I often get angry when it comes to heated discussions regarding education issues, especially when our public schools and teachers become political footballs. Not that long ago our former Michigan Governor, John Engler, waived Detroit Public School’s low test score result in front of the television cameras and threatened a state takeover. Little did his viewing audience know that he was instrumental in lowering the certification requirements for new teachers. And why not? Flood the already saturated market with inexperienced, fresh out of college rookies, create competition, lower salaries—it’s all good. Anything to keep taxes from rising, along with a school funding shift from property taxes to state sales tax.
Two governors ago (during James Blanchard’s reign) the politicians, under the guidance of our fine teacher colleges, created a new law eliminating the Continuing Teaching Certificate; replacing it with Provisional and Professional Teaching Certificates. These new fangled documents would need to be renewed every five years by taking additional college coursework. So our young rising stars, the lucky ones to get hired, figured out ways to boost their salaries by earning master’s degrees online or through college extension courses. Higher salaries, although good for the teachers, meant tighter school budgets (not the only contributing factor), layoffs, increased class size, etc. As the prisoners would say, “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”
It’s a sad vicious cycle, a power grab for money by the teachers, by the colleges, and now by the State of Michigan Education Department in the form of Federal stimulus dollars. How can they get some of those greenbacks? Simple. Make it easier to obtain a teaching certificate. Hmmm…. We’ve been down that road before.
As for the Detroit Public Schools, their teachers have nothing to negotiate and are being asked to loan their employer $10,000 each. What about those downtown casinos? Are they not helping out? If so, how much per year?
Our public schools are a microcosm of society, of their surrounding neighborhoods. There are some bright spots. At the beginning of this week Detroit Public Schools asked for volunteers to help teach children how to read. Guess who immediately answered their call? Mark Durfee, aka The Walking Man. He’s quoted in the Detroit Free Press: “I have to have faith that the coming generation can make Detroit, Michigan, the nation, and the world a better place than the one we are leaving behind. If the coming generation of kids cannot read, they will fail in bringing that change. That is why I volunteered.”
Mark, you’re a better man than I. I guess I’ll do what I can from the inside, from those concertina-wired fences and gun towers.
9 comments:
Not living in the USA let alone Michigan it's hard for me to comprehend....not that I don't try....wifey says I'm very trying...;-)
Look. I'm in Ann Arbor August next year on a Radio World Tour - I broadcast every Saturday @ 9pm UK time on www.scooter-forums.com
If you are Michigan based get your arse to Ann Arbor in August 2010 and I'll buy you a beer.
Never met anyone who had the balls to do what you do.
My hat goes off to TWM as well/ By the end of the day I'm exhausted.
Agree with you on hating the game.
Seems to be an old record. What's happening LLL. Here you are now enrolled in new employee school? Does it surprise you? Not me. Miss the chats also. MW
I'm disgusted at what is happening in Detroit right now. Americans need to stick together and help out our own first. Detroit should take precedence over Iraq and all of the American hating scoundrels in other countries.
Sorry for my rant. I'm a bit emotional today.
I am with you Jim. I know a few long time DPS teachers and lower level administrators in the schools and they do what they can as they are allowed.
I am not going into this blind, I see every day what generational passed illiteracy causes. Maybe by getting involved I can in a small way not only ease your burden but also the one I live with in the city.
It's a crap shoot but there really aren't many more turns with the dice left for the city.
Never lose your faith in your contribution Jim, you do make a difference. You may not see it but some of them who come out of your school never return to it. And it is in part because you showed them something other than the way they knew.
Kudos to The Walking Man.
I’ve done my fair share of volunteering in reading programs. Sad commentary on the state of our education systems. I don’t recall the necessity for so many volunteers in the good old days…
JR-I too am proud of Mark--and YOU!!
Big applause for Mark Durfee! People who take the time to help other people are awesome.
You should also give yourself credit, JR. I don't have the talent to do your job. So I appreciate that there are people like you who are willing to do it.
I know what you mean about the schools. It's a vicious cycle. I hate it when politicians play games, especially when it comes to the lives of children and the future.
Anonymous, I'm just fine. Yes, they got me again with New Employee School. I had 6 furlough days and this is my reward. I miss the chats very much.
Intelligent adult conversation is lacking during business hours. Someone spent about 10 minutes roaming the office in search of air freshener for the restroom.
Welcome to MDOC again! And for this I went to college?!
"Our public schools are a microcosm of society, of their surrounding neighborhoods." That nails it.
Engler made BAD news way before I stepped foot in Michigan, even from hundreds of miles aways. He was very large, too, if memory serves -- perhaps he ate the poor and the insane after turning them out on the streets?
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