THE REAL PROBLEM WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

I have recently been certified as a substitute teacher to work in our local schools and have worked in some elementary, middle, and high schools.  I can unequivocally say that the real problem with our educational system is not the fault of incompetent teachers but lies in the deterioration of our culture that is creating dysfunctional families. Certainly not all but many of the students who are sent to school are being raised in less than perfect situations; therefore, they are not being taught how to behave properly in a classroom.  Children who are unruly at home do not magically turn into model students when they get to school. 

On a typical day, the primary goal of most teachers is to control the behavior of the students.  A teacher can only teach a subject if they can maintain a calm classroom.  While some disruptive children suffer from learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders, most are regular children who have not been taught how to conduct themselves.  It is not fair for the well-behaved students to be meshed in with the students who will not keep their mouths closed or sit in their seats and listen to the teacher. 

Some classes are like being in a war zone.  The students are immune to discipline.  One arrogant middle school student informed me that none of them were afraid of being punished and wanted to be expelled so that they did not have to go to school.  In that same class, I gently tapped one student on her shoulder with my index finger and instructed her to move to her proper seat.  She loudly accused me of physical abuse and threatened to sue me. 

The teachers and the schools are judged on the scores of the students who take the standardized tests given throughout the year.  According to the national news, it looks as if teachers will soon be paid based on the same criteria.  This is a ludicrous idea and it is extremely unfair because some students are not teachable due to their behavior.  It has nothing to do with their IQ.  Some students, even if you can get them to close their mouths and sit down, will simply not listen and follow instructions.  In my opinion, no teacher should be penalized due to the standardized test scores but should be given hazardous pay for enduring some of the working conditions they face in some of these classes.

Educating our children must be a team effort between the families/caretakers and the teachers if they are to grow up to be successful people.