In August, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot was on the Boardwalk in Ocean City to launch a petition drive seeking 10,000 signatures advocating a mandated post-Labor Day start to the public school year in Maryland.
On Thursday, Franchot gathered in Annapolis with Senator Jim Mathias (D-38), Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, other elected officials, small business owners, educators and tourism officials for a press conference thanking the 13,000-plus Marylanders from all over the state who signed the “Let Summer Be Summer” petition. Conspicuous by his presence was Hogan, who had not publicly weighed in on the issue.
More
8 comments:
This pic speaks volumes. lol
When you read the article did you notice everything in it was about money and businesses. Not one thing was mentioned about the high stakes tests the kids take in early may from the AP tests to the MSA and the new PARCC tests. The tests will not move and starting later will give us less time to prepare the students for the tests. We should be starting earlier and ending just after the tests. A month after tests wil be worthless for the test prep mentality of the school system. The politicians as well as most people are ignorant of issues such as this. I am under the impression that they just dont understand, are too stupid or just dont care. With tougher tests and so much time wasted during the school days, there is going to be a very large drop in test scores in the next few years. Ive been teaching in the public schools for over 20 years and have seen a serious drop in discipline, ability of the students, expectations and general caring from students, parents, teachers and administrators. Its all turing into a big joke. You bust your ass to do everything right, and are fought tooth and nail along the way. So the powers that be want the change because it will raise millions $$$$$$. I wonder how much it will cost the kids? At least I care..
School always started the day after Labor Day until some "genius" decided they wanted to start in August and end in early June. They can still end in early June by cutting out all of those unnecessary days off during the school year. Kids are out of school more than they are in school. Since when did they need a week long spring break?
The key statement in your post is: "...With tougher tests and so much time wasted during the school days..."
Who, exactly, is wasting the time?
You're a teacher? Take control of your class.
That is what you are paid for.
I agree with the later start, but I also agree with the teacher above. The testing b.s. has gotten out of hand and has done nothing, repeat, nothing to improve educational results. Stop blaming the teachers. Go spend a week in a classroom and you will see the b.s. teachers have to contend with from clueless bureaucrats. I did and am amazed that teachers cope and educate as well as they do.
Next step should be getting rid of "the test." The "tests" are all about "money and businesses," that being the for profit companies that lobby states to participate in these "tests."
You don't "teach" or educate when all you are doing is teaching to the test.
Anonymous said...
The key statement in your post is: "...With tougher tests and so much time wasted during the school days..."
Who, exactly, is wasting the time?
You're a teacher? Take control of your class.
That is what you are paid for.
January 18, 2015 at 1:17 AM
No it's not a teacher, it's the Superintendent, John Fredericksen. I know exactly who it is.
Anonymous said...
When you read the article did you notice everything in it was about money and businesses. Not one thing was mentioned about the high stakes tests the kids take in early may from the AP tests to the MSA and the new PARCC tests. The tests will not move and starting later will give us less time to prepare the students for the tests. We should be starting earlier and ending just after the tests. A month after tests wil be worthless for the test prep mentality of the school system. The politicians as well as most people are ignorant of issues such as this. I am under the impression that they just dont understand, are too stupid or just dont care. With tougher tests and so much time wasted during the school days, there is going to be a very large drop in test scores in the next few years. Ive been teaching in the public schools for over 20 years and have seen a serious drop in discipline, ability of the students, expectations and general caring from students, parents, teachers and administrators. Its all turing into a big joke. You bust your ass to do everything right, and are fought tooth and nail along the way. So the powers that be want the change because it will raise millions $$$$$$. I wonder how much it will cost the kids? At least I care..
January 17, 2015 at 9:16 PM
This definitely sounds like John Fredericksen.
Post a Comment