Get Schooled

By jim d

January 10, 2007 08:28 AM | Link to this

All I can say is that it would appear he’s on the right track.

Getting politicans out of education would be an excellent starting point.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 08:42 AM | Link to this

And Bridget, your choice of resturants could have been a bit better.

Truett Cathy ,founder of Chick-fil-a, has been a god send to a lot of students. Cathy’s approach is largely driven by personal satisfaction and a sense of obligation to the community and its young people. His WinShape Centre® Foundation, founded in 1984, grew from his desire to “shape winners” by helping young people succeed in life through scholarships and other youth-support programs. The foundation annually awards 20 to 30 students wishing to attend Berry College with scholarships up to $32,000 that are jointly funded by the Rome, Ga. institution. In addition, through its Leadership Scholarship Program, the Chick-fil-A chain has given more than $20 million dollars in $1,000 scholarships to Chick-fil-A restaurant employees since 1973.

By meme

January 10, 2007 09:02 AM | Link to this

I agree with jim d., don’t pick on Chick-fil-a. Cathy has made a lot of donations to education. I was a recipient of a grant from him to study career education.

By Bridget Gutierrez

January 10, 2007 09:17 AM | Link to this

Who’s picking on Chick-fil-A? I was just using it as an example of a common place where high school students hold after-school jobs.

My point was that many, many students already are working part-time jobs that are giving them an introduction to the work world.

What I’m wondering is: Do internships give them something beyond what they get from those regular jobs?

By beth

January 10, 2007 09:28 AM | Link to this

I don’t think fast food “internships” are what the governor had in mind. Let’s think a minute here. Students might benefit from shadowing at a hospital or physical therapy business if they are interested in the medical field. Education=they could be teacher’s assistants for one class period a day (this would work best on block scheduling). Students interested in business/computers could benefit from interning at a corporation.

Internships probably shouldn’t be mandatory for all students because of the lack of sites in the rural areas, but it should definitely be an option.

By Ernest

January 10, 2007 09:28 AM | Link to this

In fairness, I don’t consider ‘flipping burgers’ an internship. I see an internship as working in a professional field. If students had opportunities observing/working in the backoffice of an organization, so as to gain insight on careers such as accounting, marketing, IT, etc., it could provide great value.

There are many kids that don’t know what the business world is like because they have not been exposed to it. I applaud the governor for challenging the business community to help with this.

By luvs2teach

January 10, 2007 09:37 AM | Link to this

I’d say it depends on the internship - if it’s just something that the student is already “qualified for” - like making change in a store or restaurant, then I’d say no. But if the internship involves real-world experience that is like job-training then I’d say yes. Examples would be a drafting student working in an architects office, a cosmetology student working at a salon, a landscaping student working in a greenhouse, a business student working in an office, or an auto shop stuent working in at a mechanics.

Students interested in medicine could work at a hospital or a clinic. Students interested in zoology or veterinary medicine could work at the zoo, humane society, pet store or vet clinic. Students interested in history or library science could work at a library. Students interested in law or politics could intern at a law office or at the state house for their local rep (I did that in high school - very interesting experience).

And of course, a student interested in journalism could intern at the AJC!

By em

January 10, 2007 09:44 AM | Link to this

The first step to getting a true reflection of student performance in Georgia (at least at the high school level)is for the State Department of Education to stop curving the hell out of the EOCTs. They are a joke as is the Georgia High School Graduation Test.

By meme

January 10, 2007 09:57 AM | Link to this

Didn’t mean to rock the boat.

By GW

January 10, 2007 09:59 AM | Link to this

My son interned as a Pharmacy Tech his senior year. If he did not do that he would have been stuck at school in some useless class just to kill time. He learned an awful lot about pharmacy and even more about dealing with people.

By meme

January 10, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Some people are never going to be able to do much more than flip burgers. That is going to be their career, if they are lucky. I don’t see anything wrong with an ‘internship’ in any industry. IMHO

By JustMe

January 10, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Purdue still does not get it. The big problem in education isn’t the teachers and business people cannot help. The big problem is the large number of “parents” that do not really parent in our State.

As a practicing teacher, I see large numbers of “parents” that feel that their only job is to supply material things. They do not teach values, morals, a sense of responsibility, etc.

If Perdue wants to fix education, he first must fix parents.

By Ernest

January 10, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

JustMe:

I understand your concern and frustration. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if any politician can ‘fix’ parents. I’m sure you would agree, some students can be reached in spite of their parents. I see this as worthwhile if teachers like yourself, who recognize students that fall into this category, refers them to opportunities like this. This could be the ‘jumpstart’ that some who want to succeed yet lack parental guidance could flourish in.

Like meme said, some will end up flipping burgers. At the end of the day, we will need those people also. An internship isn’t needed for that.

By holdingAJCaccountable

January 10, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Isn’t it ironic that a Republican governor, of the party that talks of “personal responsibility” and “rule of law” will do absolutely nothing about the discipline problems in the public schools? Make students responsible for their behavior, (by introducing consequences, like they will see in the real world) and enforce the rules of school (like the laws they will see in the real world) and then you will have reform…not facade like we have now. And as a side note, why haven’t the educator reporters done an article on State Representative Daryl Jordan’s “Teacher Bill of Rights” that would, among other things, offer teachers protection for trying to hold students accountable for learning and administrators accountable for the teaching conditons needed to learn?

By WhatWillBridgetDo?

January 10, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Re: Bridget’s quote, “Then I learned the importance of teachers’ groups, which give cover for individuals…” With all due respect, if these groups are so important, isn’t it important to report on them accurately? The education reports constantly refer to PAGE and GAE as “teachers’ organizations”. They emphatically are not. Because they allow teachers and administrators to join, by their very nature, they cannot give a “voice to voiceless teachers” because it would be in direct conflict with the administrative members of each group. Why have you never made this distinction in your reporting, and at the very least, start accurately referring to GAE and PAGE as “educators’ organizations” and not teachers’ organizations? This is not to say that GAE and PAGE are inherently evil, just that they are limited in fully advocating for teachers and one would think that a reporter would note that. Also have you, as an education reporter, interviewed and followed up with an article on the one organization that can and does give a voice to voiceless teachers, the Metro Association of Classroom Educators? They are “teachers only” and thus can advocate for teachers without conflict. But your readers won’t know this if you won’t report it. I’d like to know if the regulars on this board see a pattern of our host not being willing to actively participate, and not willing to report on issues brought up by bloggers when they expose an “inconvenient truth”? I think as an education reporter who acknowledges that teachers fear going on the record, our host could be doing a lot more to get the teacher’s point of view out their. Asking what the governor thinks, or about some report a think tank came up with, just doesn’t cut it, if there are major issues with discipline, with teachers facing retaliation for speaking out, for giving grades students have earned etc. I’m I in a minority here, or do some of the regular posters (you know who you are) share the concern that our host does not seem as willing as Patti to address concerns bloggers bring up, especially when it comes to the way reporters at the AJC report on stories. At the very least, Patti would address such, and was willing to “belly up to the bar” and tell us where she was coming from. I see this lacking now; if I’m wrong regulars, (again, you know who you are) then by all means take me to task on it! And if there is some credence to what I say, help give it a voice in the hopes of improving the impact that this blog can have. Bridget are you out there? Inquiring minds want to know.

By Vicki

January 10, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

A local branch of Washington Mutual has an internship program for the seniors from our high school. I’ve worked with this bank for “Bank Day” at our elementary school the past 3 years and have seen 6 or 7 seniors working as interns. The bank manager loves the program and he feels the students want to work. The real world experience is a wonderful opportunity for the students.

Also, my husband owns an architectural firm and has had several students come in a “shadow” him at the request of the kids’ parents. The students get to actually get to see if they are interested in this particular field.

By Veteran

January 10, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Bridget - internships are already available in Georgia high schools; the program is called the Youth Apprenticeship Program. At our school students are particularly interested in internships in the medical and legal fields; others are involved in law enforcement apprenticeships. Instead of parents “allowing” (encouraging?) students to take 1/4 of the school day and having Minimum Day, or daily vacation time to possibly go “flip burgers,” why not disallow minimum day altogether and instead encourage apprenticeships and internships? Same basic concept, but students can shadow career fields that require some post-secondary education, not just a strong wrist for flipping. Another idea to piggyback onto the YAP program would be to encourage students to shadow programs at nearby colleges and universities. My own son, in his mid-twenties, just made the observation that IF he had been aware of the programs available at Ga Tech, he would have been motivated to work harder to be accepted. Only now does he finally understand why all of his teachers and his parents begged him to “apply himself” so his options could be limitless. Sometimes students tune out the words, but comprehend the visions. We need to be in the business of pointing students toward those visions.

By wwww

January 10, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

This is news? I’m confused. Programs like this have existed in Georgia schools for as long as I can remember, I was a participant in one my Senior year. It was a wonderful experience, true, but nothing new.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Sorry Bridget,

Didn’t mean to put you on a hot seat over Truett Cathy. just wanted to point out some of the good things he’s done for a lot of kids. The world could use a few more like him.

As for discipline in our schools? there really is an easy fix, one that would place responsibility back at home. Simply quit trying to be the end-all for students. If they break the law—have them arrested. It wouldn’t take long for parents to get the message, and I asssure you that once parents get it the kids would GET IT too.

Now for a few old timers—a short walk down memory lane.”the good old days!”

Remember when the worst thing you could do at school was to smoke in the bathroom, flunk a test or chew gum?

Remember when being sent to the principals office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited us when we got home? Remember fearing for your life not because of drugs, gangs or drive by shootings but the larger threat you had to face from your parents? We survived because their love was greater than the threat.

Ok, did it feel good to go back and say. Yeah, I remember that?

With all of the progress don’t you wish, just once, we could slip back in time and savor the slower pace and share it with the kids of today?

By ellemem

January 10, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Why should the internships wait until the student is in high school? Many students are already behind, or have the wrong attitude about school, by the time they reach high schoo.

As a middle school teacher, I’d like to see internships/real world experience offered to 8th graders. These are the students who need to realize that the decisions that they make in high school, even in the 9th grade, effect their future.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

ellemem,

The question begs to be asked.

Why are they that far behind?

That is of course a rhetorical question. But one that really needs to be addressed and addressed at the elementary level. If y’all would quit passing them on, we wouldn’t have the problem. (y’all= public education)

By jim d

January 10, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Internship? Nothing new. We had it back in the 60’s. Only we called it work release.

My Senior year required an hour and a half at school since I already had all my credits and required classes.

I worked a commercial farm the rest of the day. Yeah, I know, a few folks may think that doesn’t teach any usable job traits. I however disagree. It taught me “work ethic” which I believe is the most valuable lesson youth can learn. It will serve them well regardless of what occupation they chose.

By Dara

January 10, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

On December 14, 2006, the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce unveiled Tougher Choices or Tougher Times, a report calling for the biggest changes in the American education system in a century. Look for this report to influence legislation because it has the financial backing of corporate America. The report recommends federalization, schools run as businesses, and more “accountability” (i.e., tests). The failure of this influential group to realize that schools reflect communities means Tougher Choices or Tougher Times is off-base and addresses a symptom, not the actual ailment. The key indicator for “failing” schools is the community’s average earned income. The problem is not schools, teachers, or curriculum, but community socio-economic indicators. Schools in rural Georgia don’t prepare many nuclear scientists because the majority of jobs (and parents) are in textile mills, pulp mills, and poultry farms. Mysteriously, communities with upwardly mobile, intellectual, socio-economically advantaged residents tend to have similar schools.

For generations teachers have maximizing individual potential and planted seeds for upward socio-economic mobility—emphasizing an education of the head, heart, and hands. All communities need innovative problem solvers, public servants, and diligent workers. The current notion that “smarter” test-savvy graduates will solve our nation’s ills is foolish. Educating head, heart, and hands—academics, arts, and athletics—will yield a far better society than Tougher Choices or Tougher Times. Our nation has risen to greatness through innovative problem-solvers in a free market—a place where invention and providing a better product pays off. Cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all, standards-based schools that equate and education to standardized test scores are the anti-thesis of what America needs.

Tougher Choices or Tougher Times appears to have no teacher fingerprints on it at all. Teachers have become America’s “whipping boy”. Once the last child-centered teachers are “flogged” out of the system, what will be left? I can’t help but think the New Commission of the Skills of the American Workforce would condemn schooling altogether if they could figure out how to insert a memory chip or program industry standards into children. I foresee disenchanted “industrial drone” graduates who are overweight and aesthetically clueless, or, rebellious drop-outs in pursuit of the American Dream.

Today’s educational landscape makes me wonder where one has to go to find the profession I entered three decades ago—you know, the one with locally governed, community-based, child-centered, liberal arts embracing schools where teachers tried to maximize each student’s potential. The kind of schools that prepared our nation’s best and brightest, as well as toughest and most dependable, for global ascendance, cutting-edge technological development, and a shot at success for anyone who wanted to make the effort.

By ToJimd,KA,SET,et.al.

January 10, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

ToJim d and the other regulars: Belly up to the bar! Yes, yes, yes, teachers must stop passing them when they can’t even read. But right now, they don’t want to commit “Doc Reace” en masse. What to do? In addition to what you already do, I encourage you to read a few posts up “WhatWillBridgetDo?” and hold the Fourth Estate’s feet to the fire. The Fourth Estate can be a bully pulpit to advocate for legislation, policy and such that will allow teachers feeling empowered enough to enforce the consequences needed, to give the grades earned, the whole nine yards. I think our representative of the Fourth Estate needs to do better (the example of PAGE and GAE not being “teachers’ organizations” is but one small example) in using this blog, as well as the AJC coverage to bring these issues to light. Agree or disagree? Seems to be some tippytoeing around this issue, or is it just me?

By decaturparent

January 10, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Dara, you rock. Although, you are pretty off topic, but that’s just a technicality.

Perdue is wasting his time.

If you have had it with you child being treated as a widget (and the widgetting hasn’t even really begun yet… wait until we edge toward 2014). Go to http://www.educatorroundtable.org and sign the petition demanding that Congress dismantle NCLB so they they can start over and come up with something that acutally promotes the skills that our kids will need in this century. Better yet, get involved!

With NCLB choking off anything interesting or creative in high schools, don’t count on high schools wasting time with real world experiences such as internships. Internships aren’t on the GHSGT.

Well, maybe the high achievers will get to do these internships, but they typically have the least need for it b/c they have managerial/professional parents who can arrange for all sorts of internship and shadowing opportunities in the summer, etc. The kids who need the internship opportunities the most will be too busy with remedial reading. You can’t force knowledge down a kid’s throat if they see no value in it. They aren’t geese.

By MrLiberty

January 10, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Maybe Mr. Perdue could introduce legislation reducing or eliminating the tax and regulatory burden the state currently imposes on business. While he’s at it, why not also amend the labor laws. All of these costs to business are just flushed down the government waste hole with no real benefit to business.

Maybe once the chains are off businesses might be in a better position to not only employ people in internship positions, but they might also have enought monely to high them for real once their time in schoool is up.

By GAeducator

January 10, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

How will providing internship programs help students in rural Georgia? There are a number of counties with little if any opportunities for students to have afterschool jobs. The possibilities for internships could easily be limited to agriculture/farms, the very environment where the students live. There are schools in areas where the nearest shopping is 20-30 miles down the road. If you don’t believe there are areas like this in Georgia, take trip to Ludowici. Not every 16 year old in Georgia has their own vehicle. And what about the changing laws regarding driver’s licenses for teens? More limitations on student opportunities! Although Governor Perdue is from a once rural area of Georgia (Bonaire/Warner Robins is no longer rural), he seems to forget that there is another “Georgia”, one that is not easily recognized by the metro Atlanta population. Fixing education is not possible by applying one band-aid over another. Real educational reform begins and ends within the walls of the classroom.

By OldSchool

January 10, 2007 01:21 PM | Link to this

I was under the impression that an internship was very different from work release and Youth Apprenticeships. An internship might not be a paid position but a credit-bearing one that introduces the student to a particular employer/industry. They are usually limited to a school term and the student may have associated “schoolwork” to complete for credit. Youth Apprenticeships SHOULD be learning/earning at the side of a master. Students should be employed in a field they have an interest in or want a career in. Work release was getting out of school early to go to a job…whatever that job might be…and no credit was given.

I’m all for valid internships. Both my girls did them…one at Disney Orlando (public relations) and the other at Dreamworks in Nashville (recording industry). Both are now employed in their respective fields, happy, and doing quite well.

By the real EW

January 10, 2007 01:51 PM | Link to this

Jim,

I know you are not talking to us, but to education as a whole – however just wanted to vent for a minute.

In my suburban school last year, we had several students who failed all of their classes, however they were just pushed along by administration. We had students who failed all classes and passed the CRCT and the administration stated that they could be placed, because of that one indicator of success.

Now sit back and close your eyes and imagine how frustrating it is for a teacher to have spent the last 180 days trying with this student, calling the parents, filling out the mounds of unnecessary paperwork, (only for a CYA, I remind you) filling out the totally unnecessary SST paperwork and sitting through meeting in which parents don’t show, and for most teachers even worrying about this students overall ability to make it in society – to have your principal come and question your judgment and overrule all of your hard work to PASS, PLACE, PROMOTE – whatever you want to call it - a student who is probably at least three to four grade levels behind in reading to high school! High school! We have set these students up for failure ~ immediate 9th or 10th grade dropouts!

Sometimes I wonder why – I’m here

By I_am_who_I_am

January 10, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

Re: Jobs/Internships…

The jobs students are supposed to get are supposed to somehow reflect their choice for a post hs career.

To that end, my son, who is planning on attending a culinary school, has worked as a cook for the past two years. This IS real world prep for both school AND his future career.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 02:30 PM | Link to this

Ok folks,

I hired one once. A great kid with tremendous potential. Not only was he working for me half days, I enrolled him in an industry apprenticeship program sponsored by one of the organizations I belong to where he was first in his class. I’ve yet to recover from that expierence, and don’t know that I ever will.

He died in an auto accident on his way back here, from athens, to attend classes. Yeah, I know it was a freak accident but I still wonder if sometimes we aren’t putting more on these kids plates than they are mentally and emotionally mature enough to handle?

By jim d

January 10, 2007 02:37 PM | Link to this

EW,

I agree—When the jelly-fish like school adminstrators starts growing some back bone, teachers can too.

If a child fails they must be held back. I don’t buy into the argument about a 16 year old fourth grader setting next to a 10 year old. Hell, the 16 year old will quit, and be no worse off than they are if we keep just passing them through the system.

By the real EW

January 10, 2007 02:55 PM | Link to this

Jim,

Present day scenario. I have one student who has missed at least 25 to 30 days of school. He was retained, but was given a contract that if he came in and performed for the first nine weeks he would be moved to 8th grade. He didn’t do it, is a behavior and truancy issue - not to mention failing everything (how could you be passing if you were absent for 30 days) however today we were told he would be placed starting tomorrow in 8th grade!

Reasons:

The student explained that he hasn’t done what expected of him because he was promised that he would be moved.

Our psych. stated that since he is going to be 16 soon - we needed to move him immediately.

This is what teachers deal with today. And it was also brought to my attention today that I have another student, female, third time seventh grader truancy issue who is going to have to be placed because she will be 16 soon….

The joys of education!

By holdingAJCaccountable

January 10, 2007 03:28 PM | Link to this

Want to help administrators grow a backbone? Simple, make a large part of their evaluations dependent on how the faculty rates them. If their jobs are on the line, they can’t afford to cave in to parents. Of the concern that it will give teachers too much power…that is hardly a concern. It’s a simple matter of checks and balances.

By JustMe

January 10, 2007 03:55 PM | Link to this

The Governor really CAN do something about bad “parents.”

Public schools require immunizations and other things in order to register children for school. How about requiring a parenting class? The State should require that all parents complete a class on how to discipline their children as well as how to teach them the difference between right and , and on how to make good decisions (among other things).

The parents would have to show the certificate of completion of this course (in addition to the immunization certification and others) to register their child for school.

By JustMe

January 10, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this

holdingAJCaccountable….

Your idea, while great IMHO, could not work. Administrators are far more afraid of parents than they even could be of teachers. Loud parents will complain all of the way up the chain of command to the superintendent - and then the administrator will be fired anyway. If a teacher were to complain up the chain of command, they would just get rid of the teacher.

By holdingAJCaccountable

January 10, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

JustMe: you may be right (about admin’s fear of parents) But this IMHO is where we need to look to fix education: change the balance of power back to the teacher and away from the students. You’ll find that “reforms” will work much better then. Didn’t John Dewey say “One can of whupa@@ is better than a whole case of reform”? Ok, maybe he didn’t, but he might if he had to teach today :)

By Truth Filter

January 10, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

Just Me,

Your idea is sounds great on cyber-paper, but the problem won’t be with the parents that aren’t involved. Imagine a very good, very involved parent who has been reading to his or her child since the day they were born being told he or she needs to take a parenting class. How do you think that’s going to go over? And who will decide what discipline philosophy will be taught? Who will decide what filter will be used to determine “right from wrong?”

Bottom line, the schools and the government can make it EASIER for parents who want to get involved to be involved. That work is happening in a lot of districts, not so much in others.

But as far as forcing a parent who doesn’t want to be involved to be involved, there ain’t much the government can do in the home. They just need to take advantage of the time they have the kid in school, if possible.

Just a little truth…

By jim d

January 10, 2007 04:26 PM | Link to this

just me.

Forced parenting classes—Now there’s a truly dumb idea.

NO FRIGGIN WAY I’ll take a parenting class from government. If they want to raise my kid they need to pick up all the bills.

By ITP Mom

January 10, 2007 04:28 PM | Link to this

JustMe:

Truth filter put it nicely - the fact that you are willing to put a comment like “all parents complete a class on how to discipline their children…” in writing is very sad.

Trust me - many of us drill into our children that they will respect and honor their teachers. We only need a phone call/e-mail/letter home re bad behavior for it to stop immediately. We remind our children daily what is right and wrong and when they mess up - we are there to correct the problem. Your broad sweeping generalization was an insult to all the hardworking involved parents out there.

By ITP Mom

January 10, 2007 04:33 PM | Link to this

And by “Truth filter put it nicely” - I should have said “politely”

Nice response jim d.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 04:35 PM | Link to this

Graduation coach’s. Damn I thought that muck had been buried.

Now for 8th graders? The man has no grasp on reality.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 04:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks mom,

Polite never has been one of my strong suits when it comes to dealing with dumb.

By Jeff

January 10, 2007 05:05 PM | Link to this

jim and ITP:

How about modifying JustMe’s idea:

If your child has more than x number of days (with x being NO MORE than 15) of suspension of ANY kind (ISS, OSS, expulsion, whatever), you must take said class and student will not be allowed back into class until said certificate is shown. This way, those parents that truly ARE doing their jobs don’t have to suffer, but MAYBE we’ll see some improvement with those parents that are not.

Oh wait, then Admins will just stop assigning ISS etc, and it’ll make our jobs even HARDER!!

(BTW: I’ve had a kid both verbally and physically threaten me EVERY DAY THIS WEEK - including kicking me in the shin yesterday. When I called Principal to the room today to have said child removed - after said kid told the entire class “Let’s all jump Mr. Jeff” - he said said kid would be in ISS for 7 days. Ummm… when I was in school (HS class of ‘01), had that happened where I was at, kid would be spending a week at home, MINIMUM. Though I do appreciate that he is at least doing SOMETHING with the kid!)

By jim d

January 10, 2007 05:09 PM | Link to this

EW,

Not arguing it won’t happen (16 year old 8th grader) Odds are though if they haven’t been coming that won’t change thereby eliminating the problem.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this

jeff,

My solution is easier.

Kick their sorry asses out.(make that a large “.”)

By Jeff

January 10, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

Jim:

I fully support THAT idea!

However, I also know the overall system I work in, and that is a LONG way from something that will happen anytime soon, UNFORTUNATELY!!

By Janis Ian

January 10, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

Ernest again! Ugh.

I can now live my life happily knowing your take on flipping burgers and internships. Pray tell! What wonderful things are happening with Crawford Lewis and internships relating to DeKalb County? You haven’t pandered for him yet this year on this blog. What’s up with that?

Anyway, ignore this and reply in your sanctimonious pomposity to some other blogger’s post. Ya’ll make such a loving group of Patti’s pets. It’s almost like she’s still here.

By jim d

January 10, 2007 05:28 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

It truly is a simple solution. One of two things will happen (1)they get a job and become self sufficent or (2) they don’t get a job and continue to sponge off their indulging parents. I really don’t care which since either one takes them out of a tax supported public education system and saves me money.

By Janine

January 10, 2007 05:37 PM | Link to this

Quite frankly, I think the AJC is in a position to do more than the Gov will ever get done. Suggestion:At the end of this year, get a little army of reporters and summer interns together [maybe the AJC could take on more interns for this project.]and actually do an investigative report on the thousands of students who did not pass classes and/or the CRCT but are *”placed, put,whatever you want to call it” * in the next grade.

By catlady

January 10, 2007 05:42 PM | Link to this

Ho hum, ho hum, everything old is new again. More need to hire folks to oversee this “new ” program. Internships (real ones ) can be very important but as said earlier there are a lot of places that this is a moot point, due to lack of engaging intellectual work. Let’s do something that will have an impact on more students (enforcing behavior rules, keeping kids back who can’t/DON’T do the work)and less money spent on gilding the already golden lillies (I’d bet the more advantaged students would be more likely to qualify and take part in this program). You’ll never get more unless you EXPECT and DEMAND more; there is little personal pride any more that used to infect students with the urge to better themselves through hard study.

Actually, I think work programs should be out of the high school entirely, unless they fit with the program of study, and then only available in limited situations. But I am old fashioned; I think PARENTS should supply the child’s financial needs, and families should live within their means, even if this means jr. doesn’t have a car till after he graduates and gets a job. Too much emphasis is going to things, and not enough to study, IMHO.

By catlady

January 10, 2007 05:43 PM | Link to this

Saw an ad in the Atl paper for someone at the state level to coordinate a new initiative for interfacing high school and college (Sunday paper under Education).

By Mom

January 10, 2007 05:45 PM | Link to this

Janis,

Nice to see you’ve contributed so much to the blog again, today…give it a rest.

By catlady

January 10, 2007 05:46 PM | Link to this

Jeff, did you call the police when you were assaulted and threatened? Those offenses are against the law.

By Janine

January 10, 2007 05:47 PM | Link to this

The word EXPOSE—read expos-aycomes to mind. But the AJC cannot just go away afterwards….they must stay on it even when the educrats stonewall and ignore…

By Janine

January 10, 2007 05:49 PM | Link to this

That interface…catlady…do you think that means fix it so the incoming freshmen don’t need remedial classes for a year, or actually require more to graduate?

By Jeff

January 10, 2007 05:53 PM | Link to this

catlady:

I’ve tried. Extremely small system/ county. Cops do NOTHING to students unless given the OK by the school, and guess where my school stands?

By SET

January 10, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

Here’s my contribution on this point.

Anything that ties the “children” to adult society is good. Many are not getting that from their parents. So either flipping burgers or internships - if it exposes teenagers to adult supervision and public contact - it’s useful experience. Some kids can dress out and watch surgety. Some would learn useful skills on a chain gang.

Perdue can’t fix the parents. You (the teachers) need to proceed with or without parental support.

If there is a crime committed on campus - especially felony crimes and especially when there is no question of proof - the police should be called and arrests made. Let the courts deal with the criminal child and the parents… that’s what we pay taxes for. “Criminal threats” are “wobblers” in CA (§422 Penal Code). That means they are arrested as felonies and can be charged by the DA as either misdemeanors or felonies at the DA’s discretion.

Felony status is important because police can arrest on a felony without needing an arrest warrant on probable cause (i.e. witness statements). An easy prospect. Misdemeanor arrests require the crime being done in the Police presence, a citizen’s arrest of an eyewitness, or a judicial arrest warrant. This is often too much trouble.

If they are sentenced as a felony, a Criminal Threats conviction becomes a “strike” - which is a legal catastrophe for the defendant. The court can override the DA and reduce this crime to a misdemeanor if it wants to.

What this means around here is that if Sonny Boy and/or his girlfriend tell a teacher in front of witnesses that they will slash her tires or kick her a** due to their displeasure over being told to sit down or hand in a paper or whatever - that’s a felony and a felony arrest. (Slashing the tires alone without the threat would just be misdemeanor vandalism).

I guarantee when the school starts having these people arrested every chance you get, they will modify their behavior in a hurry. Ditto should the parents show up and say the magic words. “Good Schools” (tm) use this tactic to run off anti-social families. It can be part of a comprehensive program to pursuade problem kids to agree to transfer to alternative schools.

By WhatWillBridgetDo?

January 10, 2007 06:06 PM | Link to this

Janine, I agree with you 100%. I’m disappointed that our host has been asked specifically to comment on why certain issues aren’t covered by the AJC, yet she will not respond. Seems the “cat got the tongue” of our regulars on here as well, when asked if they thought our host could be doing better at responding to bloggers…Jim d, catlady, KA, Jeff…is the AJC’s coverage not worthy of comment, pro or con? They are the Fourth Estate after all and our Founding Fathers definitely envisioned an active role for them…

By catlady

January 10, 2007 06:08 PM | Link to this

Jeff, I would think that as a citizen you can file a police report every time you are assaulted. You don’t lose the rights of a citizen just by becoming a teacher. If the police refuse to take a report, I would think you could notify the DA and the newspaper (even the Atl newspaper!) about their refusal to do the job. You don’t have to continue to be assaulted. That sounds kind of like an abused wife sort of thing. Maybe because I am female, I don’t see myself being treated that way but once. And your school system might get serious about taking those students out of your class (and giving them to some poor other schmuck, probably, rather than dismissing them). In 33 years I have been assaulted once (by a disturbed five year old, who kicked me) except when I taught special ed and I have never been cussed or threatened, and, although I am well paid, I would NEVER be well-enough paid, or hungry enough, to put up with that. Can’t see how you can stand it.

By SET

January 10, 2007 06:24 PM | Link to this

Typo - I was saying “dress out and watch surgery. I know several physicians who as teenagers were taken into surgery in cap and gown to watch. Probably won’t happen now. You’d have to have the patient sign releases in triplicate… I grew up around hospitals and emergency rooms and I wound up here.

Police agencies allow teenagers with parental permission go on ride alongs - and join cadet programs. Major influence on pursuing those $100k a year careers. My HS classmates who were hot rodders all became cops.

When I’ve had teenagers shadowing me in court. They were usually bored. They’re too used to “Law and Order” drama on TV to have staying power in courtrooms. We can sentence people to life or nearly life in prison and they barely register what’s happening to them (they wave at their baby’s Mama).

The real action around here is child support Court when the daddys find out how much child support is going to be. They have 3 bailiffs on duty and keep Kleenex at the table.

College students were best able to find the joy in practicing law, not HS students. I have had a number of college interns over the years who went on to become lawyers.

By Jeff

January 10, 2007 06:32 PM | Link to this

WWBD:

I honestly think the AJC is doing a decent job. Mr. Wooten has specifically mentioned me (without revealing my real identity, even though he knows it) in a couple of columns, and I honestly think Bridget is giving this blog as much time as she can. I get useful information from them, and I have gave them my comments for an article or two as well, and will continue to do so whenever they ask.

catlady:

I stay at my school for reasons that are my own. I get a STRONG feeling that far more serious wars are coming my way, though not necessarily from this system, and that my experiences here are only training ground for them. I know that I can deal with whatever is thrown my way, and I will continue to stay at my school until I get the command to leave. This community needs me, even if the kids don’t see it. Yes, I have a FEW parents out to get me fired, but I’ve had SEVERAL more that have flat out said (their exact words) the very words I just typed: “this community needs you, and needs more like you”. So I stay, and I fight. The system may yet do their worst to me, but I will deal with it if they do.

I can honestly say that other than the kid I mentioned in my earlier post, so far this semester has started on a much better footing and I actually LIKE working there right now. We’ll see if that holds, (see, I’m not being COMPLETELY optimistic!!) but so far it looks good.

I’ve learned to wait for the initial reaction to pass… it has saved my bacon countless times. If I can hold out long enough to implement things the way I want them, I know I can BE the very weapon I’ve told parents that I came here to be. I’m making bumps right now, but eventually I WILL shatter this wall and start the rebuilding of this community. The popular support (from the parents) is there. I just have to manage the yahoos decently, gain the trust of administration and kids, and I can pull this off. (OK… y’all tell me…. am I starting to sound like a more battle-hardened version of myself from last summer?)

By luvs2teach

January 10, 2007 06:34 PM | Link to this

SET - actually, don’t you think that there might be some value in finding out what some careers are REALLY like?

For example, you mentioned that the HSers were bored in a courtroom - well, that might be good for those who have starry-eyed dreams of TV show law - fancy cars, cool cases, drama in the courtroom and huge paychecks - better to find that out before mom and dad waste their money on a BS in pre-law.

That reminded me of a student I had a couple years ago who wanted to be a pediatrician because she loved kids and wanted to make lots of money. The only sticking point? She hated science!

Moo…

jim d and Jeff - woof, woof

catlady - meow, of course

Quack, quack, y’all…

ROFL…

By Lisa B.

January 10, 2007 06:37 PM | Link to this

I like the idea of internships. I benefited from interships myself, when as a high school student I wanted to work in the medical field for job security and money. Thankfully, a couple of internships showed very quickly that medicine was not for me. I was steered toward medicine because of great science soores, but discovered I had no interest in the field. Our local school system grants internships to high school seniors. Several students have gone on to become teachers themselves, while others learned that the profession wasn’t for them.

Internships alone will not “fix” education. Internships won’t work for all students. Internships are just one more option, one more idea, one more way to reach “some” of the students.

By WhatWillBridgetDo?

January 10, 2007 06:44 PM | Link to this

Jeff, Do you know how many editorial the AJC editorial board has written advocating teachers have more control when it comes to discipline in the last ten years? NONE ZERO ZILCH I’ve read Mr. Wooten’s blog; HE gets it as far as discipline. The others are mute. And our host (unlike Patti) still hasn’t responded to issues raised (for example, why do the education reporters never talk about the fact that GAE and PAGE are not “teacher organizations”-as compared to MACE-and thus, cannot give a “voice to the voiceless”? Might not agree with everything Patti said…but she would look into stuff and report back. I don’t think that’s too much to ask of the education reporter…otherwise, why not just let the janitor run the blog?

By catlady

January 10, 2007 06:46 PM | Link to this

One other comment: in the old days we called graduation coaches “parents”, ie “You’d better get that homework done or you’re never gonna get out of this house!”

By Lisa B.

January 10, 2007 06:59 PM | Link to this

Sorry for the typos. I sat in a mind-numbing meeting all day being trained on yet another evaluation tool to use on our poor, over-tested children. Sometimes I think we test more than we teach. All the assessments show the same thing: this one is behind, this one isn’t.

Gag.

By luvs2teach

January 10, 2007 07:01 PM | Link to this

WWBD - maybe you should address your questions to the editor Keith Graham, kgraham@ajc.com - unless the AJC Ed Team page hasn’t been updated, he would be your man, I think.

From what it looks like, the department is arranged so there are several reporters each handling a separate county or two - this blog is an addition too, not a substitute for reporting.

Bridget is still new to this, too.

By SET

January 10, 2007 07:34 PM | Link to this

Remember that half or more than half of some groups will never graduate from high school. So yes, internships don’t work when you have randomly assigned HS kids out looking. Only certain IQs and personalities can handle Police Dispatch - or Newspaper reporting.

I still think that every bit of exposure we can give all teenagers in public school to the world they live in is a good thing - and the benefits may be discreet and delayed. The teens I see in public schools don’t know how to conduct themselves in public. They don’t know how to dress or adjust their dress and to speak in adult settings. Frankly put, they don’t know how to “pass” in civilized society. Yes this means their Mother’s didn’t raise them right and it seems most don’t have resident fathers. Well, we have the schools to educate them. Taking them out for a walkabout is another form of education. Too bad the school doesn’t want the teachers to tell them how to speak proper english, and how to dress.

Likewise, having out of school people coming in continuously as guest speakers to discuss careers paths and occupations is an education. Problem is that this doesn’t directly jibe with the graduation exam the schools are teaching to. Oh Well.

Dispite telling myself I’m never going to do this again, I have never refused an invitation to go to a public school for career day - or the NAACP youth conferences. It seems that the whole town is racially segregated by choice. So I go if invited. My beef as you may have guessed is the total unpreparedness and/or bad attitudes of the black public school students. They ignore the competition that sits across the classroom in the same class with them (the other minorities sit together), and don’t seem to be too worried about how they are going to make a living.

This attitude can be seen by age 23 when you see who has a driver’s licence and who doesn’t. Lack of a Driver’s Licence is a bar to employment as this is a proxy for ability to function and stay out of trouble most employers (all gov’t employers) use to screen applicants.

Maybe things are better in GA. More positive role models? …

By jim d

January 11, 2007 08:12 AM | Link to this

wwbd,

Give it a rest. I’ve made my opinon well known in the past but for you, just once more.

Bridget is doing a pretty damn good job. If you don’t like what she’s doing just find another blog a quit bchin.

By Lee

January 11, 2007 08:24 AM | Link to this

JustMe, re “The State should require that all parents complete a class on how to discipline their children as well as how to teach them the difference between right and , and on how to make good decisions (among other things).”

LMAO

Oh wait, you’re serious. (Didn’t take you long to launch into one of your tirades against parents, I see…)

I guess we could get the principal who considers a Tweety Bird keychain a weapon to teach the class about making good decisions. Or, how about one of the many teachers fired for having an affair with their students to teach the class on right and wrong.

Discipline? How many times have we heard about students coming home and informing their parents that spanking is child abuse (cause the teacher told me so)?

I tell you what. You teach the Three R’s and let me worry about the morals and ethics.

By JustMe

January 11, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

Lee, I would love to only worry about the 3 R’s. However, YOUR kid won’t stop talking in my class. YOUR kid won’t keep his hands to himself and hits others. YOUR kid uses foul language. YOUR kid thinks that it is perfectly okay to copy from another student’s test. YOUR kid won’t keep seated during a lesson. YOUR kis steals lunch money from others.

Teach YOUR kid some manners and how to behave and I will be more than happy to stick to the 3 R’s!!!!!!!!

By Lee

January 11, 2007 05:57 PM | Link to this

JustMe, Sounds like YOU don’t have very good class management skills to control YOUR classroom.

But I’m the one who needs to take a class…..

Yep, that $15k I pay in private school tuition looks more and more like a bargain every day.

By Jeff

January 11, 2007 06:45 PM | Link to this

Lee:

True story:

The Curriculum Coach and I are getting along GREAT so far this semester. This lady is an older female with 30+ years experience, all in the system we currently work for. Today, even SHE had difficulty controlling these kids. And let me reiterate: this is an old school black momma that has taught, over her career, virtually everyone in the county or someone they are related to. This isn’t some newbie young white guy having trouble with these OVERWHELMINGLY black student population, it is one of their own, and honestly one of the best teachers I’ve ever had the honor to work with. (Yes, I am learning a TON from her. In many ways, even though we still have the occassional spat, wish I had worked with HER in Student Teaching rather than the lady I worked with.)

Now that administration is spending mroe time in my room, one good effect is that they are seeing how truly difficult these kids can be.

By Lee

January 12, 2007 08:36 AM | Link to this

Jeff, glad to hear things are working out. There may be hope for you yet, lol.

By luvs2teach

January 12, 2007 08:53 AM | Link to this

Lee - for your consideration - in some schools it’s not about class management, per se - at least not the middle class concept of class management.

You probably remember teachers back in the day who had unruly classes, but you knew the kids were good for other teachers - that’s class management. You knew that a phone call home would take care of most problems.

Some of the kids at some of these schools can’t be reached that way - they don’t buy into middle class values and school is an institution seen as the enemy, and not as a way to get ahead. Ordinary class managment doesn’t work with these kids - it takes a lot more training in understanding the poverty culture from which they come, and what does work with them. Worst of all? Most teachers teaching these kids are new teachers who either get burnt out and leave the profession or switch to a “better” school when they get their “sea legs.” The best, which is what they need, rarely stay - it’s too much.

You’re right- if your school has many of these students, then it is in your children’s best interest for them to be in private school - but please don’t “blame the teacher” - you have no idea what a different world a Title 1 or high priority school is.

By Lee

January 12, 2007 09:32 AM | Link to this

Luvs, I’m not blaming the teacher, per se. I think that many have been put in a no win situation. However, I have noted time and time again that JustMe wants to blame parents for every perceived injustice in the school world and I was commenting on her previous blog about “sending parents to a class.”

In my opinion, much of what is wrong with schools is self-inflicted. Back in the 60’s and 70’s, when I was in school, we had poor families, we had no-good parents, we had trouble-making students. However, schools maintained control and we didn’t have today’s issues.

Like I said, much of the mess is self-inflicted. Case in point, per your post “Most teachers teaching these [problem] kids are new teachers…” Many years ago, when my wife first started teaching, the first 2-3 years she got the “classroom from he11.” What these students need is an experienced hand, and as Jeff posted above, sometimes even that is not enough.

Guess what. It’s only going to get worse. 30 years ago, there was only one private school within 25 miles of my small, semi-rural home. Today, there are at least ten. There is a reason for that. A lot of the “good” parents are pulling their “good” kids out of the public schools in droves, leaving the schools to cope with the miscreants. I just feel sorry for the average to above average student left behind in that mess.

By luvs2teach

January 12, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Lee - gotcha - maybe JustMe is in a troubled school? I know there are schools in my county I wouldn’t want to teach in or send my child to.

I don’t think it’s just the school systems anymore (although they’re certainly not blameless). I look at zoning and communities and what types of businesses and residents they attract. I think the old model of “all the expensive subdivisions here and all the apartments over here” doesn’t work. Communities need to enforce their occupancy laws, enforce codes, clean up crime and blighted areas - make it undesirable for the undesirables! I think it was Guiliani’s “little things” concept.

By JustMe

January 12, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Lee, You are creating a no-win situation for teachers.

You don’t want teachers to teach morals/values what is right or wrong and only stick to the 3 Rs. But, when students are not the angels we expect, then teachers have “bad classroom management?”

This is a double standard. And, this is why I favor requireing parents to learn how to parent. If parents did their job, then the students would be more likely to behave and teachers could focus on teaching the lessons (the 3 Rs) without worrying about those types of problems.

Just because you pay money to go to a private school does not solve this problem. There are bad parents that are wealthy and send their kids to private school, too. I guess the real difference is that private schools can kick out those students and then they do end up in public schools.

The core problem here is not the kids and it is not the teachers (public or private). The core problem is the percentage of parents that do not teach their children the basics in life.

With that being said, how do YOU propose to resolve the problem?

By Lee

January 12, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

JustMe, Whose morals and values? Yours? Kathy Cox? Sonny Purdue? Perhaps the Cobb School Board and their evolution stickers? I don’t think so….

Bottom line, every parent teaches their child morals and values, albeit, they may be quite different from your value system, but they are morals and values nonetheless.

RE: “The core problem here is not the kids and it is not the teachers (public or private). The core problem is the percentage of parents that do not teach their children the basics in life.”

Good grief.

Read your post of 1/11/07 1:02pm. Every behavior you listed would have been dealt with quickly and decisively in my day. But yet, you continue to blame the parent for your inability to control your classroom.

Priceless….

The reality is that I don’t see things getting better anytime soon. Personally, I am saving up money for my future grandkids private school tuition…

By JustMe

January 12, 2007 01:15 PM | Link to this

My dear Lee,

I don’t know whose world you are living in, but I encourage you to attend any public school classroom.

First, teachers are not allowed to “touch” students. In my day, teachers hit students on the hands with rulers, and administrators spanked students. So, today we teachers can only plead for student to behave. If they do not, it is my fault? It is my poor classroom management? Get a bloody grip!!!!

Second, teachers today cannot even “mix” academics with behavior. We are not even allowed to give zeros if a student cheats on a test. Cheating is a behavior and so we cannot penalize them academically. We cannot even say something like, “settle down or there will be a quiz.”

You are really living in some warped world. Come into this century. Welcome to reality. Stop blaming the teacher.

You continuously say “poor classroom managment” but do you even know what that means? I seriously doubt it. You sound like a stupid parrot parent that learns education catch phrases, and usually use them the wrong way.

Yes, please continue sending your kids to private school. You seem to think that by saying this it is some sort of insult to me or to public schools. It is not. What it does say is that you are willing to spend big bucks to run from a problem rather than to try to be part of the solution.

As far as solutions go, I am still waiting on your proposed solution to the question I posed in my previous post!!!!! However, I doubt that you will reply to that.

By JustMe

January 12, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

jim d-

If you don’t want the government to “raise your kids” then who will? You as a parent are not doing your job!

What is our society to do?

By jim d

January 12, 2007 03:27 PM | Link to this

EXCUSE ME! I take offense to that statement. Was that an accusation? Do you know me? Do you know my child? And just exactly who the hell are you to judge if I’m doing my job of raising my child?

Now, if your saying I’m not raisng my child as you would have me do it. You’re more than likely correct.

By Jeff

January 12, 2007 05:01 PM | Link to this

I take back my post about liking my job.

Why?

A kid SPIT IN MY FACE today, and the Principal tried to blame me and said that I spit in HIS (the student’s) face!!!!!

I can not WAIT to find another job!!!!!!

By Lee

January 12, 2007 05:07 PM | Link to this

JustMe, solutions? I’m just a “stupid parrot parent” living in a “warped world” who would rather “run from a problem.”

Judging from the above comments, I think the first thing I would do is to ensure the school’s Human Resources department establish minimum criteria for new hires. Apparently, there is a lack of quality hires out there….

By JustMe

January 12, 2007 05:23 PM | Link to this

jim d- LOL. As with your old posts, I was using “your” to mean any parents. I really cannot believe that you read it as personally “your.”

Lee- I figured that you would not or could not propose any solutions. Please save your pennies. Go to private school. Go directly to private school. Do not pass go. Do not collect a real life education.

By the way, 2 of my students were chosen for Governor’s Honors last year (there were only 15 selected Statewide in that area). One finished in 2nd place in the SE (of the US) in an academic bowl. I must be doing something right!

By C.R.H.

January 12, 2007 05:28 PM | Link to this

Internships are great if you have kids who are willing to do the work. I had the opportunity to internship in high school and found that I couldn’t possibly work for the company that was one of my area’s biggest employers. I’m not from around here. I think the low level students really need “life skills” and I don’t really see school as a place to teach those. But then again, most employers would probably send back most of the kids who are in school today…they are too damn lazy, don’t know how to follow simple instructions and have horrible attitudes toward anyone in authority. That whole something for nothing mentality has really come back to bite the US in the arse. So much for a “hand up”!

By SET

January 12, 2007 05:57 PM | Link to this

CRH: Think of it as evolution in action. The brighter kids in every group can make themselves known and climb out on the ladder you offer them. Internships are the ladder.

You don’t allow losers into your organization as janitors or interns. You have screens to keep losers out. Screens can be as simple as a German Shepherd at the door sniffing them - or as complicated as a background check using neighbor interviews and home visits.

When I want an intern I’ve generally been able to find one. Sometimes you just scream at the applicants and hire the one that yells back.

You may have to go though a bunch of kids to find a potential, then stress test them…

I hired an East Indian girl of 19 (for college intern/law clerk) once after a short interview. She went to ghetto public schools. She had me from the time she mentioned that her 1st job was working for the city park dept as an attendant. Her duties included having the drunks thrown out - whe would spot the drunk and call the cops and stand there while the drunk was hauled away.

I couldn’t believe my luck. She was astonishing in her dilligence, nerve and range. She comfortably interacted with adults as a peer. She could read and write. She had judgment. If it were legal she could negotiate a hit on someone.

This firm got her through college and lobbied for her University Law school admission. The rest is history.

She went out to have a stellar career - college, law school, prosecutor, civil litigator, wife/mother, international worker & resident, all of it. We got to watch from a distance.

I won’t go into more detail but she eventually turned into Emma Peel, complete with the wardrobe and hairstyle. (She’d never heard of Emma Peel - she thought she’d invented the look.)

She came over to the USA at 6 years old and originally grew up in relative poverty with the family in a small apartment. They had nothing but they came from generations of army officers. Her parents thought she was going to school to become a secretary. They weren’t so pleased for a long time at the way things turned out (Who’d marry her??). She married a physician and the parents were happy.

This is what our public school children are competing with. Every public school has people like this “intern” hanging around or hanging back just in sight. Somebody with something to prove. When I want them I can find them.

But what about our indigenous youth??

By Lee

January 12, 2007 06:19 PM | Link to this

JustMe, re “By the way, 2 of my students were chosen for Governor’s Honors last year (there were only 15 selected Statewide in that area). One finished in 2nd place in the SE (of the US) in an academic bowl. I must be doing something right!”

Ain’t that special. When the students do poorly, it’s the parents fault. When they do well, it’s because of you.

By JustMe

January 16, 2007 08:15 AM | Link to this

Lee, Are you a politican? Either you are an expert at twisting words and really not understanding, or you are just an idiot.

I teach course content. My students excel at what I teach them.

Parents should teach them manners, morals, ethics, etc.

This is what the entire discussion has been about. Try to keep up.