Should all teachers and principals be fired?

Question

With a general perusal of this site and any research into the state of education in the US it is obvious that the educational system is turning out a large percentage of functional illiterates.

So why shouldn't this country go to a full voucher system. Do away with tenure and let failing schools close.

Are you teachers really more interested in job security and union benefits than the education of the children of this country?

Are you really so insecure in your own abilities that you are afraid to have your performance be reviewed honestly and your compensation be in line with your accomplishments?

Would you go to a "tenured" physician, one that could not be held accountable for any mistake or negligence?

Sorry but I am absolutely disgusted with our local school districts and they don't appear to be any different than districts throughout this country.

The teachers will not return phone calls or attend meetings with parents. They just whine and cry in the media.

Hey all you education "professionals" try answering at least one of the questions here.

Answer 1

I'm just wondering how many people here understand the historical significance of your screen name. The fact that there are few, if any, is a telling commentary on the system (though I doubt if many noticed that... too subtle?)

Once the short, chaotic transition period ends, I am not aware of any instance where the loss of monopoly and the introduction of competition reduced the quality of service in any industry. This is particularly true of service industries. Poor quality providers are quickly bankrupted while high quality providers flourish; quickly setting a new, higher standard of excellence. Meanwhile, the bloated dinosaurs who once ruled the planet through monopoly are left behind. Those who are unable to adapt and compete in the new environment become extinct. Levelling the playing field; dropping the barriers to competition in education would have the same effect. Quickly and dramatically.

Just a passing note on the arbitrary standards of the current system. I have several college degrees, including a doctorate from a major state university. I practiced law for 12 years and taught law at the university level for seven. But I am "unqualified" to teach in public schools, as I do not have a "certificate".....

Answer 2

Leaving schoolteachers and administrators aside for a moment, it would definitely behoove us to look at the total lack of interest in ANY kind of knowledge or learning that American students at the various educational levels from grade school to college bring to the classroom.
There are MANY countries all over this planet who have INCREDIBLY LIMITED learning resources in the way of books, teachers, classrooms, and schools, yet whose schoolchildren of all ages far surpass our student population in every scholastic discipline. We in America spend more money on education, have more schools, provide more supplies, and have smaller classrooms than almost any other nation on earth, so lack of resources and facilities is NOT the problem.
The "dumbing down of America" is a result of the fact that a very high percentage of our children and young adults HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST IN LEARNING, DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT, AND COULD'NT CARE LESS THAT THEY ARE BY ANY STANDARD NOW AMONG THE MOST ILLITERATE AND IGNORANT CITIZENS OF THE WORLD.

By the way, I'M A PARENT, NOT A TEACHER, so I have NO "institutional agenda"!

Answer 3

The Feds need to but out.
Teachers and principles are the only elements of the system that are giving appropriate benefits for their pay. Everything else needs to go. And as far as what you say about "the teachers" who won't do there job... how many professions have 100% perfection in every single worker? Of course some teachers aren't that great. But in my experience(as a student) most are pretty good.
Tenure is stupid. It should be trashed.

Answer 4

Don't know where you live. But we have some of the best teachers in the world . I know I'm one of them. What do you do to help educate your child? Gripping won't help.Do you go to PTO meeting? Do you help with homework? Do you attend school functions? Do you check on your child's behavior? Do you check
progress reports?Are you making sure he/she has proper school
supplies?I suggest that you make a point to make an appointment to set up a parent/ Teacher conference soon.

Answer 5

You know the answer already. There is a HUGE sum of money changing hands to keep schools running. Vouchers would take that money out of the pockets of politicians and shady lobbyists and unions. We can't have that.

Answer 6

Me too. i talk alot about our incompetent teachers, yet most liberals will go off on you for stating the facts, that teachers are under educated, unprepared and incompetent of doing their jobs. yet libs will protest that teachers deserve MORE pay. BS.

Answer 7

its not the teahcers or the principals... its the educational system that needs reforming.

Answer 8

You do a better job then.