re: Matt Walsh lets teachers have it

quote:

---

Then there's the new theory that you should attempt to get inside the " Circle of trust" of violent adolescents instead of disciplining them. I wish I was making this up

---

I'll say this, from a psychological aspect it's much easier to break that psyche if we try to address those behaviors as early as possible before those pathways are formed. But it takes more than just positive reinforcement in the classroom.

The problem is you're fighting an upriver battle when you send them home to Section 8 housing, family running gangs/drug rings, etc. You can only do so much in the time you have them. There's a reason multiple studies have said that educational success is directly tied to reinforcement at home.

I'm not remotely a fan of charter schools, but IMO the best thing we could do with that legislation that allows them to operate without the scrutiny of test score standards is to create boarding schools in at-risk areas where we can get some of the kids who do have a chance into a positive environment more than just 1/4 of the day. We have the West End Boys School here, funded by community guys like Darrell Griffith (played on Louisville's NC team in the 80s and is from the West End), that has been wildly successful in getting kids out of the cycle of violence. And giving them useful skills, not just "college readiness", to be productive members of society.

That won't happen though because enough money can't be made off of it for those at the Capitol.

quote:

---

And it's happening at higher and higher rates as parents and legislators are given more control over what happens in a classroom.

---

This is key, imo. Parents/voters have unrealistic expectations, yet no accountability in the educational process. Legislators, intending to remain in office, submit to public pressure to hold teachers fully accountable, and the cycle continues. I won't even get into court decisions that destroy successful, community schools.

That was a dumb article.

quote:

---

This is key, imo. Parents/voters have unrealistic expectations, yet no accountability in the educational process. Legislators, intending to remain in office, submit to public pressure to hold teachers fully accountable, and the cycle continues. I won't even get into court decisions that destroy successful, community schools.

---

Well and good teachers don't have an issue with being held accountable about what they can control from their classroom. It's when they're expected to control what they can't.

This is a pretty good post.

Eta: referring to your first long response.