Re: teachers need to stand up together

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On 10/21/08, Tessa- FL wrote:
>
> This sort of thinking is why we have 5th graders that
> chronologically should be 8th graders. In title 1 world, these
> kids will never catch up. Do we hold them back forever? When we
> hold them back, their behavior disrupts the learning of the
> other kids because they've given up. And don't get me started
> on SPED: every year my district makes it harder and harder to
> get kids the help they need because they want to save $$$. We
> have to pass them on, and the teacher does his/her best to
> teach at their level.
>
> Kim, in your world holding back may be reasonable, but in mine
> it isn't. Once they give up on themselves, there's nothing more
> we can do for them. It's sad, but true. Every teacher I work
> with that's been around awhile has students that ended up in
> jail, selling drugs, even double-homicide. These kids don't
> give a flippity-floppity-flue about their future. We can't
> retain them every year.

Do we hold them back forever? No. I guess there is no easy answer.

I don't think a student in 6th grade needs to be taught on a 4th
grade level, earn an A or B and have that reported on their
transcript as earning an A in 6th grade. If we need to keep them
with their age group, then we need to change something. Maybe go
to a mastery learning system. (add two digit numbers - check, add
3 digit numbers - check etc)

Teaching students who are below grade while trying to teach
students who are on grade level is difficult. Too many times the
students who are on grade level or above grade level get short
changed.

I'm not sure why you say in Title I world students will never
catch up. Our district is Title I, and we do a pretty good job of
keeping most students on grade level.

Once they give up on themselves, there's nothing more
we can do for them.(quote) I agree, and yes it is a sad reality.

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