is about what it takes to educate the average child in a public school. The number is inflated with special education services and ESOL services. I don't have the link, maybe Amelia can post that later if she still has it.

I could do a search, but my lunch is ending and I hear the kids coming down the hall.

226 posted on 01/30/2007 9:38:15 AM PST by SoftballMominVA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: perseid 67; wintertime
It is interesting that the go kiss a teacher crowd while demanding absolute worship of teachers are so quick to assume all homeschooling parents are running meth labs. Well, actually, they seem to believe all parents are running meth labs.

Therein lies the difference between people like the 2 of you and normal people - normal people do not believe (or assume) ALL homeschooling parents are any such thing.........you people believe (assume) ALL public school teachers and parents of children in public schools are child abusers.

227 posted on 01/30/2007 9:39:02 AM PST by Gabz (I like mine with lettuce and tomato, heinz57 and french-fried potatoes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 219 | View Replies]

To: Scotswife

Wintertime irritates me more than she does you, since she's supposed to be on my side. It's the way Ann Coulter annoys me more than Al Franken, because Al Franken I can dismiss as biased whereas Ann is saying things I believe, just... mutilating them and sowing salt where there should be common ground. There are people of good will on both sides of this issue.

I don't mean to snap or be defensive... it just frustrates me because this whole "what if the parents are running meth labs" is the new "what about socialization" - a total strawman that is going to be used to beat homeschoolers about the head. There are two categories of problems here: parents doing illegal activities and claiming to homeschool their kids, and parents not educating kids to some standard. In case one, prosecute the crimes and ignore the homeschooling aspect. In case two, well, honestly the government can take their standards and shove 'em. Sorry. That's me being defensive again :-)

Study after study shows homeschoolers outperforming their peers everywhere. Isn't it true of every kid that they have strengths and weaknesses? A kid who is great at math may be lacking in art education. That's as likely to happen in government schools as at home. Homeschool parents are aware of their weaknesses and seek curriculumn, outside help, or supplemental classes to fill in the gaps.

When the government schools have 100% success at graduating students who can read, they can come regulate homeschools. Until then it's a bit disingenous of them to claim to have any sort of regulatory authority.


228 posted on 01/30/2007 9:39:13 AM PST by JenB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 221 | View Replies]

To: SoftballMominVA
"But I can wish in one hand and spit in the other and I know which one will fill up first."

Not EXACTLY sure what this means - but I like the saying and will remember it.

And I'll give you kudos for being a teacher. I help out at the school once in awhile and there is NO WAY I could keep my patience with a class full of third graders (any grade actually!).
229 posted on 01/30/2007 9:40:29 AM PST by geopyg (Don't wish for peace, pray for Victory.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 224 | View Replies]

To: wintertime

All the best teachers teach at private schools.


230 posted on 01/30/2007 9:48:16 AM PST by dleecomeback07 (THE BEARS THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY ARE!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SoftballMominVA

Actually , I was not referring to you ,but as a teacher you know teachers who you would never allow around your kids.
Anyone who has spent time in a public or a private school has had run ins with nut cases who wanted to be around people who were smaller than themselves. At best, the people who want everyone to ignore this appear to be living in an alternate reality. Pretending all teachers are excellent is a disservice to good teachers. I also think those flatters are giving a free pass to evil people.


231 posted on 01/30/2007 9:48:28 AM PST by perseid 67
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 224 | View Replies]

To: Scotswife

Undaunted, we press on...


232 posted on 01/30/2007 9:51:26 AM PST by Thywillnotmine (take the wings of the morning)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 212 | View Replies]

To: WV Mountain Mama

No kidding.


233 posted on 01/30/2007 9:56:26 AM PST by Thywillnotmine (take the wings of the morning)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 190 | View Replies]

To: wintertime
1. The practitioners know and can do things the public in general cannot do. They have a specialized body of knowledge.

2. The specialized body of knowledge practitioners have takes an extended period of time to learn.

Hogwash. I hold a degree in Music Education. I learned absolutely nothing about teaching in my four years of college. The complete "specialized body of knowledge" I own was acquired through experience in a few months of student teaching and in the first year of my first job.

Eduction majors right out of school are no better prepared to teach than chimpanzees. Just because you know a lot about a particular subject does not make you especially prepared, or qualified to teach it.

234 posted on 01/30/2007 9:57:09 AM PST by SaveTheChief (This tagline goes to eleven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JenB; wintertime

Very well put.

Wintertime's absolute viciousness when it comes to those who choose to teach in or send their children to public school destroys any message she may be trying to get across.

As a parent who is involved in her child's education, but chose a public school system for the "formal" part of schooling I have little use for someone who insists on calling me a child abuser.

I have spoken about many of wintertime's claims with some of my homeschooling friends, and they are all appalled with her attitude as they feel it gives homeschoolers a bad reputation. One of them is a former school teacher and on a recent visit gave my daughter (3rd grade public school) an exercise her homeschooled children had just completed. My daughter scored as well as her children did. Her children are 6th graders.


235 posted on 01/30/2007 9:57:15 AM PST by Gabz (I like mine with lettuce and tomato, heinz57 and french-fried potatoes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 228 | View Replies]

To: mware

There are many fine teachers in our public schools. I like the posters in yours!


236 posted on 01/30/2007 10:00:04 AM PST by SaveTheChief (This tagline goes to eleven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Gabz

I think her viciousness is the natural law.

Mothers are meant to protect their young predators.


237 posted on 01/30/2007 10:01:11 AM PST by perseid 67
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 235 | View Replies]

To: perseid 67; wintertime
Mothers are meant to protect their young predators.

I am not a mother to a predator, although I do protect my child FROM predators.

BTW - when posting about another poster it is proper etiquette to ping the poster.

238 posted on 01/30/2007 10:08:15 AM PST by Gabz (I like mine with lettuce and tomato, heinz57 and french-fried potatoes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 237 | View Replies]

To: perseid 67

Correction:

Mothers are meant to protect their young from predators.


Oh, well. Die hard defenders of the right of all school teachers everywhere to do as they please with other peoples children ,I'm finished.


239 posted on 01/30/2007 10:10:02 AM PST by perseid 67
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 237 | View Replies]

To: perseid 67

It's a good thing, since you have no clue what you are talking about.


240 posted on 01/30/2007 10:15:54 AM PST by Gabz (I like mine with lettuce and tomato, heinz57 and french-fried potatoes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 239 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 581-588 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson