What do we teach our children when we make excuses for them time and time again? Or we allow them to do the wrong thing and not hold them accountable? If Little Johnny gets a bad grade in class it isn't that he didn't study or do his work - the teacher is at fault. If the parent complains to the administration - instead of backing the teacher (not saying the teacher is always right) in public and discussing any possible needs for changes in private - it is automatically assumed that the teacher is at fault because our precious angel children *big eye roll* could never be wrong.
My children do not attend a public school. In fact, I pulled them out of a private school. Why? No, I'm not some isolationist, not a religious fanatic, not even one of those people who is spiking the koolaid. It is simply because there is no discipline or accountability taught in school any longer. The inmates are running the asylum. I have 1...just 1 opportunity to teach my children right from wrong. I have 1....just 1 opportunity to teach my children the skills they need to get through life and not end up in a penitentiary some where soaking up our tax dollars getting their 3 square a day and a lifetime membership to a fitness club. I have 1....just 1 opportunity to teach them the priorities in life aren't about the next booty call or the next hit on the bong. I homeschool as a choice. Homeschooling has changed so much from the days of girls only wearing the long skirts and it being based on an expression of religious freedom. It is the middle class two income families making a choice what the educational priorities for their children will be. I chose to homeschool because my children are exceptionally bright - and not that isn't just a mom's opinion. They test high on standardized testing forms. The classroom education is based on teaching to the lowest level student in the room and screw the one that excels in the program. Again - no accountability - if the kids don't want to study and slow those that do down - to bad for them!
I have a great friend who teaches - I have NO idea how she does it. I couldn't do it and I have great respect for those who can. She was telling me that there is some program in the school now where the kids don't have to turn in the work on time....they can wait and turn it all in at the end of the grading period. Teachers are under pressure to pass them even in cases where the work is turned in all at the end. Now maybe I'm way out of touch - wouldn't be the first time but...isn't the original concept of schooling to prepare us for real world situations?!? I can guarantee you that if one of the people I supervise turned in all the work late on a regular basis they would learn a new word - F- I-R-E-D! Again, no accountability. When did we become a world of pacifiers. We give awards to all kids - because we don't want feelings to be hurt. We don't recognize just those that exceed the standards or the goals. We don't celebrate accomplishments or achievements because not everyone accomplishes or achieves...well umm to damn bad! If Johnny wants to sit on his thumb in a corner and not do the work then his reward is a brown finger but that shouldn't mean that Sally shouldn't get recognition for honor roll making straight A's. Then when we do give awards it isn't for academics usually - it is for our ability to hit, throw, kick, smack or swack a ball. Just like it is in the "real" world - we make the athletes the heroes. Kicking a ball won't cure cancer....but Sally acing biology, physics and chemistry just might.
Our world has gone to hell in a hand basket and I for one am fed up.....this is just the first of many postings to come on accountability...so this is Pandora saying stay tuned!
xoxo
Pandora
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