Edu thoughts

A lot of talk is going around these days about how to improve education and cut spending. WA state has come up with the great idea of making teachers work three and a Half days a year for FREE! All other state employees get furlough days, but the legislature expressly forbids that for teachers, plus they refuse to give districts waivers for less than 180 days for budget related reasons (ie. Paying employees less)

Let's see, that is going to help kids how? These teachers already are paying for classroom supplies because of district budget cuts. Need to blow your nose? Sorry, we can't afford tissues or tp, use your sleeve. Need a scientific calculator to pass the state mandated test in order to graduate? Buy your own! Or steal one from the school, that's what everyone else does! Need a chair? Well, I can only fit 35 in the room, first come basis each day. (literally the case in one of my friends' classes, if every kid shows up, three have to sit on the floor, luckily, I haven't had to do that for many years now, but I can see it happening again.)

And working for free for three days will make the teacher more effective? Students more eager to learn in their crowded classrooms? Well, at least they run to class to get the best seat. The ones who care cram for those state tests, but do they really LEARN? Those who don't care drop out or head to prison and/or welfare.

I love teaching, and believe we need to provide the next generations with a strong education and the ability to compete in a global market. It's vital to our economy, health, social and political welfare, as well as national defense. But our leaders seem to disagree.