Just when I thought public schools couldn't get worse, I've once again been proven wrong. In my last blog, I used the phrase "latest hot biscuit" to describe the manner in which school district administrative types seem to grasp at nearly anything that allows them to proclaim they are proactive in their search for improving education. Unfortunately, too many times they have promoted misguided programs that do little or nothing, but keep the public off their backs for another school year. Some of you may recall the "Whole Language" fiasco of the late 80's or early 90's. We literally graduated a generation of students who cannot read even today. Despite my disdain for that program and others, they pale in comparison to the latest act of random stupidity.
Schools across the country are now teaching our children that they cannot fail! How real is that??? Not only are they deceiving our children, there is immediate impact on teachers as well.
Here's how it works. Let's say little Johnny, Sally, Tia, Jerome, or Shanequa takes a Social Studies or Math test and scores 43 on it. Not to worry, teachers cannot give them a grade less than 60. But wait that's still a failing grade. Not allowed, so little Johnny and others are given a second chance. Should they once again obtain a less than passing score, they are given a third chance, fourth chance, etc., until they finally pass. The net effect for the child is no failing grades!
The huge impact on teachers is added workload, caused by tutoring these kids followed by re-administration of tests again and again. Also, added to the workload are the students who just don't care, forcing teachers to continue vain attempts to get these uncaring students to pass, because the rule is NO STUDENT CAN FAIL!
Now I ask you...HOW IS THIS A LESSON IN REALITY?...and WHAT WILL THEY BE LIKE WHEN THEY'RE IN THE WORKFORCE? SHOULD THERE BE NO CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILURE?
No comments:
Post a Comment