My Educational Philosophy Rant
I am so tired of the state of our education system. It makes me SICK. I love teaching, but I do not love the system.
I would go on for hours if I just went into detail. So, in order to limit myself and my rant I will just post basic details.
1. The special education system which has come to dominate education is a joke.
2. 90% of the students who are classified as special ed are either lazy, un motivated, or have language issues.. not speaking English is not a disability.
3. The students who truly deserve special education services are getting screwed.
4. The students who deserve regular education or Gifted education services are getting screwed.
5. I cannot wait for the day that regular and gifted parents sue the shit out of school districts for forcing special education in a way that forces teachers to teach to the dumbest denominator.
6. I think that ANY student whose family recieves government services such as food stamps, subsidized housing, medicaid, etc. should be required to show proof of academic progress EACH MONTH in order to get services. The current attendance provision is not enough. Kids show up because they have to and show up without materials, motivation, or desire to work. They show up and create problems. They are there because they have to be.. to get benefits.. and nothing else is required of them.
7. If that child is failing and fails to prove that they have made an effort (tutoring, etc.) that family does not get services for that month. WOW.. at my school where 85% get government assistance I beleive there would be an educational revolution with parental involvement.
8. I think that the United States should get real. Not every kid is going to college, not every kid wants to or is capable of it. Why do we continue to push it?
9. We need to structure our education system to be realistic. By middle school..weed them out.. find the ones that are college bound and send them one way. find the ones who arent and send them their way.. technical school,etc, etc.
10. It doesnt have to be a bad thing. We put so much pressure on kids to complete calculus, chemistry, etc., etc.. some just cannot hack it. It is not their calling.. so they drop out. Why not focus on their strengths and let them succeed.
11. Many people succeed without college.
12. Extra curricular and non academic activities shoud not be a part of the regular curriculum.
13. Sports, Art, Music, Dance, etc.. although I LOVE THEM and feel they are necessary.. should come after academics.
14. Academics 8am to 12 noon... 1 pm, to 4 pm. sports, art, dance, etc...
15. Students should have to pay a fee to participate. If they are unable to pay due to financial issues they can be awarded scholarships based upon academic performance.
16. With all of this schools could save money, produce more well rounded students who are ready for the world. the real world.. not this idealized version that will never happen.
17. The United States invests more money than any other country in the world on education, yet we produce the most poorly educated people.
18. Our system that is geared toward special education and political correctness is producing generations of idiots and future tax burdens with no concept of what it means to survive in the real world.
As you can see, I am fed up. How can people who make education legislation believe that they are accomplishing anything with the direction that they are headed?
I would go on for hours if I just went into detail. So, in order to limit myself and my rant I will just post basic details.
1. The special education system which has come to dominate education is a joke.
2. 90% of the students who are classified as special ed are either lazy, un motivated, or have language issues.. not speaking English is not a disability.
3. The students who truly deserve special education services are getting screwed.
4. The students who deserve regular education or Gifted education services are getting screwed.
5. I cannot wait for the day that regular and gifted parents sue the shit out of school districts for forcing special education in a way that forces teachers to teach to the dumbest denominator.
6. I think that ANY student whose family recieves government services such as food stamps, subsidized housing, medicaid, etc. should be required to show proof of academic progress EACH MONTH in order to get services. The current attendance provision is not enough. Kids show up because they have to and show up without materials, motivation, or desire to work. They show up and create problems. They are there because they have to be.. to get benefits.. and nothing else is required of them.
7. If that child is failing and fails to prove that they have made an effort (tutoring, etc.) that family does not get services for that month. WOW.. at my school where 85% get government assistance I beleive there would be an educational revolution with parental involvement.
8. I think that the United States should get real. Not every kid is going to college, not every kid wants to or is capable of it. Why do we continue to push it?
9. We need to structure our education system to be realistic. By middle school..weed them out.. find the ones that are college bound and send them one way. find the ones who arent and send them their way.. technical school,etc, etc.
10. It doesnt have to be a bad thing. We put so much pressure on kids to complete calculus, chemistry, etc., etc.. some just cannot hack it. It is not their calling.. so they drop out. Why not focus on their strengths and let them succeed.
11. Many people succeed without college.
12. Extra curricular and non academic activities shoud not be a part of the regular curriculum.
13. Sports, Art, Music, Dance, etc.. although I LOVE THEM and feel they are necessary.. should come after academics.
14. Academics 8am to 12 noon... 1 pm, to 4 pm. sports, art, dance, etc...
15. Students should have to pay a fee to participate. If they are unable to pay due to financial issues they can be awarded scholarships based upon academic performance.
16. With all of this schools could save money, produce more well rounded students who are ready for the world. the real world.. not this idealized version that will never happen.
17. The United States invests more money than any other country in the world on education, yet we produce the most poorly educated people.
18. Our system that is geared toward special education and political correctness is producing generations of idiots and future tax burdens with no concept of what it means to survive in the real world.
As you can see, I am fed up. How can people who make education legislation believe that they are accomplishing anything with the direction that they are headed?