RCSTeacher,

Nice try, but my spelling mistakes do not excuse your expertise at creating a strawman. My misspelling "de-emphasize", while careless, does not measure up to your, "See, that's exactly what I was talking about earlier..." diatribe. Your post was either a pathetic misreading of my earlier post or a deliberate attempt at a strawman. I'm betting on the latter. But while demonstrating your talents at being pedantic, as in pointing out careless spelling errors and then conflating them to monumental importance; you yourself made a mistake, and I'm not referring to your imabilty to grasp a point. You made a mistake that any self respecting pedant would be ashamed of. You wrote, "See that's what I'm talking about..", while any casual obsever would note that you were not talking about anything. You were writing about something. Gotcha! But that always happens. The 8th grade (or possibly 7th grade) English teacher gets owned at his/her owmn game.

But on a more serious note, my post, where I listed suggestions for improving our school system, was not addressed to you. It was a response to curious!. He/she asked for my suggestions, so I made them. And once again, you, in responding to my post intended for curious, missed the point. I didn't write that I would end EOG and EOC testing, or that I would end the state standard course of study, I wrote (sSe I didn't say anything, I wrote it, hehe!)that I would de-emphasize, it. Busted agian, Dawg!

This is what you must do, and it's much more important than correcting spelling and grammatical errors: you must stop exagerating other's points so that you can then attack them. New word of the day: strawman. Yes, that-what you did-is a strawman. Owned again, compadre!

But yes, I would de-emphasize test scores. My experience is that overemphasis on test scores leads to very very boring lessons. For example, the over use of the powerpont-note-mutltiple choice quiz teaching method used at Richmond Sr. High. I understand that that method leads to higher test scores, but I'm also equally sure that I would quit school before goimg through that everyday. And I don't think it's impossible to make a subject interesting and enjoyable while using that method. I'm also pretty dang sure, that no matter the test scores, that's poor teaching. You see, instead of robotically following the state curriculum and preparing students for the test, I think getting the students interested in the subject, and interested in learning, is much more important. I realize that I'm at risk of turning your little trick; that is, exagerating and deliberately miscasting the other person's point. You did not write that teachers should be robotic in following the state curriculum. But I am convinced that Norris, the central office minions, and the school board, all three devoted almost exclusively to improving tst scores, would accept even the robotic following of the state curriculum. See, that's why they've got to go.

Pardon me if I misspelled any words in this post. i hope that my misspelling a word or two,or three, does not inhibit your ability to comprehend my point. And please, no stawmen.

Sharkee:

If I am having trouble with reading comprehension, it is only because your spelling and grammar is atrocious and much of what you are saying makes absolutely no sense. Let’s examine some of your comments.

“First I would dempasisize test scores as a way to evaluate students and teachers.”

I think you meant to say de-emphasize. As a teacher, I know the NC Standard Course of Study goals and objectives that must be taught for my curriculum. The tests are designed to measure student mastery of those same goals and objectives. What’s so bad about that? If I have done my job, I have nothing to worry about and neither do my students. How would you suggest that we evaluate student achievement and the teacher's effectiveness?

“For example, the new EOG and EOC testing schedules: the kids noe take their tests earlier so that the ones who pass the first try can stay home, or play outside, while the students who failed the first test do nothing but remediate and prepare for the retest.”

Again, remediation is part of the state’s requirements. Dr. Norris and the BOE have nothing to do with that. In all honesty, I don’t like this aspect of the testing schedule either, but what can be done about it? If the NC Department of Public Instruction says to remediate those students who do not pass the first time around, then by law we have to remediate. At least the students are getting another opportunity to take the test and many do pass the second time around.

“It's well known that Norris the board are bottom line types. They are interested in test scores, graduation rates, and dropout rates.”

We are in the business of education here. If we had a superintendent and board that were NOT interested in test scores, graduation rates, and dropout rates, then our children would be in big trouble. Isn’t the ultimate goal of education to see more students graduate and become productive citizens?

“And isn't it kind of small and unprofessional, for the little central office people to run around to the schools to make sure that the teachers have essential questions posted?”

Quality control is an important part of any business or industry. Supervisors check behind their employees in numerous ways to ensure that the job is being done adequately and that the required specifications are being met. Why should the classroom be any different? If I am doing my job, why should I care who comes into my classroom? The central office staff members who visit the schools are not just looking for essential questions. They are looking to see if the educational environment in general is up to par. Does it make me a little nervous when they come into my classroom? Of course, but they have always been very professional and nice. Suggestions they have made have been good ones, and I appreciate that.

“I'd demphasize the importance of sports and especially football.”

You and I might have a little something in common on this one. If I had my way about it, sports would not be part of the educational system at all through the high school level. Sports would be offered through county Parks and Recreation only.

“On a larger scale we've got to make educaton more meaningful to our students.”

Again, we agree! We do have to make education more meaningful to our students. Students today are much different than they were 20, 10, even 5 years ago. As teachers we have to find ways to engage the students as we address our own curriculum’s goals and objectives. I personally think this is what Dr. Norris, his staff, and the BOE have been trying to do. During my tenure in the Richmond County School System, I have never seen more opportunities given for good staff development to help in this area. I have learned new teaching strategies and ways to plan that have really made a difference in my classroom. I foresee more of these opportunities as long as we have leaders who care about the overall success of our school system.

Remember, I’ve been teaching in this county a number of years, so I feel qualified to say that the past administration did a pathetic job in leading our school district. I felt so discouraged to see other counties in our state advancing while we just hung on to the same old way of doing things. I appreciate the changes of the current administration and just hope and pray that we don’t go backwards.

curious,

Excellent question. First I would dempasisize test scores as a way to evaluate students and teachers. Everyone knows that test scores are all that counts. And while the pressure for high test scores is certainly coming down from the state, and even the national level, it seems that our central office and our school boared are true believers. For example, the new EOG and EOC testing schedules: the kids noe take their tests earlier so that the ones who pass the first try can stay home, or play outside, while the students who failed the first test do nothing but remediate and prepare for the retest. Are you kidding me? How does this contribute to a richer learning experience? How does this lead to more learning? It's well known that Norris the board are bottom line types. They are interested in test scores, graduation rates, and dropout rates, and besides sports and especially football, not much of anything else. If we're going to create a challenging and rich educatonal environment in our county, our present board and Norris and his minions have got to go.

And isn't it kind of small and unprofessional, for the little central office people to run around to the schools to make sure that the teachers have essential questions posted? Isn't that kind of pathetic?

Second, I'd demphasize the importance of sports and especially football. Everyone knows that the head football coach cares nothing about learning. He cares about winning football games. I'd give you specific examples, but think I'd better not. If you have anything at all to do with the high school you know that's true. But more importantly, if we're going to make the educatuonal experiene richer for all of our students, we've got to put more resources into the band, performing arts and other programs that are not athletic. And finally, while I'm on the subject, if I had my way, there is absolutely no way in the world, ever, that the socer teams would be asked to pick up trash after the football games so that they can get the money they need. See my point?

On a larger scale we've got to make educaton more meaningful to our students. School cannot be a place where students prepare fot tests and not much else. We must make schools into rich learning environments where kids enjoy learning. Why. for eaample, did they make shop class, where kids could enjoy making things with their hands, into a technology class, where book learning and preparing for a written test are emphasized? Why not have more arts programs that emphasize creativity and the actual enjoyment of learning. I'm rambling on, but I think you see my point. Our preent emphasis, our present central office, and our present school board will not cut it. I am happy that McInnis is going and hope that the rest will soon join him.

RCSTeacher,

Did you even read my post? This is the second time you attributed something to me that I did not write, or even imply. I'm beginning to question your reading and comprehension skills. I didn't wright that the school board made the teacher assignments during the realignment. I'm pretty sure that they wee made by Norris and his little minions. But, as our elected reresentatives, wasn't it the board's responsibility to make sure that the assignmnts were fair? To have somekind of oversight? Wasn't it also their responsibilty to make sure that the process was transparent and that that Norris' little minions didn't play favorites? That is, make sure that they did not take care of their buddies in the school system, such as football coaches? If not McInnis and the school board then who?

Before you respond to this post, read it carefully. And by the way, did you read where I was celebrating McInnis' loss in the recent election?

See, this is exactly what I was talking about earlier. Some people don’t have a clue what the school board really does. I would be willing to bet my last 2 cents on the fact that the school board members, Mr. McInnis or any of the others, had nothing to do with teacher reassignments. I feel sure those decisions were made mostly by the central office. It’s only logical that the Curriculum Directors as well as the Personnel Department made those decisions. Actually, I bet the Athletic Director of our district did make the reassignment choices for coaches. That makes sense. I’m not as much into athletics as I am academics, but that’s another topic altogether.

By the way “pilgrim,” I thought John Wayne died a while back. I did get a little laugh out of that one. Nevertheless, I don’t suck up to the board. What would be the point? I do know a couple of the current board members, however; and I know that they care about the children of this county and just want to make sure that everyone of them has an equal opportunity to the best education possible.

I really like the questions posed by “curious1.” I would love to see some answers to those questions. Just remember, it’s very easy to cast blame without looking at the big picture.

Now, to “sharkee,” I feel bad for you. I’m sorry you didn’t get the coaching position you wanted. I didn’t get the teaching position I wanted either. I guess I could have stomped my feet and cried about it, but I chose to make the best of it and you know what? Now I couldn’t be more pleased with where I am. So, “pilgrim,” blast me if you want. In fact, in honor of one of my favorite actors, “Go ahead; make my day!”

Sharkee:

The tone of this response is not sarcastic nor negative but is in hopes to bring resolve. I think everyone's goal is to have a better school system and give each child in our county a foundation for life. All too often, people that are in a public position are easily judged and scrutinized for their work. And all to often, people do not like change even if it will eventually bring good. The sad part is, everyone is quick to judge and complain and throw mud but they never give suggestions on how to make it better.

From your last comment, you are obviously involved in the school system in some form or fashion. Please give suggestions on how you think we can fix our schools. What do you think is the root of "our problem?" You are one that sees it from the inside. And be honest, with an illiteracy rate of 30% in this county, it was not perfect before the realignment.

Please do not respond in haste or throwing blame - just give some fundamental suggestions that can help us get better. After all, that is what we all seek. Am I right?

RCSteacher, Hold on, pilgrim: you don't have to suck up on this board. Besides you misreprsented what I wrote. I did not write that they promissed us anything. I wrote that, "They made no effort to be fair to teachers." This, after said they would try to honor teacher's requests. I'm certain that in my friend's case They were not fair. Were you there when, before the rest of the lowly teachers, worried and anxious about where they were going to be placed, saw Coach Hoggard, or possibly RSH's athletic director, go to schools and offer the football coaches teaching and coaching jobs at the Acedemy?? Remember thst? That's pretty impressive power for a coach, isn't it? You reckon our distinguished Mr Mcinnis knrew about that? And, more importantly, since you're so confident that the central office was fair in placing teachers, why didn't they put in some kind of safety measure? Some kind of way for teachers who were unfairly treated to place a grievence? Some kind of safety net? Why didn't they? Do you think it's appropriate for our central office and School Board to be unfair to anybody, anytime, and then say "tough" to those who were mistreated? Do you think its appropriate for them to tell teachers who felt betrayed that they their requsts for transfers will not be honored and that if they seek jobs in other counties, they will not be hired in this county again? And, are you aware that they sent a teacher with one year of teaching experience, and with no coaching experience and no desire to coach, to the Acedemy over experienced teachers who requested to go there? Maybe it's justified, but you have to admit that they, the people who made these important decisions about other's careers, had a responsiblity to be fair? Do you think Mr. Mcinnis thought at all about being fair?

I'm rejoicing that Mcinnis lost in this election. And I rejoiced after the last election when the other Board members who supported the realignment and Norris were thrown out. I can't wait for the rest of them to go. It won't be long. All we need ids for someone to run against them. The writings on the wall.

I have to respond to this one. Obviously, “sharkee” is either a coach that did not get to go to the Ninth Grade Academy or a teacher who didn’t get his or her first request of schools. I sat through those initial meetings, and I too signed up for my placement choices. I was never once promised a thing. We were told they would do their best, but no promises were made. Did I get my first choice? No. Did I whine and cry about it? No. Why? Because I knew that overall the moves were designed to align our school system with the rest of the state and to ensure that all the students in our county had the same advantages. See, I listened with an open mind to Dr. Norris’ explanations for the realignment.

Let’s be honest with ourselves and others. Everyone knows that the schools within the city limits of Rockingham had an advantage over the other smaller schools. They had the most teachers, the best of best, so I was told by one of them, and the most extensive class offerings. I actually had a teacher from Rockingham Junior call her students the “cream of the crop.” That comment infuriated me! All children are equal and deserve the same educational opportunities. So what if some teacher had to move to one of the less desirable schools.

These changes should have been made many, many years ago. How many of you know that out of the 118 counties in our state, we were the 118th county to move to the middle school system? That’s just ridiculous.

As for Mr. McInnis, I’m not going to repeat the reasons why I think he was a great board member, but I will ask this question. If the educators in this county were so against him, why was he endorsed by the Richmond County branch of the North Carolina Association of Educators? That’s certainly strange.

As a teacher who is concerned about the education of all our children, I do not care where I teach. To those who do, you are a disgrace to your profession!!

Tom Mcinnis lost because he firmly supported the reallignment. And worse, he supported Dr. Norris for Superintendent. I don't know how many people know this, but when Norris and his little minions at the central office implemented the realignment, they made no effort to be fair to teachers. They obviously took care of the football coaches first. No, i'm not kidding, they did. They were offered positions at the 9th Grade Academy first, by none other than Coach Hoggard. Then the central ofice lied to the teachers; telling them that a large majority were going to be placed in positions and schools of their request. Then, when unhappy teachers complained about their placments, they were told essentially, no literally, "too bad", and that if they left the county, they would not be welcomed back. And requests for transfers within the county would not ne honored. I"m not lying. The School Board, and Tom Mcinnis, allowed ths to happen. They were supposed to have insured the process was fair. Every single member of the Board who favored the reallignment and the hiring of Norris will be voted out of office when somebody new runs against them. And there will be a celebration in the streets. Watch!

Free, all the deplorable conditions in the classroom you described are a direct result of the very group you represent. The ACLU, the NAACP and all the other liberal blowhards have made it impossible for teachers to teach.

No discipline, no home training, drunk and druged out parents ect. are all results of what liberals stand for, absolutely no requirement for responsibility.

My money is on arogorn, he looks like a contender!

Your so thilly Free2009

Osama do you have a problem with limp wrist? My concern is not wrist but the volume of gray matter upstairs. Do you realize that you come across as a racist bigot in every blog that you blog? Maybe you should back off and do some thinking before you sit down at the keyboard.

Oh shut-up osamaobama!

Is there a limp wrist sissy fight brewing here?

Hey aragorn....no need to check under my bed for anything....I am a liberal so there's one ON my bed. You are the one who could benefit from modern psychiatry.

But hey, everyone knows the politics are crooked in RC. Everyone know ballot boxes are stuffed. Everyone knows that nothing will prevail in RC until people wake up and put the good ole boy system out to pasture.

On another note, Superintendent Norris can do nothing about a teacher evaluation instrument that comes from the state. It is a STUPID teacher who believes he can do anything about it.

And teachers work hard for tenure...it is not an easy process.

While I'm on my soap box, I'll throw this in:

When will people realize that teachers cannot solve all of society's ills? When I got in trouble at school, I got in trouble at home.

But now teachers are held accountable for things that should be parents' responsibilities.

My parents fed me, clothed me, took me to the dentist, doctor, and made sure that I was independent and thoughtful.

So many of today's parents want teachers to do it all!!! Feed the kids breakfast and lunch....check their teeth....teach them manners...make sure they're not abused....oh, yeah, and teach curriculum.

If more parents did their jobs and let teachers teach, maybe the scores would be higher. But when parents have no regard for educators or education, believe me, neither do their kids.

What would you do if a 6 year old looked at you and said, "Hit me! My mom'll sue you!"

You wouldn't believe how many teachers are bullied by students!

Then you have older students with gang mentalities. If you don't believe gangs are in RC, just go to Youtube and type in RSHS fights...or Richmond County.....shows girls fighting, boys fighting, and you cannot expect ONE SRO officer to contain thousands of students.

When teachers can again teach, instead of nurse-maiding & baby sitting, maybe the scores will increase.

But as always, the students that want to learn always find a way!

Aragorn, why don't you go volunteer at the local high school....get an eye full!!

I have watched every televised board meeting for the last few years, and I have never seen anyone on the board, even the former educators, tell teachers how to educate students. Discussions about changes in curriculum were always related to state mandated changes. Local BOEs do not have any control over those kinds of changes. I don’t understand why some people think otherwise. What a misnomer! Without a doubt, the majority of the issues acted upon by the board were related to financial matters.

I actually heard some of my co-workers discussing the latest changes in teacher evaluations and blaming those changes on the local school board. One said, “I hate the new superintendent and school board for putting us through this mess.” I tried to explain that school districts all across NC were using the new evaluation instrument, but most still felt that our school board could have stopped the use of this instrument if they had so chosen. I gave up.

I have an idea. Since there are so many misunderstandings, maybe everyone in education should have some mandatory staff development on what the superintendent and board really do. Perhaps that would help us all to make more informed decisions when voting.

It sounds to me as though we have some stereotypical “profiling” going on here. Is someone trying to say that just because a person is astute in business that he or she is self-centered?

If Tom McInnis was so self-centered, he certainly would not have been spending his time on the Richmond County Board of Education. He had absolutely nothing to gain from serving on this board. I read on one of these past blogs that he wouldn't even take the stipend given to board members.

There are plenty of republicans in office in RC, they just dont register that way. Why would anyone who has anything vote for or belong to the tax and spend party?

This liberal voted for McInnis as I've watched his work on the school board and know he is on the side of the people he represents. I'm sorry you feel this was a "liberal plot" but if that were the case, I certainly didn't get the memo.

I vote for the best candidate, and Tom McInnis was the best. I hope he will run again, as the school board desperately needs him to stand up for what is right.

As for his qualifications, his work on the school board speaks for itself. The man went up against the status quo with tough and intelligent questions, standing alone one many occasions, for what was right. In my opinion, that qualifies him as a true public servant, not a politician. The entire country, local, state and national, could use more people who base a vote on what is right, not what is profitable for themselves.