Why are Illinois schools failing to teach our children? (Chicago: renting, homes)

[karlsch]

One problem is we are supposed to believe that people are born with equal abilities. Some people believe this, but probably not many, although most won't admit it in public.

Some kids are destined to be left behind no matter what we do:
Extra - WSJ.com

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by karlsch

One problem is we are supposed to believe that people are born with equal abilities. Some people believe this, but probably not many, although most won't admit it in public.

Some kids are destined to be left behind no matter what we do:
Extra - WSJ.com

Doesn't matter whether you are looking at the whole country, a state, a city, a school district or a classroom -- half the kids are going to be "below average" but they still need jobs and a decent life. When large percentages of kids are unable to communicate on a basic level that won't happen...

Believe me if schools uniformly improve we won't have an excess of astrophysicists, we may end up with a heckuva lot more people that are appalled with the ignorance of their elected officials. And I think you can guess why some people do not relish that thought.

[TabulaRasa]

One thing that people don't realize unless they have some type of experience related to serving on or working with a board of education is that in Illinois, the IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards) has in the past two decades championed a marked trend toward very, very hands-off school governance. There are fewer checks and balances in place that can keep things honest and run properly, because there is as general attitude right now that boards should be very hands-off with administration...which is fine until there is bad administration, and then it becomes a top-down problem that ripples through the entire school system. Less administrative accountability sets the stage for mismanagement and corruption, and that, ultimately, translates eventually into your kids getting a crappier education.

[GolfLover2]

Unfortunately it's not just the schools within Illinois, but the nation as a whole. I read a report just recently reciting our rating amongst other nations in science and math (plus other areas) and it was dismal. Another article compared our college and universities to other major nations and what was reported was almost terrifying. There are so many reasons for all of this, many of which have been mentioned by others here. We, as a nation, need to turn this problem around soon. Making sure that our brightest and best see teaching as a verifiable and economically rewarding career is important. Freeing teachers and schools from the fear of lawsuits would help also. Our teachers spend so much valuable time focusing on non-classroom activities and discipline that its ludicrous. Addition and expansion of classes that focus on the more academically gifted child would be wise too. Too many schools mingle academic levels in one class, resulting in the teachers teaching "to the middle" level student, instead of giving the attention needed to either polar opposite ends. It's not true that "cream will rise to the top" when it comes to the more advanced student. They have special needs and need special attention from specially schooled teachers and don't excel as they should if left in the regular classes. Right now, in our community we can't get a referendum passed for the local high school to save our soul. Until our schools become a priority once again, the state's (and nation's) children will suffer the consequences.

[bluescityleon]

but who writes the cirriculum?

[bluescityleon]

You learn some things from thinking . Our rights were self evident then we were soldiers to enforse our rights and secure our rights......without enforsement our rights are no good. Like Faith without works, rights without enforcement Truth and Justice for all text,

[bluescityleon]

Were did Li come from? What is it for?where the sun come from? What does it do?

[TabulaRasa]

Originally Posted by bluescityleon

but who writes the cirriculum?

Teachers write curriculum. Curriculum committees write curriculum. The state mandates some curriculum. Curriculum directors, if the district has one, write curriculum. Special education program directors write curriculum. It's a combination.

[Careless]

Originally Posted by GolfLover2

Unfortunately it's not just the schools within Illinois, but the nation as a whole. I read a report just recently reciting our rating amongst other nations in science and math (plus other areas) and it was dismal. Another article compared our college and universities to other major nations and what was reported was almost terrifying.

What? Our universities are the envy of every country on Earth. The one type of school where the teachers don't take courses in education happens to be the thing we do best...

[treader275]

After forty-one years of teaching, I think I've learned a few things. One of those things is that parents, teachers, school boards, administrators, students, and government officials have to work together to create an excellent education system. With the economy in recession, it's getting harder. Schools are overcrowded. Student population is no stable. Students come and go sort of like the seasons only faster. I put in fifteen hour days almost every day, including weekends, but the demands on me and my time are accelerating faster than I can. I never thought I would hear myself say that I want retirement to come soon, but I'm saying it.