Sad day for children…
It’s a sad day for children when those charged with the job of educating them stand with signs slandering elected government officials elected on a platform of reforming education. Yet, we see that in both Wisconsin and — of all places — Indiana.
It wasn’t always this way. When I grew up, faculties shone with talent. Teachers were respected among community members and students mirrored that respect in the classrooms and hallways of schools around this state.
Walk around a public school these days and the language you hear in the hallways would curl your hair. As for respect, it has gone the way of the dinosaurs — invisible.
Unless, and until, respect takes its rightful place in the schools, you can forget about widespread increases in test scores. It is impossible for any teacher to do a proper job if precious minutes out of every class period are spent dealing with troublemakers.
You can do all the talking you want, but discipline is the core of the problem. A lack of discipline undermines the very institution of teaching and derails incremental progress for struggling students. Going to school is job one for our youth. Without an education, a child is doomed to a dismal future.
I tire of seeing pictures of pre-teen and teenage girls with low cut blouses, skin-tight pants and high heels. American school hallways are not runways for shock value outfits. With the prevalent atmosphere, is it any wonder that problems abound within our schools?
There’s an old saying, “Put out an ad and someone will answer it.” Well, what I see passing for girls attire these days puts out an ad alright, but not one I would want for a child in my family.
School uniforms are the key step here — not just a dress code — actual school uniforms with everyone on the same page. Study after study affirms the fact that within a matter of six to eight weeks after instituting uniforms throughout a school, the numbers of student-administrator disciplinary incidents plummet.
Pair good discipline with quality teaching and the result is THE formula for success. Realistically, teachers — like other workers — have a productive career span. When that span is clearly waning or exhausted, it’s time for new blood. When organizational rules rob the school board of removing a teacher past his or her prime, the students lose. Tenure is a dinosaur, too. Think about it.