Rotten Core

I had parent teacher conferences at the elementary school today.  My state is one of the "lucky" ones that didn't kick the new learning curriculum out the door.  Our state already suffered from being the arm pit of America and now our fate is sealed because we went along with a gov and corporate run curriculum that is supposedly "common" and is the "core" of education.  Whatever.  It's crapola and I know now for myself.  

I've been curious why I haven't seen any homework coming home from my 5th and 4th graders.  Well, I found out the answer  today.  Now before I tell you what went down, know this.  I made absolutely positive that I had kind eyes* and a kind voice and was just looking for real feedback and answers from the very people in charge of implementing this program.  

The 5th grade teacher was very sympathetic and hates the program.  Why does she hate it?  Because it's not even close to being ready to be implemented.  Sound familiar?  Sound like the healthcare system?  Why oh why oh why do people put their trust in government with they have a such a low track record for doing anything right?  There is no curriculum.  Yes, that's right.  The teachers make their own up based on what the standardized test will be.  I was shown their little bullet points of assessments that they had to gear their lessons toward.  I didn't get to see any of the work in this classroom, but we did have a general conversation about my child's education and what this new program is about.  

Next, 4th grade.  This time I did get to see some work, but unlike the last teacher, this one is in love with the curriculum although she kept saying things which could be interpreted as negative....curious.  I was much more direct because I had sample of my daughters work in front of me to scrutinize.  I must say the teacher handled it like a champ.  I was very direct, but working hard on my presentation and kind eyes :0)  It really is nothing personal with the teacher.  She is doing the best she can with what she's got and I made sure to reiterate that.  

Here's the long and short of it.  The math is a nightmare.  This is a quote from her "I don't send homework home with the kids because I know the parents won't know how to do it because it is so different that what they've learned."  Yes, its a bunch of bologna is what it is.  You no longer get a math problem right or wrong.  There can be up to like 10 points or something like that for one problem.  She said that it takes forever for her to grade papers now because it is so labor intensive.  There are different point values for different things.  Something could be a half point something a full point and she has to have her grading sheet there to check point values.  I'm telling you it is more than showing your work - it is a nightmare.  I said "so basically what you are telling me is that my daughter could understand math and get the problems right but because she decided not to draw an illustration and write out a paragraph as to how she came to her conclusion she could actually fail math?"  Yes.  She made sure to point out that she will eventually have a "choice" to use this "system" or not after she fully understands how to solve problems.  I reminded her of her grading process and asked how my daughter had a choice if her grade was dependent on how many points she received.....um yeah, she couldn't answer that.  

The biggest crack up was that she was telling me about my daughters creative writing and she has been working on her to not write so much.  She doesn't have time to read 8 pages for each kid so she is trying to have her get to the point faster and only have essential details.  Now, is that all bad?  No, there is a skill to good writing (I hope you're not looking for it here) BUT in contrast to the pages of writing that is required per math problem......The world of education has gone mad!  It is full of contradictions.  No wonder no one can has the ability to think for themselves because there isn't a lick of common sense in anything that is being taught anymore!

I also loved one last quote from my child's poor sweet teacher that tried her best to defend the system while unknowingly pointing out every flaw (this is already more than I wanted to say on the subject so I'll spare you further details---trying to get to the point faster-ha) "there are a lot of great things about the system, I know there has been a lot of stuff in the news about it, some of which is good and accurate and some of it by people who aren't educators."  Oh, I see.  People that are too dumb to know what good education looks like?  

Don't worry.  Remember all of my previous posts....I'm working on the love.  I really did handle things in a positive way while still expressing my concerns....which is my God given right.  I know the world is trying to make everyone believe that your kids are not your own and somehow belong to the state, but they most certainly don't and while there is breath in my body, I will fight against it.  (I'm sure this post will flag me an enemy to the state)

On an educationally related note.......I have a slight crush on Mike R!   He is a breath of fresh air in a country full of stink.  I have been enjoying him for many years now and before he started talking about eduction and working hard....which sealed the deal for my crush on him ;0)  I also love that he is smart funny- which is the best kinda funny.

Below are some quotes from an interview he did with GB last night:

“That’s not me saying don’t go to college. I’m saying, to start your life [$150,000] in the hole, [$80,000] in the hole with your art history major…that’s why you’ve got a trillion dollars in debt. These kids can’t find a job that they’ve been trained for, and the expectation is, it should be waiting for me. It ain’t.”

 “work is the thing you admire, [and] labor is the thing you have to do.”

“This whole topic always boils down to management vs. workers…the blue, the white collar. Enough with the color of collars,” he declared. “The way to talk about work is through the context of, what are you addicted to? Are you addicted to smooth roads? …Cheap electricity? Indoor plumbing? I am. So if you share my addiction to the fruits of skilled labor, you’ve got skin in this game.  So I think if you start to engage a bigger hunk of people, not just management and not just labor, if you really start to have a conversation about work and education, about affordability, everybody can take a micro-macro look at this thing.”

"Work smart not AND hard"

*I just retold this story to my husband and he said "wait, what did you say?  Kind eyes?  Jedi, you should have consulted me first.  You're not ready yet.  You should have gotten clearance before trying to use the kind eyes.  You need to pass a test and get a certificate from me first."  Buwahaha  I am known for having, I could kill you right now with my eyes, eyes.  But I'm sure I used the kind eyes properly and they worked!  I guess we'll know if when the next time I go to the school, I'm promptly escorted out.  hahaha