In Public Schools

Teacher tenure is one of the most debated issues of schools boards across the nation. While there are good reasons to continue tenure, there are equally good reasons to discontinue it. Unions often go head to head with the school boards because of this issue.

Before delving into the pros and cons of teacher tenure, it is imperative that the definition of tenure be discussed. Tenure varies from state to state and Wisconsin has no tenure for teachers.  Teacher tenure occurs after a number of years of closely examined performance. Attaining tenure simply makes it more difficult, but not impossible for schools to dismiss teachers.  Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 68% [?]

Some believe an effective teacher is born rather than created. It is true that teaching is an art, but one where mastery is possible with appropriate direction. There are specific requirements that each candidate must possess, however, in order for the instruction to be successful.

The teacher must have a love for knowledge and the desire to impart it. They also must have a strong intuitive sense and caring nature. Most of all, teachers must expect that their students will learn and believe in not only the students, but also their own ability. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Classrooms across America reflect the melting pot that is our country. The mandates of Brown versus The Board of Education ruling unfortunately created some of these melting pots artificially. The awareness of segregation in the schools became apparent when Linda Brown’s parents sued the Topeka, Kansas school district. While the action was justified, the effects on school corporations and students that follow the letter of the law, rather than the spirit, create a new problem. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 6% [?]

The new challenge from the Obama administration is to keep students in school.  The incentive to make this happen is an investment of $3.5 billion dollars with an additional $900 million for turnaround grants in 2011. The grants are geared to identify and help turnaround schools with a lower than 60 percent graduation rate.  Identification, however, can only be the first step. The schools need to find why their students leave before they make any plan of action to encourage graduating from high school. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 13% [?]

TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS -COMPARED TO WHAT?

Debates abound in different countries as to what extent the government should involve itself in the affairs of public schools. While some feel that the government should be deeply involved, others feel that the government should limit itself to formulating policies, guidelines and developing curriculum and leave the management and running of public schools to the local community through their local elected school board committees. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 7% [?]

Schools across the nation find their tax dollars in shorter supply than they were a decade ago. While there are fewer students in many districts, the escalation of costs for the corporation continues. Every day you find school boards across the country making announcements of teacher layoffs, school program cuts and cutbacks of school services. However, many school corporations fail to identify the money pits of waste in their budgets. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Without discipline, there can be no learning. While this statement might sound out of date, it is still true. The ability to maintain classroom discipline is one of the most important assets a teacher can have. Classroom discipline allows every student to learn and excel. It goes beyond the maintenance of an orderly classroom and teaches internal discipline as well. The student with internal discipline will succeed at almost all endeavors. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 6% [?]

The recession hits not only the working force but also their children. Even if a person has a secure and well paying position, it doesn’t mean that their child is not affected by the lower economic productivity of society.

Most school corporations raise their funds from taxing property owners in their district. State income tax also provides additional funds to operate the school corporations. At times of economic downturn, these sources of revenue slowly decline and dry up to the point that school corporations have to make dramatic cuts in their staffing and programs. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 19% [?]

ARE STUDENTS PREPARED

The schools face a financial crisis and part of the problem in the preparation of students for work comes from that shortage. Many schools that once offered curriculum that included vocational arts, computer science and other specialties, including college preparation now face cutbacks and a watered down curriculum. Those that still offer true vocational arts programs, however, deal with issues of helping the student make their skills marketable by increasing the communication ability of the students. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2% [?]

It is an unfortunate occurrence for the most of the educational systems across the country that many of the school corporation programs and guidelines come from top administration. There is no guarantee that a degree in school finance or the vote from the electorate of the area can provide the best possible solutions to the age old problems of illiteracy and low academic achievement. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2% [?]

AFRICAN AMERICANS VIEW ON EDUCATION

African American views on education vary by their economic position in the community.  Just like any race, there are differences in background and economic means. While there are some differences in attitudes based on race, more often, the difference occurs more frequently between the well to do and those without means. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Schools now find themselves behind the eight ball as lower test scores reflect American schools losing the world wide educational race. There are, however, some bright stars among the newer programs instituted in the schools. These programs often function outside the box normally used in most schools. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 6% [?]

                      THE  BRAIN

Adequate prenatal care for expecting mothers is important for not just the mother and fetus but also society as a whole and the educational system. Lack of prenatal care often has a deleterious effect on the brain of the unborn infant. Most of the time lack of care occurs because of poverty, homelessness or alcohol and chemical abuse.  Women who fail to get adequate care also may not seek care for their own chronic health problems. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 9% [?]

YOUR CHILD IS INVOLVED IN CHEATING,  WHAT TO DO?

Cheating in exams is a common phenomenon the world over, examination authorities do all they can to eradicate it by all means by devising ways of beating students in their own game.

From using old ways of breaking into a lecturers room, bribing the lecturer’s secretary to hacking the lecturer’s computer to gain access to the exams, students have devised more high-tech methods of cheating, employing the latest technologies available to them. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]