Problems In Our Schools

[big-mouth-burgher]

OK - I'd love to just sit on my butt and complain, but I am a person who takes action. If there is something wrong with your school, become involved - it's the only way change can happen. I am on the executive board of my local PTA. We work hard, everyday like it was a paying job, to make sure the student's in our school get the best possible education available to them.

Next week I'm attending a school board of eduction meeting along with a few hundered other PTA members to show that we want the board of education to discuss the proposed teacher's contract instead of ignoring it.

So yes, I am involved and maybe I an a jerk and maybe my kids are jerks - but to say that all of us moms here only complain - think again! I personally think the jerks are the people who do nothing to make the situation better, wether they complain or not!

Teachers - I understand how over worked you are, and that your hands are tied in may situations. If there is and organization for parents & teachers at your school, maybe you could join them and work together to make your school better. None of us can do it alone. Together, anything is possible.

[Angelsrose12]

Big-Mouth-Burgher,
Parents like you are NOT the problem. I would love for parents to be this involved in their children's educations! In fact, when a teacher tries to address a problem with the administration, our voices often go unheard, but parents like you who speak up for their children end up helping all students in the long run. My personal biggest obsticle in my school is apathetic students ANd parents. They are an even bigger problem than the BD or ED child in my classroom that I can't get services for.

[big-mouth-burgher]

I guess in many ways I'm very lucky and I realize it more every day as I meet people in forums like this. My school has about 650 students in grades K-6 all in one building. They have 7-12 in a building next door. We are a rural school and have problems like many others, but we also have 350 members in our elementary PTA. That is a parent for more than 1/2 the students and most parents in my area have 2 or 3 kids. I just wish parents would realize how much they can help by just getting up and speaking out. Heck most times you don't even have to speak, like me at the School Board of Ed meetings. I just go there and sit. There is something about a large number of people that makes the Board of Ed take notice.

So parents out there, be a little more vocal, or at least involved, in your child's school. You may be surprised to find out what's really going on!

[Malmom4]

So here is my issue with nclb and our schools; we are completely focused on math, and reading that important things like how our government works and our own history is not being taught. Before I had kids I thought it was sad that most public school students knew less about their history and government then a person who just got their citizenship. Example: a military spouse I met said that you could not become president if you were not Christian. This is not true you only have to be born on U.S. soil and 35 years old.
Now that I am a parent I am scared of this happening to my kids. My husband had three high school student employees that he quizzed, the prize was going home early on a friday. All three of them are okayed to go on to college according to the nclb test we have. None of them could name one president that was also a general, what right the 5th amendment protected, or who we were fighting in the Civil War (unless Canada was a part of the US back then, I'm pretty sure it wasn't). Now time for the really sad part about all of this. These kids go to school in one of the best school districts in Washington state.
I don't know how to change this in my school district, because when I mention this lack of knowledge I get blown off. I am changing it at home though by adding history books to our library, talking about history and government, and allowing extended televisoin time on the history channel.

[afrank]

I am saddened by the animosity in some of the parents. As a parent to 3, 2 of whom attend public education, and a teacher, who teaches at a district different then my children attend. I can say, I see both sides of the fence. I know what it feels like to receive school work come home and wonder why my child isn't being challenged more. I also know how it feels to receive a phone call home about excessively rough play at recess, and wonder why there weren't more teachers on duty. I also know that I have 28 additions to my family. I know that in my heart, I treat my students as if they were my own. I know what it feels like to work all day, all evening and still bring work home. I know how heartbreaking it is when you are so caught up in your students goals, that you find it hard to meet your own kids'. Listening to these posts, helps me to realize that I need to work harder to instill in my students that they need to be compassionate, understanding citizens who look at a problem and ask "What can I do to help"?

Angie
Mother of 3 and
1st Grade Teacher

[BRoxMum]

Here's a revelation! Let's teach our children and consider their differences, whether it be mental, physical capabilities or social economics. I feel like I'm banging my head on a brick wall when speaking to administrators about teaching to the individual child. Specifically I'm talking about "leveling" or "abilities" instruction. I'm told it smacks of discrimination. Where as I believe we're discriminating when the teacher is focused on dragging up the scores of poor performers (because of FCAT) and leaving the others with little attention and rare chances for advancement. So much time is spent with behavioural issues too - it's eating away at instruction time.

Let's stop pointing fingers at a demographic that is struggling or barely parenting their child. It is reasonable to believe that this is a repetitive cycle that WE need to help break. Perhaps you're not part of this problem? How about being part of the solution? I suggest there be classes where there is a behaviorist, psychologist, parent and teacher in the classroom? Perhaps 2 teachers in ALL classrooms to help with the leveling (instruct to ability)?

Sadly, I think most problems in the world require money? As a nation I think we need to agree that EDUCATION is a necessary priority!