Here's a comment I posted in reponse to Mike Thomas' latest column (see link below).
While I don't find fault will some of his proposals, I don't appreciate his taking the opportunity to slam teachers in the process.
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""I can't agree with those teachers who excuse themselves in advance for not doing what they are paid to do. For some, it becomes an excuse not to put out maximum effort because, why bother?" [his italics, my emphasis]
Who are the the teachers that excuse themselves, and who are the"some" that don't put out maximum effort, Mike? I haven't met them and I've been teaching for 34 years (27 in Seminole County). Who are you to be putting words in their mouths or judging their actions?
Where are your comments about JEB's influence and his efforts to push anti-public education, anti-teacher, anti-public servant, anti-student measures, pro-privitization, pro-standardization, pro-high stakes testing via the efforts of his long-time minion, John Thrasher.
Thrasher heads the RPOF and controls the money that can and will be filtered down to candidates in the next elections. Republican legislators who might oppose this array of bad legislation would be cutting his/her own throat. Correct me if I am wrong, but those Republican legislators who opposed these bad bills to date are either not running for reelection or are in possession of an overriding spirit of their own convictions.
Here's a story for you, Mike. Expose the undue influence that JEB and his host of privateers (not privitizationers, privateers!) have on our legislative process."
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Read the entire column and PLEASE post a comment after the story on orlandosentinel.com.
Get up, stand up! Share this post widely and wildly.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/...,4287288.column
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Make parents help children learn
Mike Thomas
March 28, 2010
These morons need to take a look at what is going on at home, not school. There are so many students that skip school, don't care, don't do homework, blow off tests, and have absolutely no parent involvement.
That Web comment came from an anonymous teacher complaining about merit pay. The "morons" are Republican legislators pushing bills to link teacher raises to student test score.
Teachers say they can't be held responsible for teaching the un-teachable. Hold the students and parents accountable, they argue.
I can't agree with those teachers who excuse themselves in advance for not doing what they are paid to do. For some, it becomes an excuse not to put out maximum effort because, why bother?
There are too many students, once considered un-teachable, who are succeeding. The right environment and right teacher can work wonders.
Even so, the teacher complaints are not without merit.
So let's devise an outline for a Parent-Student Accountability Act.
Kids can't learn if they aren't in school. There is a strong link between truancy, and crime and dropouts....
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Mike Thomas can be reached at 407-420-5525 ormthomas@orlandosentinel.com.