American Thinker: As a semi-retired business writer who taught in Detroit 35 years ago, I returned to the classroom because a local high school was unable to replace a Latin teacher who had resigned. I hold an advanced degree in medieval studies and renewed my certification to teach Latin, history, and social studies. Once in class, I witnessed firsthand the politicized atmosphere of today’s factory-style government-monopoly schools.
My first exposure to school politics came when I renewed my certification. The 1982 certificate only listed the courses I could teach. In contrast, the 2018 version had a 300-word “Code of Ethics” that amounted to a profession of faith in collectivism, egalitarianism, state schools, and diversity (typically limited to superficial things like skin color and gender, not ideas). Nonetheless, I proceeded, thinking that I couldn’t possibly make matters worse. That much was correct.
Grosse Pointe South High School is architecturally interesting, sits in a higher-income community, and is considered a good school by locals.
After an interview and teaching a few “test” classes to first- and second-year students, I was hired. Within a few days, however, it was clear that many students did not understand English grammar, much less Latin fundamentals. In response, I taught remedial grammar and outlined how students could pass my course with a “C” or “D.” There were some excellent students, but test scores were not distributed in a bell-shaped curve. It was an “inverted” bell, or bimodal distribution – with scores clumped at the two extremes.
Poor preparation, however, was only the tip of the iceberg. Students did not bring books to class, relentlessly complained about homework, and expected high grades regardless of proficiency. And when I asked questions, I uncovered some alarming facts:
How can they possibly teach when our taxes only provide $23,000 per student each year?
The difference between a libertarian and a liberal is the difference between an occasional acute mental unfitness and a chronic mental pathology. No one should be forced to suffer one or the other, but [we] always are.
The author continues the article down in the comments where it really gets good. (Apparently the article had a word limit.) Very educational
I have read where the military academies are following suit and we know that colleges are shiite. What remains? Yes yes, I know “home schooling” but we are still required to support these public travesties…
“Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act.” Geo. Orwell
That it got worse and worse: thay was the idea.
@ Loco
You mean 9 months for 23k right?
Special ed can be 75k per kid and up.
Public schools have gotten worse every year since the Federal government first got involved in them.
Anyone remember the slogan “Federal aid means Federal control” we heard decades ago when everything wrong with our country was getting started, and how it was ridiculed as right wing propaganda nonsense by the Democrats?
Go try teaching or substituting in a majority black school.
WHAT A JOKE!
The list of ridiculousness is too long to even type here, or anywhere. From the time you walk in until lunch, and then the time they unlock the doors to leave, it’s an assault on your dignity and you have a hard time recovering from all the mental arguments you have with yourself, “Why in the hell would they say / allow this to occur? Who in their right mind would think it’s Ok to…..” and so it goes.
Pure hell-hole.
What a shame that Percy can only engage in name calling. No argument. No facts. No thinking. That’s a perfect product of a govt school. And now we know why: When you think of public schools, think of public toilets. They’re both that way for the same reason.
What do Democrat-run cities and a democrat-run education system have in common?
They SUCK!