Betsy DeVos

[brewer]

Yea. US ditch digger production up!

I wonder if they can be cross trained for fries?

[Faith No More]

At least I can rest easy knowing my kids are safe from bears.

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, certainly not safe from the ones that jesus sends.  The DeVos Dept of Education isn't going to get in the way of a divinely ordained mauling or anything like that. It;s easy to tell the difference. When the bears coming at brown kids that's god's will, just like the good book says.

[Whateverist]

But I hear her plan for grizzly bear protection is state of the art.

Aren't you a teacher, whatevs? I'd be interested on your take on growth vs proficiency.

Yeah but I'm more realistic than most.  The correct answer these days has got to be "proficiency" with no excuses (and no child left behind).  But in the real world it is hard to ensure that every child will be above average.  Growth is more realistic.

[The Grand Nudger]

Growth also has the added benefit of indirectly assessing the educators abilities and method.

[Exian]

Growth also has the added benefit of indirectly assessing the educators abilities and method.

That's a damn good point. Rather than "Eh, that one kids just an idiot."

[Whateverist]

Lots of reasons why kids don't succeed. An alcoholic mother of a sad boy who was way behind but really achieved a lot and got decent grades for it. At the meeting when the first report cards come out he was sitting up proud after I gave her the glowing report he'd earned. Her reaction was to turn toward him and ask derisively "who, him?", obviously a little smashed. He slouched like deflated balloon. So sad.

By far most parents are not like that, especially not in the university town I taught in. I was lucky that way. But just to say there are many reasons why kids don't succeed, not all of them owing to their teacher. And while there are some total loser teachers too, most of us are in it to win it and work really hard.

[Assimilate]

Lots of reasons why kids don't succeed.  An alcoholic mother of a sad boy who was way behind but really achieved a lot and got decent grades for it.  At the meeting when the first report cards come out he was sitting up proud after I gave her the glowing report he'd earned.  Her reaction was to turn toward him and ask derisively "who, him?", obviously a little smashed.  He slouched like deflated balloon.  So sad.  

By far most parents are not like that, especially not in the university town I taught in.  I was lucky that way.  But just to say there are many reasons why kids don't succeed, not all of them owing to their teacher.  And while there are some total loser teachers too, most of us are in it to win it and work really hard.

100 percent agree. I had a turbulent household as a child, which I feel greatly impacted me while I was younger in school. Some of my teachers were awesome though, oh and I'm a ditch digger literally, water utilities, pays pretty good though. I did however decide to go back to school and obtain my associates. Anyways, I agree with Whateverist, home life will have a bigger impact.

[Jesster]

I remember someone telling me that the vice president had no real power and couldn't do any real damage. See this? This right here is what Mike Pence can do, exactly as I said before.

Our education system was already in sad shape. I guess this is one way to put it out of its misery. Rest in pieces.

[Seraphina]

Lots of reasons why kids don't succeed.  An alcoholic mother of a sad boy who was way behind but really achieved a lot and got decent grades for it.  At the meeting when the first report cards come out he was sitting up proud after I gave her the glowing report he'd earned.  Her reaction was to turn toward him and ask derisively "who, him?", obviously a little smashed.  He slouched like deflated balloon.  So sad.  

By far most parents are not like that, especially not in the university town I taught in.  I was lucky that way.  But just to say there are many reasons why kids don't succeed, not all of them owing to their teacher.  And while there are some total loser teachers too, most of us are in it to win it and work really hard.

I'll never forget my niece's high school graduation a few years back. She went to high school in a terrible neighborhood, lots of poverty, parents of her classmates unable or unwilling to be involved in their kids' educations, the whole nine yards.
Anyway, the valedictorian gave a touching speech about the struggles he had getting his education - such as studying at home with the lights out because his mom couldn't pay the electric bill. I sat behind his mom in the audience and I got a kick out of seeing how proud the woman was. He went on to UC Berkeley.