I tried to reply to your post on the Camera website but commenting is hosed up there again and it just freezes. So here's hoping you see this.
You said:
Look, I get it. I've worked in the private sector and in the public sector. What I didn't find in the private sector was parents and higher level administrators/politicians blaming the teachers for everything, especially when both sides have differing ideas about how things should be done. Just in case you have ever wondered why the teachers (not the administration) may not be ready to jump a mile for your cause in every situation.
However, I do find that teachers in general (myself included) are willing to help and work with you well beyond what is contractually required, even on an individual basis. If you went to a union meeting, which is composed entirely of teachers, not some detached group of mafia thugs, you'd more than likely find people wiling to listen and provide strong support.
Does the union (the teachers) think that poor performing teachers should be let go. Absolutely! Truly poor performing teachers are eqaully annoying in the workplace.
Do teachers want to have better performance and lower drop out rates. Absolutely! It's why we go to our jobs.
My reply is:
We probably agree on a lot of the specifics (although a lot of people sure blamed the unions for the bankruptcy of the car companies). But yes, a lot of teachers do a great job, a lot of teachers work beyond what is contractually required (although that also is a concept most other professionals don't have as we don't have a contracted number of hours).
But here's the big place we differ. You discuss about how lots of people are doing their best, many have good intentions, and so this is the best we can do.
I look at it and see a system that is an abject failure and as a country we cannot afford to have half our poor students drop out when the vast majority of well paying jobs require a college degree.
You are like General Motors saying "we're doing the best that can be done." I'm saying that if the best leads to failure, then we need to radically change the system. If you guys (teachers, administrators, mouthpieces like Linda Shoemaker) can't deliver the educational system this country needs - then people from the outside will impose radical change.
Because the present path is gaining more and more people demanding an alternative that works. My guess is we'll end up with a combination of vouchers and charter schools and the existing public schools will all be flipped to one of those two models.
If you have a reply to this, please comment here and I will comment back. The commenting on my blog works.
Thanks - dave
