(no subject)
I have roughly 140 essays to grade due to the "mock" state test we just did (basically, we ran the test exactly like the state test, but with last year's test. Gives us data on where the kids are, plus lets us work out the kinks before the actual day, when mistakes can cost us our jobs if serious enough). On top of that, we've been working on a composition in class, so I have another 144 to grade when I'm done with these.
Point 1: 145 (at last count) kids is an awful lot to teach any subject. You want to address major problems in public education? Large class sizes ought to be high on your list. (In case anyone cares...14-20 is a good size at middle school. Enough kids to do diverse groups with, but few enough to help each one, plus grading isn't horrific. Classes with a high percentage of special needs should be smaller.)
Point 2: 140-odd essays is a lot to grade. There's such a thing as your brain turning to mush, plus it's a hell of a lot of my free time that I'm not getting paid extra for. *And* my motivation to put helpful commentary decrease as my free time dwindles away. That's not admirable, maybe, but I put a lot into my job when I'm at my job. I'd like to not have to put *hours* into it when I'm at home.
Point 3: This is the time every year when I start thinking about A) other professions or B) other subjects to teach. Coincidence? I think not.
Point 1: 145 (at last count) kids is an awful lot to teach any subject. You want to address major problems in public education? Large class sizes ought to be high on your list. (In case anyone cares...14-20 is a good size at middle school. Enough kids to do diverse groups with, but few enough to help each one, plus grading isn't horrific. Classes with a high percentage of special needs should be smaller.)
Point 2: 140-odd essays is a lot to grade. There's such a thing as your brain turning to mush, plus it's a hell of a lot of my free time that I'm not getting paid extra for. *And* my motivation to put helpful commentary decrease as my free time dwindles away. That's not admirable, maybe, but I put a lot into my job when I'm at my job. I'd like to not have to put *hours* into it when I'm at home.
Point 3: This is the time every year when I start thinking about A) other professions or B) other subjects to teach. Coincidence? I think not.