Where did the US fit in? Seriously going more days of school is not going to solve that problem. You're
sending them to the same people that can't educate them in the first place.
St. Mary's Schools Seek Waiver for 5 Snow Days
- Thread starter G1G4
- Start date
Where did the US fit in? Seriously going more days of school is not going to solve that problem. You're
sending them to the same people that can't educate them in the first place.
SoccerMom2
New Member
I just wish they would hurry up and figure out what they are going to do.
ylexot
Super Genius
I'm sure they could if they weren't trying to listen to a bunch of parents who are saying different things...or trying to figure out how they can get out of working for a few more days.
SoccerMom2
New Member
The school shave about 7 half days, 13 days off that does not include the
1 1/2 week for winter break, 2 days for thanksgiving, and a week for spring break. That is a lot of time off. i understand thanksgiving and winter break but everything else is too much.
1 1/2 week for winter break, 2 days for thanksgiving, and a week for spring break. That is a lot of time off. i understand thanksgiving and winter break but everything else is too much.
lovinmaryland
Well-Known Member
and the parents that are complaining about spring break are worried about their vacations not thier childrens education.girlygirl87
<3
i CANNOT agree more!!
Aninha
New Member
I couldn't agree with you more ...
Terminator
rr
Here is the study:
PISA 2006
USA was NOT in the top ten! I agree - more days of school will not fix the problem but would be a baby step to bandage the bleeding.
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
It's not the teachers dumazz, it's all this goddam standardized testing that schools have to do in order to receive funding.
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
See post #9.
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
I'm not worried about them taking away spring break. We would still go on vacation. And I guarantee you that my child would learn more on our trip than sitting in a classroom.
kwillia
n/a
And if the teachers have to pay back their hours then every dayum federal, state and county employee who got paid to stay home had better pay theirs back too!
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
:sssssnnnnnaaaaappppp!:
lisa8439
New Member
I taught for a few years, fresh out of college and full of ideas. I was so disappointed with the school system and funding issues. The teachers and administrators are really stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they teach the kids what they would really like to teach - lessons that would resonate with the kids and that they would really remember - then it would cut into time reserved for 'teaching to the test' and silly worksheets that had to be completed. The kids get so bored - and most of the time, the teacher is concentrating on the kids that don't know what they are doing because our azz is on the line if they don't pass. On the other hand, if we just say eff the standardized testing and teach the kids more interactive lessons that would probably stick with them, then there might be too many kids that don't pass the test, and funding would be yanked by the state.
The system really doesn't make sense - lets throw money at those school systems who already do well and have a high percentage of kids that pass the test, and lets take money from the districts that don't do so well. And just how are those schools supposed to improve when their funding is taken away and they have to fire teachers and use outdated materials? Honestly, someone in the upper eschelon does not have any common sense - my guess is that they haven't ever set foot in a classroom to teach.
So the school systems with tons of money already (typically those in affluent areas) just get even MORE money because their kids can pass the test (and often, those school systems encourage parents to get tutors for their kids that just work on standardized test material). Then the schools in poor districts suffer - not because the teachers are horrible, but because the kids are just a product of their environment. No matter how much you try to educate and help a child during school hours, you can't control what goes on once they step off of school property. Those kids aren't getting tutors - most of them aren't even getting quality time with their parents, because either the parents are working hard to provide for their kids and don't have the time, or the parents could care less and feel that the school should be raising their kids.
UGH I hate talking about this - brings back bad memories. Yes, some teachers aren't very good at what they do - just like people working in any field. But even the best teachers can't undo what has already been done in some of these kids who are just products of the envrionment in which they were raised. Some kids just don't want to try, and could care less about taking that test. All the system is doing is further seperating our kids - making sure that the more affluent areas crank out college grads and that the poorer areas crank out fry cooks at McD's.
awpitt
Main Streeter
I'm not worried about them taking away spring break. We would still go on vacation. And I guarantee you that my child would learn more on our trip than sitting in a classroom.
I'm in the same situation. Already planned a vacation for that week. They can put those days back on the calendar. It won't impact me at all. I had already contacted the pricipals and if school days would've been getting made up that week, my kids' absences would've still been excused. Besides, Chasey is right. My kids will certainly be getting educational value from their experiecnes that week.
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
I taught for a few years, fresh out of college and full of ideas. I was so disappointed with the school system and funding issues. The teachers and administrators are really stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they teach the kids what they would really like to teach - lessons that would resonate with the kids and that they would really remember - then it would cut into time reserved for 'teaching to the test' and silly worksheets that had to be completed. The kids get so bored - and most of the time, the teacher is concentrating on the kids that don't know what they are doing because our azz is on the line if they don't pass. On the other hand, if we just say eff the standardized testing and teach the kids more interactive lessons that would probably stick with them, then there might be too many kids that don't pass the test, and funding would be yanked by the state.
The system really doesn't make sense - lets throw money at those school systems who already do well and have a high percentage of kids that pass the test, and lets take money from the districts that don't do so well. And just how are those schools supposed to improve when their funding is taken away and they have to fire teachers and use outdated materials? Honestly, someone in the upper eschelon does not have any common sense - my guess is that they haven't ever set foot in a classroom to teach.
So the school systems with tons of money already (typically those in affluent areas) just get even MORE money because their kids can pass the test (and often, those school systems encourage parents to get tutors for their kids that just work on standardized test material). Then the schools in poor districts suffer - not because the teachers are horrible, but because the kids are just a product of their environment. No matter how much you try to educate and help a child during school hours, you can't control what goes on once they step off of school property. Those kids aren't getting tutors - most of them aren't even getting quality time with their parents, because either the parents are working hard to provide for their kids and don't have the time, or the parents could care less and feel that the school should be raising their kids.
UGH I hate talking about this - brings back bad memories. Yes, some teachers aren't very good at what they do - just like people working in any field. But even the best teachers can't undo what has already been done in some of these kids who are just products of the envrionment in which they were raised. Some kids just don't want to try, and could care less about taking that test. All the system is doing is further seperating our kids - making sure that the more affluent areas crank out college grads and that the poorer areas crank out fry cooks at McD's.
More funding for education is not the answer either. There is a lot to be said for parental involvement and attitude when it comes a child's educational success. I know that when I was in school we didn't have nearly as many "shade the circle" tests as they do now and I can guaragoddamntee you that teachers do NOT want to be teaching to the test.
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
I'm not worried about them taking away spring break. We would still go on vacation. And I guarantee you that my child would learn more on our trip than sitting in a classroom.
Statistics and probability in the casino, hydrodynamics on the water slides... I have a great big suitcase, take me with you.
ylexot
Super Genius
I've heard this before, but I honestly don't understand the argument. Could you give an example of something that would be "teaching to the test" and something that would not be teaching to the test, but that you wanted to teach?
kwillia
n/a
Exactly! Throwing more money at the education system will not make kids want to do the work. Kids these days are not being held accountable by their parents for their school career.
Parents keep bailing them out... oh little Suzie, you keep procrastinating and your science project is a piece of crap. Now I have to do it for you.
Oh little Freddie, your grammar sucks and you can't write worth ####. Now I have to re-write your essay so your average doesn't tank. Oh little Ethel, you forgot your homework assignment again?!?!?! Now I have to run to the school and get it from your locker and I'll be up all night helping you get it done. This starts in elementary school and then has to continue thru middle and high because the kids didn't learn responsibility and the consequences of crappy work when they were younger.