Maryland schools ranked No. 1 in nation

[Sweet 16]

Maryland schools ranked No. 1 in nation - WTOP.com

This is all fine and dandy but there is one big glaring observation that should be pointed out. Only 3 schools received higher than a 'B-minus' rating in K-12 Achievement. The majority were rated 'C' or worse, which means that for all the work they're doing to improve the schools, it is only benefitting the school administrations and not translating into student achievement. The state governments and schools can pat themselves on the back all they want but the bottom line is, the kids are not learning. And that to me is a big, fat FAILURE.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Sweet 16

Maryland schools ranked No. 1 in nation - WTOP.com

This is all fine and dandy but there is one big glaring observation that should be pointed out. Only 3 schools received higher than a 'B-minus' rating in K-12 Achievement. The majority were rated 'C' or worse, which means that for all the work they're doing to improve the schools, it is only benefitting the school administrations and not translating into student achievement. The state governments and schools can pat themselves on the back all they want but the bottom line is, the kids are not learning. And that to me is a big, fat FAILURE.

Big fat FAILURE on the part of the parents. If your kid isn't performing or producing as are those in the better part of the median, than you as a parent aren't doing your part.

Shoving your kid on a school bus and sending them off to school everyday isn't going to warrant some magic spell making your kid do the work, put in the study time or actually show up for the classes.

[Sweet 16]

Originally Posted by kwillia

Big fat FAILURE on the part of the parents. If your kid isn't performing or producing as are those in the better part of the median, than you as a parent aren't doing your part.

Shoving your kid on a school bus and sending them off to school everyday isn't going to warrant some magic spell making your kid do the work, put in the study time or actually show up for the classes.

I agree, but my issue is with the schools not doing their part since they are taxpayer funded and I can't effect any change on stupid parents. Schools nowadays focus so much on sex-ed, drug resistance education, anti-smoking campaigns, worrying about who's got a peanut butter sandwich or aspirin in their lunchbox, what the teachers unions are doing and dumbing down the curriculum instead of ensuring these kids are learning to read, write, speak, add and subtract, which is or should be their primary job.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Sweet 16

I agree, but my issue is with the schools not doing their part since they are taxpayer funded and I can't effect any change on stupid parents. Schools nowadays focus so much on sex-ed, drug resistance education, anti-smoking campaigns, worrying about who's got a peanut butter sandwich or aspirin in their lunchbox, what the teachers unions are doing and dumbing down the curriculum instead of ensuring these kids are learning to read, write, speak, add and subtract, which is or should be their primary job.

That being said... if there are some students able to deal with all of the above and they can still manage to keep up their GPA and nail the SAT and/or get enough of an education to become a productive member of society than other students had the same environment and if they chose not to make the best of it and roll up their sleeves and get it done than it falls back on the parents more than it does the teachers.

I have two kids... both went to the same public schools. One needed a constant food up his arse to hold him accountable for achieving an education whereas the other rolled up her sleeves and did her work and went above and beyond when needed in order to achieve a very good and advanced level of education.

As a parent, it was my job to mentor each in the way that was necessary to ensure they did their due diligence.

D.C. schools spend way more money per student than Maryland does and they have very little to show for it. If the schools are providing a classroom, teachers, books and other assorted learning materials than the fripping kid has what he/she needs to become educated... if he/she choses to do so.

Back in the day an old and used/re-used lesson book, chalkboard and open mind eager to learn and/or a parent with a switch stick sure did get the job done.

[slotpuppy]

Maybe the teachers are taking to much time off.

[Sweet 16]

Originally Posted by kwillia

That being said... if there are some students able to deal with all of the above and they can still manage to keep up their GPA and nail the SAT and/or get enough of an education to become a productive member of society than other students had the same environment and if they chose not to make the best of it and roll up their sleeves and get it done than it falls back on the parents more than it does the teachers.

I have two kids... both went to the same public schools. One needed a constant food up his arse to hold him accountable for achieving an education whereas the other rolled up her sleeves and did her work and went above and beyond when needed in order to achieve a very good and advanced level of education.

As a parent, it was my job to mentor each in the way that was necessary to ensure they did their due diligence.

D.C. schools spend way more money per student than Maryland does and they have very little to show for it. If the schools are providing a classroom, teachers, books and other assorted learning materials than the fripping kid has what he/she needs to become educated... if he/she choses to do so.

Back in the day an old and used/re-used lesson book, chalkboard and open mind eager to learn and/or a parent with a switch stick sure did get the job done.

Teachers used to have them too AND, they were allowed to use them! Now they can't so much as look at a kid cross-wise or they'll be sued. It's this and all the other stuff that is taking away the focus on educating children, including being able to discipline them in the classroom if they can't be disciplined at home. Thank the hippies for that.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Sweet 16

Teachers used to have them too AND, they were allowed to use them! Now they can't so much as look at a kid cross-wise or they'll be sued. It's this and all the other stuff that is taking away the focus on educating children, including being able to discipline them in the classroom if they can't be disciplined at home. Thank the hippies for that.

I am of the belief that teachers should be issued tasers...

[Sweet 16]

Originally Posted by kwillia

I am of the belief that teachers should be issued tasers...

And carry guns. Whooooooops did I say that out loud?!

[terbear1225]

Originally Posted by kwillia

I am of the belief that teachers should be issued tasers...

shock collars, i am all for shock collars.

(kidding, of course!)

[LostNFound]

Originally Posted by kwillia

I am of the belief that teachers should be issued tasers...

The reason why I dont like blaming all parents is- bad parenting has been around since the beginning of time- crap schools are newer. Not saying the pledge, no running or dodge ball allowed. No keeping score or even playing to win. Low on supplies and books. Way too much time used to keep the struggling kids engaged while the more advanced ones are bored.

Back in my day - the teacher was fully capable of teaching her class- without a dozen volunteers, without checking a book for the "proper" way to handle an unruly kid and without too many disruptions in general.

Not going to debate the many things I see wrong - but some people being lame parents isnt the be all end all of why some kids fail. Some parents beg for help and just never get it. The schools are too overwhelmed to really care.