Dumbing Down of America

[Reforged]

Sounds like the kid was probably suffering from severe depression or something. Perhaps even teetering on the brink.
Doesn't seem like they actually raised his grade, they just wanted to make the kid feel positive with the hopes he might actually be able to do it if he gets his shit together. I can see the pros and cons of this idea, time will tell how it plays out.

[Minimalist]

Well, they site FoxNews.com as their source, so the story has to be taken with a grain of salt.

That letter looks real enough.

Assholes.

[Faith No More]

That letter looks real enough.

Assholes.

Nice catch.  I didn't see that over on the side in the little picture.

You're right.  Assholes.

[brewer]

The real problem is that teachers simply aren't valued.  [edit]  Unfortunately most of them have left because other areas are paying better. 

In the company I worked for we had more teachers in management positions than almost any other profession. #1 reason, money. #2 reason, less job stress. #3 reason, chance for advancement.

[account_inactive]

The real problem is that teachers simply aren't valued.  Faux News paints us as bad guys whenever we want a raise, even if it's been years since we've had a cost of living adjustment.  I make decent money, though it doesn't go too far because I live in an area with a very high cost of living.  People love bringing up how we're lucky that we get summer vacations, and have it so easy (teaching is much harder than most people realize.  Yes, I have today off because of a blizzard.  No, that doesn't mean I'm not working.  I'm still planning my next couple of assignments out, and grading papers today.  I tend to work weekends too.)  I've been called an 'overpaid babysitter' one too many times.  As someone once said, if each parent paid me $2.00/hour for their kid, I'd be making more money than I'm making now!  

Teacher Quality will always vary, but I think our area has had some really good teachers.  Unfortunately most of them have left because other areas are paying better.  I'd leave if it weren't for the fact that I live really close to the school.  I could make a lot more money if I moved a little North of here.  A lot of teachers also become disillusioned.  And others come into the profession thinking it's going to be easy -- and then quickly leave (though the years they're there they're there)

Oh cry me a river, you make more money than a lot of people. There are people out there struggling on much lower wages than you teachers get. I would much rather see them get a raise.

[Minimalist]

Teachers out here in Errorzona start at about $28,000.

That's with a 4 year degree and the expectation of getting a Master's within 5 years.

There are many vacancies and the schools, in general, suck.

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/arizona-news/5226089-story

In the Phoenix area alone there're about 1,000 teacher openings. Teachers are fleeing the state because of low pay and low classroom resources; many districts are having a hard time recruiting new teachers because of those same reasons.

The Casa Grande Union High School District has found a pool of highly educated and certified teachers willing to take on the challenge; they're from the Philippines.

Yup.  That'll work.  Anything so long as they don't have to raise taxes on rich motherfuckers.

[Aroura]

No, he's right. Teachers should be MUCH more highly valued if we want a better education system. Americans too often view teachers over paid babysitters, and they treat them as such, too. Other countries do better, in part, because their societies place greater values on teachers.

[Cecelia]

Oh cry me a river, you make more money than a lot of people. There are people out there struggling on much lower wages than you teachers get. I would much rather see them get a raise.

And here we have example A.  "Other professions deserve raises more!"  The value of education is lost on many.

[Cecelia]

No, he's right.  Teachers should be MUCH more highly valued if we want a better education system. Americans too often view teachers over paid babysitters, and they treat them as such, too.  Other countries do better, in part, because their societies place greater values on teachers.

I'm assuming you're talking about me (Though I'm a she)

The funny thing is: The two things aren't mutually exclusive.  It's not like we can't raise the minimum wage and raise teacher salaries.  People don't value education as much as they should.  Education is a foundation of society.  It creates the best possible opportunity for people.  It's not just about teacher salaries either.  Yes, you can't really attract the best and brightest teachers when you're not paying enough to live in the area.  I could easily take a job up north (an hours drive) and get paid 20% more.  A lot of teachers here are doing just that.  Ultimately that leaves our district with leftovers.  This concerns me not just as a teacher, but more importantly as a parent and as a citizen.   I want my kids to have the best possible education they can.  Because that creates the best possible opportunity for them to succeed.  It's also about the number of teachers, though.  Class sizes are growing, and there's special education teachers needed that simply aren't there.  It's also hard attracting people to the profession at all because it's not an attractive job.  We need more teachers, and more importantly we need more good teachers.

We have the #1 military in the world.  I think it's time we have the #1 education system in the world.  Maybe I'm crazy, but that's what I want to see.

[account_inactive]

Oh cry me a river, you make more money than a lot of people. There are people out there struggling on much lower wages than you teachers get. I would much rather see them get a raise.

And here we have example A.  "Other professions deserve raises more!"  The value of education is lost on many.

But they do.