Problem in education

[runwad]

I think one of the biggest problems is class size compounded with kids of widely varying abilities all in the same class. The only way to fix that is to build more schools and hire more teachers and that costs money.

In any given class you have the bright kids, the regular kids, underperforming kids due to chance, uninterested parents, some disability, or language barrier. And on top of THAT you have those with behavior problems. I wish they would assign kids to a class with like ability peers so they can all get the help they need at their level. And get the behavior problems OUT of the regular classroom and into their own small class where they can be kept under control without the whole class suffering. I realize not all schools have the population to make so many classes. But my daughters' school has 7 or 8 third grade classrooms. Yet I know for a fact when they assign classes they purposely spread out the smart ones, the disruptive ones, etc. and try to balance gender as well. So you end up with ALL classes having a few kids that make the year difficult for everyone.

Wasn't that how it was when you went to school? That's how it was for me, but then we were labeled...low class, medium class, and high class. Then we had remedial class for I guess maybe the special needs and LD kids. I think that worked better but again in my district anyway they dont' want the kids labeled, hence us having 1,2 &3's on report cards. Well let me tell ya something..the straight A students are now the 3's so they've not stopped the labeling just wasted a lot of money sending teachers to conferences and having to redesign report cards so as to not label. Just ridicules.

 

[richmond282]

I'm a teacher so take my word for it.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND is one of the worst things that ever happened to American education.

Standardized tests also need to be rethought. I'm so sick of teachers who "teach to the test." But who can blame them? If students don't pass the test, teachers get fired.

 

[CowboyCO]

I agree with you, in one respect. That there are often confounding variables which can affect the children. That was my point in my original response to you.

Your post above is very different than your original post.

Single Parents. That was my original answer. The follow up posts were explaining why I see that as a major problem. This thread is about opinion. My DW, who is a high school teacher agrees that this is a problem, but she just told me that the biggest problem in her opinion is that it is impossible to produce young adults trained for the 21st century without 221st century technology. In her High School of 700 students, there are 50 computers, all at least 3 years old. How do you teach students to operate in a modern world without extensive computer time?

 

[hentob]

And get the behavior problems OUT of the regular classroom and into their own small class where they can be kept under control without the whole class suffering.

I do agree with this.

My child is currently in a classroom with a child that has a special need. It is a conduct disorder of some type. He screams, throws severe temper tantrums daily and interrupts NON stop. He has an aide and she is just as loud when calming him.

This is not fair to my child who deserves an education without CONSTANT disruption.

The classroom often feels like a circus, according to my child

 

[Goofyluver]

Single Parents. That was my original answer. The follow up posts were explaining why I see that as a major problem. This thread is about opinion. My DW, who is a high school teacher agrees that this is a problem, but she just told me that the biggest problem in her opinion is that it is impossible to produce young adults trained for the 21st century without 221st century technology. In her High School of 700 students, there are 50 computers, all at least 3 years old. How do you teach students to operate in a modern world without extensive computer time?

I understood your second post. But, without the explanation...your initial post left a bad taste in my mouth. Whether I'm a single parent or not. My point being, that there are often other variables at play.

And...I agree with your wife.

 

[meliss8599]

A regular classroom teacher is being asked to take on multiple needs without specialized training or proper support while maintaining a high level of learning and motivation. I am fairly lucky in my classroom right now. But my some of my co-workers aren't. I know one poor teacher who has 13 children with needs in her class of 22, and one part time aide. She deals with several who are ADHD/ADD, one with fragile x, one with downs, and one who is mild/moderate on the autism spectrum. There is NO WAY you can tell me that the 11 children without needs are getting the attention they deserve in that classroom. She spends so much time managing the needs, she simply can't devote time to meaningful learning. This is not her fault, nor do I think it's the students fault. I believe the system is breaking and must be changed.

If you are going to include children with needs in the regular classroom, you MUST provide the support. Otherwise inclusion simply does not work and is not fair to the students or the teacher. I know money isn't going to grow on trees to fix the problem and that's it's very complex. But it is one of the things I think is definitely broken with the system the way it is now.

I think one of the biggest problems is class size compounded with kids of widely varying abilities all in the same class. The only way to fix that is to build more schools and hire more teachers and that costs money.

In any given class you have the bright kids, the regular kids, underperforming kids due to chance, uninterested parents, some disability, or language barrier. And on top of THAT you have those with behavior problems. I wish they would assign kids to a class with like ability peers so they can all get the help they need at their level. And get the behavior problems OUT of the regular classroom and into their own small class where they can be kept under control without the whole class suffering. I realize not all schools have the population to make so many classes. But my daughters' school has 7 or 8 third grade classrooms. Yet I know for a fact when they assign classes they purposely spread out the smart ones, the disruptive ones, etc. and try to balance gender as well. So you end up with ALL classes having a few kids that make the year difficult for everyone.

I think all teachers are you right now.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[Charade]

I don't even have to type a sentence...I can use an acronym...

NCLB.

What? Everything was peachy until NCLB?

 

[Ember]

As an embarrassing follow up, there is a typo in my post. My co-worker has 24 students, not 22. 13 + 11 = 24. I thought I'd correct myself before someone felt the need to be nasty about it. Honestly, it was a typo!!

Don't worry, I teach kindergarten... We don't do addition yet.

 

[Goofyluver]

What? Everything was peachy until NCLB?

O' course John.

 

[lisadr]

I'm a teacher so take my word for it.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND is one of the worst things that ever happened to American education.

Standardized tests also need to be rethought. I'm so sick of teachers who "teach to the test." But who can blame them? If students don't pass the test, teachers get fired.

Just popped in at he end of this thread but I totally agree .

I also think it is why we are losing our edge in the world. Kids don't know how to think for themselves, how to problem solve and how to think outside the scan-tron box!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I think all teachers are you right now.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Not all of us.

 

[edwardsfire]

What? Everything was peachy until NCLB?

LOL, thats what i was thinking, Schools have been on the DECLINE since the late 70's
Hence, the reason Private schools are EXTREMLY popular.
I know in Los Angeles, i lived there from 89-94, Busing KILLED the public schools.
Now, it isnt a political issue, Republicans and Democrats alike are in a panic as to how to end busing, Its tough to stop something once its started.
Even if it is a complete failure.

 

[Goofyluver]

LOL, thats what i was thinking, Schools have been on the DECLINE since the late 70's
Hence, the reason Private schools are EXTREMLY popular.
I know in Los Angeles, i lived there from 89-94, Busing KILLED the public schools.
Now, it isnt a political issue, Republicans and Democrats alike are in a panic as to how to end busing, Its tough to stop something once its started.
Even if it is a complete failure.

Right. But the question on the thread was about our educational system TODAY.

 

[edwardsfire]

Right. But the question on the thread was about our educational system TODAY.

God in and drugs/gangs out....
Hows that.

 

[Charade]

Right. But the question on the thread was about our educational system TODAY.

Same thing as 30 years ago. NCLB may have had an impact but it's certainly not a root cause.

 

[lisadr]

God in and drugs/gangs out....
Hows that.

Is god going to get the drugs/gangs out??

 

[Goofyluver]

God in and drugs/gangs out....
Hows that.

I'm so shawked that you said that.

Same thing as 30 years ago. NCLB may have had an impact but it's certainly not a root cause.

Didja look through the thread John?

Or didja just pick me out cuz I'm special?

Because SEVERAL posters mentioned NCLB.

Most of us work in education, btw.

 

[edwardsfire]

Is god going to get the drugs/gangs out??

Well, YES. When we had God in schools...circa Before the late 70's...
Things were pretty good.
Then came the aclu (american communist liberal union) and messed things up.
I can tell you this: Private schools that are Religion based (any religion)
Are doing WAY better in all aspects. They have WAY less "issues" whether it be...Drugs,poor achieving students,discipline etc.
It is just a better enviornment.
Now, yes, some public schools in small cities are VERY safe and very well run.
Im not talking about all public schools.

 

[Charade]

Didja look through the thread John?

Or didja just pick me out cuz I'm special?

Because SEVERAL posters mentioned NCLB.

Most of us work in education, btw.

I'm just stalking you sweetums.

 

[Goofyluver]

Well, YES. When we had God in schools...circa Before the late 70's...
Things were pretty good.
Then came the aclu (american communist liberal union) and messed things up.
I can tell you this: Private schools that are Religion based (any religion)
Are doing WAY better in all aspects. They have WAY less "issues" whether it be...Drugs,poor achieving students,discipline etc.
It is just a better enviornment.
Now, yes, some public schools in small cities are VERY safe and very well run.
Im not talking about all public schools.

*rim shot*