Any teachers out there?

[uforgot]

No child left behind is killing us in Missouri too. Our district has declared that every freshman will take Algebra I. Well, guess what? Not EVERY freshman is ready. I teach AP Calculus, and trust me, there is a very small percent of the student body who has the drive (major factor) to take this class. If I had to water it down, it would no longer be AP. The College Board has made it very clear what will be taught in their AP courses, and you now have to submit an audit to be approved by them. If you pass, you may call (and transcript) your class AP. Maybe this is a result of the "watering down" of advanced classes as you described. I suppose the watering down is a result of No child left behind. I guess it would make a student feel good to take a class called calculus, even if they do not have the necessary skills, but what is wrong with being terrific at accounting? Auto body? music? Not every class is right for all students. This is a dis-service to those who could excel at hands-on classes as well as the advanced students, (who may not know a pipe wrench from a screwdriver.)

[rocknrollgirl]

In NJ we are moving toward Alegbra II and Physics for all...crazy.

[uforgot]

In NJ we are moving toward Alegbra II and Physics for all...crazy.

That IS crazy, because they won't really BE Algebra II and Physics. I have two sons, both are dyslexic. I took them to be tested at a local university. They told me that they would never LIKE to read, but they have been trained to cope. My two sons can also take apart and put ANYTHING together. They know how everything (including your computer) in this world works. They struggle in upper level classes because of the reading, but they are the ones you want figuring out how your house should be wired, or setting up your network. I also have excellent students, who are wonderful on paper, definately college bound, and when it comes to putting together a prom, they are lost. They are also the ones who should call in a repair man for their cars and houses. We need diversity like that. Students should be encouraged to pursue the areas in which they excel. Seems like we are trying to make everyone the same. If you excel in academics, then take REAL advanced classes. If you excel in other areas, most schools have technical programs, art and music programs. If all the kids take all of these advanced classes, then what is going to happen to our Fine Arts? That concerns me.

Talking to the principal is probably not going to do any good. He is under pressure from the Super, and the Super has to hear from the State Legislature. (I love that these politicians are telling us what to do in our classrooms.)

I'm through rambling now.

[uforgot]

No, I promise, I'm through rambling, but I just thought of something. Every year I get letters from the local colleges about programs they have for high school students. Why don't you check with any local colleges and see if they offer any institutes, classes, etc for college-bound high school students?

[Tuckervill]

I have to wonder why you live in a neighborhood where the schools are so crappy? I would just move.

Karen

[stacie]

I can't move to where the schools are good. Kids are bussed to these schools from, well, my neighborhood and others. I can move out to the suburbs, but that is not the lifestyle that we love. We love being near downtown where our son can go to museums, and experience so many other things frequently. The good schools are located in the worse neighborhoods. Btw, the neighborhood kids don't go there. They are bussed elsewhere as well.
My son is in middle school so there aren't college programs for him. He's just eleven. I do like that you are giving me ideas and things to think about.
Funny thing just happened...My friend, a 3rd grade teacher just stopped by. She's worried about school this year. Seems we no longer have classes for special needs kids either. They must go to class and stay in class with all kids. I know some of these kids benefit from being with the other children. But, she said all the children who were getting extra attention in smaller specialty classes are in her regular class now. She spends her time helping kids with emotional needs rather than teaching.
Talking this out is making the intention more clear. Schools are judged based on passing scores of the state exam and progress made by failing kids. Kids who are already passing or especially those excelling don't get their needs met. They will continue to pass. Their improvement provides no benefit to the school rating.
Right, talking to the principal isn't going to help. What do I do to help my child have the education he deserves?
He's happy today. The teachers all said he shouldn't expect much homework. Shocking considering he's taking all advanced classes and the amount of progress these failing kids would have to make. Advanced classes without the effort.

[stacie]

uforgot, thanks. It helps that you confirm my concerns and understand. Everyone, I love my son and want the best for him. Thanks for listening and sharing my concerns. s

[salsabike]

That IS crazy, because they won't really BE Algebra II and Physics. I have two sons, both are dyslexic. I took them to be tested at a local university. They told me that they would never LIKE to read, but they have been trained to cope. My two sons can also take apart and put ANYTHING together. They know how everything (including your computer) in this world works. They struggle in upper level classes because of the reading, but they are the ones you want figuring out how your house should be wired, or setting up your network. I also have excellent students, who are wonderful on paper, definately college bound, and when it comes to putting together a prom, they are lost. They are also the ones who should call in a repair man for their cars and houses. We need diversity like that. Students should be encouraged to pursue the areas in which they excel. Seems like we are trying to make everyone the same. If you excel in academics, then take REAL advanced classes. If you excel in other areas, most schools have technical programs, art and music programs. If all the kids take all of these advanced classes, then what is going to happen to our Fine Arts? That concerns me.

Talking to the principal is probably not going to do any good. He is under pressure from the Super, and the Super has to hear from the State Legislature. (I love that these politicians are telling us what to do in our classrooms.)

I'm through rambling now.

I agree with every word of this (school psych weighing in here).

[uforgot]

If he's only 11, then I have to applaud those teachers who aren't loading him down with homework. Others may disagree, but sometimes you just have to be a kid, and I think at 11, he still needs this. After he's been in school for 7 hours, he needs to be out playing soccer or even "kick the can" with his friends. Even better, I love the fact that you are taking him to museums and other things around there. Gosh, you have no idea how much you are contributing to his education by showing him all that you can. What you are doing makes learning fun, while homework can be a real drag. Although it really depends on the teacher. Four pages of identical division problems is the drag, but a newspaper interview...fun. I certainly wouldn't worry about putting him in any educational "programs" right now unless HE is wanting them. Let him go out and build a fort, collect snakes, or ride a bike. It will actually make him a better learner. Trust me, I like the kids who can explore and think when they get to High School, rather than those who memorize and then "plug and chug".

[lyca]

Even better, I love the fact that you are taking him to museums and other things around there. Gosh, you have no idea how much you are contributing to his education by showing him all that you can.

I second these thoughts! And I'd like to throw in the possibility of getting him involved the in the arts. I'm a musician and I taught instrumental and vocal music in the public schools before heading back to University to work on a doctorate. Kids have so much fun learning to play instruments. Especially if their parents decide to learn with them!! It does all sorts of great things for the brain, too.

Good for you for being an advocate for him and for his education. Keep it up and I'll send positive thoughts your way!

[DirtDiva]

Having classes with a huge range of academic ability isn't the problem - meeting every child's needs, whatever they may be, is simply your job as a teacher. The problem comes when the curriculum doesn't have the inherent flexibility required to meet all those needs and/or you're not getting the support you need from your school to help solve whatever problems are making it most difficult to create and maintain a suitable learning environment in your classroom.

Stacie - taking your son to museums and the like is a fantastic thing to be doing for his education. I taught a lot of children from very disadvantaged backgrounds in London and the thing that worried me most was the number who missed out on even the simplest of childhood experiences (such as visiting the playground) because their parents never took them anywhere. Getting your son involved in extra-curricular activities (if he's not already), be it music, art, drama, sport or whatever takes his interest, would be great as it will teach him much better time management skills than he'll ever learn anywhere else and, of course, help foster interests he will likely hold for the rest of his life. And, for goodness sake, if you're worried about his education and want some more specific ideas about how to help your son get the most out of his classes, talk to your son about what he wants and then TALK TO HIS TEACHERS!