Advertisement
I taught chemistry in public high schools from 1982 to 1993. Interviews with current and retired teachers elicit recurring themes: The challenges faced by our schools are a reflection of our society.
Administrators and teachers work in fear of litigation. Behavioral expectations have relaxed, but learning cannot take place where there is little order. Not long ago a teacher's word was good enough for the majority of parents. Now there is often an attitude that the "teacher is wrong until proven right."
A respected young teacher has found results with behavioral contracts for every student who enters his classroom. These must be read and signed by students and parents, allowing documentation when questions arise in terms of discipline in his classroom. The National Honor Society used to require students have no record of trouble with the law for one year. This rule no longer exists due to threats of parental lawsuits.
Several teachers stated that time previously devoted to academic rigor has been replaced by aiding the students in developing other life skills that are not being taught at home.
Many parents lack perspective regarding their child's education. As administrators try to pacify these parents, teachers cannot effectively teach the expected curriculum.
Teaching Advanced Placement courses was once coveted. Now some teachers avoid these courses because of the backlash from parents of students who don't earn an A or B. Many shy away from giving low grades because of administrative backlash. "Extra credit" is rampant, contributing to grade inflation. Teachers are not allowed to remove serious discipline problems from the classroom, but a student can often request a different teacher if a teacher does not suit his or her "learning style."
In 1976, my graduating class had 550 students. Not one of us had a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Now, I open the paper and classes of less than 200 have multiple "valedictorians."
The printed "honor rolls" of our local schools appear to be the entire student body. I don't believe students are smarter than they were 30 years ago. Every teacher I spoke to said they certainly aren't more motivated. Are we really doing these students a favor by delaying their first encounter with the real world, whether it is a college physics course or a first professional position?
A child's inflated self-esteem and lack of competition may reduce parental anxiety and administrative headaches, but at some point the real world will intrude. Despite harmless complaints and requisite "whining," I've found students to rise to the expectations of the teacher, granted expectations are consistent.
A beloved colleague from my early teaching days kept a Fram oil filter on his desk, often referring to the old advertisement "you can pay me now or you can pay me later." It appears our current generation of students will be paying later.
Bobbi Vandenberg is the coach of the Viterbo Univer-sity women's basketball team. She is one of 12 Tribune community columnists, whose writing appears on the Sunday Opinion pages.
|
More Opinion: |
