Long Overdue: The Other Side

Deep breaths. 5...4...3...2...1. I think I can write this blog now because I am calm. It's unfortunate that it has taken me 2 weeks to write this blog. I've been struggling with a way to write what I have to say without offending...then I said, "screw that." Someone always takes offense even when I'm not speaking in a way to ellicit offense, so let me give my take on the latest education debacle.

I have read way too many comments, newspaper articles, listened to far too many conversations from non-educators, and after finally, reading this last article today about Middleton High School...the lioness must ROAR... I mean purr. 

My goal is to be short but concise.With that goal in mind, I am just going to hit on several thoughts that have come to boil in recent weeks. Unlike the Lorax who speaks for the trees, I DO NOT speak for anyone but myself. 

FCAT Writing-- Unless you are helping your child or someone else's child to write better, HUSH! Stop the lip service because it isn't helping anyone. It's only causing massive migraines. Point blank the standards for the FCAT writing were changed without allowing time for the curriculum and teachers to make the necessary modifications.  Therefore, the scores look like they do. Next year's scores should be better. 

I saw a comment that insinuated student's poor writing skills to lack of writing skills of school faculty. In this comment, the principal was called out for poor writing skills in an email. EXCUSE YOU! You want the principal to dot all I's, cross T's, etc while running a school?! Do you have any idea what goes on in a school? Parents are neither sending ANGELS nor ROBOTS to schools across America. Be thankful the principal responded with errors because you would be singing a different tune had their been no response. For the record, I'm not saying its right, I'm simply pointing out that similar to you, the prinicpal is doing the best he / she can. Did he/ she plan to have errors? No. Take the finger you're pointing and turn in back to U. 

Respect the Profession--I was at the hair salon talking as us ladies can...the conversation inevitably lead to teaching. I said, "teaching is the only profession where parents want responses immediately as if you don't have a class to teach, papers to grade, fights to stop, copies to make, curriculum to enhance, etc...

Its the only profession that I know of where a parent calls 2 weeks before the 9 weeks end to ask, if their child can make up work, or if there is extra credit?"

For the most part, grades are online. There are conference nights, phone calls and emails made throughout the year for JOhnny and Kesha to improve...yet, there is always that call! WHY?! If Johnny/ Kesha have not done their work in 7 weeks why would woudl a teacher cram 7 weeks into 2 weeks?" Can you do that on your job? Will Johnny/Kesha be able to do that in college? NO! 

Blaiming the teacher is not the answer! Everyone plays a role in a student's success or failure. At the lowest level, that includes the parent, teacher, and the student. 

Teachers- As a teacher, I don't think you can be 100% mad at the changes happening politically by non-education people when all you do is stay in the classroom. Not all teachers were meant to teach in the classroom for 30 years. Some teachers need to run for political office, lobby for changes in educational policy, write curriculum, train incoming teachers, or help another teacher into these fields. Until more people who have actually taught in a classroom move into political positions there is much in education that will fail to change.

EVERYONE-Look at what's driving education...as one school board member put it, " College Board" and "Gates".  More times than not, curriculum is being sold to the highest  bidder. Although plenty of people are asking,"is this best for kids," no one is truthfully answering the question. If they were, things might look differently.  If you don't believe me, listent to the students.