Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

Right on! It's like our government. Of the people, by the people, and for the people only if the people want it to be. Education is no different.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

Once again the teachers blame everyone but themselves. Sure you said everyone is at fault, but then went on to list what is wrong with everybody else. In this case the teachers were instructed to put in longer hours and spend more time with students. Spend more time developing skills over the summer and less non-productive time during the school year. The teachers and their union balked. They got fired for not wanting to put in more effort when they were obviously failing at their job. Not an easy job, but one they were failing at. Less than 1/2 the students were graduating. You can blame other factors all you want, but if the teachers weren't willing to put in the extra effort as a group, they deserved to get fired. Plus they are allowed to reapply for their jobs, so it is likely the teachers that want to put in more effort will be rehired.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

This article "hits the nail on the head!" Our schools are broken, some more than others. There need to be more collaborative meetings to include parents, educators and administration so all can voice their concerns and work to create solutions. The biggest enemy, in my opinion, is the lack of funds that causes lack of materials and classes that have too many students. The more students, the more classroom management issues, the less help for those who need one on one time and the less that is learned by all students. Schwarzenegger has done California NO FAVORS by making the LARGEST budget cuts in education, in the billions vs. the other cuts in the millions. This problem does not have a single approach solution. We must attack the problems causing the deterioration of education on many levels.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

James, If you notice, I listed what teachers need to do too. My argument with the RI situation is that the superintendent didn't work with the teachers, it was antagonistic from the start. I worked as an engineer for 10 years prior to becoming an educator. If I worked over 50 hrs per week I got overtime. Teachers already work more than the scheduled workday. And then this superintendent wanted them to do a lot of extra work for no extra compensation and without any input into it. It was wrong. I put in over 8 hrs at school and always have things to work on at home and on the weekend. I get emails from students at night and on weekends asking for help on an assignment. I try to contact parents (who rarely return my messages). To force me to do more than this would be insulting without some kind of compensation in money or time. Teachers work very hard. We need everyone to work hard to help our students learn and achieve. It's time to stop blaming any one group and focus on SOLVING THE PROBLEMS. We need to work together. Teachers alone can not do it! Everyone needs to help.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

This article is right on track. Teachers can not be solely responsible for student achievement. When students come from homes that embrace the importance of education, dropping out is not an option. Central Falls Hight School could not have that low of a graduation rate if the parents and community is supporting education. Parents should expect their child to attend school everyday they are well and able. Parents should expect their child to listen, work, and learn. Parents should expect their child to behave and not be a disruption in class. Parents should talk to their child about what is going on in school. Parents should check homework regularly. Parents should let their child know an education is an important element in being successful in life. Administrators are the educational leaders of their district and need to model the importance of protecting instructional time. Administrators should remove unruly and disruptive students from the classroom. Administrators need to support and encourage their teacher. School Board Members need to let go of their personal agendas and support the administration and teachers. Yes, teachers went into teaching because they love kids and education, but many good teachers leave the profession because of over crowded classrooms, unruly students, lack of adequate funds, complaining parents, apathetic administrators, and even concern for their own safety. In the business world if you receive sub-standard materials they are sent back to the factory for replacement with satisfactory materials. In education teachers take the kids that are sent to them no matter their flaws or imperfections, and do the best they can each day. It is time for our communities and our country to stand up for teachers.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

David, After 13 years of teaching, I couldn't agree more. While I know that no matter how much I learn, there is always more, there is always new methods and of course, the students come first. Unfortunately, as a society that worships our young and youth, most parents do not like to hear that their child is less than perfect. If the student is "less than perfect", parents seek a label like ADHD or other real disorders that have become hopelessly over diagnosed. Our society obsesses so much over making people feel good about themselves that parents are failing to teach students how to fail. While some of the blame does fall on teachers, we forget that the teacher might be standing on their head to get that child to learn, but if they fall asleep for whatever reason, the child learns nothing. There is no responsibility expected on the part of students. I always think of the line from the Disney movie "The Incredibles". In trying to raise all students up to the same level, we are encouraging mediocrity, "and when everybody is special, nobody will be."

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

Right on. Finally, someone said what needed to be said!

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

You list a number of reasons why things aren't working. Problem is that if even one of those becomes an excuse, nothing gets done! We need to take note that in effective schools the reasons you mention do not become excuses for not doing well. They are, as you indicate, what everyone acknowledges and works on resolving.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

I sat in a parent conference the other day of a failing student, whose mother admitted her son comes home gets a snack, never has his books or homework, eats dinner, takes a shower goes to sleep until about 10pm, then wakes up while the rest of the house is asleep and chats on myspace until 4 or 5 am, then has to come to school by 9:30, A parent admitted "I need to take his lap top from him," and she called the conference. She didn't need us to conference with her to tell her and his father what the problem was. Thats just one story I have a million of them; and this is the type of mentality we as educators or dealing with. "Us against them" If the parents don't reinforce behavior how in the world can a teacher... Its just amazing how people especially who aren't educators view teachers and our responsibility. Of course on any job there are employees who don't meet the level of expectation and need to be dealt with accordingly. Where is the merit of measure for parents, or for teachers who do go above and beyond, who are working longer hours, tutoring, engaging their students, and collaborating with colleagues to move students and they still don't move mountains. Education is really an individual choice nowadays, and instilling knowledge is a choice as well. They say "You can lead a horse..." teachers are in the trenches everyday, and there is no overwhelming response from communitites to come volunteer, especially at the urban area schools. When is America going to realize again that Education begins at "HOME" and unfortunately our society has changed dramatically from the nuclear family to the single parent family, to the no parent family. Until we collective as a society instill the concept that keeping our youth focused and impressing upon them that Education is of some value then we will always spin our wheels. It defeats the purpose if states only require a 1.5-1.75 to pass middle school, or if your school district allows grade recovery packets for students who don't come to school or sit in school and completely do nothing but can still pass, or if guidance counselors are test proctors, or if PARENTS are more concerned about texting their son/daughter during class time,rather than getting them enrolled in Saturday School or Writing Workshops, or if a student has an IEP they can run around a school bullying and terrorizing other children and the administration cannot do anything unless a parent wants to press charges because of their "IEP". C'mon SON! There are so many hipprocritical loop holes (NCLB)in education because the people making all the decisions for an about educators have NO IDEA what it is like being one.If you did then teachers would be the most honored profession. Yes again, I will agree as an educator there are some bad apples that should not be in anyones classroom and should be dismissed; but my question is when do the students take accountability for their own learning? By the time I was 13, nobody in my household had to inform me to do my homework, it was engrained in me from early childhood. I didn't grow up or terribly underpriveledged, but I knew I wanted to obtain something in life, so intrinsically I learned that I had to get it no matter what and education was the foot stool I needed. I was homeless by the time I was 17 (by choice, I guess), and payed my own way through college, I was hungry in spirit to do something productive in life, so I took the initiative to do so. When do we stop making everything so easy for students and parents, that is not the real world. Please stop trying to point the finger at the easiest target "Teachers" we all need to face the "Man in the Mirror." As far as the teachers in Rhode Island, we cannot fully judge the situation if we weren't there, maybe those teachers have been dealing with behavior that was out of control for a long time so they didn't want to stay longer hours, how about this TEACHERS have FAMILIES and children too, or maybe their administration never backed them up, maybe some of the teachers were tutoring without pay on planning periods and afterschool. Who knows? Just maybe the students who are already at an age of social consciousness should have some responsibility in this matter. Just figure, by the time they reached highschool at 14 or 15, they probably have already taken on the persona of a student who doesn't really care, all a teacher can do with students who are not interested anyway is his/her job. Maybe the government needs to fund schools to include character education classes, on site psychologists, behavior modification classes, peer and group counseling, interventionists,drug counselors, on site social workers,business oportunities, trips to prisons "Scared Straight" needs to come back, more vocational programs that will enable students to find jobs and have skills, international intern programs in middle and highschool. If we start dealing with some of the emotional and social issues,and expose kids to more than just their block and local classrooms just maybe students will improve their mentality to want to learn no matter how engaging the lesson is. Maybe has anybody ever taken a survey to ask the students what they need in order to be productive? Watch Freedom Writers, and watch see all the opposition Erin Gruell faced from adminstration, her husband, society, colleagues, and how many jobs she had to work to just teach her kids there was a better way. Thats a true story, and a valid one, because I live it!

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

The average teacher spends between 2,000-4,000 dollars a year on items for their students/ classrooms. Teachers put in time, money, effort, and love to our students. I talk to parents in the evening at home, before school starts, on the weekends, holidays, and even on vacation! We are often required to stay after work or come in during the summer for training... all without being paid. Would anyone not in education put in all these extra hours without being paid....NO! I have seen children in schools throw chairs, books, kick as well as hit teachers, and there is really very little a teacher can do about it. One step to fix education is to have national testing so that states can be compared equally. I as a teacher don't mind being compared to other teachers but let's compare apples to apples NOT apples to oranges. Step two: every teacher should be paid the same nationally. Give incentives to those who achieve higher education, and higher scores.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

I wonder how many of the people who blame the teachers for low achievement have spent any time volunteering in their childrens' classrooms. As a parent who has, I can tell you that you would be amazed and saddened by what teachers have to deal with every day. In many cases,including Central Falls, children are sent to school without a decent breakfast, unless of course the taxpayers pick up the tab. They lay their heads on their desks because they are tired from not having a proper bed time the night before. In many cases they aren't even expected to attend school daily anymore. How are they supposed to keep up? Sad to say many parents today only expect their children to attend when their taxpayer supplied benefits are threatened due to lack of attendance. Discipline begins with the parents. Once Johnny gets to school in proper condition to learn, the teachers then are obliged to give their all. Teachers shouldn't be working for free, and also being expected to pay for supplies. I've seen too much. Before you comment, make sure that you know what you are talking about.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

Right on, Maureen and Charlene. I have worked various jobs in both the business world and in education. And I can tell you first hand that you cannot run a school like a business. A business is allowed to fire employees who aren't working up to par. Educators do not have the luxury of firing students who sit in class and do nothing or don't come to class at all. The thing that scares me is how do we determine what constitutes a "good" teacher? I have seen good teachers get wonderful results from one group of kids and horrible results from another, yet their methods have not changed. It's really time we started making students responsible for their own learning. To do that, we have to help them understand what a blessing a free education is--something others have sacrificed greatly to get.

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

sangambayard-c-m.com

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

AMEN. Mind if I send a copy of your article directly to Gallo, Gist, and Carcieri?

Who's responsible for failing students and schools? Everyone.

I have worked my butt off for 13 years as a teacher in both low performing and high performing schools. In both types of schools, the students who performed and passed were the students who paid attention, weren't behavior problems, who studied, who actually did and turned in the work, and whose parents came to Back to School Night, Open House, Parent/Teacher Conferences. The students who fail my classes and who do poorly on the tests in my class almost always are the kids who are disruptive daily, who don't study or do/turn in work. Students who basically come to school and see it as social time. Their parents almost never show up to Parent nights or return my phone calls/emails. I always stay after school for a few hours to do what needs to do and also tutor kids (without extra pay). I sent home parent notes asking the parents of kids who are failing that I am holding tutoring and that their child needs to come, but many do not. That is the ONLY thing that freaks me out about the concept of Merit Pay. If Merit Pay is to ever work, then somehow all those issues have to be counted in on whether a student is passing or failing. There has to be SOME accountability on them and the parents.