Yeah, I stole that line from Neal Boortz. I'm just getting a little tired of this new-age sissified thinking and raising of our children. My anger began when I was a teacher and the schools implemented the whole "No child left behind" BS. Not every child wants to move forward-or has the ability to do so. But now it's a federal mandate?? Our school motto was "Every Child Every Chance". Lovely.... During the middle of one of my classes I ripped a 24x18 framing of the motto off the wall and through it in the trash. I preached "You have one chance in my class. Pass or fail. You don't get 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances in life. Get used to it now!...etc" I never hung that motto up again. Plus I failed over 150 students in 2 years of teaching. I set the standard and never lowered it. I helped those who wanted to achieve. After that, no sympathy at all. I still feel the same. That's how the real world is. That's how sports are. Politics, networking, all that gets you only so far before your capabilities and expertise really come to the forefront of judgement. Judgement from a boss, peers, coach.
But these days, kids are being raised to learn that everyone is equal and all should be fair. It started when they put those little locks on kitchen cabinets and plastic plugs in outlets. "Don't get hurt little Johnny..." Then the teacher unions and sissy parents got rid of freeze tag and dodge ball in school. We don't want anyone getting hurt or feeling inferior. Dude, I used to punish people in dodge ball (known as war ball at my school). I took my licks too, of course. Next step? Well, they stopped keeping score in several soccer and basketball leagues across the country and in Great Britain. EVERY ONE'S A WINNER!!! BS again. Life is full of winners and losers. Get used to it now. The way children are being raised will only come back haunt them (and the parents and teachers).
The trend of reducing recognition of high-achievers is on the rise. The latest story (http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/printable_article_generation.asp?article_path=/news/08/news080417_1.htm) shows a high school that does not recognize 4.0 students and hasn't named a valedictorian in years. Once again, we don't want someone feeling inferior. These candya$$ principals and teachers need to rethink the way they are raising our youth. It only hurts in the long run. This game of life has lessons to be learned from winning and losing and getting hurt etc. We should not ignore opportunities to grow-which come in the form of being embarrassed or losing. Losing leads to the road of choosing to give up or improve. Those who reach success have lost over and over. But they use that as motivation to work harder, study more, practice more etc. Setting lower standards just to let every child have every chance is not the answer.
I'm so angry.
16 comments:
Yes! Yes! Yes! About all of it. You are so right and I couldn't agree with you more.
I completely agree. I understand ENCOURAGEMENT and wanting kids to feel like something great, but we shouldn't make it a false sense of greatness. We should push them to become something. Tap into strength, knowledge, motivation and BE GREAT. I grew up just fine in a world where there were winners and losers. When I win, I feel like I actually accomplish something, and when I lose, I'm pushed to get better.
So true.
Well said, Amy.
it is starting to come around in the kindergarten kids i teach that everyone expects things to be handed to them without working for anything!!! it makes me nuts!! Parents are failing the kids before they even start school!
I can totally sense your anger on this issue.........now i'm a little angry myself.
I was listening to Boortz when he talked about that girtl in Durango, couldn't agree more. And when it comes to dodge ball...it's all our war!
this was well written by the biggest loser of us all... jk!!!
i totally agree and wish i could have been in your class the day you ripped the motto off the wall.
Rebecca made me laugh... now I have to rethink what I was going to say.
Scott and I were have a discussion about this very issue yesterday. He is over the Webolos Cubs and at the pine wood derby this year some individuals (who are over him) decided not to give awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. They decided to give out certificates for "the cutest", "the fastest", "the smoothest ride" etc. (you get the point). This infuriated me! How dare they do that to the boys. If they don't have winners what do the boys have to work for next year. I agree with everything you are saying. Do you think that we would have some the greatest individuals that have lived on this earth if they didn't fail before they worked their butts off to finally WIN.
We are expected to work hard to achieve greatness in this world and in the after life. If we teach that no matter how much work you do or don't do, that you can end up the same.... what kind of message are we sending to our children about the eternal plan. Im scared for the world that is being set up... in just a few years no one will know what it means to have greatness bc no one will know how to achieve it.
The Head Log says you need to chill out. love you ky
"During the middle of one of my classes I ripped a 24x18 framing of the motto off the wall and through it in the trash. I preached "You have one chance in my class. Pass or fail. You don't get 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances in life. Get used to it now!...etc" I never hung that motto up again. Plus I failed over 150 students in 2 years of teaching."
This made me laugh because I wanted it to be followed by... "I had those prekindergartens shaped up in no time!"
Don't get me started on the "No Child Left Behind" Act. Coming from a family of teachers, this ACT just seems to blame teachers rather than student efforts. It is getting pretty bad!! We are going to be a society of finger pointers before we know it. Accountability is becoming an unknown word.
I must say that I too wish that I was there to see you rip down that motto and throw it in the trash!!! Great post, really enjoyed it. Even though I have locks on my cabinets and plastic plugs in the outlets, I am just doing a disservice to my children. Time for some hardcore Dodge Ball I guess.
Well, I guess your blog is more popular than mine at the moment...
Mom and I were talking about your post last night. I AGREE with you. In the REAL world you have to work hard to get anywhere. If you want a raise in pay, or a promotion at your job you have to EARN IT by working hard. I hate that people EXPECT others to hand them the world. We work hard, so should you!
I am like Rae, I just "childproofed" my home. I guess your kids will beat up mine.
Ps. I just remembered WAR BALL! Once I was the only one on my team left, I was up against this mean black girl.... I threw the ball and I hit her and won!!! I was so proud.
Ditto Rebecca.
Now...When I was teaching I faced the same crap. I failed several students, and the school passed them anyway due to the school's reputation, over-crowding, lack of parent contact, or whatever other BS they felt justified thier decision. Needless to say there are several middle schoolers who can't add, subtract, multiply, or divide moving on up to high school. Can't wait to see those SAT scores. For this reason and several more, I don't teach anymore and never will due to such motto's and mandates that hold no water. What's the point of mandating that a child must pass the CRCT if you are going to hold them to it when they fail? Oh, wait! I forgot we let them take it again, and if they pass - great, if they fail again we give them then benefit of the doubt for taking it twice, and send them to the next grade anyway.
I'm not opposed to helping my students, but I am opposed to them not helping themselves. I think NCLB was originally established for teachers and schools to offer assistance to students, but the school systems have become so afraid that they won't get gov't funding that they have taken away the student accountability part. Now we have sorry students, frustrated teachers, and in ten years we will be paying for it.
This was interesting. I do agree, I want my children to be fighters. I grew up feeling inferior most days, but on the days I did accomplish something, or did get "1st place" it meant a lot to me, and I think that feeling is important for kids. I think both feelings are important for kids... knowing that there will always be someone better than you at something, and knowing that you can do better is very important.
I will say, however, I've got the socket covers, and the locks on my kitchen cabinets-- but this is simply because my 19 month old son does not comprehend that bleach is not a drink. However, when he climbs on top of something, and he knows he shouldnt, and I say "Get down"... and he doesnt, I do not go and get him off the thing he has climbed on, and most people look at me like I'm crazy and say "hes gunna fall"... my response is "well, he needs to learn to listen to me when I say get down!"-- which often times is followed by an interesting look. If you catch my drift, I certainly agree with you-- I think it is extremely degrading what the NCLB BS does to our children. I was in school to teach math to highschool kids, and ugh, it was disgusting, I couldn't do it! You and I can picket when they don't fail our children for not turning in an assignment on time, rather than the parents who picket to pass their kids after they've plagiarized their entire assignment!
Well put!
wow! nice delivery, i felt the anger! As with practically all things, they start out with good intentions and then totally turn to crap.
I'm glad to hear that things are moving along with you guys.
Kim Campbell
Preach on 'cuz!
I agree 180%!!!
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