New Rule: Let's not fire the teachers when students don't learn - let's fire the parents. Last week President Obama defended the firing of every single teacher in a struggling high school in a poor Rhode Island neighborhood. And the kids were outraged. They said, "Why blame our teachers?" and "Who's President Obama?" I think it was Whitney Houston who said, "I believe that children are our future - teach them well and let them lead the way." And that's the last sound piece of educational advice this country has gotten - from a crack head in the '80s.
Yes, America has found its new boogeyman to blame for our crumbling educational system. It's just too easy to blame the teachers, what with their cushy teachers' lounges, their fat-cat salaries, and their absolute authority in deciding who gets a hall pass. We all remember high school - canning the entire faculty is a nationwide revenge fantasy. Take that, Mrs. Crabtree! And guess what? We're chewing gum and no, we didn't bring enough for everybody.
But isn't it convenient that once again it turns out that the problem isn't us, and the fix is something that doesn't require us to change our behavior or spend any money. It's so simple: Fire the bad teachers, hire good ones from some undisclosed location, and hey, while we're at it let's cut taxes more. It's the kind of comprehensive educational solution that could only come from a completely ignorant people.
Firing all the teachers may feel good - we're Americans, kicking people when they're down is what we do - but it's not really their fault. Now, undeniably, there are some bad teachers out there. They don't know the material, they don't make things interesting, they have sex with the same kid every day instead of spreading the love around... But every school has crappy teachers. Yale has crappy teachers - they must, they gave us George Bush.
According to all the studies, it doesn't matter what teachers do. Although everyone appreciates foreplay. What matters is what parents do. The number one predictor of a child's academic success is parental involvement. It doesn't even matter if your kid goes to private or public school. So save the twenty grand a year and treat yourself to a nice vacation away from the little bastards.
It's also been proven that just having books in the house makes a huge difference in a child's development. If your home is adorned with nothing but Hummel dolls, DVDs, and bleeding Jesuses, congratulations, you've just given your children the gift of Duh. Sarah Palin said recently she wrote on her hand because her father used to do it. I rest my case.
When there are no books in the house, and there are no parents in the house, you know who raises the kids? That's right, the television. Kids aren't keeping up with their studies; they're keeping up with the Kardashians. We're allowing the television, as babysitter, to turn us into a nation of slutty idiots. By the way, one sign your 9-year-old may be watching too much One Tree Hill: if she has an imaginary friend with benefits.
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TRUTH:
My only choice if this bill passes is to teach at a predominately white, middle to upper middle class suburban school. To insure job security it will also have to be a school free of learning disabilities, mental and emotional disabilities, and of course immigrants who do not speak English.
If the above becomes fact, I refuse to teach. I will proudly work as a waitress with a four year degree.
This bullshit is breaking my heart and I'm not even out of College yet.
Today my husband and I saw an adorable little girl about 5 at a restaurant with daddy who was wearing a t shirt with a nice male chicken on the front that said "Suck my Cock." The lucky, lazy teacher who gets this parent conference.
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As a successful CEO for 15 years and retired for 15 years, i have studied and used k-12 education.
My suggestions are: 1. Have Warren Buffitt, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, Arianna Huffinton, the founders of Google, Coln Powell, plus others into a symposium with Oprah Winfrey as the moderator or facilitator. The Target is how do we keep our children in school after 6th grade. What do we change and how to create a 100% Graduation rate and connect children with their future.
2,. The public school system in Ohio is the same mess as the other states but I will talk Ohio. We have 11 different government and local groups leading. Federal, State Governor, State legislature, State Supt ( Consists of over 1200 people), Tricounty System, local school board,iocal administration , teachers, union,community and parents. ( We couid add local lawyers)
Way to go-- Eliminate the State Supt office (except Federal) and the tri county system, pass the money saved to the 600 school districts, set up one test a year (SAT or ACT). From this test give a grade to the school system of A B C D F and announce same in the local and state media systems.
Normal local action will take care of the schools. ( Inner City will need additional help)
Th
This is the kind of thinking that is the cause of misunderstanding of the problem.
I believe strongly in education - teachers who aren't qualify to teach should be axed. Children are the future if they're not learning from the best educators then we have a problem.
Here are more of my thoughts on this:
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If you're meaning to come across as arrogant, you've succeeded. However, I'll overlook it. You're a teacher, I understand you feel defensive about your job.
As for the "systematic meat factory" I was thinking more of a book written by Sir Ken Robinson, The Element. Look him up, he's an interesting read. Oh, I was half joking with the Pink Floyd reference, I happen to like their music. Brings me back.
I suppose my humor was lost on you. Oh well. I find if humor helps ease tensions, but in your case perhaps a good brandy would do.
http://sir