Got Skills?

What are some of the non-negotiable skills that K-12 teachers must possess in order to be effective?

Single Gender Schools

What is your perspective regarding single gender schools? Do you see any problems associated with such schools?

Algebra is the "Gatekeeper"!

It is often stated that Algebra is the gatekeeper, serving as a barrier to success for a lot of people. My question is rather simple: How much mathematics do we really need to be successful in life?

College for All?

Should schools be focused on preparing all kids for college? If yes, who determines how children are chosen for college-prep schools? If no, who informs parents that their child is not college material?

Failure is not an Option!!!

Why are so many schools failing to educate our youth, yet they are allowed to remain open?

Charter School Amendment

I am so confused as to the sources of the misinformation that is floating around. I have heard some ludicrous statements regardng this issue. One Principal stated that Charter Schools hire teachers off the streets! How in the world are you a Principal? Charter Schools only get 5 years to prove it is educating our scholars; otherwise, they shut down as they should be. A city councilwoman stated that “if this vote goes through, more private schools will convert to charter schools”. How dumb is that? Why in the world would a private school with a $15,000+ tuition decide to become a charter and accept $7000 per child? Laughable.

Segregation? We are already segregated. The minority schools, on average, are failing to educate the students. Schools with a more diverse population seem to be doing okay, while the mostly white /asian populated schools are doing great. Please stop with the segregation statement. Schools in DeKalb (I attended Columbia and Druid Hills) are not doing well and dropout factories need to be closed. Parents need to have a choice, considering their children’s future is at stake.

Some people always think money is the issue. Money helps in some cases, but good old-fashioned teaching trumps all. I have been inside public schools in all Metro Atlanta local school systems and they have technology and resources to spare. Then, why are they still failing? I know that most failing schools have minimal to no parental support,which is another issue in itself.

If a bank fails, they close. If a restaurant struggles, it closes. But, why does a failing school get to stay open? I guess we need someone to do the menial jobs, such as garbage collecting, cashiering at a local market, cleaning offices, etc. We should have a choice. Blockbuster was a monopoly and could charge whatever it wanted. Look what happened when competitors came along. Atlanta Gas Light was the only provider. Now, companies compete to get your business. Bellsouth had a stronghold on the home telephone. Now, there are several options (even not having a home phone). Look, educational systems offer a product. If a school does not offer a product to the parents’ likings, then parents should shop elsewhere.

I can go on and on as to why we need to vote “YES” for this, but I digress.