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NewslettersBeaufort, state fail federal education targets
Thu, 2008-10-02 04:13 — Anonymous
BLUFFTON -- Although the Beaufort County School District has failed to meet federal targets for four years in a row, it certainly isn't alone. Read the story here.
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How could anyone expect all of the illegals to be proficient in English? It sounds like the bar was raised too high. Besides everyone knows that our country is now bilingual and Beaufort has always been a trend setter.
Now that I have made the first contribution, let's hear some more of those creative excuses for Beaufort's failure.
You'll get no excuses from me. I wonder what percentage of BCSD students are Hispanic. Truly, expecting overall proficiency in English may never be realistic.
I KNOW somebody's gonna have a problem with this, but here goes anyway....
I have, for a long time now, believed that perhaps if the schools spent more time teaching the basics (reading, writing, math, science, and social studies) and less time preparing kids for quarterly class and school performances, the scores might be higher. I understand that administrators and school boards are attempting to produce "well-rounded" students, but when I see my children's grades fall dramatically because they have been placed in an elective class that requires them to be pulled out of the core classes for entire periods (once even a full day) in order to rehearse for a performance of some kind, it irks me. I expressed concern, and was told that it was okay, because the class periods missed were excused since they were missed due to another class. IMO, it does not matter if the missed time is excused or not...if my child's grade falls in the core class, they should not have missed that time.
First, and foremost, the schools should be teaching the core subjects. Everything else should be secondary. When my kids were in elementary school, I watched the classrooms waste a ridiculous amount of time preparing the students for a drama/musical performance at the end of EVERY quarter. Yes, the students were, in a way, showcasing some of what they had learned, but the amount of time devoted to rehearsing for a play and learning lines was excessive and unnecessary. I would have preferred to have been shown actual schoolwork that my child had completed.
Don't blame the school. Perhaps the parents need to be a little brighter.
Smart (involved) parent(s) have smart kids. Stupid parents have stupid kids. Same goes with ugly kids, they come from ugly parents. I love the EASY button.
I take offense to your comment. I never said my child was failing, nor did I say I blame the school district. I was attempting to provoke a discussion on whether or not parents believe the schools are concentrating on the right things.
I am very involved in my child's education. And, I attended every one of the end-of-quarter performances when my children were in elementary school, whether I thought they were a good idea or not.
Ummm, were you joking? If so, then I apologize for jumping on the defensive. If not, then s__w you.
I wasn't talking to you. Just making some general comments. By the very nature of your post it is evident that you are involved in your kids education. You child will be better because of that effort. I was referring to the OP. Chill out. Now....speaking of drinking in the middle of the day...where'd I put my corkscrew??? hic
Well I will be at San Jose's tonight and my wife will attest that if you get a couple drinks in me then I'm pretty easy. DBlue will probably say that it wouldn't even take that, hence implying some level of moral turpitude on my behalf. I'm not a ho-bag, I'm just curious-yellow. So stop by, I think Bud Lights are a couple bucks.
But, on school nights, I tend to stay home to make sure homework is done and kids get to bed at a decent time. Sorry to miss everyone.
Nice to know you weren't talking to me. Your sarcasm/humor is sometimes a little veiled.
In the state of affairs we find our public school system, you are correct that the child success requires significant parent involvement. That's why the parents of honor roll students practically know each other by name since they're the same ones showing up at the school at the end of every quarter year after year.
However, when they sold us the concept of "free" government education, they told us we just had to sit back and let the government educators do their job because the government knows what to do. If they failed, they told us we just had to give them more money. The promise of "free" government education carries with it the implied promise of success without the need for parent involvement. Give us the money and drop off your kids, they said. We'll raise them for you. We'll teach them everything they need to know. We'll teach them socialism by taking their pencils and making them the class' pencils, how to put on a condom, spelling (see "optomistic" blog), social studies (See Miss SC...like such as in South Africa and, uh, the Iraq everywhere like, such as...), math (Go to McDonald's and pay $2.04 for something that costs $1.99 and watch them scramble and call the home office).
Darn right we can blame the school because they are not producing what the taxpayers are paying for. I shouldn't have to teach my daughter algebra every evening when the school told me they had it covered. I still will because both she and I refuse to let the school system get in the way of her success.
Kuddos to the parents who care and find the time to be involved and shame on you school system for taking us to the cleaners...maybe all they need is a 700 or is it 850 billion bailout?
P.S. There are some great teachers in the school system and if you are reading this, you know I love you. This is in no way intended as an attack on you. My name is "Soapbox" and I approve this message.
You forgot the part about, "there's no such thing as a free lunch". I contend that our schools are doing as good a job as we insist that they do.
Hey man you comin' out tonight? Would like to meet you.
You're right that there might not be a free lunch, but I understand that there might be a free round from Joe and one from Daddyblue. I would love to come out and play and meet all of you, and also to see the cars filled with real or imaginary "serious" bloggers who wouldn't dare be seen with the likes of us drive by and try to pick out who is who. So that there is no doubt, should a disgraced former Atlanta Braves pitcher drive by, I would be the good looking, athletic, dark skinned short guy with the sexy accent that drives the ladies crazy, but unfortunately, my kids play soccer until 7:30 so I might not make it.
As for the schools, when the silent majority joins the rest of us in expressing our dissatisfaction with the schools, and teacher's unions start caring about education instead of job security and benefits, things might start to change.
Unfortunately, the silent majority will probably remain silent since their kids get "free" education, "free" lunches, "free" pencils from my kids, and "free" daycare, and the teacher's unions now have an agenda instead of a mission, it will be a cold day in global warming before things change.
Same goes with ugly kids, they come from ugly parents.
If ugly kids come from ugly parents, then how come my kids are beautiful?
Same goes with ugly kids, they come from ugly parents.
If ugly kids come from ugly parents, then how come my kids are beautiful?
Leaving that question open is bound to attract some rude comments like "The Milkman", "The Postman" etc. Just kidding!! I had to do it.. Don't take offense.
I think my daddy must have been the iceman, because my momma always called me "Blockhead"
Could be taken two ways. Either I'm ugly and the postman is gorgeous, or the other way around. Option two sounds better. Well, then again.....
Uh, oh. I thought I saw asst on here earlier today. I'd better be careful that I don't chat too much.
While I believe there is significant merit in exposing students to various art forms and creativity, I have to agree. The acid test should be, "Are we currently meeting or exceeding standards in our core subjects ?" If the answer is, "no" then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what needs to be done.
Extracurricular activities or classes are "extra' (hence the name).
IMHO this is another example of the school district taking on the responsibilities of the parent. These extra experiences were once part of raising children... exposing them to the world and art and such. Now, because of the trend toward "sorry parenting" , the schools are trying to fill the gap. It ain't workin' !!! Teach the three Rs...give them good educations and ,hopefully, they can experience the "world" on their own.
I watched the classrooms waste a ridiculous amount of time preparing the students for a drama/musical performance at the end of EVERY quarter.
Waste?! Really? There's more than one way to learn.
Help them with their homework on the days they miss a class — or every day! — that is your job as a parent. It takes a whole village to educate a child, not just one teacher.
I already know my job as a parent, thank you. And I do help my children with their homework. I am talking about classwork that was missed due to missing CORE classes to practice for a dance/drama type performance.
And, yes, I find it a waste when my elementary aged child can recite 4 or 5 of the major countries in the world because they learned it while spending 3 hours a day for 3 weeks straight practicing for a school play.
Do you have school-aged children? Or are you simply spouting what you THINK you know?
In the state of affairs we find our public school system, you are correct that the child success requires significant parent involvement. That's why the parents of honor roll students practically know each other on a first name basis since they're the same ones showing up at the school at the end of every quarter year after year.
However, when they sold us the concept of "free" government education, they told us we just had to sit back and let the government educators do their job because the government knows what to do. If they failed, they told us we just had to give them more money. The promise of "free" government education carries with it the implied promise of success without the need for parent involvement. Give us the money and drop off your kids, they said. We'll raise them for you. We'll teach them everything they need to know. We'll teach them socialism by taking their pencils and making them the class' pencils, how to put on a condom, spelling (see "optomistic" blog), social studies (See Miss SC...like such as in South Africa and, uh, the Iraq everywhere like, such as...), math (Go to McDonald's and pay $2.04 for something that costs $1.99 and watch them scramble and call the home office)...
...I shouldn't have to teach my daughter algebra every evening when the school told me they had it covered. I still will because both she and I refuse to let the school system get in the way of her success...
As far as the village mentality, you can let the village raise your kids. I will raise mine. Thank you very much. I couldn't have put it any more eloquently than this, so I'll just quote the words of Kerby Anderson in his review of Monica Lewinsky's exboyfriend's wife's book.
"...At its face, there is nothing controversial about the idea that it takes more than parents to raise a child. Grandparents, friends, pastors, teachers, boy scout leaders, and many others in the community all have a role in the lives of our children. In her book, Mrs. Clinton does acknowledge that "parents bear the first and primary responsibility for their sons and daughters."
Unfortunately, the rest of the book contradicts that early statement. The First Lady essentially extends her notion of the village far beyond the family to include various organizations, especially the federal government. By the end of the book, it appears that Mrs. Clinton has never met a government program she didn't like...
...The village, in Mrs. Clinton's book, is much more than the communities in which we live. It is a metaphor for the continued expansion of government into every aspect of our lives...
...Her desire is to replicate this system in the United States so that the state can have an early maternal influence on the children of America. She envisions a country in which "Big Brother" essentially becomes "Big Momma."...
...Throughout the book Mrs. Clinton seems to be making the tragic assumption that the state can do a better job of raising children than parents. She proposes a system in which the First Lady becomes the "First Mom"--a system in which children are no longer the responsibility of the parents, but become instead wards of the state..."
It does not take a village to raise children. It takes PARENTS!!!
My kids finished school several years ago and I have a question. What does it take to be a High School Teacher in Beaufort County?
More patience than most people on here have exhibited (for the excuses for administrators employed around here). Then there are the students to consider. But, if you can muster for the first group, the second group is a piece of cake.
I think all you have to do is be able to coach a sport and then they'll find you a job teaching something meaningless like reading, riting or rithmetic.
I thought they all taught science or social studies. Math teachers are from third world countries and English teachers must be at least bi-linqual if not polyglots.
Far be it from me to ever be sarcastic. But the point about teacher qualifications is interesting. What should be required in order for a person to teach? Should they be proficient in English?
I have repeatedly listened to top elected officials in our government who can't correctly pronounce the word "nuclear," and they are making a lot more money than any of the teachers.
Some of them even negotiate "nuclear" agreements with foreign nations. So how can we expect teachers to meet such stringent requirements? Shouldn't they also be allowed such faults as using the word "nu-cu-lar" in place of "nuclear?" So what if they change our language a bit?
Sorry it took so long to answer. Of course no one would ever accuse you of being sarcastic, I'm quite sure. The trite answer would be that "no one goes into education to become rich." However, after more than thirty years of personal experience, I've become rather cynical about whether there aren't probably more than a few who are there for the paycheck. That would mean, though, that they weren't smart enough or accomplished enough to get the high-paying job. They would be the former "average" student seeking the best for their somewhat "low average" potential. The days when you see quality people filling the classroom teacher rosters because of their personal commitment to children and education and values and so on who also have a "higher calling" to the field are past. In the past several years, whenever a teacher is asked to take on an added responsibility, the first question is "how much will you pay me?" I think extra work should have extra pay, but that is much more the priority than the goal of the additional assignment. The new teachers I've seen lately don't have the same "whatever it takes to get Johnny to master this task" mentality that teachers in the past have had. (Of course, there are always a few exceptions to that.)
What qualifications should a teacher have? Patience is key. A love for the student is important. The best teachers I know have something that is hard to explain, but when you see them at work, you recognize it immediately. They have a willingness, or almost a compulsive need, to see the children in their presence succeed. They will listen to them, they will joke with them, but they will refuse to allow them to opt out, even if it is only for the short time they are with those students. These good teachers don't take everything that happens so seriously--they take individuals seriously and they definitely don't scare easily.
Proficiency in English must be a non-issue. Sure, we would like for students to speak and write in the best American Standard (if there is such). But when the people in education who are most rewarded monetarily (administrators at building and district level) cannot speak well or write correctly, when students see and hear announcements with poor pronunciation or read letters or notes sent to parents with spelling and language usage errors, or have teachers who consistently warp the language, how can we expect excellence from them? If we are only talking about a particular word here and there, then what difference would that really make on our society? But, unfortunately, the worst examples of quality teachers are the majority of those that have moved outside of the classroom and into the decision-making forum.
The point has been made that the best teachers will do the best job regardless of how much they are being paid. So the overwhelming response to such a well known fact is.......why pay any of them more? It's hard to argue with that logic.....especially in a short talking point. Anything more is generally useless.
Incentive pay sounds good, but it is usually an administrative nightmare and can do more harm than good. Unless assessment centers or some other proven means for teacher evaluation are put in place and properly utilized, such things as favoritism, etc. come into play.
Professionalize or privatize teachers so that they can be empowered to accept or deny clients/students their services the way that other professionals can and many things will change. Even restaurants often have signs indicating that they may refuse service to anyone....why not enable teachers to do the same?
Administrators are not only often the worst teachers, but quite often they know very little about administration and have little if any interest in learning.
I still enjoy people who try to convince us that they "value" education but refuse to pronounce the word "nuclear" correctly even after they become aware of their mistake........ that certainly demonstrates that they are eager to learn doesn't it?
Thanks for your "response." You are more courteous than many on this site, and obviously more learned. It is nice to read someone who can do more than grunt, groan, or wallow in self-pity.
I don't have the details but there is a test that can be taken. No kidding. Hopefully, you would at least have to possess a bachelor's degree (in basketweaving or something)...then pass the test. Yep, the new BHS softball coach was an engineer this time last year...now...abbracadabra....he's a teacher !
I was a contractor on a few jobs where he was the Proj Mgr and he was good. His background is engineering and I think that's what he will be teaching.
Not sure though. But you may know him much better than I. I only know him through work and coaching.
I also know just a little about Engineering degrees. Not like some LibArts major, you actually have to take real classes.......ooooooooh I know I've stirred up a bees nest now!!!!!!
I do know him. I would assume from his personality that he would be an excellent engineer. He seems very organized and very detail and goal oriented. I also think he is extremely knowledgeable about softball.
What I question is his interpersonal and people skills. I can't imagine him in a classromm of "less than well-behaved" high school students.
with the newest in student control measures...the NTT-47A! Yes it's the New Teacher Taser model 47 modified. Can acquire, track, and hit 35 separate targets simultaneously. Each target receiving 80,000 volts and a dose of "Shut the hell up". Not available in stores.
Where can I get me one of those ?
We could head out to some of the "clubs" in Burton and on St. Helena and have some fun.
Dang girl!! You got something against engineers that coach?
Oh yeah and you don't like spandex! My husband must really be on the bottom of your favorite people list!! :)
Are you trying to ruin my Friday ? I like my Fridays !
No problems w/ engineers that coach...maybe an issue w/ those who suddenly become "teachers". Aren't teachers TAUGHT to teach ? Just because you may know how to do something doesn't necessarily mean that you can/should teach it to others.
This is the last time (I doubt it) that I will correct my stance on spandex.
The APPROPRIATE use of spandex in the APPROPRIATE size is acceptable under my newly proposed laws. I have even congratulated your husband on Occasion for being a "law abiding" spandex wearer.
Now stop trying to start something w/ me and make me laugh !!! It's Friday...DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE !
Wish I had read this earlier before you showed up and ruined my day! Just teasing...it was good to catch up on all the blogging that we had missed! I do agree with you...we need a bloggers AA meetings. This addiction is killing me!
sorry asstnuts!
Wish I had read this earlier before you showed up and ruined my day! Just teasing...it was good to catch up on all the blogging that we had missed! I do agree with you...we need a bloggers AA meetings. This addiction is killing me!
sorry asstnuts!
Not a problem.
:) I have missed you! :)
:) I have missed you! :)
It seems You have missed a lot of things in your life. My advice would be to "move on" and do the best with what you have. Your glass may never be half full, but at least you have a glass. Or is it a plastic cup at your house?
Are you chatting?
When did the blog about federal education targets turn into a Dear Abby column?
Don't let the self appointed blog police see you breaking the rules...oh wait...
WHat do you have against plastic cups ?
Naw, I haven't missed much. I don't have that vacation home in HH like Savanna and I have not made it to Vegas (yet) nor Japan or Iraq like Savanna. But I do have a great husband (that can work on vents or orifices--whichever is needed at the time!), friends, family, church, children, church, softball, soccer, baseball, dance, that awful thing called work. All that keeps me pretty busy! Don't have much money! But I am more than happy with what I have. I do have glass cups and plastic cups in my house. I prefer to drink from a can or a bottle though!
The only thing missing is some old fart that is rude to me when I am only trying to be nice. Thank God that I found the blogs!! NOW!! And only now...can I say my life is complete!
As you learned last night, I'm qualified to be that old fart who is rude to you. But rude only in a funny, friendly way or as required. You need rude, just ask. I'm the rude giver, it's just me. Rude is my way of being nice.
As you learned last night, I'm qualified to be that old fart who is rude to you. But rude only in a funny, friendly way or as required. You need rude, just ask. I'm the rude giver, it's just me. Rude is my way of being nice.
I like that last line, may just have to borrow that sometime.
PLEASE!! I wasn't going to share the details of last night!
I thought old farts knew not to kiss and tell! JEEZ!
You would be like the character played by Sam Kinnison in Back To School.
No seriously, I think you must have a valid SC drivers license or other form of ID. Uhhh I think that's about it.
And Stoney, coaches have kept more kids in school than we will probably ever know. For many kids a coach is the only male role model in their life. I kid you not, men such as Coach Cliff, Hatcher, Fess, Dixon are very important in the lives of several of their players. Way beyond coaching. Stop by the BHS practice field some evening. For some of these kids their practice time is the only stern discipline they receive. It works.
And to be fair to the Ladies, I tell you that Mona Lise Dixon was one heck of a coach.
Yea for coaches!!! I totally agree with you...UNTIL, they are placed in a classroom teaching something they know little about or given a job they are not particularly qualified to do (even in administration) just so they may continue their prolific coaching career. Maybe South Carolina should allow them to call their chosen sport(s) "special expertise" like those that teach the special courses--like "engineering," "dance," "drama," and those like HVAC at ACE--so that they may continue to coach and not have to spend time in classroom biding time with students until practice. I respect those most who actually teach from their major, even if it was Physical Education, and actually took the teaching courses for certification.
Anyone wishing to be a classroom substitute must meet these requirements before interviewing with our Human Resources department:
• Must have proof of a minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited institution, or a passing score on the ETS paraprofessional test
• Must complete our online WinOcular application
• Must complete the mandatory 4 hour Substitute Training class given through TCL
Anyone with less than 60credit hours, but with a high school diploma or GED, may substitute as a teacher assistant. The online WinOcular application is required.
http://web.beaufort.k12.sc.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=3011&fileitem=8352&catfilter=47
Recommend we build more new schools that will solve the problem.
Because if what we have now isn't fixing the problem, more of the same certainly won't. You should look up Einstein's definition of insanity.
While you're at it, maybe you can look up where we rank in the world in how much we spend per student and compare how that stacks up against where we rank in how much the students actually learn.
Maybe that's homework for egeezer.
Sarcasm? Maybe, You think maybe if we spent more on high quality Teachers the money would have been utilized better?
I agree that high quality teachers should be compensated accordingly. I know a few myself. No one in his right mind would dispute that. Do you think that if we had 100% quality teachers that wouldn't fix the problem?
The problem is bigger than just paying good teachers more. Maybe you know one of them and want him to get a pay raise. We can pay him a million bucks a year, but as long as he's educating students under the current system, that won't make much of a difference.