Elections and Education

Yes these two institutions, for better or worse, are married together!!

Local Board of Education members set budgets for schools. If funds are needed for the schools they can set levy levels, issue bonds, use funds from savings, move funds around (depending on various state laws) and possibly ask for monies in a referendum.

State government officials pass laws that impact what schools can do and can't do in any number of areas. Same for the federal government. Not only are laws passed but funds are provided for the programs. Of course laws can be passed but that doesn't matter if the legislators don't fully fund the various programs or if they cut the funding.

So, who you vote for does make a difference in our nation's schools. Get out and vote for those who really support public education.

Thanks,
Dick

An Idea on Funding for New Teachers

Both the State of IL and the U. S. Department of Education, if they are really serious, could well aid the development of a pool of future teachers. Here's what some well spent funds could do to aid this cause. They ought to provide direct dollars to high schools in all regions to have a course called Invitation to Teaching.

These funds would be used by the schools, who have teachers qualified to teach such a course which would include direct in-class instruction as well as field work in feeder schools within the neighborhood.

There are a scant number of these programs and I'm familiar with them and can report that they are highly successful in terms of inspiring/encouraging many to enter into the teaching field. Not coincidentally, many of these same students, having engaged in such high schools programs, are now in America's classrooms.

Let's do this!!

Dick

One Teacher at a Time

Yes, the long slog - and it often is just that - to find new, bright and energetic people to join the teacher profession will take time. Grassroots efforts always take time and it seems as though the obstacles are difficult to overcome.

I am asking my teacher friends from yesteryear and those of today to keep on teaching, keep on providing the type of leadership demanded of our society. And yes I am respectfully asking you to seek those few individuals you come into contact with to inspire them to join the ranks of America's teachers.

The road is long but I am confident that today's teachers will provide the path forward for tomorrow's educators.

Thanks,
Dick

Grassroots Fight for Teachers

The drain on the number and quality of teachers nationwide is real. And to do something about it; well, we have to get 'down and dirty.' Forget writing to the NEA, IEA and AFT (as I've done to no avail) we have to engage in an all-out grassroots campaign to let Americans know they have to do something about the disappearance of this American institution.

Here is but a sampling of what it will take to see to it that every neighborhood school in this country has excellent teachers; have an Introduction to Teaching course in high school, current teachers nurture and convince their students of the value of this career, start a club in middle school, high school and college called Future Educators of America, building principals and counselors talking to classes about the importance of becoming an educator, and bringing in retired teachers to talk about the critical need for young people to join the profession.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the approach that needs to take place to get young people involved in this wonderful endeavor. But when all is said and done, it will be a grassroots approach that will get our nation's youth to become tomorrow's teachers.

Thanks,
Dick

A Need for Teachers

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education reports that there was a precipitous decline in college candidate teacher preparation, nationwide, to the tune of 23% during the 2007 to 2015 period of time. To many of us in the teaching field this doesn't come as a shock though it is a more than troubling trend.

The above association according to Educationdive is pushing to change the curriculum offerings at many of the colleges and universities that provide education degrees.

The new course/curriculum offerings include; less standardized testing and more training in performance based assessments, a stronger background in pedagogy, a greater emphasis on what is termed 'community focus,' and a shift to preparing teachers to deal with changes that reflect a multi-cultural classroom.

In the coming days I'll be commenting on the causes of the decline of those entering the profession, what can be done to stem this tide and other issues that are part of the narrative that speaks to putting great teachers in front of our students.

Dick

Coats or Bust

We have had a couple of frosty evenings within the past week. And that all adds up to are children waiting outside for the bus or walking to school. We are in desperate need for coats for CPS children who are very young. I am looking to gather up to 200 coats for the kids. We are collecting children's small and medium sizes and want to provide them to the youngsters sometime in the November 5th - 9th time period.

Please consider providing the students with some warm clothing. I'd be glad to pick up the coats if you are local. Simply give me a call at 630-863-6035 or email me at rich219@comcast.net.

Thanks for your consideration!!
Dick

Technology Bust??

Pieces of chalk could bust in the palm of my hand as I wrote on the chalkboard. I could just as easily make a mistake entering, by pen, a score in the grade book. The mimeograph machine was might be too low on fluid. But those errors could easily be rectified with a new piece of chalk, 'whiting out' the score, or adding fluid to the tank of the mimeograph. No problem.

These educational resources have almost entirely disappeared replaced by computers and other digital resources. What I have learned from observation and talking with educators is that the technology in use today is often in disrepair, not fully functional, slow and - bottom line - not user friendly!!

This is not a minor glitch. The computer/digital issues are widespread...in rural, urban and suburban schools. Aside from these functionality concerns is the issue of big bucks. And these digital concerns are much more costly than the pieces of chalk, whiteout, pencils/pens and mimeograph fluid.

Technology is but one tool and if it isn't more functional than what I am learning some decisions need to be made that might help students and educators return to some resources that are more user friendly.

Dick