One of the most urgent needs in education is a call for our IEA, NEA and AFT to come together to agree to pressure local, state, and federal government agencies to enlist their help on at least two fronts.
First, our education associations need to make clear from the local levels to the Department of Education that teachers, in cooperation with local Boards of Education, are capable and willing to foster the proper tools to best evaluate teacher performance. I am not advocating an absence of such a instrument but it has to be one that has clear criteria and the people who are evaluating staff must understand what that criteria means and that they are capable (trained) to competently assess teacher performance.
Finally, teacher associations need to take a much more aggressive posture when it comes to the whole area of standardized testing. Right now students and instructors are pretty much at the mercy of non-education folks when it comes to this arena.
Yes, a 'wish list' but one that merits serious consideration.
Dick
Friday, January 16, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Leave Teachers Alone
You bet, if parents have questions regarding their son and/or daughters, by all means, make a phone call or sit down with the various staff and hammer out the concerns and issues. The same holds true for students. That communication is critical for a variety of reasons. The kids and parents deserve answers and information.
That being said, I am tired of teachers being badgered at all hours of the day for all sorts of reasons and demands. Here's the deal. Give teachers, and other staff, the time and space to do their jobs; create lessons, work with other staff, teach the students, assess student progress and grade various instruments.
Right now, teachers have so much thrown their way that the essence of teaching and carrying out those responsibilities too often, because of others, gets pushed, to the dismay of staff, to the proverbial back burner.
ENOUGH ALREADY!
Dick
That being said, I am tired of teachers being badgered at all hours of the day for all sorts of reasons and demands. Here's the deal. Give teachers, and other staff, the time and space to do their jobs; create lessons, work with other staff, teach the students, assess student progress and grade various instruments.
Right now, teachers have so much thrown their way that the essence of teaching and carrying out those responsibilities too often, because of others, gets pushed, to the dismay of staff, to the proverbial back burner.
ENOUGH ALREADY!
Dick
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
More on the American Dream
Last week I commented on the hardship endured by those living in poverty who want a better life but cannot afford the vehicle(s) to transport themselves to a better stage in life. Of course we are referring to the high cost of a college education, something clearly out of the reach of those on live on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder.
As further evidence that many of the poor remain so, the Jim Tankersley Washington Post story reports that a person gaining only a high school diploma in 2012 earns less than 20% of the national median income.
What does that mean? It boils down to the fact that it is not only difficult for the poor to get the funds to attend college, but those who do gain but a high school education are falling further behind the rest of the pack. No doubt, sadly, those folks will likely never realize the mirage that is the American Dream.
Dick
As further evidence that many of the poor remain so, the Jim Tankersley Washington Post story reports that a person gaining only a high school diploma in 2012 earns less than 20% of the national median income.
What does that mean? It boils down to the fact that it is not only difficult for the poor to get the funds to attend college, but those who do gain but a high school education are falling further behind the rest of the pack. No doubt, sadly, those folks will likely never realize the mirage that is the American Dream.
Dick
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Homeless, Cold, and Children
I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that there are 147,000 homeless people in the city of Chicago. That is an incredible number and I am, during this cold snap, thinking about how many school age children are homeless. It has to be a significant number.
Any of these children, and others, who we can provide with warm clothes and other school resources is most crucial. I am left wondering just how on earth cold, homeless students are expected to march on in the classroom and meet someone else's expectations for success. They have enough on their plates just to survive.
Whatever their needs, let's continue to assist those in need.
Dick
Any of these children, and others, who we can provide with warm clothes and other school resources is most crucial. I am left wondering just how on earth cold, homeless students are expected to march on in the classroom and meet someone else's expectations for success. They have enough on their plates just to survive.
Whatever their needs, let's continue to assist those in need.
Dick
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Higher Education and Wages
The ticket to a middle class or a higher standard of living is tied closely to one obtaining a college education. And the bottom line is this...a university (college of juco) education seems to be getting more expensive by the day. As I mentioned yesterday, this leaves those in poverty a in real bind since coming up with the money for college is so very problematic.
Many who live in poverty and have jobs are employed in positions which pay the minimum wage. That minimum wage isn't enough to live on much less provide funds for college. In fact, having two full times jobs paying minimum wage won't do the trick. Now you can see why so many are fighting for an increase in the minimum wage in this country.
For those parents who want to see their children advance on to get a college degree, paying these folks what they merit for their work should be a no-brainer. There is some movement on the positive side in terms of paying fair wages but much remains to be done. Until this situation is really remedied then a college education will remain out of the reach of the poor.
Dick
Many who live in poverty and have jobs are employed in positions which pay the minimum wage. That minimum wage isn't enough to live on much less provide funds for college. In fact, having two full times jobs paying minimum wage won't do the trick. Now you can see why so many are fighting for an increase in the minimum wage in this country.
For those parents who want to see their children advance on to get a college degree, paying these folks what they merit for their work should be a no-brainer. There is some movement on the positive side in terms of paying fair wages but much remains to be done. Until this situation is really remedied then a college education will remain out of the reach of the poor.
Dick
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
The Paradox of Escaping Poverty
That's not my title concerning the absolute roadblocks that those living in poverty face. It comes from a well researched article from Sundays Chicago Tribune. In essence, as if we needed someone to tell us this, the piece states that as the gap widens between the rich and poor, it becomes harder to move into even the lowest rungs of the middle class.
Tankersley's story puts holes in the argument that one can escape poverty by getting a college education.
As those in the middle strive to move forward they do so largely because they obtain a college education. When one lives in poverty there are many challenges just to get through high school let alone college. Since college is the 'ticket' and a college education gets more expensive then those in poverty, who can't afford to pay those high tuition fees, are left behind.
So the opportunities for those living in poverty to move forward is further complicated, beyond obstacles already embedded because of effects of poverty, because these good people lack the means to pay for a university education. In fact, a poor person, who could well be fairly bright, may have no chance to realize the 'American Dream' through no fault of their own. What a shame.
Dick
Tankersley's story puts holes in the argument that one can escape poverty by getting a college education.
As those in the middle strive to move forward they do so largely because they obtain a college education. When one lives in poverty there are many challenges just to get through high school let alone college. Since college is the 'ticket' and a college education gets more expensive then those in poverty, who can't afford to pay those high tuition fees, are left behind.
So the opportunities for those living in poverty to move forward is further complicated, beyond obstacles already embedded because of effects of poverty, because these good people lack the means to pay for a university education. In fact, a poor person, who could well be fairly bright, may have no chance to realize the 'American Dream' through no fault of their own. What a shame.
Dick
Monday, January 5, 2015
New Year Musings
2015 marks the 8th year of the founding of Schools Count Corp and the 10th year of our charitable work! I never envisioned that so many people would step forward to help those in need. The many donors of time, energy and money have been incredible and this group of generous people seems to grow as the years pass. Those who collect coats, music instruments and classroom supplies continues to amaze me in terms of not just the sheer volume but in terms of the length of the sustainability of your efforts.
The call to action remains and the work to help those in need goes on. As we work to help those afflicted by natural disasters or the cruelty of poverty and neglect, no matter the causes for such harm, I want to invite you to continue to assist us as we endeavor to help those in need.
Many children simply don't have school supplies, various educational opportunities or they lack the proper clothing and/or nutrition in order to encounter success in the classroom. The kids need you and I'd be appreciative of your continued support. Let's make 2015 a year for children-in-need a year that will allow the students the opportunity to excel and grow.
Many thanks,
Dick
The call to action remains and the work to help those in need goes on. As we work to help those afflicted by natural disasters or the cruelty of poverty and neglect, no matter the causes for such harm, I want to invite you to continue to assist us as we endeavor to help those in need.
Many children simply don't have school supplies, various educational opportunities or they lack the proper clothing and/or nutrition in order to encounter success in the classroom. The kids need you and I'd be appreciative of your continued support. Let's make 2015 a year for children-in-need a year that will allow the students the opportunity to excel and grow.
Many thanks,
Dick
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