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| Education...What is the problem? |
| Created Monday, May 3, 2010 Published Saturday, May 22, 2010 Filed under Commentary |
| This entry was posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 and is filed under Keeba’s Commentary. Post comments below, or click here to send an email. |
| Keeba Smith is a published writer and desired screenplay artist. She is the author of “Shades of Bright Pale,” and many other unacquainted writings. Please visit www.Keeba.org to find out more about Keeba Smith, read additional critiques and her unpublished autobiography, “Spirit in the Dark.” © 2010 |
| Tags: Keeba, Poems, Commentary, Biography, Barack Obama, Working, Black History, Health Care Passes, Keeba' Healthcare, |
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| I have been trying to figure out this education thing for many years, but when the mass firing of teachers in Rhode Island came along, I became more intrigued. What is the problem? What was the problem at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island that the superintendent felt justified in firing 93 people – which included 77 teachers, the principal, 3 assistant principals, guidance counselors and reading specialists? School officials yet say that of the 800 students at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island, half the students are failing every subject, with 55 percent skilled in reading and 7 percent proficient in math. Okay, that’s a huge problem! But in general, what is the problem with our schools around the Country – in each State? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? What is the problem? I have posed this question to several family members, friends and associates and I have received a variety of answers. I posed the question because as long as I can remember, our government has always emphasized how important education is, yet it seems as though each administration fails to make it better. Or better yet, to prove to at least me, that they are doing something to improve our education system. What is the problem? Why hasn’t our government done more? What is the problem? I was born in the 60’s but I could swear that I read where our government said it was on the problematic case since that time, yet, it seems to me that it has only gotten worse. Therefore, this iniquitous problem is both the Democrats and Republicans fault. What is the problem? When I posed this question to family and friends, the responses were mixed as some replied with personal experience while others were looking at the problem from afar; as if it did not t affect them directly. And for that, I say shame on them! The problem affects all of us – whether we have children or not. I do not have children, but those children - our children – are my future and we, me, you, have to do all we can to assist them to grow into powerful vibrant young men and women. They are our future and will one day lead our Nation. What is the problem? From the answers I received, it seems as though some people believe we cannot force children to learn. Hmmm, okay. What is the problem? From the answers I received, it seems as though it has to do with the growing problem of latchkey kids. I can follow that logic or at least comprehend it as I know how it was in my household [while growing up]. As the youngest of seven, I had older brothers and sisters who took time to further educate me at home while at the same time, two parents standing over me to make sure I completed my homework. When I was young, I could not understand the reasoning for a clock to have normal numbers as I was taught to tell time on a Roman numeral clock. Yes it was easy to relate the numbers, but the Roman numeral clock just made more sense, however, I was surprised that some children did not know. What is the problem? Another answer was that the problem lies in the hands of the school system. That the schools are taking an old system that never worked, yet they gave it a new name and ran with it. I agree with that, but why rename something just to keep having it to fail? So if it’s a unique pretty name and sounds fancy, it’s supposed to work? I have seen this occur on several instances within Denver Public Schools (DPS) and it seems as though the problem gets worse and continues to spread like cancer. It seems as though Denver Public Schools would rather have large businesses and corporations throw money at building schools and new programs while forgetting that the programs mean nothing if the children are not able to succeed and grow. Yes, I believe the money should be spent hiring adequate teachers, but at the same time, use that money to insure our children are indeed learning. Forget the financial profit! We need to put more effort in our children's education and future welfare! What is the problem? Someone said that the problem is a sense of entitlement. I can agree with that. A few months ago, president Obama mentioned other Countries that have more engineers and/or scientists compared to the United States. However, the problem with this, is that many foreigners come to the U.S. to receive education, and take that information back to their own Country and use it wisely. That’s somewhat painful. In the U.S. we have the right to an education, but sadly, we do not always take advantage of it. |
| What is the problem? While having trouble sleeping one late night/early morning, I turned on the boob tube and ran across the 1984 movie “Teachers.” Oh and yes, it is about a school filled with teachers and students. In the movie – starring Nick Nolte and Jo Beth Williams – there are a variety of problems within the school and it seems as though no one recognizes them. And for those that are aware of the problems, they have no desire in correcting them. The film is centered on Nick Nolte’s character, which is being sued by a former student (Jo Beth Williams) who is now a lawyer. While Nolte is preparing for his best defensive strategy, he designs an assignment for his students to tell him what is wrong with the school and one of his students runs rapid with the idea. The student (Ralph Macchio) retrieves a camera and photographs teachers and students performing various indecent acts such as a teacher sleeping in class, a teacher who is not actually a teacher but an escapee from a local insane asylum, students ditching class, students smoking marijuana, etc. (Oh and one thing that was not captured in the photographs but was memorable, was that a teacher has sex with one of his students and the act results in a pregnancy.) Near the end of the movie, Nick Nolte’s character states a fact that has troubled me for many years. He said "it’s not about teaching the students or holding them back if they don’t learn." Their job is to teach as many as they can and get them out the door. “It’s policy.” Policy. What is the problem? The problem with this is that it seems that it is “policy” to move students in and out of public schools’ doors whether they learn or not. Meaning that is does not matter whether the student or students are equipped to pass basic English or arithmetic. What is the problem? The schools' pay is determined and distributed based on each student not by each passing student. The school receives money for each student, not by each student that has learned, earned and passed each test. When I was in Junior High School, our lead Physical Education teacher would take time to talk to the students before and after each class and I can recall something that has stayed with me all these years. She said, “Learn all you can while you’re here, because when you leave this school and go on to High School, they won’t care. They will just pass you through.” Mrs. Mitchell was right! I will never forget Mr. McCracken who did exactly what Mrs. Mitchell said – gave me passing grades that I did not deserve. Oh and then there was my Student Guidance Counselor Ms. Christiansan who told me and another Black student that the ACT's and SAT’s were not important to get into college. I was disgusted! Because of Mr. McCracken’s generous deceptive grades, I was able to be on the honor roll for two years. However, I know my classmate was just as smart as I was and more than likely deserved the grades she received, and even more so, she was probably just as upset that we were not given the tools nor instructed or encouraged to succeed. Despite the pay teachers and schools receive, it is “policy” to push the students out the doors – whether the students are prepared or not. It just does not matter because it was "policy" and I cannot help but believe that the very same procedure is still encouraged. What is the problem? Our children are able to come home and watch television. Yes, the parent(s) know, as they are the ones who rent movies, sit, and watch them with their children. And when the child returns to school the next day, no, they do not know the answers to the test, but can recite – word for word – the lines of the movies they watched the night before. I’m not saying that children should not be able to enjoy some downtime or entertainment, but parents should be more diligent in making sure their homework is completed first. What is the problem? Our children are able to bring deadly weapons to school, and when caught with that gun and/or knife, there are no repercussions. Often times, the student acts up in class, then sent to the principal’s office yet returns to class with candy spilling from their hands. As a taxpayer, I am disgusted that students are able to destroy the school and we give them books to learn, but they destroy them too. And what do the chieftains do? NOTHING! What is the problem? I am afraid of today’s kids because they do things that I – as a child – would have never thought about doing. I have witnessed children talk wildly to their parents, destroy things and fight each other. They have weapons and a law that says that if an adult lays a hand on them, the adult is looking at jail time. What is the problem? I heard someone say, “Kids need to know that you care for them to care what you think.” I agree with that, but the problem is not just the students and/or the teachers. It’s you, me and everyone else. We have to mentor these children. Tell them to put down those weapons and pickup a book. Yes, it’s easier said than done, but there has to be another way to reach and teach our children. What is the problem? No we cannot make a child learn, but we also cannot keep the “policy” going either. No, in fact, we must do everything to demolish that policy as well as put a determinant end to those employed by public schools who allow this policy to continue. Please, I do not wish anyone to lose his or her job, but at the same time, I do not believe every teacher should be in that roll as "educator". Furthermore, it is my belief that the superintendent should be as faithful and honest to the students, as he/she would be to their own; as if their own lives depended on it. In my honest opinion, Michael Bennet was not good for DPS and it is just as well that he moved on to politics – where the corruption is clean. Notwithstanding, if the current DPS superintendent, Tom Boasber does not do more to help his students, then he too should move on to something else. (Dear God, please not another dishonest politician, but something that will actually make a difference in society.) The superintendents are not exempt and should be held accountable to our children as well as for the sake of our children. Every school should be examined from the teachers on up to the principals on up to the school administration and school boards and superintendents. No one is exempt! No, not a one! I sincerely/justly believe that the problem lies on each and every one of them; including you and me. If we do not demand change, then what will happen? Absolutely nothing! We must demand an end to state and federal guidelines, but demand more! Demand higher learning. Demand better teachers. Demanding better education for our students. What is the solution? One, we need more teachers like Gary Buslik. Additionally, we need more schools such as the Denver School of Science and Technology. (DSST) (DSST is a Colorado school and was one of the six finalists of the “Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge” to have President Obama as its keynote commencement speaker.) Although I am against charter schools, I know if I had children, I would want them to attend DSST because out of 80 students, all 80 students graduated. Why? Because it’s mandatory! If the student does not return his/her homework, he/she must standup in [the] front of the class and explain why he does not have it. Moreover, the teachers sit down and eat lunch with the students in a noisy lunchroom with the students everyday. Their students just don’t meet the State’s standards in math, science and English, they exceed in each of those areas as well as teach them computer skills. However, one thing that I found rather odd and upsetting, is that a Denver Public Schools (DPS) teacher said that DSST was putting too much pressure on their students and ultimately found DSST’s requisite for all graduates to attend college a waste of time. What? Now that certainly is NOT a solution! This DPS teacher made light of the success of DSST!!! Who said, “The right time to do right is always?” I do not want to hear an educator quibble that I am only on this side of the fence because I do not have children. No, I do not have any biological children, but I have many children as well as nieces and nephews. Additionally, the children in these classrooms are indeed my children when their ability to perform and live outside the classroom personally affects me. I do not want to hear an educator say that it is hard teaching lower-income students. Who said it was going to be easy? Who said that anything was easy? If it were so easy, then there would be more of you. Why take on the job if you are not willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done? Besides, lower- income students are not any worse or better, and/or less eager or even more willing to learn than privileged kids. If so, then we would not have the Oprah Winfrey’s, Elizabeth Murray’s and/or the Chris Gardner’s of the world. Or better yet, ANYONE listed here. It is work and you are being paid for your time to complete it - from beginning to end. No, the pay isn’t the greatest and I have argued that if our government continues to accentuate the importance of education, then they should do more to attract quality-deserving educators. However, as I stated, you are being paid and if you do not like it, then perhaps you too should seek another line of employment - giving thought to the idea that perhaps (now just perhaps) teaching is not for you. If an educator has a hard time teaching, then perhaps they should seek another profession - one that is easier. One they can actually handle. I know from experience, that it is so rewarding when I know I have completed my job to the best of my ability, and even more self-satisfying when others have benefited from my hard work. I do not want to hear any excuses, because there aren’t any. What is the solution? What is the solution??? |
