Questions for the teachers out there

[Kirby]

I don't know if I am posting this in the correct board but I'd like your opinion.

While visiting with my sister-in-law (who is not a teacher) this weekend, the subject of the state standardized tests and failing students came up. She feels that it is all the teachers fault that kids are graduating from high school not being able to read. And that it is also the teachers fault for their not passing the state tests, its TEKS this year here.

I don't agree with her. I feel that it depends on the student and their circumstances whether physical, mental or environmental.

What do you think?

 

[bananiem]

I mostly agree with you. I think too many people expect the school to teach their children but then don't do the necessary stuff at home (like helping with homework, reading to younger kids, reinforcing subjects that are being taught, making sure the kids understand,etc.)
I also think many districts have an over-crowding problem. It's very hard to reach each child and keep track of each child's progress when you have 30 first graders. There are many who would say "That's their job." My answer is "Then you try it."
Districts have also gone away from keeping students back because it was embarrasssing to the student and parents. My answer is "Then you should have been helping them at home as well." Granted, some kids are not going to keep up with their peers for various developmental reasons and I am not talking about holding these students back forever.
Just my opinion.
I also think a percentage of test scores should be thrown out because of the kids that just fill in the dots randomly because they don't want to read it. ( I did this one year.) And the kids that just don't test well, even though they know the material.
Some of the standardized tests given were never meant to show how well a grouop was doing, but to be able to track each individual student on a yearly or every other year basis.

 

[disykat]

Look at PTA and Volunteerism in the schools and compare it to test scores. There is a huge correlation between parental support for schools and achievement.

I see so many wonderful teachers at my son's school, yet they have horrible test scores (we have low parental involvement and a very transient demographic). I think that training for teachers is continually improving. When I went through school I felt very unprepared for the classroom and think teachers coming out now are better prepared. I have been so impressed with the quality of the teachers my children have, yet I know they have kids in their classes who are not succeeding.

I think that the problem is kids coming to school "not ready to learn". Everyone throws that phrase around, but it is so true. I especially see behavior as an issue (I'm a substitute teacher right now). Children who are constantly entertained, never expected to sit and listen quietly (without interupting), never given chores, etc. have a very hard time transitioning to a place where they have to buckle down and work.

I'm sure there are bad teachers out there. My boys kindergarten teacher wasn't the greatest - but you know what? The curriculum was presented and they learned it. Teachers are not the only variable.

 

[worm761]

i am not a teacher. but i think parental involvement is what will make or break a childs education. parents need to check homework nightly. and go over tests. make them correct what they have done wrong. dont just collect report cards. and always go to parent/teacher conferences. they arent only for when your child is in trouble. just my two cents.

 

[poohbear2]

Ditto...As a third year teacher I am deeply offended by such comments. Our team works 150% for our students but I find it difficult when students are absent on and off for many days, don't put any effort into the classroom( I don't have a pencil or pen) and fail to complete any assignments. We can not be with students 24 hours a day. And yes, Parents need to be involved. Yes, I do believe that where you find high parent involvement, you'll find high student achievement. Sure there may be a few poor teachers, but there are MANY MORE qualified and dedicated teachers out there.

 

[iluvorlando]

I agree with the volunteering...High parental invovlement, very good teachers=passing test scores.

In Florida, we are getting ready for FCAT. Our teachers (4 & 5 grade) are tutoring all students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If they don't pass our school fails. We have been an A school for several years, but because of FCAT scores we did get a B two years ago.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Kirk]

I think there's a basic equation that correlates well with test scores:

Property Taxes High = High Test Scores

Unfortunately when it comes to schools, "You get what you pay for." My DD's district is not that great so I had to put her in private. It wasn't really a question of involvement - more a lack of communication. I emailed all her teachers and asked to be kept in the loop. I never really knew anything until it was too late. She's doing great now in a class size of 6 to 8. I guess she's just the type that seems to get lost in numbers.

 

[janette]

It takes both parents and teachers, neither can do it on their own. I'm not fond of the testing rules here, they often force school's to teach the test. Not really a good way for anyone to really learn. Thankfully right now the school we are in doesn't do this. They don't even do practice tests yet have always done well on the ratings. The previous school started practice tests when the kids were in 1st grade and they didnt' even have to take a test until 3rd grade.

One of my children has a learning disability and is classified special education so there are different rules for her than other kids. A child that has learning problems but not as severe doesn't qualify for special ed but those problems can make standardized testing very difficult if not impossible.

My nephew's wife teaches kindergarten in a close by town and she tried to have a child tested for learning problems. There were several indicators that something was wrong and the earlier they get help the better. The parents wouldn't approve of the testing, blamed her and the school for their child's failure to learn.

 

[kylara]

I work/teach at a community college and we get many underprepared students. But I do not blame the teachers for that. Yes, some schools have some bad teachers, but the majority are working their butts off in overcrowded classrooms for little pay. They are dedicated, continually taking classes to renew their skills, and working much longer hours helping students after school than they are required.

But often, the problem is with the school system. As I already mentioned..overcrowded classrooms. Add to that, parents who often don't care, transient students populations, many students who do not speak English as their first language, and disciplinary problems that are hard to confront. There are many good students, but when you have a few bad ones in a classroom, it is easy to throw the entire lesson off...'specially when there are 30-35 students.

Many people now believe that school is where student need to learn everything, not just the academic subject. Parents expect teachers to teach the kids manners, civility, moral and values, etc., rather than teaching them at home where they should be learning them.

I think that teachers really try, but until some fundamental changes are made in the education system, it is going to keep failing.

 

[bobcat]

Another piece of the puzzle - let's test kids on what they need to learn by the end of the school year but instead of giving them enough time to cover all the material we'll test them in March. 2-3 months worth of info must be crammed in somewhere it's no wonder scores may be low.

 

[Pooh93]

QUOTE]i am not a teacher. but i think parental involvement is what will make or break a childs education. parents need to check homework nightly. and go over tests. make them correct what they have done wrong. dont just collect report cards. and always go to parent/teacher conferences. they arent only for when your child is in trouble. just my two cents.[/QUOTE]

I like your .02!

My child goes to parochial school and I guess I had this naive idea that meant people would be more involved and for the most part I think they are. However, the teachers still have to send home verification notes for parents to sign saying the child has read out loud to them and then you have to sign that you've looked over their papers for the week. Blows my mind. Who would not sit down and look at their child's papers? Who would not follow the teacher's rules for reading a certain number of books each month?? No, it's not always the most exciting to sit with your child while they are reading, but it's an investment in their future. Anyways, stepping down off of my soapbox now.

I tip my hat to all you teachers. Dealing with the kids would be one thing....dealing with some of the parents would be another.

 

[BrerMom]

I also think many districts have an over-crowding problem. It's very hard to reach each child and keep track of each child's progress when you have 30 first graders. There are many who would say "That's their job." My answer is "Then you try it."

Oh, that is soooo true! Try 30 or more times six classes.

I've noticed a huge difference in parents and students during my teaching career. I used to get 98% support from home. Now I never know when I call home whether I'll get support or anger.

Part of the problem, I think, is that society has redefined what the definition of a good parent is. It seems that now it's "a supportive parent is one that advocates for their child." That is very important when done correctly, but many, many parents interpret it as "If I'm making weekly requests, I'm taking an interest in my child's education."

I had a parent last semester that would call weekly. I had a 15-minute window that I was supposed to call him back on his cell phone or a 30-minute window for the business phone. Hello? I'm teaching? He would be very angry by the time I finally could catch him. He would ask, "What can we do to help *** succeed?" This for a child that turned in zero homework. Why are the parents surprised the student doesn't have an A in a high school class when the student doesn't even try to learn the material? They put him in a different class this semester. Same work ethic, no grade change.