Concerns

What concerns you about the furture of education or what would you like to change?

A Journal entry from June 20, 2007

Most concerns we have about education fall into the same category as those things we would like to see changed. We will begin with attitiutdes. Attitutes about our educational systems. from children and adults, have got to change. I am concerned that the “Do what you have to do to get by” attitute is trickling into our childrens’ minds. They made D’s and F’s and got through the system and their kids can too. “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught.” is another way to look at how our students are being brainwashed into thinking the world is theirs for the taking with no real effort put into it. Continuous education is a need and a luxurythat needs our upmost attention. We cannot be dragged into the “get by” state of mind that is overcoming our pupils. We must keep our expectations high and let them know that they can.

Money is a huge concern for everyone involved in education. We need good teachers and those teachers need support and supplies. With all the budget cuts and children who can’t afford we are being put against a finacial wall that forces us to dig into our ever emptying personal pockets. Thousands (and more) are being sppent to test the test and then test the students to see that they are up to the rest of the scores. How about we figure a way to get those dollars back into the systems where the kids can benefit.

As well, we need a time frame that benefits the teachers and the students. We need to get back to the basics. Tests, tests, tests… they are state mandated and our basic education is suffering from it. We are lacking time to teach our students. We are being reduced to teaching tests. It is dragging our good teachers down and making our students feel unsuccessful. Billy can’t score like Bobby, why?. His performance is suffering because of the teachers? I think not. His performance is suffering because he needs the basics. He does not need special classes, he needs more time. Time to master the necessary skills to move on and succeed.

College is not for everyone, but our children need to learn to be productive. They are not broken tools which we either duct [tape] or chuck. We need time to give them the attention they so desperately desire. Books smarts is not the only smarts a child can have. They need time to figure out what they are good at and hone that skill. Be it further education or hands on training.

We all need to keep our eyes on the prize. We can’t “stop thinking of tomorrow.” Live for today is another concern of mine with education. yes, we can live for now and plan for later. We do not have to spend every opportunity we have now. As long as we can teach our children to save, spend wisely and never waste those oppportunities, we can begin to put some of our concerns to bed. Teachers cannot do it alone. We need parents, administration, and other educators to help facilitate winning attitudes with our children. If we think we can…then we can do anything.