School today, other than the desks, looks nothing like it did even a decade ago. Teaching methods and practices have changed, technology has leapt forward, and students express themselves in ways they simply didn’t in the ways of old. Veteran teachers barely recognize education anymore and that’s due largely in part to the changes in instruction and discipline. The big question is learning and achievement, and the answer to that puzzle is often put on the teachers. Why and how has the classroom changed so much? People blame No Child Left Behind, but the answer is probably more complicated. How do we resolve that conflict for the benefit of our students, teachers, and communities? Read more after the jump.
Over the past 50 years Dallas and DISD have changed. My mother and her siblings were some of the first blacks to attend Carter High School after integration and bussing began. In classrooms you sat and listened and misbehavior wasn’t tolerated. Kids faced corporal punishment in school that was reinforced at home. Everyone was forced to learn the same material the same way or they failed and the system let them go. We’ve argued here why that was directly related to the value of a high school education, but how have things changed apart from that?
Today, many of our students are defiant, profane, and apathetic. This is the “time out” generation where everyone gets a ribbon for participation, a 70 for showing up, and diploma just for waiting out the system. That has directly impact the culture of our students.
First, effort has left many of our students. Many of our kids either don’t try or give up when the work is tough. You see it in the classroom, but you also see it reflected on our fields and courts. Student-Athletes show up to games and expect to play despite not having been to practice all week.
Second, disrespect is running rampant. Students curse at, push, and even hit teachers and each other more than in the past. The changes in discipline in the schools and at home is very different. Am I saying hit kids? Absolutely not. What I am saying is that there needs to be firm and consistent consequences for students and support for teachers from administrators, which seems to be evaporating these days.
Third, our students are of a lower quality upon graduation than they used to be. Passing kids along and forcing teachers to only fail a certain percentage has made our students entitled and illiterate. When the average reading level of graduating seniors is 5th or 6th grade, education is in trouble.
What can we do? Tightening our educational belt and making some difficult decisions is the only way. Education should always be there for everyone when they are ready, but I think we need to stop forcing students who don’t want to be there together with kids who are there prepared and open to learning.
Today, many of our students are defiant, profane, and apathetic. This is the “time out” generation where everyone gets a ribbon for participation, a 70 for showing up, and diploma just for waiting out the system. That has directly impact the culture of our students.
First, effort has left many of our students. Many of our kids either don’t try or give up when the work is tough. You see it in the classroom, but you also see it reflected on our fields and courts. Student-Athletes show up to games and expect to play despite not having been to practice all week.
Second, disrespect is running rampant. Students curse at, push, and even hit teachers and each other more than in the past. The changes in discipline in the schools and at home is very different. Am I saying hit kids? Absolutely not. What I am saying is that there needs to be firm and consistent consequences for students and support for teachers from administrators, which seems to be evaporating these days.
Third, our students are of a lower quality upon graduation than they used to be. Passing kids along and forcing teachers to only fail a certain percentage has made our students entitled and illiterate. When the average reading level of graduating seniors is 5th or 6th grade, education is in trouble.
What can we do? Tightening our educational belt and making some difficult decisions is the only way. Education should always be there for everyone when they are ready, but I think we need to stop forcing students who don’t want to be there together with kids who are there prepared and open to learning.
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