Teachers

Become knowledgeable about research in the area of homework and the importance of play and downtime.

See what happens when you assign less homework.

Empower students with more voice and choice in the classroom.

Find opportunities to evaluate children aside from tests.

Share your voice on policies impacting education in your school community and at school board meetings.

Click here to share innovations and changes in your school or local community.

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Comments

Jp Morgenthal1 year ago

Can we expect innovation and improvement as long as NEA exists?

I appreciate Trapped's honesty below.  After watching "Waiting for Superman" I'm more convinced than ever that efforts like this are all talk with no action unless we elect a President that is willing to work to see the end of the National Education Association.  How anyone in this day and age can believe that they deserve job protection when they provide such pathetic service is beyond my comprehension.  Those great teachers that are out there deserve to work in a system that will reward their brillance and allow them to enjoy their work -- educating the youth of America; the MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN THE WORLD!!!!! 

I could go on for pages reiterating my own bad experiences with the public education system in America and I came from some of the highest ranked schools in the nation.  I can't and don't blame the teachers.  Those that stink have no system of feedback and cause for improvement.  Those that are great are forced to get children to achieve test scores while their ability to learn is subjugated to the ignorance that plagues this country and is rapidly becoming our downfall.

phloam1 year ago

trapped

I love the ideas listed above. Unfortunately, we are required to teach only from adopted curriculum. No outside materials may be used. We must use direct instruction only regardless of the multitude of ways that children learn. We must use district assigned assesments to evaluate students and the data is analyzed. The biggest problem with analyzing the data is that it is not always valid. Some teachers feel the pressure to have high test scores which leads to "teaching to the test" and/or simply giving answers. The focus is only on test scores and not on the students ability to retain and apply learned information. The "love of learning" has simply been tossed out the door. The emphasis is on Language Arts and Math. There is little focus on Social Studies, Science, Fine Arts. It appears that test scores, whether or not they are valid, are more important than the student's growth, progress and interests. 

It's a very depressing and frustrating place to be when you must go against your better judgement as an educator or risk ,at minimum, administrators who make your job miserable. The conflict some of us face is fighting the system and risk our jobs or working with what we have and doing our best to educate our youth. 

I welcome any comments or suggestions. ??????

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