Re: My kid didn't pass!! It's the state's fault!!
I see much of this as part of a larger social problem. This country has become a nation of passing the buck.
Kid failed in school? Must be the school's fault. Couldn't be the parent's fault for not paying attention to the kid. Yes, I understand many families need both parents working and commutes are long, but as a parent, the buck stops with YOU. I'm responsible for making sure my kids are getting good education. Bad school? find a way to get them in somewhere else, even if you have to move, or work to make it better.
Too many parents expect the school to raise their kids by teaching them math and discipline at the same time but them don't want their child to get in trouble with the teacher. When I was a kid, we had parent teacher conferences every couple months around report card time. I grew up in a single parent house after age 11 and my Mom worked long hours to make ends meet. She always made time to come by the school and talk to each of my teachers. They would discuss how I was doing, then discuss discipline. Granted, it was a small town, but each of my teachers knew that they had reasonable latitude in putting me back in line, then call my Mom and I would get it again at home. She also found time to make sure I did my homework.
No, with today's system, I really don't want teachers paddling my children (I have two, not school age yet), but a teacher should have no fear in calling me to tell me that my child is out of line. As a parent, I will help them rectify the situation. They have to maintain order in the classroom for the benefit of all students.
Something else to consider, how many of us grew up with a mom that stayed at home at least until the kids were in school? Mine did until the divorce. How many homes are single parent now? Not picking on single parents here, but guys, I think it's usually men who don't step up to the plate here. As a movie line once said (paraprase), any male can be a daddy, it takes a man to be a father.
We are blessed that my wife is able to stay home with our two kids. It does mean that we don't get that shiny new car, eat out every day, etc, but I do see the rewards of it. My oldest is 3 1/2. She wanted to know about us landing on the moon Saturday night. She can walk outside and point our Saturn and Venus in the night sky, knows her abc's, counts to 20, etc.
My point is, many of the problems with our education system are self inflicted.
Parents not doing their job
Low teacher pay
expecting schools to raise children
Spending time griping that Johnny failed a class... kids generally don't just fail a class at the last minute... It usually takes about 8-10 months and report cards come out at regular intervals during that time.
This isn't a political statement, but, It doesn't take a village to raise a child. A good village of friends and family helps, but what it really takes is parents that give a **** about their kids and gives their kids priority over lesser pursuits.
Stepping of my soapbox now and putting on my firesuit after that last comment....
I see much of this as part of a larger social problem. This country has become a nation of passing the buck.
Kid failed in school? Must be the school's fault. Couldn't be the parent's fault for not paying attention to the kid. Yes, I understand many families need both parents working and commutes are long, but as a parent, the buck stops with YOU. I'm responsible for making sure my kids are getting good education. Bad school? find a way to get them in somewhere else, even if you have to move, or work to make it better.
Too many parents expect the school to raise their kids by teaching them math and discipline at the same time but them don't want their child to get in trouble with the teacher. When I was a kid, we had parent teacher conferences every couple months around report card time. I grew up in a single parent house after age 11 and my Mom worked long hours to make ends meet. She always made time to come by the school and talk to each of my teachers. They would discuss how I was doing, then discuss discipline. Granted, it was a small town, but each of my teachers knew that they had reasonable latitude in putting me back in line, then call my Mom and I would get it again at home. She also found time to make sure I did my homework.
No, with today's system, I really don't want teachers paddling my children (I have two, not school age yet), but a teacher should have no fear in calling me to tell me that my child is out of line. As a parent, I will help them rectify the situation. They have to maintain order in the classroom for the benefit of all students.
Something else to consider, how many of us grew up with a mom that stayed at home at least until the kids were in school? Mine did until the divorce. How many homes are single parent now? Not picking on single parents here, but guys, I think it's usually men who don't step up to the plate here. As a movie line once said (paraprase), any male can be a daddy, it takes a man to be a father.
We are blessed that my wife is able to stay home with our two kids. It does mean that we don't get that shiny new car, eat out every day, etc, but I do see the rewards of it. My oldest is 3 1/2. She wanted to know about us landing on the moon Saturday night. She can walk outside and point our Saturn and Venus in the night sky, knows her abc's, counts to 20, etc.
My point is, many of the problems with our education system are self inflicted.
Parents not doing their job
Low teacher pay
expecting schools to raise children
Spending time griping that Johnny failed a class... kids generally don't just fail a class at the last minute... It usually takes about 8-10 months and report cards come out at regular intervals during that time.
This isn't a political statement, but, It doesn't take a village to raise a child. A good village of friends and family helps, but what it really takes is parents that give a **** about their kids and gives their kids priority over lesser pursuits.
Stepping of my soapbox now and putting on my firesuit after that last comment....
