I have been in public education for 38 years . When we were
doing well and the kids were thriving, it wasn't "good
enough." We simply taught what was required and had time for
P.E., Art, and Music. It was well-balanced and our
achievement tests, a clean basic test, CTBS (Comprehensive
Test of Basic Skills) proved that. We had time, then, to
actually teach and even time for a little creativity.

BUT...evidently, not enough creativity. SO PRESTO: the
publishing giants have just the materials to "fix" it. Along
comes the Whole Language disaster. We tossed the books (I
didn't; I hid them so I could teach). Our rooms were "print
rich" and the kids would learn to read "naturally" with all
the fun and games etc. Math was taught so children
would "think" but while they were "thinking" their
computation skills went down the tubes. Thousands of
taxpayers dollars went down the tubes right with them.

Okay, the Whole Language movement proved to be a disaster
so the kids really couldn't read and write well. SO PRESTO
AGAIN: The publishing giants are at it again. They have
their printing presses rolling and new and "wonderful"
programs to fix the mess their other products created.

The standards went from fun and games to ridiculously high
standards that even some affluent districts couldn't
achieve. The more difficult the standards, the lower the
test scores. Thus, there would be a greater need to "fix"
the problem.

So more money went flying out of the taxpayers wallets and
into the hands of CEO's, lobbyists etc. etc. The political
football game continues.

I have NOT seen a huge change in kids over the years. And
some of my highest academic achievers have been ESL kids.
They may be from lower economic families but those families
value education.

The real answer answer, in my opinion, is an HONEST third
party that will clean up the mess AND CORRUPTION in this
country. With that, California may have a shot at again
reclaiming the top educational system in the nation!

Just my thoughts and opinions,
Jeannie

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