Our children are failing.. whos the real blame here?

Question

Im a teacher in a pubic school and I see our children falling thru the cracks. The teachers these days dont care as much as they use to and all the principals care about is whos has the best school in the district. There is alot of pressure on the kids to do well on tests that sometimes determines where they will end up and the basic instruction is neglected.. The school system has a big part in the education of our children. And the public school system SUCKS!!!! On the other hand, there is not enough parental involvment. A lot of these kids dont have anyone to care about their education, like checking their homework, or going to a PTA meeting, or volunteering in the schools. Why does education have to start once your child gets into kindergarten? It should start at home.. tell me what you think....

Answer 1

I am 37 years old, and a special education teacher. When I was in school, from grade school to high school, my parents were not involved. Not because they didn't care, but they believed that they paid tax money and it was the school's job to educate me. I have children myself, and I have had them bring homework to me that was something they had never did in class. In other words, new material that the parents were having to teach the kids as homework. Homework is supposed to reinforce lessons. Now, teachers want the parents to teach the lesson, then they give the test. This is disgraceful and as a teacher, I would never do this. I graduated from high school, went through 4 years of college just fine with parents whose only part in my education was to wake me up and make sure I caught the bus. Everyone wants to blame parents, but I don't think that is where the fault lies. The public education system does not spend enough time on the basics in early grades - K-8. That is the problem. Kids go to high school not knowing their multiplication tables and barely knowing how to read. That is the problem.

Answer 2

Well, both teachers and students are to blame. I'm really not sure how you can justify your anger when I see such horrible grammar usage in your question, not to mention you spelled the word "public" as "pubic". A little different meaning, hmm?

All you teachers do is teach to the test. That's why kids don't learn. Most students, on their part, don't care much about learning, thinking, "When will we ever need this?" And to a certain extent, we are correct. Most of the things taught in school are useless.

What we need is a specially tailored program to make kids take classes ONLY RELATED TO THEIR PLANNED FIELD. in high school. That way, we skip on unnecessary learning. Yes, that does mean planning earlier, and not going into college without an idea as to a major.

My observations have found a strong correlation between involved parents and advanced placement students. It's really a circle, as those parents know that their child is good and therefore show to hear good things. In turn, their presence and desire to see their children succeed further encourages kids to do even better.

And do not EVER presume to speak on students as a whole. I am a senior in high school, and I assure you that I am more intelligent than either you or your students. I believe in the future you should rephrase your question to say "Many of our children..."

Education starts at home, but it is truly reinforced by the teacher. Educate the educator. Your syntax burns my eyes and is just another example of hypocrisy. The only teachers that I ever learned from were those I liked, and of course those that actually knew what they were talking about. Therefore, make sure to be a friend to your students, but do not be too soft. Those too soft become merely a joke in between students.

And thus my rant ends.

Answer 3

Education does start at home. I started prior to my child's birth by talking to her, reading to her, discussing my thoughts out loud. When she was about two weeks old, I started to read to her. When she was about 14 months old, she could count to 10 - as a result of reading her a counting book on a daily basis.

On the other hand, I was going to be a teacher. I had exceptional teachers in high school. But I notice the teachers today don't seem to use punctuation in their spelling, don't spell correctly, don't enunciate, and don't really listen to what the students really need.

My parents did not: volunteer in school; attend any of my concerts; check my homework; attend PTA meetings or anything to help my school. I volunteered while in high school in elementary schools, along with working part time and keeping my grades up.

I did some tutoring for high school students and college students. Teachers have to find a middle ground with their students. If the parents are not involved, find a way to motivate the student to excel. It will only help them later in life.

Answer 4

I agree that education should start at home and should continue even after they are in school. Parents need to be an active part in their kids education. They need to communicate with teachers to understand how to help their kids. I hope that you are not one of those teachers who lets the kids fall through the cracks. I do not envy your job. I certainly could not handle a class room full of kids! The system is in need of many changes, but I think that too many (teachers and parents) are blaming the system instead of looking at themselves.

Answer 5

I think the bigger problem with most children starts at home. I think kids are raised to be disrespectful and a lazy. In most schools I think teachers are loosing their flair because they are expected to take someones child and make them perfect with no support or partnership from home. A school can only do so much. Teachers are not allowed to discipline, correct or hold children accountable or they risk complaints and ridicule or worse. I think our youth is in serious trouble not because of public education but because parents (not all) but most are creating little monsters that have little to no respect for authority. I think education is the one thing that is still keeping things somewhat togather in society.

Answer 6

Hmmm... Me thinks that pointing fingers is a big waste of time.

When a parent demonstrates that education is important, volunteering, helping with homework, being encouraging, only then will the student share this belief.
One of the sayings I use as a mentor is this:
You might be able to write the best lesson plan in the whole world... It will mean absolutely NOTHING if a student is not ready or willing to learn.
Just a variation of "What's in it for me??"....

Here's another perspective as well:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/16/opinion/16friedman.html?ex=1284523200&en=3ceedaa76f42f0d8&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

Oh, and be careful with generalizations... I love my job and I do care. No longer should it be, "Those who cannot do, teach" but rather "Those that can do, should teach". And yes, I teach children, not subjects.

So, being faced with the dilemma of unmotivated and ill-prepared students, it is our responsibility as educators to change this in how we model our own views of education:
*To demonstrate education as a way to personal fulfillment
*To show how education is the foundation of success
And...
*To instill a lifetime love of learning

But that's just me!

Answer 7

I am in the 12th grade and fell that teachers are not doing enough to get children interested in the class they are learning. If a teacher is down to earth and makes the children active in class then they will want to participate in class and as a side effect they learn. I have a teacher that is using a new teaching method. He created a “Democracy” and the students have the power to reject some assignments. They are not allowed to reject finials or state test but it is a good tool to think about.

Answer 8

i agree,there is to much emphesis put on who has the best school and not enough on real problems.Yes parents have to be involved with their kids school work.my kids are grown,but I have 10 grand children all are in school,and my kids are involved with every thing that per tanes to to their children,They have a certain time to get there homework done, than they have to read at least 30 min.'s a day.