I graduated from a public high school in 1969. Certain memories came back to me as I was reading the editorial, "Who's teaching the kids?" Education was different in those days. Teachers ruled, as the saying goes. Homework was a requirement, often tedious, but it certainly developed a work ethic. Reading assignments were often a part of that homework. Imagine being required to read a chapter or so in a text, and most likely have a pop quiz on it the following day.
I retired after 25 years of teaching in 2010. By the time I left, I saw worrisome changes in the teaching profession. Teachers no longer ruled. Parents questioned the validity of homework. Discipline became a tightrope to walk. Respect from students began to wane. Add to this the distraction of technology – texting, video games, Facebook, etc. and who has the time or the inclination to read?
Yes, the SAT Reading scores are down. But isn't it time to take a look at the other causes of these drops? In the years since 1970, society has changed greatly. I submit that those changes are more responsible for the falling of our youths' reading scores than the lack of any attempts by teachers to educate. Smaller class sizes have become important as teachers deal with a myriad of special-needs students, mainstreamed into their classrooms. Inflation hits the education pocketbook too. (Think of the cost of introducing technology into classrooms.)
I am tired of the constant blame of the failure of today's students on their teachers. If we want to refer back to the test scores of 1970, let's not neglect looking at all that has changed since those days.
Richmond.
Susan Shoap.
(Sue Shoap is a retired Chesterfield teacher who spent most of her career at Jacob's Road ES, as well as several years at Swift Creek MS. Sue was CEA-VP during the early 90s, and also served on the VEA Board of Directors.)
