What is it that our educational system can do to help all students learn?
Do we as a society concentrate more on the “gifted and talented” child?
Do we as a society care more about the top athletes than academics?
Are honor students more welcomed in the high school?
Have we completely tossed aside the students who get C’s and D’s?
Do we just push students through the system rather than attempt to truly educate them?
Do we look for ways to get rid of the “problem students”?
Why are kids dropping out of school?
Is there any way to answer these questions? Is there an ingredient missing? What is it that we as a society missed? What recipe needs to be updated?
Had anyone ever told me that as an adult I would find helping and getting my children educated would be not only a daunting task, but the most frustrating experience in my life I would have laughed.
I was not a great student, I was average. I don’t remember a time where there was not help offered. Some times the help came from the very teachers that you couldn’t stand; you know the ones that didn’t get you, the ones who told you to work harder, the one that you couldn’t wait to not have to see again. Yet these very same teachers actually cared about your education. It seemed like everyone cared about your education and you didn’t want to disappoint those people.
Do you remember the days when if you participated in sports you actually had to maintain a certain grade point average? It gave you that extra push you needed to stay on task and get you work done; it made you ask for extra help. You even approached the “smart kids” for help. You found out that the “smart kids” were like you and they were happy to help you. Reminisce with me for a moment. Or as our youth says today “remember back in the day”. An incident happens in the classroom the teacher asks who was the culprit, no one answers. You know what's going to happen yet you are unwilling to speak up, or you want to support the culprit. The whole class gets punished. That’s right we all got punished we didn’t turn on one another we all stuck together. Hardly anyone was sent to the principal. If they were sent to the principal’s office you were nervous for them. You certainly knew that that kids parents were getting a phone call. You didn’t tell your parents what happened for fear of getting in trouble all over again. You respected your teachers and yes they respected you. Somehow this simply concept was lost. RESPECT just doesn’t have the same meaning today. Respect and showing respect also meant caring, helping and doing what was right. Yes we as a society have slowly chipped away at respect. Do you recall when you were young? Your teachers didn’t have first names. They were referred to a Mr. Mrs. or Miss. Your parents called your teacher’s by Mr. Mrs. or Miss. Today principals and teachers will tell the parents to call them by there first names. This is where the first crack/chip appeared in “respect” within our schools. Had we kept those simple manners of respect when addressing our teachers, principals and office staff, perhaps students would still understand the respect given for the job of teaching. Perhaps if the Principals and Teacher’s kept this respect and didn’t make the classroom a more relax atmosphere we’d still have the respect.
There are programs in the public schools to help students. There are peer study groups. Many a teacher will have after school help certain days and times of the week. Yet many students (the talented and gifted to the unruly) are failing, dropping out of school, and basically getting lost in the “Separate and secret society of the school”. Where are the students to go, who do they turn to for help?
It appears that many schools have their own rules, regulations and standards. Upper management believes that they own and run the schools. What they say “RULES”. They will sweep many important issues under the rug, they will hide inefficient teachers, and they pick and choose which state laws they will follow. Yet all the while presenting that because of their hard work, dedication and caring our schools are the tops. You believe that your principal cares for the students. You believe that any concerns you have will be addressed and a solution will be had. You believe that your principal, superintendent are following all state guidelines, you believe that indeed schools today want parent participation and input. You have faith in your school leaders. If you are lucky enough to never have had a problem/issue with your child with school, a teacher, a coach, or another student then you never knew or have never experienced the “Separate and secret society of the school”.
If you have had experience with the "Separate and secret society of the school" please share the good the bad and the ugly. Please do not use names of students or teachers. Only use the state that you live in. Help educate us on your positive and negative experience. Together I believe we can help change the educational system.
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