Teaching to the Test

[GeoFisher]

It's funny how you can go to a few after school get togethers and become an expert on the education system. I guess if I get my oil changed enough, I am a mechanic. I really take offense to this. PTO has little impact on what we do in school - it has no authority for any school decisions - and therefore reflect nothing that goes on in school, open houses are dog and pony shows. The truth is there are more great teachers than bad ones. Every school I have been in, observed, or worked in, no longer has a lounge - they have a copy room, and that is it.

If I wanted advice on education, I would ask someone that is involved in education. I have spent the last 10 last ten years working directly in school systems, and have served on state and national level committees to improve education - but somehow any thing I say on this topic, you will discredit.

OK.........how about being friends with Tony Bennett, the new State Super in Indiana, or having a GREAT canoeing buddy, who I spent the weekend with a couple weeks ago.......WHO was a senior member of the LAST State Admin.

Dude..........take offense as MUCH as you want. My thoughts on education have been developed over YEARS........a LOT of YEARS. I've seen some good teachers, and some HORRIBLE teachers........And I saw my own share of some of the most LIBERAL NARROW MINDED morons on this planet...........

You're never going to convince me of your "perfect picture world".

First you BITCH about people not being involved, and when someone posts about BEING INVOLVED, you basically call them an idiot...........you cannot have it both ways.

Finally.......I've seen the education system FIRST hand through my kids..........and let me tell you.....it *****..........and ***** BAD.

If we are so good a education, why do we lag behind India, Japan, Korea, China, etc, etc. AND dont' tell me we don't. Our Technical, BioMedical, Mechanical, Electrical, and just about every other industry is LOADED with foreign talent, because the are better educated. I hire guys from India who attended a "basic" technical school that is BETTER than our BEST technical schools.

Understand that we BETTER get start being serious about education........talking about it, or underfunding it, or leaving TENURED teachers in their warm and fuzzy jobs is NOT the WAY.

Later,

Geo