This Kinds Of Sums Up My Feelings (And Suggestions) On Current Policy In Education (Not A Rant)

[Dinger]

I posted this in a comment section of an article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. When I was done, it felt right somehow.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/89007417.html?commentSubmitted=y&refresh=23590&viewAll=1#comments

(I'm Northwoods Educator) :

Interesting comments mukazzi. You are right, we are ALL accountable
for the success and failure of children in the learning process.
Accountability is an issue, but if the standards are not the same,
accountability doesn't mean a thing. Are people aware that in Wisconsin
(and many other states) that charter, voucher/private schools do not
have to take standardized tests? IF they do, they are not required to
report the results. This doesn't exactly jive with RTTT (Race To the
Top), does it? I am sure there are excellent charter and private
schools, but before I spend thousands on tuition for my child, I need to
see proof that They are indeed successful. Tests are but ONE measure
of that. Again, they can talk all day about accountability, but if the
standards are different than other schools (like public ones), it'll be a
wasted argument for me. Apples to apples . . . .

And please don't waste my time by telling me that charters
are public schools. Maybe as far as getting public money (taxes), but
just like the fact that you can't be "a little bit pregnant", schools can't be
"a little bit public." The standards are not the same. Just read the
Charter Schools Yearbook, published by DPI. It's all in there, at the
beginning of the book.

Lastly, I have a few suggestions. Quit wasting time blaming.
Neither side of this debate gains anything by doing that, least of all,
students. First, we need to broaden our focus in dealing with problems
that exist in all areas of education. Instead of looking exclusively at
ONE aspect of a child's education, look at the three that influence a
student's success: Home, school, community. I would rank the level of
influence equal for all three.

I certainly welcome all of your comments and suggestions,
especially those that center on the needs of the child.

[SocialistLez]

1. Rank...

1) Home
2) Community
3) School

1 and 2 could be equally the same.
If your home is in a dangerous neighborhood and you're hearing gunshots, hearing a man beat his wife, etc. then how can you focus on your homework?

I think teacher quality is important but I think we have a lot more good teachers than we have bad.

I am just tired of all this focus on standardized testing.

[HereSince1628]

2. My three would be similar in spirit

1. Motivated students--this is a result of family and community
2. Well trained and dedicated teachers--this is a result of family, community and state
3. Quality facilities--this is a result of community, state, and nation

[SocialistLez]

4. I like it

1 is VERY important. I knew lots of kids that weren't motivated and I'm sure it had a lot to do with family and community.

2 goes without saying. :)

I definitely think the quality of the facility affects students and teachers alike.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. k/r