[Orwell]

Fox did a story and interview this morning on the Valdosta Schools allowing kids to retake tests and not giving below a certain score in middle school.
Apparently it did not get the most support from the parents and others.
I think Paulding County Schools do something similar.

[LindaB]

They did for awhile and have now apparently gone for something else.

And the teachers are working harder than the students.

[BMR]

Orwell, on 04 February 2012 - 08:03 AM, said:

Fox did a story and interview this morning on the Valdosta Schools allowing kids to retake tests and not giving below a certain score in middle school.
Apparently it did not get the most support from the parents and others.
I think Paulding County Schools do something similar.

Yes they do, and they can only give below a certain grade. I believe they should be given the grade
they make. What are we teaching them, this is not the way it will be when they get out in the real world.
Just like these advance classes in middle school. They only have to make a 80 to stay in them. I know
for a fact if you tell some kids they only have to make an 80, that will be all they make. I also th[ink
this is setting our standards very low.

[tatertot]

These types of programs are why our children are not ready for college and flunk out in the first year. These kids do not have the knowledge of how to fail at something, then when they are kicked out of college, they are not prepared to handle the consequences. Kids need to know how it feels to fail then maybe they will try harder the next time. Also, I feel that a large majority of parents have completely let their children down. They are so busy with their personal issues or being tired that they do not take time to relate to their kids early on in their education. These kids need to know that they will have someone to turn to that can help them with homework when they get home or just talk about their frustrations or achievements. As a parent, if you can't help your child, then find someone that can. It may hurt a little bit or be inconvenient, but the rewards will be seen when they actually understand their work. I had to send my son to summer school one year for Algebra, expensive and definitely inconvenient. It did pay off in the end because he ended up with a B in Algebra 3 and a B in College Algebra.

[2witty4u]

Orwell, on 04 February 2012 - 08:03 AM, said:

Fox did a story and interview this morning on the Valdosta Schools allowing kids to retake tests and not giving below a certain score in middle school.
Apparently it did not get the most support from the parents and others.
I think Paulding County Schools do something similar.

Paulding does have a recovery system. They can make up test assignments they failed or didnt do. And at the end of the semester if they have a 69-65, they can attend "recovery" and make up work or retake test to get a 70. And I agree this is why so many are not doing well in college.

[TJB]

2witty4u, on 04 February 2012 - 09:46 AM, said:

Paulding does have a recovery system. They can make up test assignments they failed or didnt do. And at the end of the semester if they have a 69-65, they can attend "recovery" and make up work or retake test to get a 70. And I agree this is why so many are not doing well in college.

Teachers are almost forced to pass kids. If a kid fails, teachers are always to blame. especially with special ed. students and it's easier to give a kid a 70 and move on. Teaching has become survival and little else; I teach 5 different preps each day between middle and high school and only have a half hour at the end of the day as a planning period. I work most nights and weekends, often surviving on 4-5 hours sleep. I don't mind working hard but having no life outside of my job is exhausting and demoralizing. As teachers, we want to care about kids but when no one cares for us, it becomes difficult to care and teachers find themselves starting to take shortcuts. Much of teaching has become about covering our collective asses instead of teaching and planning good lessons. Most likely, my position will be gone next year due to budget cuts. Quite frankly, I'm relieved; teaching has become a bitter disappointment. I wouldn't recommend that anyone become a teacher; no matter how hard you work, you're told you're not doing enough and are treated with a complete lack of respect by administrators and many students. Unless there are wholesale changes in the way teachers are treated, the profession will have difficulty in attracting teachers.

[2witty4u]

TJB, on 04 February 2012 - 10:36 AM, said:

Teachers are almost forced to pass kids. If a kid fails, teachers are always to blame. especially with special ed. students and it's easier to give a kid a 70 and move on. Teaching has become survival and little else; I teach 5 different preps each day between middle and high school and only have a half hour at the end of the day as a planning period. I work most nights and weekends, often surviving on 4-5 hours sleep. I don't mind working hard but having no life outside of my job is exhausting and demoralizing. As teachers, we want to care about kids but when no one cares for us, it becomes difficult to care and teachers find themselves starting to take shortcuts. Much of teaching has become about covering our collective asses instead of teaching and planning good lessons. Most likely, my position will be gone next year due to budget cuts. Quite frankly, I'm relieved; teaching has become a bitter disappointment. I wouldn't recommend that anyone become a teacher; no matter how hard you work, you're told you're not doing enough and are treated with a complete lack of respect by administrators and many students. Unless there are wholesale changes in the way teachers are treated, the profession will have difficulty in attracting teachers.

I have friends who are teachers and they have said the exact thing you are stating. Several were already exhausted by Fall Break and school had only been in session 6 weeks. And are already ready for Winter break. And they constantly talk about the behavior, in years past they may have had 1 or 2 kids with behavior issues, now it's almost half the class. They are physically and mentally exhausted at the end of the day. And then have to carry work home. I feel for you and all teachers. I can't imagine dealing with all you have to do and not be appreciated for it. These kids are now running the schools. The School system is in a sad state. I can't wait until my youngest is out, im praying he has all the tools he needs to succeed at college. And i've learned in order for that to happen I have to do my part at home as well. Good luck and hope things get better for you.