This has been a bad week at school

Not to sound harsh or anything but looking at the list of languages your school offered, IMO they cut the right ones. Latin is a dead language. Yes I know I took latin and am fully aware that it is the base of many languages but with the advancements in the internet and computers even a biologist really doesn't need Latin. Tons of people (mostly the younger generation) in Germany and France speak fluent English so it is not so necessary to know there either. Knowing Spanish is probably the most practical for an American and if you are getting into business, a background in Chinese might help, however just about everyone in business in China speaks English.

 

You might possibly lose your Chinese elective class, but many will lose their jobs, cars, and homes because of this.

Less teachers, larger class sizes, loss of benefits, pay cuts, and not getting any raise for advanced degrees. Also, Florida just passed a law that will base teacher pay off of student test scores. So basically teachers work on commission now.

Higher scores = Current full year wage
Lower scores = 1/2 of current wage

 

I heard about this happening in some states. I think that is pretty messed up, and does not sound like a good idea. Students don't always learn at the same rate, and some students learn differently than others. Sure if we were robots and every single student learned the same way, at the same pace, that might work.

 

what do special needs teachers get in this situation? they are usually the most dedicated and hardest working...

 

Students with special needs may not take the test or their scores may not effect the teacher pay rate. They have not said what will happen in that situation.

My biggest question is who is going to teach the low level students now? With the scores counting towards getting paid I assume most would not want to teach the students who do poorly on the tests.

What about when a student realizes their score counts towards the teachers pay and they just decide to christmas tree the test out of spite?

 

Easy answer. The left-overs. Those who could not get a job in the affluent neighborhoods where kids don't come from broken homes and have parents at home to help ensure that their homework is done. Kids who are taught the value of education are always going to excel over those who are not. This law just insures that the suburbanites will have the best schools and the best teachers for their kids. Not saying that I would have voted any different if I was in their position.

 

i should follow this thread since it might happen when i'm in high school but can't do that when your 10! lol

 

It's only a few more years. I would really like to come back in a few years to see what has become of my school...or maybe not. It's sad, but the school district, like our state, has just been getting worse, as the years go by.