Current Education Issues

                Homework is often welcomed like a fart in an un-air conditioned Chevy Chevette in the middle of August.

                For obvious reasons, most kids don’t like it. Although there are those who welcome it into their lives because they’re good at it, the majority does not.  Most parents hate it because it’s a hassle. 

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The week before a new calendar year begins, you begin to wonder:  “What can I do to improve myself and make next year better than this one.”

We don’t often do this before a new SCHOOL year begins, but we should.  It’s a great opportunity to think about one or two things that you, as a parent, or your child can do to make this school year better than the last.  For some reading this post, the need for such resolutions are painfully obvious. 

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                The secret to educating effectively is no secret, only a deniable fact.

                Those who experience ineffective education are parents who refuse or fail to take steps to ensure that their child gets quality learning.  Don’t like the teacher or the school?  Get a new one.  Don’t like how your child’s behaving in school?  Change their behavior.  Is your child not making the grade?  Spend more time with him on his school work.

                What did you say?  You don’t have school choice?  (more…)

                Hallelujah and pass the plate!

                I’ve been leaning toward John McCain, but Barack Obama said something that just might get me to vote for him:  “Only parents can instill values in their children.”

                If he really means this, then I see a wonderful change of direction in this country in its attitude toward education and parenting.  In the status quo, teachers and schools seem to be the ones responsible for not only educating a child’s mind, but instilling values in children, as well.

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                There are two more months before school is back in session, and you may feel like you should do something to help him be successful when he gets back in school.  If you have a child who hasn’t been struggling, you definitely don’t want him to backslide on his long vacation.  If your child has been in the C-D-F categories, you may feel an urgent need to do something now. 

                There are simple things that you can do as a parent this summer to make sure your child stays in the groove, improves his academic skills, and makes your life easier, too.  I’ve compiled a list of things that I’ve either tried, or seen work with many other students, to get a kid ready during the summer for the first day of school.

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                 Here’s a new one for Webster to add to his dictionary for the next edition:  Helicopter Parents – n. A parent who “hovers” over their child.  Ex. A parent who gets a limo for their child’s sixth grade graduation, calls the principal because their child was last in the lunch line, publicly chides the Little League coach for not starting their son at pitcher, or calls the college professor to complain about the B+ that their 20-year-old daughter just received.

                Since I began teaching, I’ve encountered a few of these helicopters in my time.  They range from the Ultra-Lights (silently walking their fourth grade child all the way into the classroom every morning) to

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