"Scout" wrote in message


I voted for Bush, even though I'm a reg democrat. But I'll tell you this
much: he doesn't know **** about education, other than how to make a bad
situation worse. He's good at making voters feel like he is doing
something
to improve things (no child left behind), but as funny as it sounds,
teachers are not the problem with the system (please remember that I'm
coming from a background in private industry, teaching is a second
career).
Beating up teachers won't fix what's wrong with America's schools. He
needs
to think about solving problems for America's families.

Your last sentence is absolutely correct. But as long as the NEA is
resistant to any and all attempts to improve the quality of teachers and
teaching, there will be little or no improvement in our school systems. Why
is the NEA so opposed to anything that insures uniform teaching standards
and eliminates the duds? I'll tell you why: the NEA isn't interested in
good education; it is only interested in protecting teachers from any
accountability and responsibility in their profession. The NEA is a special
interest group for/by/and of teachers. Not students, not education, not
society. You were right in that society ( American families) don't get
involved with the education process. But the NEA insures that teachers
won't accept any of the fault either.

I just met with two educators from Texas, where Bush's educational plan
has
been in place for many years. Here's what I said when I walked out of the
meeting: Jesus.
Bush doesn't seem to understand that education is a two way street,

. . . nor does the NEA.

and that
parental involvement is critical for the vast majority of kids.

That is true. W won't risk alienating minorities or the poor by targeting
their parents as the source of many of education's problems. But for
teachers to place all the blame on society for education's ills is equally
disingenuous. There is culpability on both sides.

Unless you
can get the parents to partner up with the teachers, you're just blowing
smoke up the taxpayers collective ass.

Attempting to get parents to do this is probably blowing smoke up everyone's
asses. No one will take on the minorities--it's just too politically
incorrect. No one will take on the poor--same reason. So the problems will
continue. Teachers, OTOH, aren't perfect either. Most are excellent
educators, but there are some serious deficiencies in their ranks. Tenure
and NEA protectionism keeps the losers in their jobs along with the
top-notch teachers.

Max