newtonianlaws t1_iu8kxc9 wrote on October 29, 2022 at 12:05 PM

Stop forcing teachers to inflate grades, test kids to figure out where they are (grade level, skill-based, can you do this…), set up multiple tiers of classes for each subject so kids get instruction within their zone of proximal development and scaffolding, then let teachers do what most of us love to do and teach kids at the kids’ level. We have an entire grade of seniors graduating this year who, mostly, have middle-school level abilities. Lots of conversations going on right now BY THE STUDENTS about the value of trade schools.

Mentalskllnss t1_iu93mh0 wrote on October 29, 2022 at 2:50 PM

I 1 million percent agree with this. I am seeing teachers struggling to teach middle school classes with kids that have a lot of behavior problems (but no academic supports needed - at least not yet) and also make sure they can focus on the students that are available to learn.

I not only feel bad for the kids, but I feel really bad for the teachers. It is causing major burn out for teachers and staff members in general

mikemikemikeandike t1_iu9sz58 wrote on October 29, 2022 at 5:52 PM

Good luck finding enough staff to handle multiple tiers of classes for each subject. Also, I call BS on these seniors having “mostly” middle-school level abilities.

Kel4597 t1_iuaxt42 wrote on October 29, 2022 at 10:48 PM

Anecdotal obviously, but I work at a university and the writing ability of these kids is absolutely shocking. It’s hard to believe until you actually see it yourself.

BarBinder t1_iua5m7b wrote on October 29, 2022 at 7:21 PM

Trade school eh? 😂

KravMata t1_iu9duz9 wrote on October 29, 2022 at 4:05 PM

You write this like you’re a teacher but say things that make no sense.

1 - If the kids are graduating with middle school level abilities that’s not anything to do with COVID. I have a senior graduating this year, they were not out for 3 years, and they didn’t stop learning for the year they were out of school. I especially call BS on the assertion of ‘mostly.’ FWIW my kid got a 1430 on her SAT and has a 100 in AP Calc.

2 - The kids are tested, under state and federal law, to ascertain their progress, and then are placed in classes according to their ability. Common core and all of that…having to teach to the tests is what teachers used to complain about. The article is largely about the results of this standardized testing FFS. The article is entirely about lower grades, not HS, and there are quotes explain8ng what teachers and admins are doing.

e90tings t1_iu9t17e wrote on October 29, 2022 at 5:52 PM

jesus calm down toting your kids mediocre SAT score.

the claim was that middle school courses are hard to teach, specifically meaning kids far younger than high school age, who haven't picked up the critical skills high schoolers have been taught.

also loling that you think a cmt impacts what courses your kid gets placed in...

yudkib t1_iud2ode wrote on October 30, 2022 at 12:32 PM

If your kid is at Choate and got a 1430 he would make a great line cook. If he’s at Waterbury he’ll probably work for NASA. You’re using these metrics as an indication of… something… to prove some sort of point (probably), but it lacks any specificity for anyone to know if it’s actually good or bad.