mpr;130174 wrote: Shawn - Aren't teacher's part of education costs? How can our children learn without teachers.

mpr;130174 wrote: Shawn - Aren't teacher's part of education costs? How can our children learn without teachers.
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They are and should be paid accordingly- unfortunately most $$$ spent is for admin salaries (ie not secretaries, office personnell) its the over paid boards, supers, asst supers, IT , principals (although I know a few that dont make that much $$$ either) that I mainly was refering too.

Yes, teahcers should be paid a fair wage but it goes both ways - until recently teachers, admin and schools werent acoountable (in CA it still is hard for God to remove a crappy teacher- I can get a politician removed faster, easier)

My point is more testing and more testing isnt the correct way (at least Bush is making schools accountable for not doing their job)- yes tighter budgets suck, but at the same time BILLIONS of grant $$$ goes unused because whomever it may be at school, PTA, PTO, school board spend too much time lamenting budget cuts instead of thinking outside the box for funding, who's to blame, etc (Bushes policy may suck funding wise- but it at least its making people think outside the box-- and govt or state funding isnt always the answer OR problem)

Paying teachers more isnt always the answer- for the 8-5 work they do most get paid pretty well (compared to Dr's, etc- no they dont- compared to burger flippers,cashiers, even some other degreed professions - yes -- It a shame pro athletes and such get paid more than some of the most important jobs in the world, combined), usually have good benefits, a good union (well unions as good is debatable, to me), get good rates on loans, house mortgage (its not like teachers) - My parents were teachers (and my mom went back 2 school and became an RN and teacher) and with 5 kids we didnt live in poverty or in the homeless shelter or go without food on the table 9.

Getting better educated and accountable teachers and admin, better funding for school programs that matter and impact other subjects (ie. science, music school environmental science), better check and balances on stupid spending and policy, better parent involvement and education, making schools solar or eco friendly (to be self sufficent energy wise- it can be done) ARe my priorities over paying someone more $$$$

according to dr thomas armstrong (read his 30 books, including one on who runs the best school where empahais is on LEARNING and not TESTING - hear hear!!!) seems he is of the opinion its the NCLB policy is whats ailing our nations school system and causing test mania.

if this is fact true, maybe flaming mad needs to go talk to mr bush, and not stop at the state level, or get a spot on oprah or cnbc or wherever Peggy got publicity for her views in an attempt to effect school policy changes nationawide.

our school is sending books to iraqi children, i think its noble. i wish we would also make a collection for our OWN school library, cuz there is no money for books. i thought schools and books somehow went hand in hand. all theyseem to care about is testing and grades instead. ......who ran the study in chicago where they found up to 30% of teachers manipulated test entries to make their students shine/make the school 'pass'? off my soapbox

We had this issue come up the first year I was president I wasnt even aware they had removed it from out school budget and neither did the outgoing pres so not much was done from the PTO or parents point of view. It was very sad. They took both our music and science programs same as you.
I would probably go to a Board Meeting and voice my concern as a parent have some alternatives ready where could cuts be made else where, grants(we have our science program funded by this now) etc. Don't go in there empty handed have some ideas to throw around and be very open minded.

Right now at our school hasnt had a music program in the last two years, but the PTO has made a commitment that when we are looking for assemlies we try to get ones that incorporate in that. Also we have a Family Fun Night and have a local singer or something like that. So we are working on those things.

I do agree with the others that when you speak most of the parents/School Board will believe its coming from the PTO so choose your words carefully. Maybe also looking into finding a parent to be a representative but not from the PTO as a concerned group.

Good Luck it will be a hard fight.

Shawn;130162 wrote: Sadly nope.. most of the test are worhtless (I have statistics and studies to back this up, too)

The govt is trying to do what's right by making schools and boards accountable (for many years they werent) for childrens lack of education - its the right idea wrong implementation - plus now the boards are making bad decisions to try to adhere to bad policy

Its a no win- until districts, schools, etc are MANDATED to spend more more than 70% (most spend around 51%) of their money on education (not salaries, transportation, benefits for teacher and admin), children and teacher, supplies, curriculum, training, etc - all the testing in the world wont do diddily for diddily

Shawn - Aren't teacher's part of education costs? How can our children learn without teachers.

Our school department is also battling to fund our programs. It seems like we keep losing programs to keep the budget within the state mandated property tax cap. I believe it's a state funding issue and also a federal funding issue. When No Child Left Behind began, the federal govt said they'd fund 40% of the costs we get about 17% from the federal govt. More testing/assessments less educating. Thank you Mr. President. The more I learn the more frustrated I become. There are no easy answers.

I try to be very careful when I speak publicly because I think as PTO President my words will be considered as representative of the group. I try to inform parents so they can make informed decisions.

pals;130160 wrote: beignets has a great point, I know in New York State that are doing more and more mandated testing, testing that takes time, and money away from our children. Do we really need all these tests?

Sadly nope.. most of the test are worhtless (I have statistics and studies to back this up, too)

The govt is trying to do what's right by making schools and boards accountable (for many years they werent) for childrens lack of education - its the right idea wrong implementation - plus now the boards are making bad decisions to try to adhere to bad policy

Its a no win- until districts, schools, etc are MANDATED to spend more more than 70% (most spend around 51%) of their money on education (not salaries, transportation, benefits for teacher and admin), children and teacher, supplies, curriculum, training, etc - all the testing in the world wont do diddily for diddily

I'd voice my opinion as parent and PTO (Music and Science are vital to other cognitive skills and othe curriculum skill- many, many, many, many studies have proven it)

While I agree with the otherside (yes teachers need more $$$, etc) All schools and educational Beauracracy (or BS) is to cut programs (duh how about cutting Admin, Union Reps, Architects, State Architects salaries and fees) when healthcare and transportation costs rise (uh find someone cheaper and better quality- cut a deal - think outside the box)

An example our school is FINALLY becoming ADA compalint (wsnt that supposed to be done like 10 yrs ago??) We have a playground with sand and equipment- they're putting in paths across the sand to get to new equipment) Why wouldnt you put in the new ADA equip and rubberize the whole damn playground (its not acres and acres large) the parents are gonna complain they're children cant get to other equipment so they'll have to remove the paths and resurface the the whole thing..... That is the reason our Educational system is a cesspool... beauracracy and people with no common sense are in control... Our school district has no Art teachers (and a lame Art program) no music teachers (individual schools must come up with own program, teachers, etc and they spend $1.52 per student (our PTA pays our librarian a fiefs wage for her work- who has that worthless library budget

Fight, Fight, Fight....... Find grants, find friends, find other ways to fund these very important programs...

GO GET "EM