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The move, announced in a letter dated Dec. 1 from BMS Principal Dr. Kelly Renfroe, comes following a trend that she says she found to be "rather troubling."
In recent years, administrators have noticed a continued increase in the number of struggling or even failing students, Renfro says. Following some investigation and study, it was determined that a large portion of those poor grades were a result of either low homework scores or failure to turn in their homework assignments.
While it was acknowledged that responsibility does lie with the student, officials hope the new move will serve to help students.
When a student begins to struggle, it can be a slippery slope, according to Superintendent Dr. Nick Thiele.
"When a student gets behind, they dig themselves into a hole that just gets deeper and deeper," he said. "When they get in that position, sometimes we can't help them."
That, both Thiele and Renfroe agreed, is what they are trying to avoid.
While many students do their homework and turn it in as they are supposed to, many others do not.
The administration's goal now is to decrease the amount of lecture time in class and increase the amount of hands-on instruction time. That instruction time will be used for students to work on their "homework" and have the teacher on hand to help if they have trouble.
As it is, Thiele said, if students receive instruction and then do 8-10 problems and still don't get it, doing 10 more problems won't help.
"At the point we need to re-teach," he said, "more help at the classroom level will really benefit those students who don't finish their work at home."
Renfroe said that she hopes this will give students a better set of study skills to carry with them into eighth or ninth grade, placing them in a better position to succeed at the high school level.
She also added that they expect the move will increase the teacher's responsibility as well, giving them more hands-on time with their students than some currently have.
A letter sent home with students this week lists the following four goals they hope to achieve:
* Gain an accurate assessment of the students' academic ability and knowledge.
* Provide all students with work that is appropriate and challenging.
* Provide students with immediate feedback as they complete assignments.
* Provide rewards (when appropriate) to those working above and beyond.
Administration did acknowledge that this is a trial move and they will learn as they go because not all situations can be foreseen.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, they are encouraged to call the school.
"Student success is the main goal in all we do," Renfroe said.
A drop-in has been scheduled for between 4-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. The community is both invited and encouraged to come out to meet the administration and share their thoughts and concerns. Several things to be discussed include the elementary roof problems, maintenance, the proposed safe room to be built on the Bloomfield campus, and any other topics that may come up.
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Dumb move. One of the things kids need to learn in school is responsibility, and remembering to do and turn in your homework can be a huge part of that.
Eliza, give it a chance. The school system is at least recognizing a problem and working to find a solution. There are so many factors involved in this issue, and I agree responsibility on the student's part is major, but if the student has not had the groundwork laid to step up to that responsibility, the student will not succeed. What I see from this article is that by allowing the teachers more hands on time with the students and helping them develop good study skills and the responsibility that goes with that can only be a good thing. I have family living in Bloomfield and those kids have a good home life and are doing well in school...not all kids are that blessed. I commend the school system for being proactive. As the article states, it will be trial and error, but at least they are doing something, hopefully at an early enough age to have a positive impact on these students and keep them in school.
"While many students do their homework and turn it in as they are supposed to, many do not."
So lets side with the knuckleheads who do not do the right thing. We need to find some effective old school strategies that worked back then and re-incorporate those. Instead, we are finding more and more ways to cater to the kids and the parents based on what some idiot in Jeff City or DC thinks. Many of those educated morons are making decisions for us and have NEVER been in a classroom as a teacher.
Remember, kids WANT discipline and they get a sense of pride when they accomplish something challenging. Giving them what they want is NO challenge.
I say NO TESTS
I say NO Quizes
I say NO Tryouts
I say NO Grades
I say NO Job
Our education system is a joke and getting more and more laugable each year.
I see what the school is trying to do, and in theory, it sounds excellent. My question is, based on the what has been stated by the school, what has happened to responsible parenting? Do the parents of these kids who aren't turning in homework, not ask the student if all work is completed? I'm assuming the answer is no. So, with that being assumed, the teacher is now responsible for that child, plus the 20 others in class, to perform all of the required lesson. Fine, thats what they do for a living. Now, the students who are doing the work, making the grades, are being subjected to more "hands on" learning, which shortens the time that could be spent with a more thorough lecture. Lessening the chance to fully explore, and retain whatever it may be, that is being taught. In turn, holding back the student that is working to be successful.
I don't know the answer, but, I do know that in order to achieve a goal, work and determination on the part of the student is required. Which requires not only the teacher, but the parent as well. These kids are at school to learn, and if that takes them two hours at night, so be it, if they fail because of lack of effort, who is to blame? Remember, not all of the students are falling behind. Some are excelling and working towards their future. Does this, "idea" of teaching help or hinder those kids? I don't know.
Maybe, the teachers themselves should be tested. I figure a good teacher will result in good students. Poor teacher, poor students. Same for parenting.
As a college instructor I applaud Dr. Renfroe and Dr. Thiele for doing what is best for the students. Bloomfield Schools should be very proud of these leaders.
I have a student in middle school at Bloomfield and I think it's a fantastic idea. My child was bogged down with homework because they had NO TIME in class to work on it. Children do need to learn responsiblity and my children do. They have chores to do when they get home from school. Therefore all the homework combined with the chores = NO TIME TO BE A KID! So way to go Bloomfield!
Ranger522, if that paragraph is an example of what you learned in school, you needed more homework. What a mishmash of foggy ideas! You sound like the politicians who are always telling the schools what's wrong with the system and how to fix it.
The "guided practice" assigned in the classroom after a lecture is a good idea. It really does no good to lecture all hour. Use the last twenty minutes to get them started on practice work. Then, the ones who stay on task will get done - and, voila! They will have no homework. The ones who sit with their fingers up their noses will have to finish the work at home!
Sorry, good teachers don't always make good students -- just as good parents don't always have good children. You're naive if you think it's that simple.
Goat lady, what are you comparing this idea to, that makes you think that its a good idea? Its only your opinion that makes it a good idea. My opinion is, that it isn't a good idea. I'm saying that the real issue is responsibility, of all of those involved in the education of our students. You're correct about the good equals good and vice versa. I think the quality of the teacher is a big factor in the learning ability of a child. And the ability of the child is also a big factor.
I just can't see how less work will ever equal better educated students. I mean, come on! Dogs can be taught tricks, but with a lot of work they can be taught to keep a blind person from stepping in front of a bus!!! Think about it....
I wish much success to the responsible leaders at Bloomfield and anxiously wait for great results. I remember when I was in school many students worked after school and had family responsibilities and no time for lots of homework and many copied from others on the bus, at the study hall before school and therefore never learned as they could have or should have. Give this a try, help instead of criticize our school leaders.
Ranger...I don't think GOAT is championing the idea of NO homework. Her simple rundown of a quality day in the classroom makes a ton of sense to me and her remarks about the wormy politicians deciding how teachers should teach and how schools should be run is right on as well.
And unlike my friend GOAT, you obviously have NEVER taught because there are several kids who quality teachers can't do squat with. I would say the number one factor in a child's success is the quality of home life and support when they leave the building. You show me a teacher that can reach a majority of the kids who have NO direction, NO discipline, and NO love at home...and I will recommend them as Obama's Miracle Czar.
Teaching is insanely tough. The majority are amazing. Like any profession, some suck. Our area is fortunate to have a quality of schools many in other areas of our state envy for many reasons.
The system as a whole is like any government run program.....flawed beyond repair!
Ranger, I don't recall the article saying there would be less work...just that part of the classroom period would be used to do it.
I'm not saying kids should have lots of homework every night in every subject. If school districts want to have some rules about how much and how often teachers can assign homework per subject, fine. Sometimes, certain teachers can get overzealous in this, or students have different teachers per subject, and those teachers ALL assign homework at the same time.
I rarely had homework because I could focus and work on the assignments during the time our teachers gave us to do "hands-on" work in class, but some kids do better with certain things out of the classroom environment. For me, that was reading, writing essays and practicing spelling words. I shudder to think what my spelling would be like now if my teachers had not been allowed to assign homework!
I do admit that I was a quick learner as a kid, and what I could finish during the hands-on time in class might have been 20 minutes worth of homework for other students. But your quick learners are STILL going to be quick, and those who need longer to grasp the subject are STILL going to need longer. It's not a judgement, and it doesn't mean that both don't learn and retain the knowledge. But if your class time is set for the slower-paced learners, the faster-paced learners are going to be bored 75 percent of the time.
I think every teacher should give hands-on time in the classroom. But if they cannot assign homework, I guarantee there will be a few kids who don't care about learning who won't even pick up the pencil to work on the first math problem during the hands-on time.
Very good points, Eliza! I think they should realize that the work needs to be done. If they don't get it done in class, they have to take it home.
And, wow, Statesman enthusiasts, write this moment down in history: HOON and GOAT on the same page! You'll never see that on any topic except education, I guarantee -- but when you've been IN the classroom, it really shows! That's part of the reason why the politicians can't get it right!
I need to add that we have to make exceptions in certain areas -- When I assigned research papers in English class, there would be no way that the students could get all that done in class. It takes a LOT of time outside of class to do the research and write up the results.
Let's use common sense!
BARB, first sentence....."little or no"????????
Why do we need an entire policy? Why can't common sense prevail. Some teachers are first class, model, STAR teachers. I bet some of those give little to NO homework, while others in the same category give ample amounts night in night out. Some teachers are jokes to the profession, only teaching due to lack of standards and the need for warm bodies in some places. I bet some in this category give no homework while some lame brains give loads even though they aren't teaching their students Jack who? Jack Squat.
And, well, well, Corey-- You made the Southeast Missourian, and the article is getting lots of comments on their webpage!
Homework is a misnomer for learning. If they can do hours of *homework* then what is the efficacy of the teaching staff? School is allegedly for learning. Teachers need to be able to teach. That is the point of the MANY hours in the classroom. True socialization is accomplished outside of the institutional environment. When will they learn about real life if so much of it is consumed in school requirements? When is there any family time? I know there are even planned/required activities on Sundays!!! School is allegedly to prepare the child for the future...the real world. How will he/she know about it if his/her *world* is basically school activities?? Have we forgotten the reasons *why* ? Remedial math and remedial english are MUST take classes for many college freshmen, even at top notch universities. Why is that? Not enough homework?? I think not.
Education is composed of many different means of learning. Some students learn by application or homework. Some learn by hearing knowledge being espoused by learned professionals followed by discussion. Some learn by example. Teachers and administrators are paid to help decide which form of education would be best for each student. Allow the professionals to do their job. Some people do not make good teachers, some are too stressed out to be good teachers. The word people in this case includes parents, teachers, ministers, etc. As a parent we can be most effective if we criticize less, set proper example, and communicate with our children. We can concentrate on building character in our children by and through example. Listen more, communicate better and show forth more love as we teach integrity, honor, respect for other people and their opinions mixed with how to be more compassionate, supportive without always wanting to be heard and critical before the results are indicative of whether the practice has met the goal. If we do these things, then we are doing our part in educating children.
Our nation rose to greatness through an educational system that was devoid of fancy schools, and high tech learning tools such as computers. It has taken us a long time to destroy the love of education that was fostered in those old schools. Give our educators a chance, they are giving us a chance.
As a teacher I find this decision disturbing.....although I no longer live in the area..this wreaks of administatro caving to parent complaints.for years bloomfield parents have complained about having to do homework...the bottom line is I would doubt that a lot of homework is being given...It just the fact that some students aren't using there time wisely in class...
Hoon, I used the term work, not homework...I'm taking this to mean there will not be any less assignments given, and that the intent is for a larger portion of these to be done in class rather than the assignments becoming "homework"...did this help or am I still clear as mud...sorry, it's late and I am tired...
No policy needed. Common sense is much needed. Some will assign homework, some won't. When a teacher assigns too much, this individual case can be looked into and evaluated.
I don't see people lining up to teach and work in at BHS.
This won't change that. When whining parents rule, you will get what you deserve, a below average school.
I agree totally hoon about your statement...unfortunately there was when BHS was one of the most well respected schools for academics, etc...in the county...you really can't say that now...I don't see them telling the basketball team...no more after school practice, or the beta club no more after school work...this is just an systematic example of what is wrong with education...and it is why we see so many teachers that are leaving the teaching profession once they get there 25 year in...
The Dumbing of America!!
You know I don't why I care about this because I don't live in this community or teach there...but...the point is why not deal with this and make the homework worth less...also the school has set themselves up for huge amounts of complaining...because what happens when the students waist time in class and brings home as homework..and then the parent will complain...I know alot of the teachers and most of them are already doing this...but this mean no more book reports, no papers, etc...what are these kids going to do when they get to college..or are we not preparing them for that...and if were not we are preparing them for failure...
This is an innovative, creative move on the school's part. Hours of homework is ridiculous just to prove some sort of "old school" point. Bravo to Bloomfield for trying this. It's a great school & if I lived in the district I would be proud to send my kids there.
Keepinitreal...old school...those philosophies enabled me to get both a bachelor's and master's degrees from very well respected universities in mo...UCM and SBU respectively...secondly, kids are not doing hours of homework...would you be complaining to the coach about practicing 2.5 hours nightly...I think not...Innovative would be holding kids accountable...Not blaming truly great teachers...The teachers are not the problem here...parents in bloomfield have complained for years about doing homework because the don't want to step up and be responsible for there kids academic progress...Check the attendance no's at parent teacher conferences...If this such a problem why wasn't it addressed in some of the elementary grades..right now the only difference is that the students will have to finish there work in class...if they don't there grade will be reflected accordingly...Like I said if we are preparing kids for college...this is a stuuuuuuuuuuuuupid move...if we are preparing kids to work at MCD's than this is innovative and creative...I would like fries with that
Teachers go to college and receive 4 years of "training" education in how to be an effective teacher. They are "made" or at least persuaded to get a Master's degree as if the four years (which is a joke for the most part) didn't "train" them "enough". So you have a building where a large number of staff have 6 years "training" but still have to be told by DC, Jeff City, a School Board, and Administration how to teach. Nice, efficient, productive system? Nope, a bureaucratic MESS! Here are to all the quality folks in this system who try to do their best to help kids learn and enjoy school, and there are a bunch of them in our area. Those who motivate and push and challenge kids and DO hold them accountable for work in class and out of class. To all those who teach because they can....thankfully for you there is tenure and you will pretty much be assured a job babysitting your students as long as you want.
I am one of those old Board of Education members from another school district. In my 15 years I saw many new ideas tried. We had ZAP (Zeros aren't permitted) for a short time. The kids still wouldn't turn in WORK so the Adm. just dropped it. Until school districts are willing to hold kids and teachers accountable for learning meaning that teachers are proven to be effective in the classroom and kids are required to show they have completed the necessary coursework to advance to the next grade, this problem will persist. Poor teachers must be taught how to teach or replaced and kids must be retained if they won't do the work. Removing home work greatly reduces the amount of information that can be taught, there are only so many minutes of class time available and ultimately will result in dumbing down the courses.
Parents are only truly happy with the school when their children receive A's but they also have no idea what the child has learned until they leave the safety of the school setting and enter into the real world, then it is too late to discover the school district did a poor job. I hope this idea works for Bloomfield, the students are the ones that will suffer if it fails them.
As a parent of a student a BMS, I've really tried to be open minded about this change. I can see pros and cons of this new plan. Every single night I asked my child if he had homework. Some nights he did, some he didn't. Some he did, and didn't tell me...typical child. Some we did together, and he "lost" it before he got it turned in, etc. blah blah blah Pretty typical behavior for a 6th grader. My child has never made below a B on his report card, always been a good student, always been responsible...UNTIL this year. His grades have dropped significantly. At first, I placed a lot of blame on the transition to middle school and the whole switching classes thing. 2nd quarter rolls around, same thing, so what now?
The problem is, most parents that I've spoken to thought everything was fine until they got the progress reports...and then panic struck us. Most of the parents didn't even know their children were having trouble, some even FAILING, until mid quarter progress reports came out. Only one 6th grade teacher sends any kind of "progress report" throughout the quarter. I've gotten involved, spoken to his teachers, called the school on numerous occasions trying to step up as a parent and do whatever needs to be done to help my child improve. Yet, I still got that surprise at mid quarter that my son had a 47% in Math. WOW...are you kidding me? A 47%! His teacher says he knows the techniques. The problem was...5 late HOMEWORK assignments that he got a 0% on. I asked myself how this happened?! I'm a responsible parent and I honestly ask EVERY SINGLE DAY if my kids have homework. If they do, I sit at my kitchen table EVERY SINGLE NIGHT until we get it done. So, my child is irresponsible. Well, I knew that. He's in the 6th grade for goodness sakes. I sometimes still have to remind him to grab his coat, tie his shoes...on the way out to the bus. I don't think that's too uncommon for an 11 year old. These kids are not ready for the 100% responsibility of keeping up with everything that they're supposed to do on their own. There has to be some communication between the parents/teachers. We can't rely solely upon our 6th graders to keep us informed of every single detail that is going on in their busy day.
Most of us parents will do anything we can do to help our children succeed. I feel they DO have to learn to be responsible, but at the same time they ARE kids. They're not ready to be on their own yet. Therefore, I believe the problem lies within the teacher/parent/child COMMUNICATION. It would help me tremendously if I had some kind of idea what my sons grades were, how he was doing, ESPECIALLY if he's failing...BEFORE mid quarter progress reports. Maybe a bi-weekly progress report or something of that nature? If I KNOW there's a problem, I'll certainly be more likely to follow up on various levels to make sure my child gets that passing grade in the end. Just my thought. Whether he has homework or not...I just want my child to succeed and get the best education that is possible. Communication is the key.
As a former teacher at BMS I must say I am glad that I am not a part of what I see as a dumbing down of instruction. Although I was not a big fan of loading students down with homework, I liked to focus on the content of the subject, which means sometimes because of great discussion, there is no time for work in class. I believe you can only do that by being in front of the classroom, not by being a baby sitter walking around to make sure little Johnny does his work. For those who truly have problems (some students have a really bad home situation) you adjust and tweak your system for them accordingly.
To me, this is not only a slap in the face as a teacher, it would also be an insult as a parent. I call six to ten parents a week, some for good things, some not so good, but I cannot call them all. It is true homework is over used, but some is necessary. The focus should be on quality instruction and teachers that are enthusiastic and EXPERTS in their subject. You must truly love both the job, the content, and the students to be an effective teacher. Motivation and discipline are the keys to success. If you have quality instructors and innovative/active lesson plans, the rest will fall in place.
In conclusion, Bloomfield has some of the finest teachers and parents I have ever known. The students there are well mannered and are fun to be around. In my time there, not one student ever verbally disrespected me, on the contrary, my fondest memories of this occupation are there. To me, this seems like a desperate gamble to grasp for straws and be able to illustrate to DESE that a plan, however unsuccessful, was instituted to help bring MAP scores up.
It makes me thankful I am in a district that encourages cooperative teaching, alternative teaching methods, and hands on activity with technology and guided instruction. Good luck Wildcats.
OlBoardMem, I think you hit the nail on the head. Once a teacher reaches tenure there is little that can remove them from teaching, besides the obvious. As a teacher I believe we must be held accountable for productivity and innovation in our line of work.
Amanda....you should recommend to BMS a school wide policy for progress reports at mid-quarter. No beating around the Bush here.....if you saw a 47% at mid-quarter, there is time to get that grade up. Your kid was said to know the work by the teacher, which means this 47% falls squarely on your kid's shoulders and this mid term grade would be a great time to start teaching him some consequences for not tying shoes and not turning in work. Good luck.....I think your kid will suffer in the 7 and 8th grades by not being required to get their butt in gear, do some work outside the class, and remember to keep up with it and turn it in. Congrats for being a caring parent, that is over half the battle when dealing with whether or not a kid can be successful in school!
Tenure: A blanket of protection for crappy teachers. Good ones don't want or need it!
I agree with you Shannon. He's definitely got to get his act together. My point is, it sure would have been nice to know there WAS a problem before mid quarter. I'll take your advice and at least try to get BMS to send out progress reports more frequently. :-(
We'll keep pushing on...since mid quarter, he's brought his grade up to a C. Still not acceptable, in my eyes at least, cause he's a smart kid and can do better. But, at least it's not a 47% any longer. Live and learn I suppose.
Sorry Captain Kirk, you may have advanced degrees but that "old school method" didn't help you much with grammar.
I think this policy will lie squarely on the shoulders of the teachers. Their job is to make sure the kids understand the subject for which they are the "experts". If the students don't get it, no amount of homework will help. I say give it a try. From what I am reading, this is not set in stone nor is it mandatory.
Sorry about my grammar but I was typing fast...obviously you have never worked with students...the only way success is achieved in education is when students become responsible for their education....I can say this because I been in the field of education for 17 years..p.s. if we are experts then pay us like experts...
kirk....you get all holidays off, a ton of paid sick days and your summer off. I say pay you a salary that represents that. Most who whine about pay aren't worth what they are getting in the first place. I agree with your thoughts on student responsibility....something that is falling by the wayside in our society as we pamper, baby, and pander to a growing number of families who are destined to achieve mediocrity.
hoonster...I am not complaining about my salary, I am just stating the facts...and know I don't get summers off...that is when I go to workshops to make myself a better teacher...as far as a ton of sick days...we get 8 a year...and some don't get to use them if they can't a sub...just so you know I would consider myself a pretty successful teacher...my students perform well...oh and by the way I used to teach in bloomfield for 8 years
Have these people lost their minds? I've been teaching for 10 years and I can tell you that it doesn't matter how long you give some students, they will refuse to put forth any effort. It's a shame we are catering to these kinds of students instead of those who work hard every day to learn.
As a nation, we will reap what we sow. The purpose of education is to create responsible citizens. What will the country be like when these kids become adults?
Good stuff ruralmarm....
Kirk....I say teacher of the year for you. I don't know how you stay awake during that 2.5 month long workshop. You don't have to overstate the fact that you may go to a meeting/workshop/pro. development in the summer, but I seriously want to meet you if you don't enjoy your summer.....I know of NO other teacher, even the BEST, who spend all summer in workshops.
I am sure you are a good teacher and not arguing that and also glad you are not whining about $$$ like many of the crappy ones do.
What type of school are you in now? size, amount of free/reduced lunches, ethnic %, etc.
Bravo Rural Schoolmarm!!!
Lazy students are lazy students... PERIOD! I am so sick of hearing about they are kids, they don't have time to be kids.. blah, blah, blah!
My kids are 14 and 12, involved in Beta, sports, and many other activities, do all of their homework every night, and both keep a 4.0. Bloomfield did nothing more than cave to some ridiculous parental pressure.
All that this craziness will do is continue to perpetuate lazy students and parents who make excuses for those said lazy students...
"I didn't do my homework and the school changed the policy... What will I stop doing next to make my life even more easy???" RIDANGDICULOUS!
Amen Sister...and hoonster...I teach in a very small school...I would say the free and reduced % is about 80...and I drive two hours one way to teach these students...my point to the pay is we are grossly underpaid....I have always taught for the love of it..hoonster if it is so easy and glamarous why don't you give it a try?
You might be surprised Captain. Just because I expose our system for being a government run mess doesn't mean I, like you, do something I love that involves educating rugrats! I would bet my grossly lower than it should be paycheck your school isn't 80% F and R. I won't question your sanity on the drive, but wouldn't hire you as my efficiency Czar either.
I am betting you teach in a school with all overachieving educators who don't take a day off in the summer due to their workshop schedule?
I got 5 words for you....
No Child Left Be HIND!
Are there other schools doing this?
semogirl - Duke University did a study of 175 schools across the country and found that the benefits of homework are statistically insignificant. What is more important, and to the point of the Bloomfield Middle School decision, is that middle school students are in a precarious period of development. If they fall behind for any reason it is very difficult for them to recover. They start a downhill slide which often leads to failure in high school and to dropping out of school. In the studies I have read, the schools with this NH program have test scores actually increase. This is because every student gets more individual assistance from the teacher during the review period of the class. If a student does not really understand how to do fractions, then doing an hour of homework fractions only frustrates him with no learning being accomplished. The highly motivated students will always be high achievers and the students who struggle will benefit from more teacher assistance and less opportunity to fall behind. While I appreciate that everyone has an opinion on any given subject, I will always give more weight to the opinion of professionals in the field. I really hope that we all want what is best for the student.
I really hope we continue to pander to whiney parents and trust that pinheads who DO NOT teach High School and Middle School kids can somehow tell those who do how to do it.
Not interested in a DOOK study. I am interested in teaching kids responsibility, hard work, and accountability. By assigning homework, we aren't saying kids are on there own trying to figure out something foreign or brand new.
I don't mind Bloomfield trying this idea of NO Homework....we need people to flip burgers too.
Dear shannonhoon - And exactly what are your qualifications? What do you do? I really would like to know.
I work with kiddos and hide all the negative feelings I have about our screwed up school system. Our school is very good, I enjoy trying to influence kids in a positive way, to motivate them, and to be a good role model for each of them. Just because the education system run out of JC and DC are a complete flawed joke, doesn't mean that our schools are. In addressing the homework issue, Bloomfield, in my opinion, would do more good by NOT even hinting to pander to irresponsible students and whiney parents, all the while emphasizing common sense, responsibility, hard work, fun, and more common sense.
Kirk obviously is a dedicated teacher and could tell Jeff City MORE about teaching kids than they can tell him about it......
GOAT has been in the classroom and dido for her....
Those of us who HAVE, know what makes up a good teacher/classroom and what makes for a mediocre, less than stellar tenured pinhead. But WE are told by JC and DC how to teach, what to do, what HOOPS to jump through, how to get $, whether or not our school is accredited or not, whether or not our school gets some distinction based on a government hacks opinion. Sad but true.
Bloomfield is a good school, like so many in the bootheel. We are lucky to have so many. I just hate seeing ideas and programs thought up by professors who aren't in the primary education classrooms implemented and championed!
HO HO HO...a Merry Christmas to ALL!
I agree...
I am one of those profs, but I taught middle school and high school before I started teaching at the college level. One of the problems I have encountered with teachers at the middle and high school level (here in Virginia) is they do not have a clue about adolescent development. Those teachers only know their subject and some have "in my day" attitudes....What makes you think this policy is driven by whining parents? Do you teach in Bloomfield? What grade or subject? I agree that administrators should have to come up through the ranks as a classroom teacher and government should just stay out of it entirely....Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
Well said, cheers4dhs. I taught for several years in middle school and I am in complete agreement with this homework policy. Teachers who view "teaching" as only standing in front of the class and lecturing are both naive and filled with self importance. A good teacher is up & down the aisles checking each student to insure they are "getting it". When I taught I considered a student's failure as my failure. I spent many extra hours both tutoring and trying to figure out methods to reach those failing students. Didn't reach them all but I sure didn't blame parents or whine about every little thing. I felt lucky to have a good job, good benefits, & good hours and I didn't spend my time trying to convince others about how hard I worked.
Love to Learn, thank you for your kind words. You are the kind of teacher who made me want to be a teacher! I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!
I am not a teacher by profession, but I love teaching...it is such a good feeling when you see the lights come on when someone 'gets it'. I worked in Financial Aid for the local community college for a little over 10 years total. Just after starting at TSTC, my boss came to me one morning and told me that one of our developmental math instructors was going to be out for several weeks because she was having emergency surgery, and knowing that I love math and science, asked if I would cover her three math classes while she was out. I jumped at the chance to see what it would be like on the other side of the podium. It was all legal because the lady who was out was "teacher of record" and she gave me a lesson plan to go by, but it was up to me to connect with the students and not let them down. Granted, I was teaching mostly non-traditional students, with only a few of them being right out of high school. This can be just as much of a challenge, I think. This is how I approached the task. I would use the first part of class for lecture, but it was also a dialogue..I encouraged the students to ask questions and even had them come up to the board and work through problems. I told them that at this point we were all a team, that only on test days were we on our own. I gave them time to work on assignments during class, so that when they got to a 'stuck point' I was there to help get them un-stuck. I interjected humor as well and tried to use everyday examples of where they would use what they were learning. It was a very rewarding 6 weeks, and one student told me that if he had had a teacher like me in high school, he wouldn't be in the developmental class in college. That said it all and I will cherish that time always.
Folks...lets face it ...not everyone is going to get the material taught...there is a simple solution to the problem...make the homework worth less...say 20% of the grade...but to eliminate homework is preparing those kids for failure...some comments have been made that BMS teachers either don't care or that they aren't quality teachers...the fact of the matter is that isn't true...I worked in Bloomfield for 8 years and those are undoubtedly some of the best teachers I have worked with....the big mistake is you don't change something in the middle of the year as a knee jerk reaction...from a professional standpoint I think less material is going to be covered and It will affect test scores in the spring....
BarbaraNTexas - You would have made a great teacher!....Merry Christmas!
cheers4dhs...Thank you so very much. What I did for that very short period of time was so fun for me. All I did to prepare was to think back on my days as a student and pull from the teachers I had who I considered excellent teachers and compared how they taught to the teachers I had who were less than excellent...then jumped in with both feet. I tried to make the material interesting and fun for the students, and show them the everyday applications. I used a LOT of examples from building trades and medical fields. My credo as a student was, "Don't impress me with how much you KNOW, impress me with how much you can teach me." Just because someone knows and understands a given subject, doesn't necessarily mean they know how to teach it to someone else.
I would love to continue my education and earn my teaching certificate, but I just can't afford to do so right now.
Thank you again for the wonderful compliment and have a very merry and blessed Christmas.