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West Virginia Teachers Chatboard

Blame the Teachers?!?

by WV Teacher

Feb 19, 2011

Although I will be stating my own viewpoint, this post will be mocked and critiqued by other posters who do not know the truth (or do not want to hear the truth). I think it is extraordinary that some people consider themselves to be such educational experts. They do not have any educational background and have never worked in a classroom but they have all the answers (and this includes the legislators). Some think that if they pound their chests and say, "teachers are to blame" often enough and loud enough that it will make it true. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Those that are so quick to make the teachers into sacrificial scapegoats are quite aware that the teachers have very little say in any educational curriculum, policies, standards, tests, or laws. There is a movement by some in this county to privatize education and that movement is only part of the “blame the teachers" game.

I keep hearing that schools should get rid of teachers whose s...See MoreAlthough I will be stating my own viewpoint, this post will be mocked and critiqued by other posters who do not know the truth (or do not want to hear the truth). I think it is extraordinary that some people consider themselves to be such educational experts. They do not have any educational background and have never worked in a classroom but they have all the answers (and this includes the legislators). Some think that if they pound their chests and say, "teachers are to blame" often enough and loud enough that it will make it true. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Those that are so quick to make the teachers into sacrificial scapegoats are quite aware that the teachers have very little say in any educational curriculum, policies, standards, tests, or laws. There is a movement by some in this county to privatize education and that movement is only part of the “blame the teachers" game.

I keep hearing that schools should get rid of teachers whose students are scoring low on tests. Then on the other hand, I hear that low performing schools should have highly qualified teachers. What highly qualified teacher in his or her right mind would want to go to a school and then be fired according to the test scores?

All students can learn. However, they learn at different paces. The current testing, policies, laws, and politicians do not take into account the small successes. All I see is penalty. For example, a 5th grade special education student must take the 5th grade state test. However, that student may be reading on a pre-primer or first grade level. That student (at least in this state) can have the entire test read to him or her EXCEPT for the reading portion of the test. That student scores novice on the test (big surprise) and that test score counts against the school (and teacher).

Another unfair practice in the school system, you may have certain districts that allow many special education students to transfer to certain schools. However, they do not balance the load and transfer students to those schools that would perform high on tests. What happens? That school does not make AYP (adequate yearly progress). It is not fair--and nobody cares.

Another instance of inequality, an administrator may favor a certain teacher and give that teacher a better class than another teacher. When it comes time for state testing, the teacher who has all the behavioral problems, special education students, and low socioeconomic children would have lower test scores. (Yes, this truly happens in schools).

So, what do tests scores prove? Absolutely nothing that really happens in a classroom. It gives a snapshot of what that child does--on that date--at that time—on that test. In addition, it is comparing the students from the PREVIOUS year to that current group of students.

People are saying that you should run schools as a business. Okay, let us look at it from a business angle. As a business student, I was taught that you can delegate responsibility but not authority. So, those in charge of setting the standards, policies, and educational objectives whether on a national, state, district, or school level must step up to the plate and accept the responsibility and accountability. Nobody is being held accountable--except for the teachers.

As a teacher, I will gladly take the responsibility and accountability for being the most qualified teacher that I can be with workshops, classes, lesson plans, teaching practices, or having National Board certification. However, I will not be held accountable for things that I cannot change.

short answer Short answer:

STOP social promotion. If a student CANNOT do the work at that level they do NOT proceed to the next grade.

A few years ago the Washington Post did a great expose on "Why Johnny WON'T Read". It was all about the students who refused to do the work and were still promoted. If we stop this practice, then perhaps the s...See MoreShort answer:

STOP social promotion. If a student CANNOT do the work at that level they do NOT proceed to the next grade.

A few years ago the Washington Post did a great expose on "Why Johnny WON'T Read". It was all about the students who refused to do the work and were still promoted. If we stop this practice, then perhaps the students will start to become responsible for their actions. It would be really nice for parents to become responsible as well!!!

On 2/19/11, WV Teacher wrote: > Although I will be stating my own viewpoint, this post will > be mocked and critiqued by other posters who do not know > the truth (or do not want to hear the truth). I think it > is extraordinary that some people consider themselves to be > such educational experts. They do not have any educational > background and have never worked in a classroom but they > have all the answers (and this includes the legislators). > Some think that if they pound their chests and > say, "teachers are to blame" often enough and loud enough > that it will make it true. However, nothing could be > further from the truth. > > Those that are so quick to make the teachers into > sacrificial scapegoats are quite aware that the teachers > have very little say in any educational curriculum, > policies, standards, tests, or laws. There is a movement > by some in this county to privatize education and that > movement is only part of the “blame the teachers" game. > > I keep hearing that schools should get rid of teachers > whose students are scoring low on tests. Then on the other > hand, I hear that low performing schools should have highly > qualified teachers. What highly qualified teacher in his or > her right mind would want to go to a school and then be > fired according to the test scores? > > All students can learn. However, they learn at different > paces. The current testing, policies, laws, and politicians > do not take into account the small successes. All I see is > penalty. For example, a 5th grade special education student > must take the 5th grade state test. However, that student > may be reading on a pre-primer or first grade level. That > student (at least in this state) can have the entire test > read to him or her EXCEPT for the reading portion of the > test. That student scores novice on the test (big surprise) > and that test score counts against the school (and teacher). > > Another unfair practice in the school system, you may have > certain districts that allow many special education > students to transfer to certain schools. However, they do > not balance the load and transfer students to those schools > that would perform high on tests. What happens? That school > does not make AYP (adequate yearly progress). It is not > fair--and nobody cares. > > Another instance of inequality, an administrator may favor > a certain teacher and give that teacher a better class than > another teacher. When it comes time for state testing, the > teacher who has all the behavioral problems, special > education students, and low socioeconomic children would > have lower test scores. (Yes, this truly happens in > schools). > > So, what do tests scores prove? Absolutely nothing that > really happens in a classroom. It gives a snapshot of what > that child does--on that date--at that time—on that test. > In addition, it is comparing the students from the PREVIOUS > year to that current group of students. > > People are saying that you should run schools as a > business. Okay, let us look at it from a business angle. > As a business student, I was taught that you can delegate > responsibility but not authority. So, those in charge of > setting the standards, policies, and educational objectives > whether on a national, state, district, or school level > must step up to the plate and accept the responsibility and > accountability. Nobody is being held accountable--except > for the teachers. > > As a teacher, I will gladly take the responsibility and > accountability for being the most qualified teacher that I > can be with workshops, classes, lesson plans, teaching > practices, or having National Board certification. However, > I will not be held accountable for things that I cannot > change.

Feb 19, 2011

Great I love this post. Granted like every profession their are bad employess but no one ever wants to talk about bad principals, board members, goverment, or any other leadership idiots.

If a school is failing we need to look at who is calling the shots on how the school is ran. Teachers do what they are told and if the education plan fails the...See MoreI love this post. Granted like every profession their are bad employess but no one ever wants to talk about bad principals, board members, goverment, or any other leadership idiots.

If a school is failing we need to look at who is calling the shots on how the school is ran. Teachers do what they are told and if the education plan fails then it is the principal and county officials who create the plan and put it in place that needs removed. They show they do not know what they are doing when their plans fail.

On 2/19/11, WV Teacher wrote: > Although I will be stating my own viewpoint, this post will > be mocked and critiqued by other posters who do not know > the truth (or do not want to hear the truth). I think it > is extraordinary that some people consider themselves to be > such educational experts. They do not have any educational > background and have never worked in a classroom but they > have all the answers (and this includes the legislators). > Some think that if they pound their chests and > say, "teachers are to blame" often enough and loud enough > that it will make it true. However, nothing could be > further from the truth. > > Those that are so quick to make the teachers into > sacrificial scapegoats are quite aware that the teachers > have very little say in any educational curriculum, > policies, standards, tests, or laws. There is a movement > by some in this county to privatize education and that > movement is only part of the “blame the teachers" game. > > I keep hearing that schools should get rid of teachers > whose students are scoring low on tests. Then on the other > hand, I hear that low performing schools should have highly > qualified teachers. What highly qualified teacher in his or > her right mind would want to go to a school and then be > fired according to the test scores? > > All students can learn. However, they learn at different > paces. The current testing, policies, laws, and politicians > do not take into account the small successes. All I see is > penalty. For example, a 5th grade special education student > must take the 5th grade state test. However, that student > may be reading on a pre-primer or first grade level. That > student (at least in this state) can have the entire test > read to him or her EXCEPT for the reading portion of the > test. That student scores novice on the test (big surprise) > and that test score counts against the school (and teacher). > > Another unfair practice in the school system, you may have > certain districts that allow many special education > students to transfer to certain schools. However, they do > not balance the load and transfer students to those schools > that would perform high on tests. What happens? That school > does not make AYP (adequate yearly progress). It is not > fair--and nobody cares. > > Another instance of inequality, an administrator may favor > a certain teacher and give that teacher a better class than > another teacher. When it comes time for state testing, the > teacher who has all the behavioral problems, special > education students, and low socioeconomic children would > have lower test scores. (Yes, this truly happens in > schools). > > So, what do tests scores prove? Absolutely nothing that > really happens in a classroom. It gives a snapshot of what > that child does--on that date--at that time—on that test. > In addition, it is comparing the students from the PREVIOUS > year to that current group of students. > > People are saying that you should run schools as a > business. Okay, let us look at it from a business angle. > As a business student, I was taught that you can delegate > responsibility but not authority. So, those in charge of > setting the standards, policies, and educational objectives > whether on a national, state, district, or school level > must step up to the plate and accept the responsibility and > accountability. Nobody is being held accountable--except > for the teachers. > > As a teacher, I will gladly take the responsibility and > accountability for being the most qualified teacher that I > can be with workshops, classes, lesson plans, teaching > practices, or having National Board certification. However, > I will not be held accountable for things that I cannot > change.

Feb 20, 2011

coteacher On 2/19/11, short answer wrote: > Short answer: > > STOP social promotion. If a student CANNOT do the work at > that level they do NOT proceed to the next grade. >

In general I agree with this statement - however, do you want your 11 year old daughter in the same building (middle school) as a 16 year old boy/young man who h...See More

Feb 20, 2011

Still trying That's the way it's done. Whey they reach 16, move them to high school no matter what grade they're in. From that point, they either begin accumulating credits, or they will eventually drop out. Of course, IF we had adequate vocational training available, many kids may show more interest in school.

Even the best teachers can't force a kid ...See More

Feb 20, 2011

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