State To Require Teachers To Take Test On Reading

[CT Educator]

Unfortunately, your parenting is unusual. The reality is that children, as a whole, are not being properly raised at home. That is why teachers are so over-extended. We have to do our jobs PLUS a heck of a lot of parenting to these kids in the process, not to mention leaping through more political and bureaucratic hoops than you can imagine. When I come home at the end of the day(after working for an average of 12 hours per day), sometimes I am too physically, mentally and intellectually drained to talk to my own family.

I worked in the private sector for 15 years before I became a teacher. Guess what? I work a lot more hours now, I have a lot more stress, I work in much worse working conditions, and I make less money. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE my job and wouldn't trade it for anything because working with kids can be exceptionally rewarding at times. However, don't let your childrens' school schedule fool you - my day begins a lot earlier than when your kids arrive and ends a lot later than when they leave.

There is a teacher shortage in Connecticut for a reason. Fifty percent of new teachers leave the profession within five years for a reason. So please don't tell me how easy I have it just because I get more vacation time now than you do. After all, if teaching was as glorious as you seem to think it is, everyone would do it - including you.

CTMomof2 wrote:

<quoted text>
I have my child read to ME every night and then ask him about what he just read.
Yes, we do know where the libary is and, in fact, both of my children have library cards in their own names and check out books on a weekly basis.
Yes, we do speak English at home and write it as well......very well I might add.
And, yes, my children are taught manners and the like and, in fact, I have been complimented by their teachers on how polite and respectful they are.
Oh and by the way, I don't think you want to address how good you teachers really have it. You get 15 sick days, paid personal days, vacation time, and you don't even work as many days/hours as those in the private sector and yet you claim you arent' paid enough.

[CT Educator]

Why don't you become a teacher, Arlo? Oh wait - you said to leave it to the smart people. Nevermind. ;)

Arlo wrote:

Good grief, the replies from teachers on this forum are suffocating. What a bunch of whiny losers. Go and get a real job and leave the teaching to smart people.

[Sarah]

CTMomof2 wrote:

<quoted text>
I have my child read to ME every night and then ask him about what he just read.
Yes, we do know where the libary is and, in fact, both of my children have library cards in their own names and check out books on a weekly basis.
Yes, we do speak English at home and write it as well......very well I might add.
And, yes, my children are taught manners and the like and, in fact, I have been complimented by their teachers on how polite and respectful they are.
Oh and by the way, I don't think you want to address how good you teachers really have it. You get 15 sick days, paid personal days, vacation time, and you don't even work as many days/hours as those in the private sector and yet you claim you arent' paid enough.

That's awesome that you do those sorts of things with your kids! I have many students like that as well in my class. However, you have to admit that not all parents are as caring and in tune with their children's education as you are. I sure wish they were, because we as a society would be better off for it. And if SOME teachers would stop moaning and groaning and just suck it up we would be better off for that too!!! Not all of us complain.
I will address how good I have it, I'm definitely not afraid to. I love going to work each day, I have a great bunch of students that I enjoy working with, and summers off and snow days are great. I have parents in my school district (also the town I live in) that are wonderful to work with.

[Sarah]

CT Educator wrote:

Unfortunately, your parenting is unusual. The reality is that children, as a whole, are not being properly raised at home. That is why teachers are so over-extended. We have to do our jobs PLUS a heck of a lot of parenting to these kids in the process, not to mention leaping through more political and bureaucratic hoops than you can imagine. When I come home at the end of the day(after working for an average of 12 hours per day), sometimes I am too physically, mentally and intellectually drained to talk to my own family.
I worked in the private sector for 15 years before I became a teacher. Guess what? I work a lot more hours now, I have a lot more stress, I work in much worse working conditions, and I make less money. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE my job and wouldn't trade it for anything because working with kids can be exceptionally rewarding at times. However, don't let your childrens' school schedule fool you - my day begins a lot earlier than when your kids arrive and ends a lot later than when they leave.
There is a teacher shortage in Connecticut for a reason. Fifty percent of new teachers leave the profession within five years for a reason. So please don't tell me how easy I have it just because I get more vacation time now than you do. After all, if teaching was as glorious as you seem to think it is, everyone would do it - including you.
<quoted text>

I'm glad that we have a teacher on here with private sector perspective! I keep hearing that their jobs are so much harder, but I can't comment on it because I don't have that experience. Thanks for the insight!

[Cedar Mountain]

Sarah wrote:

They will cut teachers, if need be. I got a pink slip this year until our town passed our budget. If our budget didn't pass, they would have cut a teaching position next. They don't like to cut teaching positions because they are very hard to add back once they are cut.
I don't believe that the education budget is non-negotiable. Our superintendent was forced to make cuts. Perhaps our being a small town makes it different than it would be in a larger town. Our cuts were not all after-school activities. And after-school activities will be the first to go because it is a non-academic thing, although very valuable. With all the focus on the scores of the CMT and CAPT (NCLB), the Boards of Ed. throughout the state are definitely not going to cut teachers or programs. I am a voter in the town in which I work. If there was a budget where I thought spending was out of control and unjustified, I would vote against it. There was a pathetically low turnout in our town. Hopefully all that are concerned did vote.

Cry me a river.

That is just bunch of baloney.

[Sarah]

Cedar Mountain wrote:

<quoted text>Cry me a river.
That is just bunch of baloney.

I'm not crying a river, I'm just trying to have an conversation about town budgets and Boards of Education, from my experience. I gave solid examples based on my experience in the town which I live and work. Your posts have no solid evidence to back them up, you have a bunch of unsubstantiated opinions. I should have known that you could not handle a mature discussion (based on your previous posts).

[a mom]

What is scary about this entire debate is the teachers complaining about this test can't read. The test is for new teachers starting next year, not the teachers already teaching. It is for "aspiring early education and elementary school teachers".

[a mom]

Sarah wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not crying a river, I'm just trying to have an conversation about town budgets and Boards of Education, from my experience. I gave solid examples based on my experience in the town which I live and work. Your posts have no solid evidence to back them up, you have a bunch of unsubstantiated opinions. I should have known that you could not handle a mature discussion (based on your previous posts).

Sarah, as parents we are not allowed to know what is going on with the teachers unions when it comes to contracts. We are told after the fact and what we will have to pay in taxes each year. You need to understand the frustration on the parents part when things get cut from the budget to benefit our kids while teachers get a payraise every year. When things get cut from the budget in the long run it comes out of the parents pocket via fundraising, which the teachers do not help in doing. For once it would be nice for the teachers unions to say that they will not take a payraise. I know this year of several families that the companies they work for said no payraises.

[Sparky]

a mom wrote:

What is scary about this entire debate is the teachers complaining about this test can't read. The test is for new teachers starting next year, not the teachers already teaching. It is for "aspiring early education and elementary school teachers".

When instructing aspiring teachers, those smart card carrying professors at Connecticut's public universities will be forced to shift their teaching focus from lazy practices that emphasize self-esteem to remedial reading and math.

[Cedar Mountain]

Sarah wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not crying a river, I'm just trying to have an conversation about town budgets and Boards of Education, from my experience. I gave solid examples based on my experience in the town which I live and work. Your posts have no solid evidence to back them up, you have a bunch of unsubstantiated opinions. I should have known that you could not handle a mature discussion (based on your previous posts).

And I gave you solid examples from the real world based on factual voter referendums in various towns, both on my side of the river and on yours.

Get your head out of the sand and read the Journal Inquirer. You might actually learn something.

[funny funny]

"The Journal Enquirer"??? ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Well, that explains your narrow-mindedness and rudimentary writing skills.

Cedar Mountain wrote:

<quoted text>And I gave you solid examples from the real world based on factual voter referendums in various towns, both on my side of the river and on yours.
Get your head out of the sand and read the Journal Inquirer. You might actually learn something.

[Sarah]

Cedar Mountain wrote:

<quoted text>And I gave you solid examples from the real world based on factual voter referendums in various towns, both on my side of the river and on yours.
Get your head out of the sand and read the Journal Inquirer. You might actually learn something.

Where are your facts?? I did not see you mentioning any specific towns (on my side of the river OR yours). I read the JI on a regular basis, and I pay very close attention to what is going on in surrounding towns. I believe that it is you who needs to get their head out of the sand. Go on town websites. Our town has every cut posted down to the number. Get out from behind your computer, start making some positive changes, and stop complaining on a forum. As I mentioned before, the Boards of Ed. are comprised of community members, not teachers. So run and start making changes. Or perhaps your baseless opinions and absence of real facts will make you the laughingstock of your town.

[Sarah]

funny funny wrote:

"The Journal Enquirer"??? ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Well, that explains your narrow-mindedness and rudimentary writing skills.
<quoted text>

Yeah, there are many better papers than that to be reading. Good point! He is too busy posting on this thing to educate himself.

[Sarah]

Sparky wrote:

<quoted text>
When instructing aspiring teachers, those smart card carrying professors at Connecticut's public universities will be forced to shift their teaching focus from lazy practices that emphasize self-esteem to remedial reading and math.

I truly hope so. Plus, most professors in education programs have not been in a classroom in years (if ever). In my program, our teachers were working teachers or teachers who had JUST retired. Their perspective was much more valuable and I learned a lot from them. It is good for a child to have self-esteem, but it needs to be based on real, measurable success. Not just coddling and telling them that they can do anything, when it is a huge lie!:)
One of my students recently passed his first writing prompt, scoring an 8. He was getting 4s and 5s previously. I took that opportunity to show him the score and tell him that he should be proud of his improvement, which was based on hard work.

[Sarah]

a mom wrote:

<quoted text>
Sarah, as parents we are not allowed to know what is going on with the teachers unions when it comes to contracts. We are told after the fact and what we will have to pay in taxes each year. You need to understand the frustration on the parents part when things get cut from the budget to benefit our kids while teachers get a payraise every year. When things get cut from the budget in the long run it comes out of the parents pocket via fundraising, which the teachers do not help in doing. For once it would be nice for the teachers unions to say that they will not take a payraise. I know this year of several families that the companies they work for said no payraises.

Our town posts their tax increase (if any), along with the exact amount of the increase (in dollars and percentages). They also break down the increases, and it clearly states how much of an increase that ALL staff is getting and a percentage. You need to look at your town's website, and if it is not posted clearly, you need to ask for the information. Do you vote in budget referendums? We had 10% turnout this year. Teachers are not the only workers in your town (and mine) getting steady wage increases. Every town worker does.
You are not forced to support fundraisers. I supported several of my school's fundraisers, as well as reminding kids to bring in orders and collecting everything.
I believe that there have been years where teachers do not get raises, but I don't know enough to comment. It depends on the town, the voters, many different things. I will ask around at school.

[Sparky]

Sarah wrote:

<quoted text>
I truly hope so. Plus, most professors in education programs have not been in a classroom in years (if ever). In my program, our teachers were working teachers or teachers who had JUST retired. Their perspective was much more valuable and I learned a lot from them. It is good for a child to have self-esteem, but it needs to be based on real, measurable success. Not just coddling and telling them that they can do anything, when it is a huge lie!:)
One of my students recently passed his first writing prompt, scoring an 8. He was getting 4s and 5s previously. I took that opportunity to show him the score and tell him that he should be proud of his improvement, which was based on hard work.

Good morning, Sarah... My entire statement was carefully constructed to be laced with sarcasm from one end to the other. I see by the lack of responses (so far) that it went over certain readers' heads.

You have the intellect to delve a bit deeper and therfore, turned my post into a positive. Read my response #13 on page one and you'll see we have the same mindset.

You did a great job showing your student that he nearly doubled his writing prompt score. That 30 seconds of praise will be a benefit to both of you. Enjoy your week and keep up the good work.

[Sarah]

Sparky wrote:

<quoted text>
Good morning, Sarah... My entire statement was carefully constructed to be laced with sarcasm from one end to the other. I see by the lack of responses (so far) that it went over certain readers' heads.
You have the intellect to delve a bit deeper and therfore, turned my post into a positive. Read my response #13 on page one and you'll see we have the same mindset.
You did a great job showing your student that he nearly doubled his writing prompt score. That 30 seconds of praise will be a benefit to both of you. Enjoy your week and keep up the good work.

Thanks! It's nice to see other teachers on here who are fighting to not be lumped into the "negative" group. I don't think that good teachers are worried about tests or more education, we see the positives that it will bring. You enjoy your week too:)

[Cedar Mountain]

Sarah wrote:

<quoted text>
Where are your facts?? I did not see you mentioning any specific towns (on my side of the river OR yours). I read the JI on a regular basis, and I pay very close attention to what is going on in surrounding towns. I believe that it is you who needs to get their head out of the sand. Go on town websites. Our town has every cut posted down to the number. Get out from behind your computer, start making some positive changes, and stop complaining on a forum. As I mentioned before, the Boards of Ed. are comprised of community members, not teachers. So run and start making changes. Or perhaps your baseless opinions and absence of real facts will make you the laughingstock of your town.

My opinions are based in fact.

Not my fault that you have tunnel vision and believe everything that your union spouts.

[Cedar Mountain]

funny funny wrote:

"The Journal Enquirer"??? ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Well, that explains your narrow-mindedness and rudimentary writing skills.
<quoted text>

Right.

Narrow-mindedness and rudimentary writing skills.

Wow.

That is a very good insult....for a high schooler.

[Cedar Mountain]

Sarah wrote:

<quoted text>
Our town posts their tax increase (if any), along with the exact amount of the increase (in dollars and percentages). They also break down the increases, and it clearly states how much of an increase that ALL staff is getting and a percentage. You need to look at your town's website, and if it is not posted clearly, you need to ask for the information. Do you vote in budget referendums? We had 10% turnout this year. Teachers are not the only workers in your town (and mine) getting steady wage increases. Every town worker does.
You are not forced to support fundraisers. I supported several of my school's fundraisers, as well as reminding kids to bring in orders and collecting everything.
I believe that there have been years where teachers do not get raises, but I don't know enough to comment. It depends on the town, the voters, many different things. I will ask around at school.

But teachers and education staff are the ones seeing the biggest yearly increases. Your increases are usually 50-75% more than what state workers ever get (and they top out at 3% per year. Some years it's less).

There has never been a year that teachers have not gotten a raise.

As you say, show me the proof that educational professionals in your town have never gotten a raise.

Bet you can't.