I have been thinking a lot about education and teaching and the problems going on. My friend is a teacher in the Adams 12 district and the parents had a candlelight vigil to mourn the loss of funds. She linked the news story on facebook and I watched it and it made me think. They have to cut money from the budget. 30 million to be exact. So in protest parents went to a designated meeting place and lit candles as a funeral for lost "things".
Of course on the chopping block is "No Middle School Sports", "Parents pay for textbooks" and cutting 130 teachers. When I heard the sports thing, I had a flashback to my Middle School days (20 years ago) when the threat to cut sports was made because of budget shortage and all the kids signed a petition and then we were going to do a "Walk Out" to protest and all these other things...and you know what? Sports did not get cut, I think some extra fee was added to pay for the sports and everything was fine. So it just got me thinking...Why are these always the first things to go, "Sports", "Teachers" and "Textbooks". Things that directly impact the students and their success in education and desire to stay in school.
I think it pulls at the heart strings of the public. and the Districts, (Administrators) end up getting what they want in the end.(More Money). I am sorry, but when we can't afford things and cuts need to be made they need to be made. But why always go for the things that actually benefit students and their success in education.
I think we could cut some fat out of the administration starting from the top down. A few less Principals, secretaries, and counselors. Yes, I would like to be able to keep everyone, but when you don't have the money to pay, things have to go. So why are Teachers always on the chopping block first. The ones that directly effect the students that our tax dollars are going for.
But would it be as easy to gather a bunch of parents to light candles if they said they were going to cut the few to many "Vice Principals"? or put a cap on their salaries? Nope don't think so....
Another thought, ok so, you keep the administrators and get rid of sports and class sizes increase because of Teacher cuts, and you have to pay for your textbooks.
Parents, it is time to step up. So no sports. Start a in school sports team. 3 or 4 teams could be created within one school. Therefore increasing participation and exercise within the school. Sports can still be a part of a Middle School without the cost.
Less Teachers. Looks like more parents need to volunteer. As a teacher myself. I could set up several small groups and easily instruct a volunteer to lead that small group. And as a parent myself, I do not put the education of my child fully on the Teacher. It is my job too. Maybe the best thing the parents could have done to mourn the loss of education is to read your child a book or help with homework. Not go stand and light a candle to blame someone else for a budget short fall.
Textbooks. How many textbooks are really needed. My favorite English teacher from Highschool once said that if everything was taken away, she could teach a kid everything they need to know from the Dictionary. Newspapers, the internet, the Library. We have so much access to information that if textbooks had to go, I think we could make due without them.
I hate cuts...personally I would rather cut some other programs ie...Planned Parenthood etc...and give all money to education.
But I hate Debt. I hate that our country is going further and further in debt and I don't like it. But if things have to go. They have to go. So be creative and deal with it.
2 comments:
I was just talking to a friend about all of this. I feel personally that I am just about ready to go to a non-publicly-funded school system for our country. Parents don't value education, they value extracurriculars. I heard of families who pulled their kids out of GT and honors so they would have more time for sports and extracurriculars. REALLY???
I agree with trimming the fat, starting at the top. If parents were more interested and involved, maybe we wouldn't need so many counselors and school psychologists. If families got to know their children's teachers personally maybe teachers would have a better understanding and be able to work with their children better.
Our world has gone to an 'instant gratification' and 'contract labor' mentality. "I want it now, and I will pay someone else to do it instead of figuring out how to do it myself"
For some reason I always feel this way about this time of year.
Very well said. You always hear about how there isn't enough money for education, but when I was teaching, I was surprised at how much money there was to spend for various different programs (Granted, it was a Title I school, so we did get some extra funding). It never made sense to me. There is just so much bureaucracy involved in education. As a teacher, I felt frustrated that I often couldn't teach my students in the way that I felt would be best for them, because I was required to do so many other things and meet so many requirements (and focus on stupid test scores). Those are the things I don't miss about teaching... all the politics and bureaucracy. Oh, and textbooks?? Personally, I think they are a waste of money. I RARELY used a textbook in my teaching - for any subject. And AMEN to parents stepping up!!!
Love that I found your blog again... it's great to keep up with you. Hope you are doing well.
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