Give Teachers a Chance

Education played a significant part in recent Georgia elections. Our former governor had made it a point to make teacher accountability an issue. He got one side of the coin right but forgot the other side. He didn't give them the power they needed to be held responsible.

It is my humble opinion that teachers are probably the single most abused group in this country. Think about it. Where else can you be required to have a bachelor's degree and pass any kind of test for licensing and still be treated as if you are too stupid to do your job without someone or, in this case, many someones looking over your shoulder.

Teachers should be responsible for what they do just like many other employees are. However, teaching is as much an art as a skill. It can't be measured in a simple manner. There are many factors which need to be taken into account. To make matters even more complicated, there are many effective ways to solve the problem, and it is beneficial to allow each teacher to choose his or her own method.

If we are going to evaluate a teacher's effectiveness in the classroom, there are several issues which need to be addressed. These are just a few of them.

1. At what level did each student start? 2. What kind of external support is available to the student (parents, etc.)? 3. What is the school environment (books, technology, playground equipment, musical instruments, etc.)?

Before a teacher can be evaluated, a reasonable method of doing so must be devised. There are many factors involved in providing the kind of environment that is conducive to learning. The student's emotional well-being is important, too, but I believe that a healthy school environment can overcome most obstacles.

Teachers also need to be given the power to run their own schools the way they and the parents see fit. It is ridiculous for the federal government, state governments, school boards, and local administrators to tell teachers how, what, and when to teach. I have no problem with their providing core knowledge requirements for each grade and each school level, but that's enough of a guideline.

When I taught 8th grade English, I wanted to teach my students how to research in a library. They were ready and interested in doing the project. The administration wouldn't let me teach the skill because it was designated to be taught in the 9th grade. I learned that stuff in elementary school for heaven's sake!

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