December 4, 2009

I needed to catch up on all sorts of loose ends today, and I was able to achieve that goal. I also set up a time to meet with some elementary cohorts to help them with some problems. I also had some time to research the new state SAS standards, which is why I am headed to Hershey next week. I do not feel the site is ready to access and do much good, but I feel it is the way of the future. There is one aspect that bothers me about this way of checking student progress; teachers are linked to the student in name no matter whether that student passes or fails to meet the standards. I do not care what anyone says with respect to students; not all students care whether they succeed or not. With 21st century concepts, the onus is supposed to shift to the student, and they need to take charge of their learning. I have been teaching for over 30 years, and I must tell you that in that time I have had one to two per cent of my students not give a damn about their learning at any level or subject. What I also found amazing is that I have had a couple of students come back and blame the system for their failures. I do believe that there is some fault with the system, but I watched these students choose to fail. To a tee, they come back and ask the question, "Why did you not make me work." I say #$%^&$##%$ to that question and tell them point blank that they failed and not the system. I do not make any friends over it. Which brings me to the point that not everyone is the same even though we try to lump them all into the same category. We will not achieve 100%. I do agree we can make it to the 90's. Okay, Okay I am done with this. I will report my findings from the conference to my salivating fans who are hanging on the precipice awaiting my twist...Have a great weekend..........flick