The DOEs bureaucratic insanity is finally achieving mainstream focus. I worked for 4.5 years in the 2nd worst school district in the nation. Funds that would have been used for Art, PE, and field trips, was diverted to ESL programs, excessive technology and teacher training. Class time that should be used for in depth & rewarding class projects and quality interaction and social bonding is used for testing. Over booked administrators are expected to complete comprehensive teacher assessments based on the teachers submitted data, dropping in for brief unexpected visits, and biannual half day observations. These assessments are rarely an accurate representation. The poorer and less stable the community, the less successful is the school, and the more stringent and hyper-regulated the schools environment becomes in the hopes of earning government grant money. Mechanized bureaucrats demand mechanized employees. Meanwhile, these listless students are detached and disenchanted with the aims and ideals of education. All they know is the relentless routine, conformity that barely resonates with the needy and unstable home life which is their true reality. However, government hand-outs will invariably be supplied, so who cares? The school teachers and administrators positions are revolving doors in the neediest schools. The student rosters are constantly revolving too. Ive seen years when class rooms lose about 5-7 students and gain 5-7 more within a single school year! Are teachers legally responsible for collecting the complete academic data of transient students while managing the rest of their class? Yes!! Teachers are monumentally resilient and resourceful, but the unnecessary demands take their toll, as the revolving door demonstrates.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 05:10:48 +0000