Thursday, December 09, 2010
Let's See How We've Gotten Better
Then: I first started at Packemin HS, everyone was on the same schedule. The teachers got to talk to each other, compare notes and lessons and in turn were able to better help their students.
Now: We are on 5 different bell schedules and weeks go by without seeing various members of the department. There are no more conversations and the kids are suffering.
Then: With only one schedule, we were able to run homework helper sessions and the kids were able to get real help when they needed it. The budget had money in it to provide this extra help.
Now: Not only is there no time for homework helpers, there is no money to pay for it.
Then: Kids who couldn't read were taught to read. Kids who couldn't do basic arithmetic were taught arithmetic. There was career guidance and training.
Now: Everyone reads Shakespeare (or at least watches the movie) and takes algebra and beyond. Ready or not everyone goes to college.
Then: Passing a regents meant the material was mastered. A 65 meant you knew 65% of the material. Teachers felt pride when looking at statistics and at their students mastery of the subject.
Now: Passing a regents might mean you know about 30% of the material or you might know even less. Passing is easy if you know how to guess correctly. The only thing that matters with statistics is that we are not at the bottom of the department.
Then: The schools had real honor classes and Advanced Placement classes. In the late 80's and early 90's Packemin HS had many AP calculus classes than they have now and they were all double period classes so the kids got plenty of prep time.
Now: Kids are put wherever there is a spot. The AP class has been reduced to a single period.
Then: There were kids that did not want to learn and did what they could to keep others from learning. If the child misbehaved, it was the child who was called to task.
Now: There are kids that do not want to learn and do what they can to keep others from learning. If the children misbehave, the teacher is doing something wrong.
Then: There were good teachers and there were bad teachers. Administrators, who knew how to teach, knew what made a good teacher and did their jobs correctly got rid of the bad ones.
Now: There are good teachers and there are bad teachers. Administrators who know next to nothing about teaching, who have little to no knowledge of curriculum and would not recognize a good lesson or a good teacher if they saw one have the power to go on witch hunts and destroy the careers of good teachers.
Cathie Black--go on praising your predecessor. You can see the bang up job of improving schools he's done. Keep doing the same thing. You'll complete your mission of creating a society of people only fit to clean your toilets.