Student’s homework
At a recent parent teacher night for Sheridan Middle School, a language arts teacher was asked why she doesn’t assign homework to students. Her response was simply that first of all, it put too much stress on students and also that she couldn’t afford the extra time grading any homework that would be assigned. There was a time when Sheridan schools had a reputation for grades and education but that has long passed. The students in middle school are doing homework from printed out worksheets, there are no actual research or studies being assigned and now a teacher says because too much stress for students and she has no time for it. I understand that there are good teachers that actually care and strive to get a student to learn. Part of that means doing homework, and in a society where video games, skate boarding, and other such free time is so readily available, how can homework be too stressful? Another teacher referred homework as an unnecessary “self study” activity. Middle and high schools are supposed to be a preparatory time for students before, hopefully college. If they can not handle it now, there is no hope for them for when college looms and careers are so interdependent on college education. With these comments, it is no wonder why American schools are failing in the world scope and with the unions, these teachers will get raises when they most assuredly do not deserve them.
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Is this really any surprise? We can't even test kids to find out what they've learned because it's too stressful and unfair to the underachievers and the less fortunate. Not to mention it might reflect poorly on the teachers. And we wonder why children of today are unprepared for college or the real world?
Posted by on August 29, 2007 04:33 PMCom'on now. If this teacher assigned homework, then the gradeing oif it would mean that said teacher just nmight have to do some work for the pay recieved. We all know that this is not fair. To hold one to a work etheic, and principles goes against all that is being taught in the public school system.
Posted by on August 29, 2007 07:49 PMWow! What a difference from my son's school. Last year he was spending 2-3 hours per night on homework, (he was only 10), and still not able to finish it all.
On a side note- I know several teachers. The problem is that correcting and grading homework is usually done on their personal time, along with so many other things they do which they are NOT paid for. That's why some are finally drawing a line and refusing to spend hours and hours daily of their personal time for work. Can you blame them? How would you like to consistently put in 2-4 hours of extra work each day and not be paid for it? Not to mention the number of teachers that spend personal money on classroom supplies. For those teachers that hang in there, I have nothing but the highest respect for doing a thankless job.
Posted by fiesty on August 30, 2007 10:41 AMok Fiesty, a person goes into teaching not because of the money and I admit that is unfortunate, but they do so to try to help educate the kids. They know that BEFORE they are hired and then deciding they are not paid enough to follow up in that job is a foolish idiotic idea, The only people who are paid mroe than they ever deserve are pro atheletes. A teacher is not a teacher to get rich, a teacher is there to teach and to hopefully make a differance in the childs life. If they are not willing to always make that sacrifice, then they have already failed the students. I have a friend who is a teacher and I know the sacrifice he makes, but I also know that he is doing it for their sakes, not his own.
Posted by Nick on August 30, 2007 10:58 AMNick, I agree. However, how is it ever going to change if the foot's not put down?
Posted by fiesty on August 30, 2007 11:29 AMEasy, first you get the damned parents to actually take a part in their kids lives and quit expecting the schools to be nothing more than babysitters, secondly you demand that the teachers give homework and then make the students do it. It is because neither parents or teachers actually educate the students that the US education system is so jacked up. Also, keep the unions out of it, if a teacher doesn't teach, they don't get a pay raise no matter how long they are there. Finally, quit slowing down all students just so a few students who don't speak english can catch up. It lays in the hands of parents and teachers to educate and both have to step up. Mind you, there are some teachers and parents who do, but not all and they are the ones making it harder for all. When these students get to college, what will they say when they have actual research and homework to do? Better learn now if they are to have any hope in the future.
Posted by Nick on August 30, 2007 06:01 PMLet this serve as a warning to all of you with kids in the Aurora Public School District that your child's education has stopped.
My wife has been an elementary teacher in Aurora for many years and the transitions happening at the school this year boarder on criminal. The teachers have been completely removed from the education process. They are handed scripts that they are to read TO the students. They must use a stopwatch to time each section to make sure they don't spend too much time covering a subject (you know, like if your kid doesn't understand and wants to ask a question - too bad). Books are passed out based on grade level and only the district approved books can be used. If your kid reads above grade level and the approved books are not challenging enough, the teacher is not ALLOWED to give them a more appropriate book. If your kid is below grade level and the approved books are too difficult; too bad. The teacher isn't allowed to substitute a more appropriate book.
This district is run on a military fashion (small wonder considering the background of the current superintendent). All instructions on HOW to teach now comes from the top administration; people who have never stood in front of a classroom. They send these top down instructions to the teachers and expect that the kids will just follow along. Turns out some kids don't react well to this type of education (I sure wouldn't). What is the one thing that you are not allowed to do in the military that turns out to be the one of the MOST important tools in teaching great thinkers..... Asking the question "WHY?"
If your kid is advanced, they are not being challenged and hence not learning.
If your kid is slow, they are not being serviced. No Child Left Behind requires that some children with certain learning disabilities have a minimum number of hours of individual instruction. Aurora Public Schools does not have enough staff to meet the requirements. My wife has over 5 kids requiring an average of 6 hours of one-on-one instruction a week. In the 3 weeks of school this year, not one of these children has even meet with a tutor.
If your kid is average, they are not getting the instruction they need because the teachers hands are tied by bad administration choices and lack of classroom support. She basically has to spend time with the slower and problem kids.
She loves teaching. She gets such great joy from watching the kids try new things and make their own discoveries. But so far this year, she hasn't had any time that would actually count as "teaching." Anyone could do what her job entails now because any of us could read from totally scripted lesson book.
Last year, the kids got upset at the end of the day because they had so much fun, they didn't want to go home. This year, the kids are asking to go home by 9:00 A.M.
My advice, pay attention you your child's homework. Does it seam appropriate to their grade level. If not, ask the teacher AND the principal. Go to your kids school during the day and watch you child's class (You have a right to, despite what they may try to tell you). Is there behavior problem child that interrupts the class? Ask the principal to have them removed as they are being a disruption toy YOUR child's education. Does the class as a whole just plain suck? Ask to see those responsible for choosing and implementing the curriculum. (You have that right too). The teachers hands are tied when talking to you, but they are on your side. If your child is slow, ASK the teacher to have them tested (They are not allowed to suggest this to you). They are limited in what they can say to you, unless you ask the right questions. SO many teachers wish the parents of certain kids would just step up and sue the school district. So much about what is happening is just plain wrong, it's going to take something drastic to shake things up. VOTE in a new school board.
Posted by on August 30, 2007 08:55 PMI tried to have my daughter skipped to 3rd grade from 2nd.They denied me twice.
The first reason they denied her was ,if they skipped her she would only be entering 3rd grade in the middle acedemically. The second was she needs to follow the pathway of learning.
She is ahead of 2nd geade.The teacher sent home the 2nd grade word list ,she knew these in kindergarten.She sent home a 2nd grade frequent spelling word list ,she knew them last year.
After assessments on the 13th and 14th of Sept.The principal is scheduling a meeting with my husband and I,the teacher,the principal,the literacy coordinater,the reading specialist and the math coach.
Why such a meeting of the minds you ask?
To bring her 2nd grade curriculum up to where she is .At 3rd grade level and beyond.
Somebody, tell me.
What is wrong with this picture?
Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on August 31, 2007 06:53 AM