tazer crazy .....taze 'em if you got 'em!

[DanaC]

I value your opinions, as both you and Dana are clever. And I think we agree on tons of issues, and hopefully I am being clear enough....And I am not trying to be inflammatory. I just think that there are some good kids out there being treated unfairly, and hell even some "bad" kids that aren't that bad that aren't a real threat, they just look funny. I'm on their side. And some of them know it. It isn't hard to project that in a classroom.

I agree with much of that. Whether it's hard to project that in a classroom is, however, dependant upon the particular circumstances and cohort within that class.

Just to clarify my position Cic: I do not believe that children should be treated like criminals, I completely agree that such tactics just serve to increase the sense of dislocation between young people and authority. I also know that there are poor (or demoralised) teachers who take the 'easy' route of blaming their pupils for a lack of discipline and enthusiasm that should rest more firmly on the teachers', or principles' heads.

In the school I referred to earlier, teachers threatened to strike and refused to deal with children they described as "unteachable". I do not believe such a child exists. Problems are more complicated than just 'bad' kids. But they are also more complicated than 'poor' teachers. Often what is required is a higher level of support for those teachers (i.e Classroom assistants and a consistent approach to rules and discipline throughout the school community) and that is something that principles and governing bodies need to take more seriously.

[Cicero]

Since I myself have pointed out some issues from my limited perspective I will also offer a solution.....

I like Dana's idea about classroom assistants, in tandem/or in lieu of them, I would like to see the student to teacher ratio decrease. That may help if teachers and students are feeling a little overwhelmed. Lets throw more money at education! (In America) I'm tired of paying for all this crap that I don't like.


They just cut electives from some santa fe public schools. (Just heard about it, and didn't get any details) They were too broke....? I want to spend my money and taxes on that. Hire more teachers, and get more computers, leave the arts and wood-shop classes alone...that's some people's only way to survive the mind-numbing days in high school. And actually pass.

Don't taze education bro.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by DanaC

I also know that there are poor (or demoralised) teachers who take the 'easy' route of blaming their pupils for a lack of discipline and enthusiasm that should rest more firmly on the teachers', or principles' heads.

And the parents.