What kind of students are we producing????

[shetlandponyluvr]

Well check this out--I teach online classes for adults, and I got an excuse from a girl yesterday who said the reason she did not turn in her assignments for the week was because her son was attacked by a rooster! lol I hear alll kinds of excuses lol

Believe it or not, my son was attacked by a rooster once!

[beth119]

At my DS's parent teacher conference this semester (3rd grade)....

His teacher said "I am happy to know I have the same child here as you do at home"...

That was telling!

[thecouponclippa]

AMEN, MxMom! I'm of the same opinion. DD8 tried to pull some of that " Well I don't HAVE to do that, even if it's in my homework folder." So I picked up the phone and was dialing her teacher's cell phone number to check. She VERY quickly recanted her story, and then had to write a note to the teacher as to why she thought that would be okay. Grounded, too. I'm not gonna have a super smart kid not apply herself and think slacking off is EVER okay. NOT on my watch!

[~~Who,Me?~~]

Overall, I think much of the problem is parents. This current generation of teens and young adults that I teach, they are just so used to having everything handed to them. It's really sad, they have no clue on how to initiate anything, or do something without being told what to do.

[Dengineer]

Hey, I've been attacked by a rooster myself and it's no laughing matter.

Ok, actually it is pretty funny. But unless the kids eyes were pecked out, that's a pretty lame excuse.

As to the original topic--I think there is a huge convergence of several forces involved--a lot of parents have stopped parenting for a variety of reasons (they want to be friends with their kids, they're too busy managing their own social lives, etc.), the schools are afraid to say anything to anyone because someone will scream discrimination or mistreatment, and I honestly think that society as we used to know it is breaking down. It seems that no one feels responsible for anything anymore. A lot of people think they don't have to do ANYTHING for themselves, let alone for anyone else, and that is pathetic. And I'd like to thank the progressives who started us down this road in the 1960s and 1970s for making this all possible! This is so much better than way back in the olden days when parents used to parent and schools used to educate!

[beth119]

It seems that no one feels responsible for anything anymore. A lot of people think they don't have to do ANYTHING for themselves, let alone for anyone else, and that is pathetic. And I'd like to thank the progressives who started us down this road in the 1960s and 1970s for making this all possible! This is so much better than way back in the olden days when parents used to parent and schools used to educate!

Not everything has to turn into a political debate.

You're the one who is big on "personal responsibility", yet, you lay the blame on a group 30-40 years ago? How backwards is that?

Also, lets look at "progressive states" vs. "non progressive states"

Top 15 "smartest states"

1.Massachusetts
2.Connecticut
3.Vermont
4.New Jersey
5.Wisconsin
6.New York
7.Minnesota
8.Iowa
9.Pennsylvania
10.Montana
11.Maine
12.Virginia
13.Nebraska
14.New Hampshire
15.Kansas

Bottom 15

31.Michigan
32.South Carolina
33.Texas and West Virginia (tie)
35.Oregon
36.Arkansas
37.Kentucky
38.Georgia
39.Florida
40.Oklahoma
41.Tennessee
42.Hawaii
43.California
44.Alabama
45.Alaska
46.Louisiana
47.Mississippi
48.Arizona
49.Nevada
50.New Mexico

Smartest State 2006-2007

[texwifeinct]

Not everything has to turn into a political debate.

You're the one who is big on "personal responsibility", yet, you lay the blame on a group 30-40 years ago? How backwards is that?

Also, lets look at "progressive states" vs. "non progressive states"

Top 15 "smartest states"

1.Massachusetts
2.Connecticut
3.Vermont
4.New Jersey
5.Wisconsin
6.New York
7.Minnesota
8.Iowa
9.Pennsylvania
10.Montana
11.Maine
12.Virginia
13.Nebraska
14.New Hampshire
15.Kansas

Bottom 15

31.Michigan
32.South Carolina
33.Texas and West Virginia (tie)
35.Oregon
36.Arkansas
37.Kentucky
38.Georgia
39.Florida
40.Oklahoma
41.Tennessee
42.Hawaii
43.California
44.Alabama
45.Alaska
46.Louisiana
47.Mississippi
48.Arizona
49.Nevada
50.New Mexico

Smartest State 2006-2007

Not political at all here, but I can tell you from personal experience that this data is crap!!!

I live in the #2 and moved form the #33

#2 = no Gifted and Talented, no Percentage Grades or A,B,C until grade 3, allowed to go to school in PJ s, not allowed to work ahead because it may hurt another students feelings, honor roll not available until grade 4, no Reading Incentive Program, half day kindergarten, first report cards come out in Dec when we start school in August. A well we will move the good kid because it is easier mentality.

#33 =Dress code(in public school), Reading Incentive Program, Gifted and Talented, Character Building Program, Honor Roll from 1st grade on, Regular report cards every 6 weeks, progress reports every 3 weeks, Full day Kindergaten and full day head start for at risk children. Bullying absolutely 100% not tolerated no matter who your parents think they are.

I miss my "dumb" school district:sad:.

[CW&M Mom]

This is just so sad all the way around. Parents who make excuses and choose to turn a blind eye are doing a terrible disservice to their children. My son has a friend at school who is just a whirlwind. His mom uses the excuse that "boys will be boys". I so want to tell her that it's because she is letting him run amok, but I bite my tongue. On the flip side, many teachers are getting burned out way too early. :sad:

This was my sister. She taught special ed severe as well. She could deal with the kids...some of them very difficult...but many of the parents drove her completely crazy....the bad administration who cared nothing about the kids or the law...and some of the other teachers "don't put that kid in my classroom".

[beth119]

Not political at all here, but I can tell you from personal experience that this data is crap!!!

I live in the #2 and moved form the #33

#2 = no Gifted and Talented, no Percentage Grades or A,B,C until grade 3, allowed to go to school in PJ s, not allowed to work ahead because it may hurt another students feelings, honor roll not available until grade 4, no Reading Incentive Program, half day kindergarten, first report cards come out in Dec when we start school in August. A well we will move the good kid because it is easier mentality.

#33 =Dress code(in public school), Reading Incentive Program, Gifted and Talented, Character Building Program, Honor Roll from 1st grade on, Regular report cards every 6 weeks, progress reports every 3 weeks, Full day Kindergaten and full day head start for at risk children. Bullying absolutely 100% not tolerated no matter who your parents think they are.

I miss my "dumb" school district:sad:.

Well, having been born, raised and well educated in #2, I can say this... WHAT TOWN DID YOU LIVE IN?

We had gifted, worked ahead (also were PUSHED to the MAX), had report cards every quarter (and NEVER started school until sept, so not sure about that aug thing?), reading rewards, etc etc.
We DID NOT have honor roll until 5th grade (seriously, little kids?), had only half day kindergarten, we could go to school in our jammies (better than the short shorts I see here in GA!)..EXCELLENT focus on phys ed...0 tolerance policy on bullying.

Now, living in state #38 and my KIDS going to school here...
There is a dress code (no one follows, and no one enforces unless you get in trouble for something else), a reading program IF the teacher partcipates (not mandatory), gifted from 2nd grade, no honor roll for little kids who haven't much of a clue about it anyway, No percentage or letter grades UNTIL SIXTH GRADE, One report card every semester, a "progress report" every 6 weeks, full day kindergarten (but when you take out time for breakfast, lunch, recess and nap... it might as WELL be a half day)

My county has halfway decent education. Go just west? Yikes. Some things I LIKE. I don't think little kids need to be on an "honor roll" until they fully understand what that means. I like that the school enviroment is a bit more relaxed, not so rigid. Kids can be kids.

Every town/county has its benefits and disadvantages. But when one area continuosly out does the others... its time to look at WHY.

[~~Who,Me?~~]

Hey, I've been attacked by a rooster myself and it's no laughing matter.

Ok, actually it is pretty funny. But unless the kids eyes were pecked out, that's a pretty lame excuse.

As to the original topic--I think there is a huge convergence of several forces involved--a lot of parents have stopped parenting for a variety of reasons (they want to be friends with their kids, they're too busy managing their own social lives, etc.), the schools are afraid to say anything to anyone because someone will scream discrimination or mistreatment, and I honestly think that society as we used to know it is breaking down. It seems that no one feels responsible for anything anymore. A lot of people think they don't have to do ANYTHING for themselves, let alone for anyone else, and that is pathetic. And I'd like to thank the progressives who started us down this road in the 1960s and 1970s for making this all possible! This is so much better than way back in the olden days when parents used to parent and schools used to educate!

Aww, den, you had me up until the end. I agree that many parents have stopped being good parents, for many of the reasons you listed. And fwiw, I work in a school that is in a VERY conservative area, not progressive at all. So what do you make of that?

This is one issue that is nei*>.........'/ther conservative nor liberal, it's far reaching across party lines, socio58"economic lines, etc.. It affects everyone. Please excuse typos I ha66585va 3 year old on my elbomw.4532435236
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