Teacher's Matter

I was talking with some ladies after yoga class today about teachers.  One lady is a retired high school English teacher and the other lady works as an administrator at an organization who works with troubled teens.  The high school teacher was saying how frustrated her friends were with the way the Canyons School district is implementing the common core and the way that they are requiring them to teach it.  The other lady laughed and said why not just make it all digital learning.  And then I added that as I understand, that is exactly the goal of Arne Duncan (U.S. Secretary of Education). The lady who works with the troubled teens commented that our teens today are suffering due to lack of relationship and meaningful connections.  And thus....this brings me to the article from the L.A. Times about measuring teachers performances by standardized testing.  This is an excellent article that subtly highlights the problems with standardized testing.  Teachers, their caring and their personal touches to the subjects they teach are so important to the growth and learning of their students.  Standardized testing is taking the teacher out of the teaching.  In the long run, I do not think that we will see statistics that show we are racing our kids to the top.

Evaluating the Worth of a Teacher

If you want to get more involved!

There are a lot of organizations which are trying to help organize, educate and support the concerns of citizens about the educational reform.  Be Informed

There are so many things I want to add to this site.  Here is a start...They say Educational Reform they mean Privitization.

Where do the candidates stand on education?  I found a blog that tells it like it is! Check this out!Education in Last Night's Debate

Utah Education Facts

Did you know? Some interesting facts about Utah Education

Let's Clarify Things a Bit...

I am so happy to have found this article from the Huffington Post.  It describes what I have come to understand is the major problem with our educational system. How to Interpret America's Report Card

I think as a parent we need to know who is involved and who will profit from our children's test taking. David Coleman is the author of the Common Core Standards.
The man that you need to meet. And here is another view on this man. Another David Coleman.

Third Grade Progress Report

Yesterday, Wed. October 17th, I got a progress report from my son's teacher.  Really?  He has been in school for one complete month and he is all ready being ranked!  Let me remind you he is only in third grade.

I think these reports can be good and bad.  It is good to get feedback on how he is doing.  However, nothing on the report was news to me.  My main concern is that this must have been a timely task for his teacher to make sure she had an accurate assessment on how each of her students were performing.  God forbid one of her kids rank poorly!  This would reflect so poorly in her teaching abilities.  Right? (I am being sarcastic).  So how has the time been spent in class?  Is she able to do what she loves? (teach).  Or has she been required to test to produce such a progress report?  Also...the rankings were; Above Level, On- Level, Below Level.  When do kids have time to develop and learn? And does ranking them in third grade have a sound educational purpose?  I can't imagine how I ranked in third grade?  Maybe somewhere in as a space case...still believes in Santa Claus.  Hmmm...I am suspicious.

Mom's for Great Public Schools

Most parents would agree that having their children attend a school that provides excellent education is the most important thing that they could provide for them.  Exactly how to provide this benefit is becoming a challenge.  The current trend is to view public schools as failing institutions that need fixing.  So, a parent may look into a private school, but they are too expensive for many. And then the there are charter schools, which seem to offer a "way out" or at lease another "choice".  However, charter school only have admissions based on a lucky lottery draw.  Thus the shared choice and for many the only option is to go to a public school and these institutions are under a lot stress.  Many people are not happy with what is happening to public school.  Parents are very aware that their great teachers are overwhelmed and tired.  They are coming to see that their school boards and local government may not have their child's excellent education in the forefront of their agenda.  And many parents feel stuck.  They do not feel that they have the ability to let their voices be heard.  My goal with this blog is to have a place to gather and disseminate information so that parents can be active not just in "school fundraisers" but in the major policy changes that are re-shaping the educational environment.