Teachers' Unions Are Beginning To Support Bold Reform

[zsdersw]

Good news indeed.

It always amuses me when people take the time to post "WALL OF TEXT" and/or "DID NOT READ" rather than taking two minutes to read the selection OR just skipping it. It's as though NOT reading something has become some sort of accomplishment in and of itself.

Laziness, I suspect. It's responsible for a lot of our country's problems, unfortunately.

 

[drebo]

The only reform bold enough to "fix" our education system is to stop treating everyone like they're college-bound. They're not. College is not for everyone. It should be an OPPORTUNITY for everyone, but by 8th grade it is usually very evident whether or not a child is really, truely college-bound.

We need to put more emphasis on trades and vocational institutions. Rather than put everyone in the same general education highschool, those who are not college-bound should be sent to vocational highschools where they learn a trade.

Going through highschool, I remember that some of the best teachers were given to classes of students who were never, ever going to go to college. To me, that's counter-productive. If the kids had wanted to learn, they'd have done so the whole time and would not be taking remedial 9th grade English in 12th grade. The students who want to learn should be given an environment that fosters learning and intellectual growth. Schools are going the oposite direction, at least in California: they're cutting AP classes and forcing everyone (both those below the mark and those above the mark) into "college prep" classes.

My opinion is that we need to encourage those who want to learn and are willing to learn and to remove those who are not willing to learn. Send them (the ones that aren't willing to learn) to a vocational highschool where they can learn carpentry, automotive repair, welding, plumbing, etc. Those who aren't interested in general knowledge don't have to crowd schools and they'll learn something that will allow them to become self-sufficient, and those who want higher education will have an atmosphere more conducive to learning.

That's the only way to "fix" our school system.

 

[Moonbeam]

Good news indeed.

It always amuses me when people take the time to post "WALL OF TEXT" and/or "DID NOT READ" rather than taking two minutes to read the selection OR just skipping it. It's as though NOT reading something has become some sort of accomplishment in and of itself.

I know. That is why I posted as I did. I felt lonely being the only one who can read.

 

[PingSpike]

Laziness, I suspect. It's responsible for a lot of our country's problems, unfortunately.

Laziness is the father of invention! Laziness has brought countless great inventions to us, because man thought "God, I hate doing this shit" and sought a way to avoid it.

 

[zsdersw]

Laziness is the father of invention! Laziness has brought countless great inventions to us, because man thought "God, I hate doing this shit" and sought a way to avoid it.

Haha.. yes, laziness gave us a lot of inventions that, themselves, are also responsible for a lot of what's wrong.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Anyone read the cover article of the most recent Newsweek?

 

[silverpig]

Haha.. yes, laziness gave us a lot of inventions that, themselves, are also responsible for a lot of what's wrong.

A perfect example: I made french toast this morning but didn't have any milk. I was too lazy to go to the store to pick some up so I used 10% MF greek-style yogourt instead. 2 eggs + a large spoon of yogourt = new awesome french toast.

 

[Exterous]

The point I'm making is that they are using standardized tests as a measuring stick for teachers' performance. While it does provide some input, there are many other factors which impact scores on standardized tests than the teacher. [/snip]

I completely agree with your entire post. My wife teaches in a low income area where an unfotunately large number of parents just really don't care about their kids and if they do well in school or even show up for class. She talks to her friend who works in a different school where the atmosphere is completely different. Parents actually take an active part in the education of their kids and make sure they show up

In my view this is an incomplete step that that can punish teachers for factors beyond their control (Like an overworked truant officer who can't get kids to show up for class. How is she supposed to help them pass a standardized test if the school/truant office/parents can't even get the kids there?)