Problem in education

[edwardsfire]

So, you're pro-choice if the woman is single.

Interesting theory.

What does that have to do with anything?
I am at a loss concerning the above.

 

[portocall]

I agree 100% but I see this more as a societal issue rather than an education only issue.

I agree that it is a societal issue, however, those issues do fall on the schools. Schools have to understand that better. When I worked at a very poor school, both in performance, money, and society influences, the amount of work that it took to just prepare the children to learn was overwhelming. I had a 4 year old who couldn't go on a $2.00 field trip because there wasn't enough money, but dad had a cigarette in his mouth and a beer in his hand when he dropped her off. (They walked) I offered to pay the $2.00 on her behalf but it was rebuked. I had a 5 year old tell me she couldn't stay awake today because she was worried about her parents fight last night and he thought her dad would hurt her mom "real bad" so stayed up with the phone just in case (and mom was stabbed to death by him that summer), I had a child "steal" food every Friday, because he wasn't going to eat again until breakfast on Monday... these are extreme examples, I know, it was a extreme school, however in less extreme circumstances... I have been told, go ahead, call my mom, like she is going to care what you say (by a middle class, held in high esteem by the community type of family), I have heard that it doesn't matter that my child completely destroyed a textbook, just tell me how much it cost and I will replace it with no apology needed by the student. So these issues do fall on the school to handle and manage. The attitudes of the parents rub off on the kids, even when the parent is well-meaning and otherwise loving.
There are many things wrong with education at the moment, but until we fix the whole puzzle, or manage to deal with it, nothing will work by itself.

 

[jimmalru80]

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

NCLB.

AMEN!!

 

[Colleen27]

It is impossible, IMO, to separate the biggest challenges in education from the big issues of our society - poverty, illegal immigration, lack of parental availability, crime, drugs, a culture that prizes a nice body or the ability to throw a ball over intellegence, etc.

If I had to pick the biggest issue I see that is specific to education, it is the increasing focus on the bottom (which is directly related to standardized testing and NCLB mandated goals). The majority of resources go towards getting the least promising students up to average, while the most promising are often underserved and left to languish in classrooms that are not meeting their needs.

 

[crashbb]

2 people bring them into this world, 2 should be raising them.
Loving home? you bet, but they NEED 2 parents. Loving parents.

So, please "oh wise one" tell me what my father should have done when my mother died?

Given me up for adoption to a 2 couple family?
Found the first woman he could find and marry her? If so, should he have been allowed to wait until after the funeral?

You've yet to explain how he could have filled this "need". And clearly, since it is a NEED, I would have died without it.

Perhaps you have a different definition of "need" than the rest of us, but a "need" is something you cannot survive without (food, shelter). Having both parents at home, though it is, in most cases, a good thing, is not a need.

 

[chrisw127]

What does that have to do with anything?
I am at a loss concerning the above.

Oh, but you shouldn't be.
See, it makes perfect sense.
Sometimes, single women
get pregnant.
And then, the dude leaves.
I know, sounds strange. But it happens.
So those women
should be able to get
an abortion.
Because they can't possibly raise
a child
without a father.

 

[Disfan3]

I disagree - if a child is not learning- what is the point? It is just an expensive daycare for a child with disabilities.

But thanks for you opinion.

Utterly RIDICULOUS!!!

There was a time before the 1960's were African American children where not allowed in certain schools either...given a subpar education. All children deserve an education and if you had even the slightest experience in educating those with disabilities you would know that even those with severe and profound disabilities have a brain, a voice and should be heard. They learn things and have skills, they just need more guidance and work than others. I have been a teacher to many of those "retarded children" you speak of and thanks to the education they receive, they are living assisted and working at jobs and living a productive, full life.

I am so glad your type of thinking is not common. Its quite old and not necessary.

Being a high school teacher in a gen ed classroom at a very high SES school, I can tell you one problem. Students who seem to think they are entitled to everything. Most of them don't work and think school is there for gossip, socializing and texting. Parents really should get into the ball game at this point and see what their student is actually doing in school. That would be great.

If there are bad teachers out there in your district you can do something about it...take it to the school board who in turn hires the administration. If you have ever seen the documentary on Baltimore inner city schools, you might not be so quick to judge a teacher...it all begins at HOME.

 

[Colleen27]

Your second point shocks me and quite honestly i find it disturbing.

There is a lack of funding across the board, including for special ed students. Aren't there some special ed kids in private schools as well?

Special ed services are mandated by law, so they're not cut. Gifted education, arts, music, academic electives, and extracurriculars enjoy no such protection and are in fact often the first things on the chopping block.

 

[Colleen27]

Not at all. Children from two-parent families outperform those from single parent families, unless the household income is equivilant (meaning the single parent would have to earn as much as a two-parent household - not likely).

It is only unlikely if you assume that two parents equals two incomes. For families with educated SAHMs it isn't unlikely at all.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Oh, but you shouldn't be.
See, it makes perfect sense.
Sometimes, single women
get pregnant.
And then, the dude leaves.
I know, sounds strange. But it happens.
So those women
should be able to get
an abortion.
Because they can't possibly raise
a child
without a father.

You know the answer to this one.


Single people shouldn't have intercourse.

 

[Ember]

edwardsfire, you just don't quit, do you? You have an opinion, however unsubstantiated and unsupported it may be, and you're just sticking to it. Good for you, there's aren't nearly enough opinionated people out there who are able to blindly disregard all evidence that contradicts them. Being able to stamp your foot and re-state your opinion every opportunity is definitely convincing people that you're right.

 

[TJ's Mom]

Accountability of the parents. Teachers are responsible if a child fails. Where are the parents? When your child is failing, why do I have to call when you get a progress report in the mail every three weeks? You should call me! I have 160 kids, you only have a few. Don't get me wrong, I would like to call but I only have 45 minutes 4 days a week that I am not teaching (trying to grade and plan lessons in that time as well as call). And yes, I do work late. I just think the parents should call if they know their child is failing. If they are not getting progress reports then they should call the school (by the way, the kid is taking them out of the mailbox - ground him!).

And why do I have to keep calling every grade period??? My only thought is that I only have to keep calling for a year, he will be living with those parents when he is 40.

Class sizes - over 30 teenagers in a classroom is too much. 25 would be nice.


Behavior issues - WHile education is a right, it is also a privilege. If you can't behave - get out.

NCLB - Not every kid has the same IQ. You can't measure success the same for every kid. It breaks my heart for the kids who have a low IQ and are working at their ability. They are not special education kids because they are not learning disabled. Some may never pass the tests and end up dropping out. It breaks my heart.

Vocational Education -on a side note I wish more school districts had programs like these still.

 

[lyeag]

Accountability of the parents. Teachers are responsible if a child fails. Where are the parents? When your child is failing, why do I have to call when you get a progress report in the mail every three weeks? You should call me! I have 160 kids, you only have a few. Don't get me wrong, I would like to call but I only have 45 minutes 4 days a week that I am not teaching (trying to grade and plan lessons in that time as well as call). And yes, I do work late. I just think the parents should call if they know their child is failing. If they are not getting progress reports then they should call the school (by the way, the kid is taking them out of the mailbox - ground him!).

And why do I have to keep calling every grade period??? My only thought is that I only have to keep calling for a year, he will be living with those parents when he is 40.
Class sizes - over 30 teenagers in a classroom is too much. 25 would be nice.


Behavior issues - WHile education is a right, it is also a privilege. If you can't behave - get out.

NCLB - Not every kid has the same IQ. You can't measure success the same for every kid. It breaks my heart for the kids who have a low IQ and are working at their ability. They are not special education kids because they are not learning disabled. Some may never pass the tests and end up dropping out. It breaks my heart.

Vocational Education -on a side note I wish more school districts had programs like these still.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I still do not understand - in a previous example if a student is working at a 2nd grade level then what are they doing in the 7th grade. Why not stay in the 2nd grade?

How does a student get promoted if they cannot do the work?

That is the waste of dollars I am talking about.

And I have seen with my own eyes - a student who could not learn - severe brain injuries- who just sits in class and drool. But they have a physical therapist and a full time aide. Why are they in school?

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I think NCLB lowered the bar so much that the average and above average kids are not being challenged. I pulled my DD out of her regular public brick and mortar school when she was getting a 97% in every subject. While I was happy with the great grades I knew that she was not being challenged and capable of sooo much more.

I agree with Bill Gates when he said that we are teaching Twenty First century kids with Twentith Century ideas. We need to change the basic structure of the education system and utilize the internet and virtual classrooms that are available.

I encourage anyone who has an above average child to check out the virtual academys in their state. We are with connections academy and the standards that they are holding my daughter to are outstanding. Does it take more involvement from me absolutely, will she benefit from it in the future I certainly hope so.

 

[Goofyluver]

I still do not understand - in a previous example if a student is working at a 2nd grade level then what are they doing in the 7th grade. Why not stay in the 2nd grade?

How does a student get promoted if they cannot do the work?

That is the waste of dollars I am talking about.

You mean my child?

Educate yourself on special education.

You cannot hold a child in a specific grade forever.

 

[edwardsfire]

Oh, but you shouldn't be.
See, it makes perfect sense.
Sometimes, single women
get pregnant.
And then, the dude leaves.
I know, sounds strange. But it happens.
So those women
should be able to get
an abortion.
Because they can't possibly raise
a child
without a father.

No, those fathers should be there.
And, if one is going to have sex, do it using protection.
So, the female and male isnt in that position.
Every child needs a father, just having a kid doesnt make you a father. It takes much more than that.

 

[portocall]

Behavior issues - WHile education is a right, it is also a privilege. If you can't behave - get out.

[Vocational Education -on a side note I wish more school districts had programs like these still.

Although I agree that behavior issues ae a big problem, we need to figure out a better place for them to go once they get kicked out,(putting all the behavior issues together isn't the answer and neither is staying home or crime rates will skyrocket) your vocational education may be the right place. I think that it is hightime that we realize that not all students are college bound, or even need to be college bound. It appears there aren't enough "good" jobs for our college educated students, but plenty of work for our electritians, plumbers, ect...

 

[Goofyluver]

No, those fathers should be there.
And, if one is going to have sex, do it using protection.
So, the female and male isnt in that position.
Every child needs a father, just having a kid doesnt make you a father. It takes much more than that.

What about same sex couples? What if there is no father?

 

[chrisw127]

No, those fathers should be there.
And, if one is going to have sex, do it using protection.
So, the female and male isnt in that position.
Every child needs a father, just having a kid doesnt make you a father. It takes much more than that.

But see, that's the key right there. Anyone with working parts and a willing partner can make a baby. It takes a lot more than the act of actual procreating to make a father, however. And one assumes that some of these individuals are not prepared, or willing, to act as fathers after actually becoming one technically. So where does that leave the mother?

Birth control doesn't always work.

Heck, even married couples don't always stay together.

There are lots of "shoulds" out there. Doesn't mean they always happen.