You will recall Former President George W. Bush's clever little 'phony phrase,' "No Child Left Behind." His administration attached penalties to school districts and teachers if those schools did not reach pre-determined test scores...because those educators must 'save and educate' every kid walking into their classroom.
Let me give readers a peek into just one fourth grade classroom in 2018. The teacher has 25-children in her room and charged with a full slate of subjects to be taught: grammar, math, reading, science, computer, social studies and art. Of course, all teachers take their stations and turns with play ground duties, bus loading, etc. They must conduct parent-teacher conferences and periodic contacts along with state testings and written reports on every student. The classroom, each year contains children with special needs who have been mainstreamed at parents' insistence and/or school financial shortfalls.
Most of the children's households find both parents in the work place, which often times creates latch-key kids and tired parents either unable or unwilling to assist children with after-school homework. There is always two-to-five students per fourth grade class that has learning disabilities and/or attention disorders. Just recently, I was informed of one fourth grade boy who is a 'runner.' That's correct, he bolts from class at a moments notice. Alerts are sent out as classroom teaching comes to a halt. Another student is constantly disruptive, which demands interruption and administrative intervention. Upon more intense conversation with the student, he claims that he cannot help himself because he just has "bad blood." Now, I wonder how a ten year old child came to that conclusion on his own?
Hey, what the hell! Strap a gun to the teachers and insist they protect these youngsters while they educate them...AND don't leave any child behind!
(Touch)
Teacher's Pet
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