tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post4016664647564009275..comments2024-03-27T03:25:08.267-07:00Comments on Life in the Shoe: ComparisonsDorcashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-73927768468898432722010-03-24T17:27:18.855-07:002010-03-24T17:27:18.855-07:00Amen!
"liquid money through a sieve" se...Amen! <br />"liquid money through a sieve" seems to nail it right on the head<br />I'm one of those 'radicals' who doesn't think the federal gov't has any business being in the education business. A big bulky bureaucracy doesn't do much of anything well and that includes education (nor, I'm afraid we'll find out, health care).Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13256552315634307734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-28194619194566981962010-03-24T07:43:04.176-07:002010-03-24T07:43:04.176-07:00Two thoughts: At the vast majority of private sch...Two thoughts: At the vast majority of private schools, there are little if any provisions for special needs children. I believe very strongly that as a society, we have the responsibility to provide education for them. (At 50, I am returning to grad school so I'm qualified to teach them.) However, that is very expensive. That gets added into the per-student cost. My students have one-on-one and occasionally one-on-two instruction. Even though that is mostly provided by aides instead of a teacher, it is still costly. But, oh so worth it.<br /><br />And being married to a long-time teacher, I also understand the comments you overheard. Teaching in public school is getting harder and harder. And at the same time, more is being expected of teachers. The way it is now, the school is totally responsible for both student's academic achievement and their attendance. When a student gets in trouble, it is highly likely that the parent will come and chew out the school staff for "picking on their child." I bet there aren't many parents of students in your school with that attitude. <br /><br />Teachers are wearing out. We, as a profession, are constantly being asked to do more with less, and give up more. It's hard to keep that idealistic bent when you are giving your all, but considered a failure. (Technically, I am a failure because my students are not at "grade level," even though they are all severely mentally disabled.) I wish it were different, because teaching is a calling and can be a joy. But these days it's just not.Elisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487825000602796734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-84859842580755883662010-03-23T19:51:43.384-07:002010-03-23T19:51:43.384-07:00Kansas pays just over $4000 per child. I don'...Kansas pays just over $4000 per child. I don't know if that should make us proud or ashamed. <br /><br />Our principal pointed out to me recently that if benefits normally included in public school teachers' salaries were paid to teachers in our Christian schools, the costs per student would be very similar. That was an eye-opener to me. <br /><br />We're studying public education this month at school--as our current issues topic. I'm amazed at how hot a topic this is. Every issue of our daily paper has another story of distress or controversy. Consolidation, staff cutbacks, program cutbacks--all sorts of desperate attempts to come up with enough money are being discussed or tried. <br /><br />The KC reference might have referred to the suburb of Shawnee Mission, which I read just yesterday has the highest income of any district in the state. I think that means the local citizens vote in favor of mill levies that add significant amounts to the funds available from the state. Because the population is wealthy, they're willing to vote these higher property taxes for themselves.<br /><br />At any rate, like you, thinking about public education makes me very thankful for the blessing of having private Christian schools.Mrs. Ihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05660178013279134792noreply@blogger.com