Posted by alexandra_k on November 18, 2005, at 19:18:51
In reply to Re: sticking around - poss. *trigger* (long) » AuntieMel, posted by Dinah on November 18, 2005, at 8:27:27
Yeah... Schools are hard. And when the majority of the public is poor... The majority of the kids probably aren't getting much taught to them by their parents and probably aren't getting much support with respect to their education.
And when kids go to school hungry...
And are used to people using violence instead of communication...Its gotta be hard for the teachers too.
Most teachers... Don't want to work in schools with a low socio-economic base because of the problems motivating the kids and because so much time has to be spent on discipline (breaking up fights, disruptive classroom behaviour, drug using / dealing) and then truancy...And I think... I understand why the *best* teachers don't tend to want to teach there (you aren't a teacher so much as a community worker). And I can understand why you don't want your kid going there if at all possible. Bad role models (in terms of taking pride in ones educational accomplishments; in terms of appropriate behaviour towards other people). In schools like that... The sensitive kids get bullied and picked on. Yup.
I think in those kinds of schools...
Thats where they need programs. Giving kids (a nutritious) breakfast before school, lunch while at school. Trying to do that in a way that is not demeaning. Just kind of natural.
And... More teachers to fewer kids. So you have more 'good role modelling' per group. Otherwise it can be too hard to keep the class under control. And because... You have to try and figure out how to get the kids *wanting* to learn to read in the first place. And so on...
I'd imagine... It would take a fair amount of money to turn things around.
And of course... No matter what you do if the parents are telling them they are stupid and reading is stupid and like you can read anyway and books are stupid anyway and of course you are going to be in a gang when you are old enough just like your big brother or whatever...
well...
hard to see how there is hope sometimes...
poster:alexandra_k
thread:579129
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051109/msgs/580210.html