NCLB and teacher strikes?

[Bella the Ball 360]

I just opened an e mail from a friend who told me that teachers in different parts of the country are striking due to NCLB. Has anyone else seen an article about this. I must admit NCLB is about the most idiotioc thing that the federal government has ever mandated! It is truly impossible. I have more of a chance to sprout wings and fly to the moon than get some of the special needs kids with whom I work to a proficent level in anything!! Sorry it is just not possible as much as I would LOVE to have it happen.
Any other teachers as totally frustrated as I am ?

 

[crs7568]

I hate NCLB abd think that it is pushing more students to ultimately drop out, get GED's, or IEP diplomas. I have not heard anything about teachers striking as a protest. I think that this is one time that teachers could get complete parental support.

 

[Blondy876]

I read that online the other day. I wish I could remember where. It was interesting. I thought it odd though that teacher would strike over something that the district has little say in. If I remember where I read it I'll post the link.

 

[daddydisneyworld]

as an educator, i find it hard to believe that teachers could legaly strike over this law. They would be violating their CBA, and would be liable for fines, jail, and a loss in their retirement for years of service.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I don't see teachers getting a lot of public support for this, if they are indeed planning on striking. One of the big reasons NCLB was passed, was that people don't feel school districts are held accountable enough for producing HS graduates who can't read and so forth. It may not be the perfect fix, I have my issues with it, too. But a strike would only emphasize the idea some people have (myself included, sometimes) that schools don't want to be held accountable for not teaching. I realize this isn't every teacher or every school district, but the teacher's unions underestimate the public's frustration with the current education system.

It would make more sense to me if the unions suggested changes that helped students and didn't seem to only benefit themselves. And staying home certainly isn't going to teach a child anything, except that teachers think they're exempt from a law they don't like. Yeah, that's a good message.

 

[airhead]

...they should be striking all over the country! The NCLB law is impossible. A better law would make parents more accountable for the children's education. too many parents put school at the bottom of the "to do" list. Too many parents can't even be bothered to show up to a PTA meeting to discuss their child's progress,but would never miss a soccer practice. Its sickening to think that all that is wrong with education is put on the teachers and none put on the parents. How do you have a kid in school everyday and NOT know what they're doing?? How do you send a kid to school and still, in November,have NOT met the
teacher?? How do you have a kid in school having problems in math(or whatever..) and still take that WDW trip knowing your kid is
going to be SO behind when he returns?? Where is the parents'
responsibility here?? How can teachers "leave no child behind" if their own parents have left them behind???

 

[vettechick99]

I did read online that Chicago-area teachers were striking over salary, but I haven't read anything about NCLB. I'd be eager to hear about that, too.

ITA, airhead. So many of my friends are teachers and they say it's absolutely pathetic what these children go home to, it's no wonder they are doing poorly in school.

 

[leighe]

Amen! When I think about the homes some of my students go to every afternoon I just want to cry. And yet as a teacher I am accountable for things in a kids life that I have absolutely no control over.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I don't see teachers getting a lot of public support for this, if they are indeed planning on striking. One of the big reasons NCLB was passed, was that people don't feel school districts are held accountable enough for producing HS graduates who can't read and so forth. It may not be the perfect fix, I have my issues with it, too. But a strike would only emphasize the idea some people have (myself included, sometimes) that schools don't want to be held accountable for not teaching. I realize this isn't every teacher or every school district, but the teacher's unions underestimate the public's frustration with the current education system.

It would make more sense to me if the unions suggested changes that helped students and didn't seem to only benefit themselves. And staying home certainly isn't going to teach a child anything, except that teachers think they're exempt from a law they don't like. Yeah, that's a good message.

Well I guess that people today think that school is taught in a vaccuum. You send your child in and then he comes home with more education than he started. That sounds great but unfortunately it does not work that way. Parents are part of the equation. I really get frustrated with parents who think they have no responsibility in this process. I love the people who want to point fingers. I read an article once about schools giving parents report cards, many failed.

If you are under the mistaken impression that teachers do not teach then let me clarify it for you in the sequence we need to teach these skills. First, we need to teach kids to have manners, i.e. please and thank you. Next ,we need to teach kids that they need to have a meal before they come to school and hopefully a snack mid morning (which the teacher frequently provides). Then there is the matter of keeping themselves clean. WE teach them to wash their faces, and hands, especially their hands after they use the bathroom. WE also try and teach them to get along with peers and keep their hands to themselves. WE teach them the importance of respect both for adults and peers.OH, and let's not forget teaching them to dress appropriately (i.e. coats and socks in the winter, no exposed midriffs in the summer). AFTER all that teaching it is time for academics. You might wonder why we need to do all this type of teaching. WEll the answer is simple, PARENTS DO NOT DO IT!!

You can cast stones at teachers all you want but ask any teacher and they will tell you we have not only the job of teaching academic subjects but now we have taken on the role of surrogate parent. In the past when I went to school my parents expected me to learn grade level academics NOT how to tie my shoes. They taught me that as well as how to blow my nose and wipe my bottom!!

OH and as to the unions...well let me just say that we greedy self serving teachers spend upwards of thousands of dollars each years buying coats, shoes, snacks, backpacks, books etc. Again you might ask why? THE REASON IS BECAUSE PARENTS DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

...they should be striking all over the country! The NCLB law is impossible. A better law would make parents more accountable for the children's education. too many parents put school at the bottom of the "to do" list. Too many parents can't even be bothered to show up to a PTA meeting to discuss their child's progress,but would never miss a soccer practice. Its sickening to think that all that is wrong with education is put on the teachers and none put on the parents. How do you have a kid in school everyday and NOT know what they're doing?? How do you send a kid to school and still, in November,have NOT met the
teacher?? How do you have a kid in school having problems in math(or whatever..) and still take that WDW trip knowing your kid is
going to be SO behind when he returns?? Where is the parents'
responsibility here?? How can teachers "leave no child behind" if their own parents have left them behind???

Hey air head I teach in Mass too and you know what? We had some of the highest scores in reading and math through out the country but still we cannot make AYP. As I have said in the past AYP = Salem Ma, late 1600's.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Um, I hate to burst your bubble, Bella, but my kids started school with all the requisite skills, including reading. They are expected to respect their teachers, and I am in touch as much as necessary with the teachers to discuss whatever issues come up. I don't doubt for a second that my kids are getting a quality education. We've had one teacher issue out of the 10 or so teachers my two older kids have had. I'm not blaming every single teacher. And I take responsibility for my kids, warts and all. If the school were not giving them an appropriate education, they'd be elsewhere, probably at home learning from me.

That said, I still the unions as performing a blatant power grab by trying to push all the problems elsewhere. The school sytem in this country is a virtual monopoly, with $$ being the only way parents can opt out (via private school). And the unions are responding to their constituency, which is the teachers. If you don't feel the union is accurately representing you, stand up for yourself. I'm not teacher bashing so much as union bashing--but you do have to wonder why the union works so hard to protect poor quality teachers!

 

[Pineapple Princess]

Any other teachers as totally frustrated as I am ?

Yes, to the point that I am leaving teaching at the end of the year. I spend so much time doing paperwork and going to meetings that teaching just isn't fun anymore. It is no longer about the individual child but test scores.
I teach at a very nice school, which has earned A's for the past 6 years. Right now we are 87% at or above grade level. Even so we have to improve 6% to keep our A. The pressure is unbelievable. I am at work from 7am to 5pm, and even though I am putting in 10 hour days the message I get from society is that I am not working hard enough. Are non-teachers aware that everyone, as in the entire school population is included in the testing and final school %? Even the special ed students who can not walk or talk?
*sigh*

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Yes, to the point that I am leaving teaching at the end of the year. I spend so much time doing paperwork and going to meetings that teaching just isn't fun anymore. It is no longer about the individual child but test scores.
I teach at a very nice school, which has earned A's for the past 6 years. Right now we are 87% at or above grade level. Even so we have to improve 6% to keep our A. The pressure is unbelievable. I am at work from 7am to 5pm, and even though I am putting in 10 hour days the message I get from society is that I am not working hard enough. Are non-teachers aware that everyone, as in the entire school population is included in the testing and final school %? Even the special ed students who can not walk or talk?
*sigh*

Well first to the poster who said that her kids started with all the skills necessary I am very happy. Unfortunately you are not "bursting my bubble" . Ask any teacher who chooses to respond on this board. We are not living in a bubble. It is wonderful that you are on board and in touch with your child's teachers. But I think it might be you who is in a "bubble". You are the exception not the norm.

I too have considered qutting teaching. Many of my friends are taking early retirment and there are not many young people willing to put in tons of time for little money just to be accused of being self serving. I hope there are a lots of parents who feel like not going to work and staying home to home school their kids because that is the wave of the future. It is also parents who have a holier than thou attitude and feel we are in some way trying in some way to gain power for less work that makes us just want to throw in the towel.

Let me make one point I am not a nun or a priest, I have not taken a vow of poverty even though I am totally underpaid in line with the amount of education I have had to accure and the hours I need to put in.If I do not at least get some respect for an impossible job then I guess I need to ask what is the point? OH and let me just say that kids reflect their parents' attitudes.

 

[malibuconlee]

Teachers in Iowa aren't allowed to strike. Has something to do with a huge strike in the 70's I think. Guess I'll do a google search and see if I can find out the specifics.

 

[MrsPete]

Where is the parents' responsibility here?? How can teachers "leave no child behind" if their own parents have left them behind???

Educating a child requires effort from three parties: the parents, the teacher, and the child. If any part of the equation suffers, the child will come up short. I'm glad to accept responsibility for my part of the child's education, but NCLB puts all the responsibility on the schools.

Of course, the law is written that way because there's really no mechanism in place at this time to place responsibility on the parents (except the court system, which is only called in for very severe cases).

Um, I hate to burst your bubble, Bella, but my kids started school with all the requisite skills, including reading.

Good for youl, but what about the child in the next desk? Chances are good that he didn't have the same benefits. If EVERY child came to school well-prepared, then NCLB would never have come into existance.

 

[bsnyder]

It would make more sense to me if the unions suggested changes that helped students and didn't seem to only benefit themselves.

A union's primary function is to protect and better the working conditions of its' members. Fundamentally, the teachers' unions are no different from the autoworkers' unions. To allow or expect them to have the primary role in the welfare of the students is a blatant conflict of interest.

 

[JulieWent]

I always get a kick out of it when people start bashing those evil, evil teachers' unions. Whom do people think are IN those evil, evil teachers' unions? In the past 30 years, those evil, evil organizations have made it possible for our children to attend school in classes that are relatively safe, that generally have fewer than 25 students in them, and that have qualified, certified individuals teaching them. The politicians who created NCLB did not badger and beg state legislatures and local administrators to achieve these things. Teachers' organizations (those evil, evil unions) did.

Julie
Teacher and Lovin' It!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Okay, I'm not seeing how unions creating/allowing layers of bureaucracy is helping anyone. I understand the unions function is to protect their members (teachers, in this case), but the down side is that excellent teachers are treated the same way as crappy teachers. IMHO, that's just wrong. I would love to be able to give more money to the great teachers who genuinely make a difference in kids' lives.

And I don't believe for a second that parents should be off the hook on education. It's stunning to me that some parents do nothing to help their children, but I've seen it, I know it happens.

I still don't think that striking because you don't like a law is the way to go, any more than speeding is okay because you don't like the speed limit. And I don't think the unions are going to convince people that change to the law is necessary unless they can show how accountablity is HURTING the students.

I had my DS's conference last night--his third grade teacher said that 13 out of 23 kids in her class were remedial readers. I'm mystified as to how that can be! I just don't get it. I doubt there's any one perfect answer, but how can over half the class be behind by third grade? Maybe someone can explain to me how this is, and how NCLB is creating this problem. I'm truly perplexed.