Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Crow was, as he stated, speaking anecdotally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Those who are not members of this board cannot imagine how mentally and emotionally exhausting this is, aside from all the posting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Ok, so what does the anecdote offer our discussion on the role of public education in the U.S.? It has been established that its perceived rhetoric can't be critiqued since it is merely 'anecdotal', so "just sayin'".... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 It offers the perspective of one member of the board, which the rest of the board is free to disagree with or comment upon, but does not have the effect of setting in motion the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Ok, so what does the anecdote offer our discussion on the role of public education in the U.S.? It has been established that its perceived rhetoric can't be critiqued since it is merely 'anecdotal', so "just sayin'".... There's valuable criticism of a point made, then there's histrionical "HOW DARE THEE SIR!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Ever try to deal with 30 six-year-olds at the same time? I think when you say, "For every teacher dedicated to their profession and proficient in their teaching field, there were two who were skating by," that is the textbook definition of "anecdotal." Not really sure how you can know something like this. A big part of the decline for respect of the teaching profession is due to the sense of entitlement among students and their parents, not to mention the rise of parents being "advocates" when their precious Johnny or June is being a total asshole. It's great that you were able to get the help your child needed by pushing for it...but it's very possible that for every child like yours who really needs help from a GT program, there are two or three who are just spoiled little pricks whose parents think they can do no wrong...and guess what, those are the kids whose parents are actually calling the teacher, after hours, on their private home phone, to bitch about this or that. It must be so much fun trying to grade papers at 7:30 at night and being interrupted by strangers calling you at home to bitch at you. I know, because my mother used to go through this all the time, and that was after over 20 years in the field. It wasn't like that in the 70s, 80s or even 90s, but by 2000, the helicopter parents were running the show in education in my home town...bugging teachers, principals, hell, freaking janitors. Believe me, thanks to the "self-esteem" movement - where there are only winners, no losers, and everybody gets a prize no matter how mediocre or outright bad their work is - we have an entire generation of people out there whose parents have protected them from the consequences of their behavior their entire lives. But they are ready to blame the teacher at the drop of a hat when little junior doesn't rise to the top of the class. You could not pay me enough money to be a teacher in today's environment...not because it's a thankless grind, but because of having to deal with all the idiots out there trying to tell you how to do your job.Gotta say, can't find anything really wrong with these sentiments. I'd add that the plate keeps getting added to, as well, as more testing and data are required to be collected in order to drive instruction. Teachers now get evaluated (at least in Denver) by not only administrators, but "peer" observers from outside the school, as well as students on a yearly survey.These all factor into teacher effectiveness and can, ultimately, lead to dismissal (after opportunities for professional development have proven ineffective). Although I'd guess that not a lot of jobs allow outsiders and clients to evaluate one's job in such a high impact manner, I'm o.k. with this if it helps weed out lame teachers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 I'd add that the plate keeps getting added to, as well, as more testing and data are required to be collected in order to drive instruction. Teachers now get evaluated (at least in Denver) by not only administrators, but "peer" observers from outside the school, as well as students on a yearly survey.These all factor into teacher effectiveness and can, ultimately, lead to dismissal (after opportunities for professional development have proven ineffective).Excellent point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 My wife has been a teacher for over 15 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 My wife has been a teacher for over 15 years.Me too, Chiefy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KevinG Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Well it appears that this Syria thing has gotten real interesting. Now that PBO has gone to congress to get approval for military action it looks like he won't get it. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/syria-vote_n_3873801.html Which is interesting for several reasons. Several GOP members who voted for Iraq are now not going to vote for Syria. The reasonable person in me says they have looked at the facts and have realized action against Syria is not a good idea. However the cynic in me looks at this congress (whose sole purpose at time is to make PBO look weak) and thinks they are doing out of pure political reasons. If congress says no it will be a great blow to Obama. Politically it is interesting to watch. But if you are bored you can always play poker on your iPhone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Me too, Chiefy. By the powers vested in me, I decree that you deserve a six figure salary! My wife, too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Well it appears that this Syria thing has gotten real interesting. Now that PBO has gone to congress to get approval for military action it looks like he won't get it. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/syria-vote_n_3873801.html Which is interesting for several reasons. Several GOP members who voted for Iraq are now not going to vote for Syria. The reasonable person in me says they have looked at the facts and have realized action against Syria is not a good idea. However the cynic in me looks at this congress (whose sole purpose at time is to make PBO look weak) and thinks they are doing out of pure political reasons. If congress says no it will be a great blow to Obama. Politically it is interesting to watch. But if you are bored you can always play poker on your iPhone. PBO went to Congress knowing full well he wouldnt get approval. Now he can get out of the corner he painted himself in with his "red line" speech without losing too much honor and can blame Congress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 9 questions about Syria you were too embarrassed to ask: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 9 questions about Syria you were too embarrassed to ask: 9. Hi, there was too much text so I skipped to the bottom to find the big take-away. What’s going to happen? It's like they know me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Point of curiosity for the history proficient: when is the last time a government or significant entity (i.e. not a whacko splinter group bombing an abortion clinic) killed a number of persons overtly (not under some kind of pretext) in the name of Christianity? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 The US in Iraq. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 The US in Iraq. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 "(not under some kind of pretext)" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Point of curiosity for the history proficient: when is the last time a government or significant entity (i.e. not a whacko splinter group bombing an abortion clinic) killed a number of persons overtly (not under some kind of pretext) in the name of Christianity? I'm thinking the 30 years war...but that was Christians killing Christians (Prots vs. Cathies) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tweedling Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 The US in Iraq.Link?(nice name. Took me a minute) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Spanish reconquista? 1492? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 The idea was to vet the rebel groups and train fighters, who would be supplied with weapons. The plan had risks, but it also offered the potential reward of creating Syrian allies with whom the United States could work, both during the conflict and after President Bashar al-Assad’s eventual removal.Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Petraeus presented the proposal to the White House, according to administration officials. But with the White House worried about the risks, and with President Obama in the midst of a re-election bid, they were rebuffed interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 There's no telling where loyalties lie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 oh Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Quoting J. Mascis here....."What a mess". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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