Comments on: Are teachers “Making excuses and defending the status quo”?

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:44:41 +0000

Poverty is to general a term. I belive a child in poverty with two parents does better in education than a child with just a single parent ,and this unfotunately is the trend today. Am I right or wrong?

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:37:38 +0000

You clearly don’t get into schools much. There are so many false assumptions in your reply. No one says poor students can’t learn (many do very well) or wont’ try (most do, especially with the right teachers and good instruction). But don’t for one minute think that school can trump a dysfunctional home life over the years. Or make up for the 5 year development gap that creates a race in which children start at different starting lines. A “free lunch” (such that it is, and most public school lunches are abysmal) is the only meal for some children. Teachers going the extra mile? I see them do it regularly — get out there and talk to teachers. It’s enlightening.

By: Vivian

Vivian — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:25:20 +0000

So what you are trying to say is that you poor students can’t learn? Are you saying that teachers can’t help these children catch up? Are you seriouse? Sudents are in school from 8 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Teachers spend enough time ti make a difference. And I believe that childrens’ brain is ALWAYS READY TO LEARN. You can’t say that poor children don’t eat because schools provide fee lunches. And yes, teacher can go that extra mile to guide parents as to how to challenge their chidlren at home. Yes, I do believe it an EXUSE ON THE TEACHERS PART. Not any one can serve as a teacher…If you are in it for the money just leave and let other true caring teacher take your place.

By: Rex Researcher

Rex Researcher — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:01:53 +0000

You betcha. See also the physiological impact of childhood stress in articles by Gary W. Evans inclluding his piece in the Proceeedings of the National Academy of Sciences at http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/03/27/0811910106

By: robert thomson

robert thomson — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:35:47 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly. If policy makers begin to pay teachers based on the test scores of their students, there will be a mass exodus of teachers leaving the profession, especially when the economy improves, with no new talent coming in. These crazy teacher blaming policies will ruin our educational system even more.