Bush...highly qualified/meeting adaquate yearly progress? by msg

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msg

Bush...highly qualified/meeting adaquate yearly progress?
Tuesday, September 19, 2006

As I sit here monitoring my students during a giant test which will be used to prove I am either a good or bad teacher, I wonder several things?
(WARNING: giant rant to follow)
What exactly did George Bush do to prove he was "highly qualified" for his position. We teachers are required to hold at least enough hours to have majored in every subject we teach or work with. So a person who majored in biology and minored in chemistry would be required to go back and complete another degree to teach chemistry even though they might be perfectly capable of teaching this subject on a junior high level...So following this reasoning. I would like to see proof that Mr. Bush has enough hours for a degree in Political Science, Intternational Law, Diplomacy, Military tactics, Law, Heath Care Regulation, etc...

Also, I am being measured based on my students achievement. My students must show a constant and consistent increase in their academic performance. In Mr. Bush's words, "all students will be above average" OK now by definition average is the score or level to which the majority( most people) reach. So how exactly can everyone be better than the average?? Mathematically impossible? yes, but I am still expected to get there anyway. Also, I am judged solely on my student's tests scores. They do NOT take into account whether the student has serious learning disabilities, low IQ, can't speak or write in English( they are tested in English no matter what) have no motivation, have abusive parents,skip school constantly, all the little factors that can stop a kid from doing well on a test. If the kids do not increase their scores every year ( til presumably they are scoring greater than 100%) than my school and I are considered failures...
So where is the proof that this country is showing increased improvement each month for every citizen??

COMMENTS

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 6:28 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER

Isn't the melting pot society grand? Come and be free to live the life you want...as long as you speak English, write English and read English;)

Still...I have faith that you've done your job, msg. Like you said, these kids have major obstacles against them and that makes things a mighty bit pear-shaped. However, I got a good feeling that things will work out if they have you as their teacher. Call it a hunch;D

BEB

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 2:46 PM

YINYANG

"I would like to see proof that Mr. Bush has enough hours for a degree in Political Science, Intternational Law, Diplomacy, Military tactics, Law, Heath Care Regulation, etc..."

Well said, msg!

Oh, and good luck with those test scores!

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 9:45 AM

MSG

Well I love my students, but I'm not overly confident of their scoring abilities. This is an inner city school with over 50% of the school speaking English as a second language and it's really hard to translate, figure out and answer, re-translate, and fill in the bubble accurately in these 25-30 minute timed tests

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:23 AM

SIMONWHO

Tests are for the little people. The big people have PR men.

I'm sure you'll do fine though.

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