3 comments

• Comment Link Monday, 07 April 2014 23:54 posted by Alex

  Charter Schools are textbook examples race to the bottom" They pay teachers peanuts, are often not required by any authority to meet education standards while they rake in taxpayer subsidies, and they cherry pick students to give the illusion of being higher performing. They are pure political propaganda from the Republicans used as leverage to bust the last unions in the country. They failed to explain the reason the Republicans want to bust the teacher unions: they are some of the largest supporters of Democratic candidates.

• Comment Link Thursday, 20 December 2012 03:04 posted by John Hurd

  The anti-union side brought up the name of Jaime Escalante, subject of "Stand And Deliver." There was a letter to the editor from a student who was part of that class depicted in the film. He explained how exaggerated the film was. Those kids taking Advanced Placement Calculus were not tough, failing gang members. They were college-bound kids. You don't suddenly digest calculus in your senior year with no background in algebra, trig, geometry, etc. The movie-makers played with the facts.

• Comment Link Friday, 31 August 2012 00:31 posted by Edisson

  Well I am a teacher in puiblc schools and I do have a couple of bones to pick in regards to these articles. I know it isn't meant as criticism of all teachers but they do seem to come across as that. I agree that teachers unions, especially in large cities and the coasts are a detriment to educating the students but that is how nearly all unions in those areas operate. As I recall, Helen has had membership in groups she had issues with also. (I am not in a union by the way.. small school, great administration, there is just no need for one... and even if there was a need, I probably wouldn't be in one) So please bear in mind there are a lot of great teachers out there. Plus there are a lot of average teachers out there.. but then that is what average is, isn't it. You would be surprised at how many teachers out there are actually pretty conservative in their personal views... but we are humans too. Too often, it seems like we are being blamed for societies problems. It is not our fault that kids act the way they do, or their parents support them when they are in the wrong. And yes, it does seem like I am generalizing myself now. I could easily do without some extra money in exchange for a change in attitude amongst some students and parents, and society in general. As to homeschooling, I think done properly, it can be a great thing. Just remember, homeschoolers are just like teachers... bad apples make the good ones look terrible. There are parents out there who are just letting their kids hang out at home and not actually learning anything. We do get kids in high school who have been "homeschooled" up till then and are reading at 2nd grade level. And we get some who are a joy to work with. The problems in education mirror some of the same problems in society. And it is going to be just as hard to correct these problems in education as it is in society. But I do have hope for the future. As much as we complain about our kids (parents and teachers alike), there are a LOT of great kids out there who are going all out to be good people and good citizens. So remember them too.P.S. I know this is sort of a rambling monologue but I am watching Olympics too so am not fully concentrating.P.P.S. An entirely irrelevant and illogical thought Helen.. I really hate this small, narrow comment box I have to type in... wish it was wider.Bert