McCain: From Soldiers on the field to teachers in the classroom- without certification?

[ehrnst]

Did I imagine that McCain said (in last night's debate) that he would put soldiers in classrooms and bypass certification?

Forgive me if someone posted a discussion of this on another list - but I don't see it anywhere else.

I remember thinking -"Is this his way to use our local education dollars to pay for the care of returning soldiers?"

Anybody?

[TrogL]

1. If he's putting soldiers in the classroom, they'd better be able to keep their firearms

With no training on how to run a classroom, they'll be in charge of a riot.

[Eric J in MN]

2. Transcript

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/10/debate-transcri.html

MCCAIN: We need to encourage programs such as Teach for America and Troops to Teachers where people, after having served in the military, can go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations which -- or have the certification that some are required in some states.

==================

I don't want kids taught by teachers who didn't pass the relevant exams.

[ehrnst]

5. Dear God, I didn't imagine it.

It sounds like wants the school systems to take on the role of the VA?

Could you imagine being taught by a John McCain, fresh out of the service, with no training?

[Mz Pip]

18. Yeah but I'll bet these

soldiers can teach the kids to lock and load in record time. :sarcasm:

[SoonerPride]

3. I almost fell out of my chair when he said that.

I want QUALIFIED TEACHERS WHO ARE PROFESSIONALS not a work placement program for the downsizing military.

[ecstatic]

me too! Why isn't the media talking more about that crazy ass erratic idea?

WTF?

[tblue]

4. Yeah, there's nothing our schools need more of than people with PTSD just stepping out of a war zone

Don't get me wrong. I am all for veterans' rights, healthcare, and jobs. But on the face of it, this idea just sounds nuts.

[Democrats_win]

6. From the man who chose Palin. Why not help the soldiers get certification?

In the education debate, McCain was proud of himself when he said we should help bad teachers find another line of work. Then he wants to hire people who haven't taken the initiative to get the required certification? The hurdles exist for a reason. Yet he opposes the GI bill which would help them jump the irrelevant financial hurdle and get the certification.

[Sabriel]

7. Too late. It's been done for quite a while

Troops to Teachers has been around since 1994.

[goodboy]

8. "Alright boys and girls, this is an assault rifle..." (nt)

[sammytko]

9. Troops to Teachers - first have to have a degree and then

have to spend about a year in training with a teacher and also take some Ed. courses.

As a veteran, I could have followed this program but, I've chosen to go the regular teacher cert route.

[yellowcanine]

11. So McGrumpy was wrong when he said that.

[Eric J in MN]

13. Do they "not have to take these examinations"?

NT

[sammytko]

22. school districts do not want to hire teachers without certification

I'm in Texas. There is not a teacher shortage in the elementary grades in San Antonio. If you want a guaranteed job, it is best to specialize in bilinual or spec ed. According to my math professor, not even math teachers are getting paid an extra stipend. I'm working towards certification to teach middle school math.

[ehrnst]

15. So he either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he plans to change the program.

Either way, doesn't bode well for our schools.

[yellowcanine]

10. Doesn't square with his meme of having only qualified and competent teachers.

Just because someone is retired military doesn't mean they are qualified to teach children. For example, I don't think McGrumpy is qualified to teach children.

[Catshrink]

14. You type fast than I do!

[SoonerPride]

20. I don't think he's qualifed to speak to children period.

They already worry about the Bogie Man, they don't need to sear his nightmarish mug into their dreams.

[Catshrink]

12. Didn't he also talk about the need to improve education?

So he wants to use untrained teachers to accomplish this? Some of the exams are to prove competency in the content area. I'd like to know that someone teaching math knows some math -- and this goes for all other subjects.

True, some of the teacher education classes are bull, but many aren't.

That response just shows Mc* has no clue about education.

[zulchzulu]

16. You new math teacher with a bad case of PTSD from 4 tours of duty

Bypass certification?

WTF?

[catgirl]

17. I caught that too

Hm. We need better teachers, so let's not have quality control for troops.

Do you want this man to have access to the button?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. First thing I thought of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bfgrj_62-Y

[IsItJustMe]

21. That was, without a doubt, the dumbest Idea I have ever heard. What makes you eligible to be a

teacher because you served in the military? What is the correlation here?

This is an old stupid Republican idea that I have been hearing about for years. It's just plain bad. A teacher should have a 4 year degree in education. PERIOD.

[sammytko]

23. I believe he is only considering the officer corps

I doubt he thinks an enlisted person can be a teacher.