by Brian

My apologies to the gender police, but it
seems appropriate to borrow the title of Tolstoy's wonderful short
story to ask the question.  Because as Pakhom tragically found out, we need far less than we think.  The State Board of Education
has increased the amount of math needed to graduate from 2  to 3
credits for this year's incoming freshmen class. The requirement for
the class of 2013 is for every student to take Algebra and Geometry,
and pass an end of course exam in both.  Then they will have to take
and pass Algebra 2, or take an alternative course after a conference
with their parents and an administrator approves of the plan.  I teach
high school math.  I generally try to avoid sarcasm, but what have
these people been smoking?

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Our first day of school was last week Wednesday.  I love the first day of school.  I love meeting all my new students.  I love all the excitement and the nerves.  I love to remember first impressions during the year as I get to know my students better.  Usually, the first day is a whirlwind.  I’ve planned twice as much to cover in a day.  Students are somewhat shy and nervous.  Not this year.  I still planned much more than was needed – we covered about a quarter of what I had ready.  My students were aggressive attention seekers, with six boys competing for the role of the “class clown”.  Not to mention other students enjoying the unplanned entertainment and encouraging more.  After a late evening of phone calls home and a few subsequent meetings with parents, I began to wonder… what happened to the multi-age classroom?

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by Brian

Labor Day is here, and while it has come to represent the end of summer and the imminent beginning of school, we should remember that it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions
workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. 

I
went back to working with my hands this summer, and I thoroughly
enjoyed myself.  I worked with one of my former students (he is 29
years old now), only our roles have been reversed.  Sixteen years ago I
was his middle school math teacher.  Now he is the master and I am the
apprentice.  He started learning carpentry when he was about 14, and it
is amazing to watch him at work.  It's not just the tricks of the
trade, although those are pretty cool.  It's the way he approaches the
problems that always arise when you're building something.  He can come
up with three solutions, weigh the pros and cons, and make a
decision in less time than it takes me to figure out that we have a
problem.  And he's happy when he's working.  He never went to college,
but he didn't get left behind.

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By Kristin

The Obama Administration is looking to give grant money to states that show commitment to early education.  I hope Congress passes this piece of legislation, because the gap between kids who are ready for kindergarten or not ready for kindergarten continues to widen over the years.  By the time I see them, the four-year old who doesn't know his ABCs has often become a 15-year old who has no confidence, no academic curiosity, and no faith in the system.  Everything that can be done for a child's academic life before kindergarten is worth more than anything that is done after.

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By Tracey

Since Travis used only one, can I have his remaining four?  Because I can think of at least nine things I would do to improve education if money wasn’t an issue.  I realize that’s a little unfair.  Maybe it’s a perk to being the last blogger to post to this meme?  The teacher in me can’t stand by and watch four perfectly good, fully-funded ways to improve education go to waste.  But, I’ll play fair.  I’ll follow the rules and attempt to squeeze in all that I can with some broad categories.  The 5 ways I’d improve education is by opening the school to serve the community, team teaching with smaller class sizes, authentic and meaningful learning through field experiences and community connections, an educator attitude check, and learning 21st century skills.  

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By Nancy

 It can be easier to start from scratch, rather than change established systems. But if money was no object, and systemic obstacles were not a problem, here are five ways we could improve US education: staffing, facilities, schedule, setting standards, and teacher training.

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By Rena

If our State would win the BIG lottery and limitless money was available to public education here is what I would suggest. Instructional Leaders, Para Educator Training, Field Trips, Technology and Financial Support for Board Certification.

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By Kristin

1) Educate the parents.  Children with educated parents do better in school.  Provide adult-education classes, for free, that help uneducated parents earn their GED, AA, or a BA.  While they're in class in the evening or on the weekend, provide childcare.  That childcare can include the arts, tutoring, or athletic activities to enrich the lives of children and support their own success in school.

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By Luann

What would make your classroom a better place for students?  I know
what I'd like in mine. Some things cost money; some save money; some
are suggestions for legislators, some for administrators. Some make
money. Some might even interest teachers.

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