Is the Chicago Teachers Strike Helping or Hurting the Education System?
AdriHead
2012/09/13 19:00:00
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Public school teachers in Chicago have been on strike for a few days now, which has put a stop to classes and affected family schedules across the state. But Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis says she expects there to be a deal soon between the teachers union that is on strike and public school officials. Do you think the strike is ultimately helping the education system -- or hurting it by grinding it to an indefinite halt?
CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM reports:
CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM reports:
Negotiators trying to settle the Chicago teachers strike say more than 350,000 students could be back in the classroom by Friday.
Read More: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/...
1) There are simply not enough spaces in quality private schools to accomodate our population--this causes most students to be shunted into low quality or religious schools.
2) Vouchers don't pay for the full costs of tuition, thus the poor will end up shouldering even more of the costs of educating their children then they do now.
If public schools are defunded to the point where they stop functioning, parents will either be forced to enroll their children in a decent religious school (even if they aren't religious and would rather not) or a sub-standard for-profit school. There are simply not enough spots in high-quality secular institutions to accommodate all of the student in the country and this problem is unavoidable.
Schools need to incorporate smaller classes, customized course-loads, increased extracurricular activities, technology, and well-paid, experienced teachers in order to update themselves.
Parents need to get involved, demand that their kids succeed, encourage reading, and not just use the schools as babysitters.
PS. Morality is completely separate from religion and it is far easier to promote moral conduct without mixing in religion. By teaching the social contract, rather than relying upon religious dogma, it would be possible to teach morality without violating our first amendment (utilizing religion in schools to teach moral lessons violates the 1st amendment establishment clause).
2) Private schools (most of which are faith based) do not receive public funds. In fact, most faith based private schools do not want public funding.
3) You are just flat out wrong about that. You have been getting your information from NEA propaganda mills.
4) First of all; what are "similar fields" when comparing them to what teachers do? They are public sector employees who know what they are getting into before they get hired. But, the fact is that you cannot make these kinds of comparisons. It is unwise and unrealistic to do so. Teachers are being paid fairly for what they do. Their health care coverage and pensions more than make up for any perceived deficiency in salary. Teachers work hard; my wife and I have both been teachers and we have always been very conscientious about the work we do. But, the fact remains that teachers work 185 days per year (give or take a ...
2) Private schools (most of which are faith based) do not receive public funds. In fact, most faith based private schools do not want public funding.
3) You are just flat out wrong about that. You have been getting your information from NEA propaganda mills.
4) First of all; what are "similar fields" when comparing them to what teachers do? They are public sector employees who know what they are getting into before they get hired. But, the fact is that you cannot make these kinds of comparisons. It is unwise and unrealistic to do so. Teachers are being paid fairly for what they do. Their health care coverage and pensions more than make up for any perceived deficiency in salary. Teachers work hard; my wife and I have both been teachers and we have always been very conscientious about the work we do. But, the fact remains that teachers work 185 days per year (give or take a few) and get extended days off during every public holiday - That is a pretty sweet benefit on its own - Most other people work at least 250 - 260 days per year. I have no sympathy for these teachers.
2) Who was it pushing for private school vouchers, then? And many charter schools are operated by private, for-profit companies.
3) Do you have an independent source for evaluating the educational outcomes of home schooling? I'd accept, from among the things I think you would probably accept: federal government statistics, statistics from colleges--particularly umbrella organizations, statistics from think tanks without strong party affiliation, possibly news articles based on actual investigative reporting and not just a couple of interviews.
4) I don't believe you've ever been a public school teacher. Regardless, do you think everyone who has good health care coverage should have it taken away?
2) Politicians who are pandering to their base. I don't care about those vouchers and the Christian schools of which I am associated don't care about them either. It has always been feared that if gov't funding was accepted, gov't control would not be too far behind. If charter schools are run for profit, they will have to produce in order to stay in business. The profit motive has always been a legitimate and productive idea.
3) Yes - but certainly not the biased organizations you mentioned. I prefer to believe the biased organizations that are sympathetic to my cause.
4) Yes, I have public school teaching credentials in the State of California although my experience as a teacher in the schools is minimal. I do not want to be a member of the teacher's union and some of the things taught in public schools are contrary to what I believe. Our experience has been primarily, not exclusively, in private schools - but so what.
What does your question about health care have to do with anything that I have said?
2) It wasn't liberals or atheists pushing for them, pandering to their base or not.
3) Would you mind sharing?
4) Haha...I'll bet there's a story here, and I'll bet it undermines your attempts to argue from a position of authority.
And finally, YOU brought up insurance.
who couldn't spell," cat "10x in a row correctly.
schools needs alot more than Teachers that can't teach.Discipline problems were out
of control in the late 60tys.
Not "I didn't check those out." Not "I don't read that kind of book." Not even "I don't read books." I'd have settled for "I can't read." That would have been better. "I don't read."
I couldn't stop staring at the little girl while I died inside.