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[lifefeedsonlife]

So - my wife and I have chosen to home school out youngest children. It's funny - because we looked at each other prior to this decision and thought that something was amiss in what our older children had experienced. We decided to do for our kids what we felt the local educational system (and by extension - the national one at large) didn't seem to be doing well.
 
Please click the following link and read it. Afterward - I suggest reading throughout the site - specifically the book itself - which I've just started. (It's free online - which is saying something about the author's motivations.)
 
http://johntaylorgatto.com/underground/prologue6.htm
 
This is not meant as a slight to teachers as persons - but rather an endictment of the American educational system.

[lifefeedsonlife]

It's not just our older kids though - it was ourselves too. The best teachers I had in school were the ones who encouraged my 'learning elsewhere.' My wife practically missed her entire senior year in high school as she skipped school to go hang out in her city's public library.

I found the above link to be quite enlightening.

[CindyLouWho]

I read the first three paragraphs and can't wait to read this later.  Thanks.

[Puffin]

I read his Underground History of education years ago. It was a good read, and would probably be good even now given the elapsed time.
Since you guys may read his things I won't comment and spoil your read.

[lifefeedsonlife]

My son started schoo late as he was adopted from Russia when he was 7. He immediately began kindergarted here, but is still 'behind' in his education. He began his senior year this year and is now 19 years old.
 
His math teacher sent a note home requiring a parents signature stating that we will ensure that he does his homework and always brings a pencil to class. I didn;t actually see the form though as I thought the idea WAS RIDICULOUS.
 
My son is age 19. He pointed that out to the teacher himself and the teacher stated that because he is in school and lives with his parents he is considered a minor by the school and can't sign these things for himself - to which we said - bullshit!
 
The follwoing is a letter my wife wrote to the Principal. she also sent letters off the Governor Rendell and the ACLu (just because.)
 
Mr. XXXXX,

     Since the Pennsylvania Department of Education has apparently managed to overlook a change in the law that occurred in December of 1990, nearly twenty years ago, that lowered the age of majority in Pennsylvania to age 18, I suppose that it is quite possible that you also might be unaware of it. You can find this law under 23 PA Cons Stat Chapter 51 section 5105, Attainment of Full Age. It is further supported by 23 PA Cons Stat Chapter 43 section 4321 which states that generally a noncustodial parent is not responsible to pay child support once a child is emancipated or reaches the age of 18. In fact, in 1995 the Supreme Court of PA, in the case of Curtis vs. Kline, ruled that requiring a noncustodial parent to pay child support past the age of 18 violated the state constitution because persons age 18 and older are adults under the law.

     There is no provision under the law to consider that persons age 18 and over revert to minors when they step over the threshold of the public schoolroom. Further, persons age 18 and over do not need to be emancipated to sign ridiculous statements about remembering to bring a pencil to class, persons age 18 and over already are adults and it would require a court order to remove that status from them as they attain it automatically. No person age 18 and over is prohibited under the law from exercising his or her right to vote, to enter into a contract for a car loan or mortgage, get married, register for the selective service, voluntarily join the military, purchase pornography or cigarettes, or consent to medical treatment based on his or her attendance in a public school. Further, in case you have also overlooked this, the age of compulsory education in Pennsylvania is age eight to seventeen, so persons age 18 and over need only provide excuses for missed classes as a courtesy, not as a requirement since they are not required by law to attend school. I can only assume that civil rights are not a hot topic in your curriculum.

     In closing, why in the world would any teacher require parents to sign a statement promising that senior high students will remember to bring a pencil to class? Any reasonable person would expect that if such a contract is deemed necessary it would be made between the teacher and the actual student, not the parents. As a parent, I expect that any child of mine old enough to be a high school senior would have the common sense, maturity, and enough responsibility to manage to bring a pencil without being told. Exactly what are you teaching, or not teaching these kids that they need to be reminded of such a thing?

Sincerely,
 
 
My Angry Redhead.
 
I like her. When she gets her hackles up - she is awesometo behold.

[CindyLouWho]

I love her too. 

Goodness, we need more angry redheads, no?

[Amidala]

"His math teacher sent a note home requiring a parents signature stating that we will ensure that he does his homework and always brings a pencil to class. I didn;t actually see the form though as I thought the idea WAS RIDICULOUS."

Life, you are obviously a parent who cares, however, there are many, many in CC who do not. As teh wife of a teacher, I have heard many stories of kids - older kids - who come to school completely unprepared daily. No pen or pencil, nor notebook, much less completed homework. And math is one of the those subjects where the more brain connections are made via repetition (ie homework), the better the student will learn and perform.  Having parents of a HS kid sign a note is not "odd". When some of these kids have bad home lives and no support, when the parents who are charged with loving them and raising them exhibit bad behavior, what are teachers supposed to do?  It would be a wonderful world if all HS seniors were mature, responsible and prepared, but they are not.  Just my thoughts and observations.

[CindyLouWho]

Do you really think sending a silly note home like that is going to change the situation?  Honestly, I would laugh if it were sent home with my 7th grader.

[lifefeedsonlife]

Sending a note home for a parents signature as a form of communication ("I'm signing this to acknowledge I saw this" - which I'm cool with) is different than sending a note home for signature because the school district policy doesn't consider a 19 year old of the age of majority.

School is my son's primary job right now. HE is responsible for his success or failure. (The latter doesn't seem to exist in our society anymore does it?) As an adult old enough to vote, smoke, have a credit card and buy girlie mags . . . I think he can be held contractually responsible for bringing his own pencil. If that is a requirement for passing the class and he doesn't do it - LET HIM FAIL. Withhold the diploma! State that the requirements haven't been met!

I believe that's what a teacher is to do.

Too big to fail . . .

No child left behond . . .

Trophies for everyone . . .

Is there a pattern here?

[Lifetime]

I have no children of my own in school.... Grand Kids...yes. I found this site to be interesting and it can be accessed for any state...
 
 
http://certificationmap.com/states/pennsylvania-teacher-certification/
 
 
I don't know if the figures are close or not but.... most sites are in the same ballpark. I have my thoughts on all of this but, due to seeming to be upset with teachers I won't aire them. So I offer this site for you to put together your own thoughts.
 
 
 
 

[Amidala]

"Sending a note home for a parents signature as a form of communication ("I'm signing this to acknowledge I saw this" - which I'm cool with)"
 
that's exactly the purpose of the note that was sent home, except that it included an action point (providing the pencil).  If you didn't like the teacher's wording, well, maybe that wording has been successful in the past. (Don't know which teacher so can't say if it is a newbie or experienced) 
 
Anakin's been at it for 20+ years. It is a struggle to deal with parents who dont care for their kids but still inspire those kids to be enthused about learning and excel.
 
And with each new class, you never know who those parents are going to be. True, your son is of legal age but most teachers don't want to start making exceptions right off the bat when they don't know the kids or parents very well. 
 
Have you never seen older kids walking to school in the winter without a suitable coat or boots?? I have. I knew a young girl who only had a cotton hoodie to wear all last winter. Someone who knew her better offered to buy her a warmer coat, and was rejected by the parents. If proper clothing can't be provided, pencils probably won't be either..........   
 
I'm not a teacher but having watched it from the inside for the last 20 years, I have developed a great respect for all that teachers have to deal with daily. It is their job to teach subject matter and motivate/inspire students to learn & excel but jobs like teaching manners and morals and personal hygiene and following rules and all sorts of things have been added because of the decline of the family and parental responsibility in our current society, not to mention factors like health, mental health and addiction issues.  Personally, I believe teachers need a lot more support and a measure of grace that they don't get.

[Amidala]

Interesting, Lifetime, that you chose a website appears to be from USC ??  Here is the link to the PA Dept of Education re: certifications and all that it entails. More accurate, I believe, since they actually issue the certificates.. (ACCURACY, folks, ACCURACY)

http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certifications/7199
  Pennsylvania considers the education of its children to be among the highest priorities of state government and has dedicated many resources toward that end.  Educators prepare for their responsibilities in the schools of the Commonwealth by the completion of (1) state-approved teacher education programs including a student teaching or intern experience, (2) Praxis I and Praxis II assessments and/or America Council Testing Foreign Language (ACTFL) and (3) application materials documenting that all certificate requirements have been met.  Those requirements have been raised significantly in recent years.     

[lifefeedsonlife]

I work with all kinds of folks. Some of 'em are school age kids. I can cite actual examples where Crawford Central wanted Notarized statements that confirmed an 18 year old (or older) was "emancipated" when enrolling in school. Their policy states that they do not consider a person aged 18 or older to be a responsible party when signing certain documents. On occasion this required tracking down a birth parent who no longer cared for the child to have them sign a paper in the presence of a notary that the young adult was emanicipated.

A Birth Certificate (which is REQUIRED for school enrollment) can VERIFY whether a person is of the age of majority.

I know (most) teachers care. I know their job isn't the easiest in the world. I know not all parents are as involved as they could or should be.

But - that policy cantradicts Pennsylvanis law . . . which I personally find kinda dumb.   

[Lifetime]

I believe it said "In Partnership with USC". Whatmade me even search is the word "Tenure".This seems to be given to good and bad teachers.... not even mentioning the "retirement system" and the fact that in MANY communities, there is a problem with the median income of the families and costs for those who live and pay taxes in the Communities. A question I wonder, in some circumstances,  do you become a teacher for the benefits or for the job? Again.... my feelings on parts of the Educational system will definately not be the same of those who are involved with someone who is a teacher or a teacher themselves. IMHO
 
 

Interesting, Lifetime, that you chose a website appears to be from USC ??  Here is the link to the PA Dept of Education re: certifications and all that it entails. More accurate, I believe, since they actually issue the certificates.. (ACCURACY, folks, ACCURACY)

http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certifications/7199
  Pennsylvania considers the education of its children to be among the highest priorities of state government and has dedicated many resources toward that end.  Educators prepare for their responsibilities in the schools of the Commonwealth by the completion of (1) state-approved teacher education programs including a student teaching or intern experience, (2) Praxis I and Praxis II assessments and/or America Council Testing Foreign Language (ACTFL) and (3) application materials documenting that all certificate requirements have been met.  Those requirements have been raised significantly in recent years.   

[precisionpest]

not a teacher, dont know one . BUT i believe the young ines out there do care!!!! alot of the "tenured" folks also do still care. some just get beat up & take it status quo..... then you have what we have, in ALL counties, not just CC!!! it really does take a special person to be a teacher!!!