Wednesday, August 15, 2018 – Back to School Daze
We’re all in our places with bright shiny faces.
Many schools start today. Here’s to the dedicated men and women who run the educational institutions for our children. Yes, they are all OUR children.
Who is going to perform your open heart surgery? The kid you had in kindergarten who did not speak English on the first day of school. Who do you think is going to care for you in the nursing home? That kid from your third period class – fourth row; second seat.
Speaking of dazed and confused. The Texas Education Agency released the A-F Accountability rankings for school districts across the state using a new grading system. Way to get districts off to a positive start to school, Bureaucrats.
The system ranks schools on three broad categories: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. This is based on the STAAR tests. That’s right – your entire future is dependent upon one’s ability to take a test and perform within the parameters set by number nerd jocks.
Now let’s see what types of in service topics were offered to teachers at various schools this year:
- Clear backpacks required
- Bullet proof backpack optional
- Deep tissue wound first aid techniques
- No headphones in the hallways in order to hear
- No flip flops or sandals for shoes (can’t run or could step on shattered glass)
- Child trafficking issues
- Domestic abuse issues
- Likelihood of your campuses targeted
- Recognizing armed individuals on campus
- Where to hide
- How to barricade to protect your class
Here’s what I’m thinking. I’m a principal, teacher or student and am supposed to worry about the issues listed above AND pass a test in order to be successful? AND do all of this when NO MORE money?
As we used to say in the state government … “Carry on regardless.”
Here's What I'm Thinking 