Comments on: Meridian School Uses Parent E-Mail List For Political Effort Opposing Luna Plan

By: teacher's wife

teacher's wife — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:59:32 +0000

Some of us close to the situation do not buy the parents protest, nor the students uninformed whining. I have been teaching online courses for 8 years and I get students who were definitely not prepared for college. My husband is a jr high teacher. He would benefit from a merit system. Evidently not everyone feels as confident that they can, or the teachers would be saying “bring it on” based on merit.

There is no reason a student cannot write a paper nor interact with a teacher online.Do we have people in the correspondence school mentality of 30 years ago? I took an online anatomy course 40 years ago – video feed. Teachers do not need to be in the room to “connect” with students. Nearly every college now has online courses.

To not expose students to the future of education is child neglect. Parents should be focusing on how the online education is designed and managed not, IF it is appropriate. It is inappropriate not to introduce them to the future. I believe, properly managed, if the naysayers would just stop the rhetoric and get with the 21st century and say how are we going to do this, the product of our system will improve.

There are teachers protected from performance accountability. I get audited 2x per year and I can assure you the audit is more thorough than sitting in on any class for an hour and reviewing ISATs. Merit pay is how the rest of the world (except government employees, oh yes – these are unionized government employees)earn a living. The rest of us function on our merits, we earn our way by putting out a good product. As a college instructor, I am getting sent low quality products that would never be released to the public in a business trying to make a profit. Cheaper, better, faster – pick 2 – I think it can be done better and cheaper – maybe even faster if the college credit course are online – as many junior colleges across the country are doing.

The whole resistance is just nonsense and NOT in the best interest of the future of our kids. Even Harvard has online classes!!! Get over it – if you have never done it, you have no business acting out (parents not kids – they get to act out sometimes) Parents you need a time out!

By: nan emouse

nan emouse — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:07:23 +0000

Robert – it’s “for the chillllldddrennnn”. “They are our feuwchchchuuuurrrre.” Well mostly for teacher’s salaries, but you get what I mean.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:58:48 +0000

I’m still trying to figure out how 50% of the State buget goes to schools. Not sure its correct but I would think its for about 25% of the people. If you figure the amount of students in this state and compare it to the amount of non students. What % is it.

By: Chuck Everett

Chuck Everett — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:15:33 +0000

Thanks Smeg, just now saw the post from ‘Dad.

By: Smeg

Smeg — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:06:27 +0000

BOIAZDAD

Let me answer for Chuck. Look up Idaho Code 18-1359. I tried to cut and paste it, but the comment section would not allow me to do it. It is on the web if you go to the Idaho Statue web page.

By: nan emouse

nan emouse — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 02:08:50 +0000

We have poured billions and billions of dollars into education over the last twenty years. And yet….. our graduation rates are a little less than they were 20 years ago.

I don’t know what the answer is but I do know that more money even if it’s “for the children” is not the answer. Basically we’re acting insanely, doing the same things over and over again and getting the same or worse results.

I guess my question would be, where is the money going, where has all the money gone? They don’t even teach cursive handwriting anymore in elementary school. What exactly do they teach? Not cursive and apparently not science.

By: BOIAZDAD

BOIAZDAD — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 23:22:04 +0000

Chuck: “Against the law”? What law would that be? Do you even understand how a school board works? It is elected, by voters. One of its jobs – as an elected body – is to “influence public opinion.” If you don’t like that, if you are a MSD patron, then next time you “vote” for someone else. If you are not a MSD patron, no one gives a rip what you think.

By: JIMV

JIMV — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:00:16 +0000

Rod, it is not demonizing teachers to note that throwing more money at the same teachers will not result in anything improving except the educator’s next vacation. If money worked the DC schools would be astounding (in a good way).

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:23:26 +0000

I don’t believe anyone is trashing teachers. Their bosses? You Bet!!
I don’ believe the starting salary of teachers in Idaho are related to their competency. Once that degree is earned, young teachers want to live in places like Idaho so they may take advantage of the hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, kayaking etc., that we have virually minutes from the city. An opportunity to live in cities with low crime rates and family friendly attitudes. Yet they want a salery commensurate with the L.A Unified teachers starting salary. Sorry folks, it simply doesn’t work that way. As with any business, it is a question of supply and demand.
The problem that must be addressed is the bloated,overbuilt bureaucracy in our educational system.

By: Chuck Everett

Chuck Everett — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:40:28 +0000

Dr Spiegelvogel, my response shouldn’t be necessary. However, Eric Exline, PR man for the Meridian School District, did offer to send out to the same e-mail list an opposing viewpoint.

My problem with this action is the old “two wrongs do not make a right” philosophy.

Using this e-mail list to distribute political propaganda is wrong and quite possibly against the law. That is a profound statement.

My point was NOT to argue the merits of either viewpoint on this important topic.

It is important to understand that the Meridian School District, through Mr. Exline, only offered to continue to offend people. Does no one care that Administrators and School board personnel are spending their time trying to influence public opinion instead of doing their job, TEACHING. They only offered to “continue to offend” when they were called on the carpet. These type of actions by the school district have happened in the past and will happen in the future until disciplinary action is taken.

Thank you!