No More Failures

Let's start with the topic of failures in classes.

No one fails any more.  Remember No Child Left Behind?

There are plenty of students who really need to fail, but teachers do not fail because it's too much of a hassle and not worth the headache.

Try this scenario:

I spend 8 hours at school, most of it in the classroom teaching, but there is the 20 minutes I supervise while I eat lunch, the 30 minutes I tutor,  and the 50 minutes I plan (make copies, use the restroom, talk to members of my department, coordinate field trips, meet with counselors, and countless other activities).  I also spend time making lesson plans, grading papers, putting together lessons, and other things (ball game duty and extracurricular activity sponsor duties).  Teaching will consume my life IF I let it, but I have a family.

Now I teach upperclassmen in high school...young men and women who are really close to the leaving the high school setting to either enter college or the "real" world.

If a student fails my class, I have to justify that fail with six pages of paperwork on each student!!!

Now try this:

Student A misses 61 days in 180 days and completes no make-up!!!!

Student B  must be told daily that my class is not Motel 6 and to stand up because he/she insists on sleeping in class

Student C refuses to come to tutoring that I offer even after I sent a referral to office for the refusal.

Student D refused to try in the massive make-up packet I gave in order to clear up all the zeros for the nine weeks.

I could go on...but I think you get the picture.  No where in the system is anyone asking the students why they are not doing what they are supposed to be doing to graduate.  The students have learned that they have to do only the minimal because failure is option.  Failure will not happen....administration will not let it happen; even if the student actually needs to fail in order to succeed.  Teachers are the ones who are blamed for students' failures.

Sometimes we have to fall in order to get back up!!!  But our students will not be allowed to learn that lesson.

The Beginnings

Let's start with the just the basic beginnings.

I am not just some joe shmoe right off the streets offering opinions based on my own education experiences.

I have been in the field...the front lines for almost 20 years.

I have been in the front of the room, walking up and down the aisles, on early morning duty, on afternoon bus duty, football game gate duty, open house, parent-conferences....you name it and I've done it.

Up until recently most of my experiences have been only at the high school level, and those have been from the professional side.  Now I have seen education from the parent side and it even uglier....No wonder it seems everyone is against us.

Let's get this straight:  I am by no means a perfect teacher.  I strive to get better everyday;.  Every time a student does less than stellar on an exam, I feel as if I am the one who failed.  However, I also know that I can only do so much to prepare my students...Ultimately, it is up to THEM to succeed or fail.

There is also plenty of blame go around in the education system for everyone to get a piece.  However, I feel as if since I am in the game, I might have an insight that some don't.  And for some reason, we feel that alot of what goes on in education must be kept a secret.  Well, it's time for the lid to be blown off those secrets!!!!!

It's time for education to be exposed for what it is.....a scam....a racket....a sham....literally falling to pieces before our eyes from the inside and no one knows how to fix it.  Teachers are scared for their jobs.  Students are pushed through the system.  Laws are being broken.

I know....not earth shattering....But just wait for the upcoming details.