Student Accountability-David Liotta

Site: http://teachers.net/mentors/middle_school/topic13772/10.10.09.18.09.33.html
Teachers.net (Middle School Teachers Chatboard)

Dates Blogged:
10/10/09-10/18/09

Topic: Student Accountability

Body:

A teacher posted a venting comment asking if anyone thought if there will ever be a piece of legislation that will make students, and maybe even parents, accountable for their failures? NCLB puts so much accountability on educators at all levels, but leaves out the most important factors: students and parents. The teacher also pointed out that if your child is failing, the teacher needs to prove to the State what they're are doing to rectify the situation. There will be constant follow up and penalties put on the teacher but teachers cannot prove that they're are making progress. About seven different responders agreed to this point of view. One teacher furthered the statement by saying just about everything that anyone does, needs some sort of license; driving, teaching, doctor, lawyer, firefighter, etc. Except the most important job one can do; raise children. This teacher also said that many parents have given up their responsibilities a long time ago and that's when it started falling to teachers and schools with "cradle to grave care." Another responder conflicted the agreement telling the chatboard that the problem is that parents aren't teachers; teachers are teachers. There is a big difference in a child not putting forth the effort and being accountable for that, but if the child isn't learning because the methods aren't appropriate than that burden needs to fall to the teacher and the school system. This person concluded that teachers and parents need to stop pointing the finger and learn how to work together because the only person that loses is the child.

After both points of view were made, one teacher summed up the issue very nicely, explaining the dilemma objectively. He used an analogy saying a stool has three legs. If education is the seat of a stool, teachers would be one leg of that stool. Another leg would be the parents, and the third would be the students. The only leg needing to show accountability is the teachers, or school system. I thought this was a great example of clarifying our education system, in which I do agree because the only teaching that is important to administration is the state exams. Secondly, when a child doesn't perform or behave to expectations the only option is really calling the parents. If the parent doesn't care, how are we accountable?

Responses to Others Questions:

I responded to the general discussion by trying to point out that it all has to do with votes. If you tell any American that they're the problem for a specific issue they can't handle that truth. It's a lazy and naive country. It's easier to vote for the person who favors someone's comfort zone. However, I agree there is no sense in the board of educations. Until teachers start striking and exposing reality we'll continually be punching bags. However, no one responded to my posting directly, but I do stand by that it's not the kids that are priority, it's economics. Teachers are taught what to teach, therefore, in my opinion we're retelling what someone wants kids to know or think, especially with testing. I also used an example to explain a little reality. If a brain surgeon has car failure and calls a mechanic, and the mechanic arrives; who's the smart one? Then if the mechanic get head trauma from working on the vehicle and needs brain surgery; who's the smart one? So where do state exams allow someone's own intelligence to be shown?

Useful Information for My Teaching:

When teachers gossip or complain, it is mostly regarding the immediate workplace or local system they work for. We always complain about the city and, sometimes, the state. However, when reading about people experiencing the same issues nation wide, it creates a whole new perspective on the system and reality. I've learned a more humbling experience as opposed to satisfactory, which is, the only answers to the problems we face is ourselves. Knowing that the system is nation wide, I don't think it's going to change by a few complaints and addresses to issues. It would require the nation. However, I don't see that anytime soon because, as in this discussion, there are still people who swear by our system. Therefore, everyone has to adjust the way they know how. I personally hate standardized testing but I can't come up with a sustained argument to undo it so I have to accommodate, like anyone else. So the bottom line of teaching is if your care for children is personal, than it's worth the struggle. I know I'm not in Grad School by choice, but to keep my job working with kids.

Last Posting:

What I'd tell others when joining a teacher listserv, discussion board or Blog:

I would first recommend a discussion board, listserv, or blog to first year teachers, just to vent with people who understand the issues teachers face. I'd also recommend it for resourceful information because I've acquired a few useful resources for my own teaching practices. However, I would also advise people to keep clear minds and prepare for controversy. Everyone has a right to an opinion and that has to be understood. Like any other social interaction, there are people who know it all and people who know they don't know. Don't make this a hobby because it could become a form self-created stress that's not needed in a teacher's life.

How the Experience Compared to Expectations:

I sincerely intended to read about problems that don't exist in Title One Schools but more on the account of academics. To my surprise, I was able to relate to just about any issues posted on the chat board. This kind of changed my perspective on the overall system because I see the city problems are national problems or concerns. I am also surprised that feedback is great. It's impossible to get one specific right answer to a problem but several inputs allow for a better understanding. Perhaps, in the future, if I come across an issue that I'm stumped on I may use this or another site for solutions. The world is smaller than it seems but the possibilities are endless.