Having taught school and coached sports in Manatee County for 37 of my 40 years in education, I feel that I learned from observing kids and what becomes of them during and after their high school years.
Rewarding mediocrity and/or lack of effort is not the way to improve the product our schools put out. We have become so “caught up” in school grades that the basics are being overlooked.
Over the past 20 years there has been a real shift in expectations. Teachers are expected to do “more” and students are expected to do “less.”
In other words, schools are expected to do more and the expectations of the students is on the decline because we are afraid we might hurt their feelings.
If a student fails in school and is allowed to continue with no consequences, then point the finger at the school.
If a student fails and there are consequences (zero, F, no promotion to the next level), don’t blame the school, blame the student.
Schools should teach kids to be responsible for their actions.
To not give students failing grades for lack of performance in a class is the mark of a failing school.
Further, to put those failing students out into the real world with no concept of responsibility is to set that student up to fail “out there” and to ultimately become a burden to society. Don’t we have enough of that already?
More should be expected of students in terms of their behavior and respect for their teachers.
So, get those “things” out of your ears so you at least have the opportunity to hear what teachers are saying ... turn off those cell phones ... pull up your pants ... cover up the cleavage.
And if a kid does zero work, that’s what they get: a ZERO!
What is so complicated about that?
Tommy Plaster, retired teacher/coach Bradenton
Dr. Spock’s book taught children to be respectful
I was having my children in the era of Dr. Spock. He was wonderful, taught me to adjust baby formulas, fix a diaper rash, do not pick up when crying, pet and talk to them, then we picked them up and gave hugs and kisses.
When they got to be 2-3 years old is when I started hitting them with the book if they got out of line... it was a wonderful book and my kids are respectful of their elders, their teachers and their police.
Parents should really read the book.
Ethel Mangiapane
Bradenton
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@