Rant #1

Statewide testing for 10th and 11th grade was today.  Why?

Because like all other laws of the land, it was created because there were some really awful people doing something in a very awful way, and ruined it for the rest of us.

Without a doubt, there are some really bad teachers out there.  Kids can't read, they can't add.  I had a child ask me what continent Australia was on.  (If you don't know the answer to that, you are proving my point)  So I understand where the geniuses in Austin are coming from.  There has to be accountability somewhere, right?  Here is the problem:  When I was in high school (not THAT long ago), we had standardized tests.  The purpose of them was to see what we, the students, knew.  Today, the questions on these tests are worded purposefully to trip up the students.  The reason for that is because they are no longer trying to see what the students know, they are trying to see what they DON'T know.  That way, they can flush out teachers who aren't doing what they want.

This is so backwards.

So all the geniuses of education get together and come up with their "new" ideas of how students in this day and age need to be taught.  Meanwhile, the children are getting more dumb by the day.  Something isn't working.  The childhood education "experts" have got to be doing something wrong.

The other day, I saw a quote by one of these experts on Twitter.  He said that different students have reasons for not completing assignments, and that we must find out what those reasons are.

Seriously?

I don't know why they might choose to not do an assignment, but I sure can give a good reason why they should.  If they do not, they will fail my class.  How about that?  Or how about because if I give an assignment, it is disrespectful to me if they do not do it.  Ok, ok.  That was two reasons.  But let's be honest, there are always reasons to NOT be responsible.  But now we are supposed to get into the psyche of the child and figure out why?

This will save you some research, "expert."  THEY ARE CHILDREN!  That is all the reason you need.  Our job is to educate.  Their job is to resist.  They WANT to be held accountable.  My students LOVE me.  It isn't because I'm funny, and it is certainly not because my class is easy.  It is because they know that I care about them enough to MAKE them do what I know is best.  And so, with no gimmicks, and no hippie, touchy-feely tricks, I teach English.  And they learn.

Time to get back to basics.  Forget making them like you.  Make them work hard.

They will love you for it.