As always, I try to make each year better but I'm already running into the problem (with only four weeks into the year) of students failing due to lack of turning in homework, studying for quizzes and tests, and not turning in work completed in class for participation. I've been told I need to make my class "easier" for struggling students so I have started putting "Basic Concept" questions on study guides that I use verbatim on assessments but I've found that over 90% of students don't fill them out or study them before taking a quiz/exam even if I point out that a concept we're covering in class is a Basic Concept question answer. (And this is just one of numerous examples!) When students can't (or won't) pass basic recall questions on an assessment how does one move on to the next concept or higher levels of thinking? Further, how did those students make it to my class? (I have students who read at an elementary level - second grade - but I am forced to give state mandated tests that are written at a high school level). Also, there is no accountability for their grades because even if they don't pass my class (or their other core classes) they are passed on to the next grade in my corporation, which means there is no incentive to try.
Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that teachers should be held accountable for teaching state and national standards, content at grade level, using a variety of teaching strategies to hit numerous types of learning, and using valid assessment measures. Yet, we are doing a disservice to our students by shuffling them from one grade to the next without the skills to be successful which just compounds the problem as they get older. Something is broken in the world of education and this is just one bit of the problem. Instead of slamming "bad" teachers, lets give them training on how to help these kids and lets hold the kids accountable as well.
For those who are sick of the education rant, please ignore this post - I just needed to let off a bit of steam.
4 comments:
They are passed on? So if they fail several classes, they don't have to repeat them?
It sounds like you are in a tough position. In my classes, I have students who should be in college and others who struggle and still others who don't try at all. Luckily, I am free to fail those who do not do the work, but I see this sort of 'accountability' creeping into community colleges as well.
I heard something about the Harvard economist who just won a genius grant - and he was talking about things learned from charter schools. One thing that worked for some students was to be paid (!!) to read a book or complete an assignment - motivating them to get a good grade was not enough because they simply did not understand how to go about doing it. Of course, you can't 'pay' your students to do better (Why money has to be the motivator in our society, I do not understand, but that is another topic.), but have you found any other things that motivate them?
I am also at a loss when I lecture to my students about the necessity of reading the textbook. Some of their eyes just gloss over and they stare blankly at me... I even try to tie things into real life experience, since research has shown that adult learners need this ... for some it works (if only catching their interest for a minute), for others, I have no idea what they are thinking.
And now I have rambled on for too long and probably misunderstood your point, so I will go read your post again.
And hang in there - you are a caring, motivated, engaged and SMART teacher - I wish our education system had more teachers like you - and that our society recognized the work that you do.
You are a good teacher! Keep on engaging, informing and stimulating the minds of your students.
Why do so many feel that the right to receive an education doesn't require any effort by the student to become educated? The idea that no child is to be left behind, regardless of ability or effort expended to master a course, doesn't recognize that some need to head another direction or just flow at a different rate.
Ah, if we only learned by osmosis--you could flood the classroom and every student would take it all in, well, up to some equilibrium point! Guess anything beyond would take, oh no, energy and effort!
So, no solutions, just don't let your frustrations with the system wear down your best teaching efforts; I am very sure that you are reaching students in ways that are not yet seen!
AuntS
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140773554/neurosurgeon-gives-thanks-to-his-science-teacher?ft=1&f=4516989&sc=tw
i'll admit, i thought this story could have come from The Onion because i am that cynical, but you know... i remember certain teachers. as i grow older, the rest disappear in a fog of childhood/adolescence, but certain teachers do stick out in my memories. i suspect you are one of those teachers who stick with your kids. not every kid, but enough of them that it makes a difference. teach them well (as i know you are). they, and you and "we", deserve no less.
also, ugh. as a gross overgeneralization, even adults today want to take the easy route and not do the work. i'll put myself in that category in some respects. accountability not only has to mean something, it should mean something good. rant away, i'll be reading and cheering you on from the distant sidelines.
slightly related, i've been watching the Republican debates and would love to hear your views on abolishing the federal department of education (in your spare time).
This kind of stuff is what makes me want to homeschool!
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