Students do better with less time in a classroom......
FORT VALLEY, Ga. (AP) — During the school year, Mondays in this rural Georgia community are for video games, trips to grandma's house and hanging out at the neighborhood community center.
Don't bother showing up for school. The doors are locked and the lights are off.
Peach County is one of more than 120 school districts across the country where students attend school just four days a week, a cost-saving tactic gaining popularity among cash-strapped districts struggling to make ends meet. The 4,000-student district started shaving a day off its weekly school calendar last year to help fill a $1 million budget shortfall.
It was that or lay off 39 teachers the week before school started, said Superintendent Susan Clark.
"We're treading water," Clark said as she stood outside the headquarters of her seven-school district. "There was nothing else for us to do."
The results? Test scores went up.
So did attendance — for both students and teachers. The district is spending one-third of what it once did on substitute teachers, Clark said.
And the graduation rate likely will be more than 80 percent for the first time in years, Clark said.
How long was the school day?
How about "unschooling" altogether. I keep waiting for some of you who hate traditional schools to bring that up. It's been around for 6 years or so.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on June 04, 2010, 12:02:20 PM
How long was the school day?
I think they extended each day by 1 hour. But the extra day helps big time i have worked 4 day weeks before, and even 3 day workweeks and you do preform better.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on June 04, 2010, 12:31:12 PM
How about "unschooling" altogether. I keep waiting for some of you who hate traditional schools to bring that up. It's been around for 6 years or so.
Unschooling is homeschooling
Unschooling happens at home, but there are no set rules of any kind. The kids run the show. It they don't want to partake in "school" for a few weeks, that's OK. Watch TV all day, no problem. Sleep 'til noon every day, why not? Study math at 3:00 am. ,go for it...or so the kids think. It does work after a fashion because the Internet is available and as you know you can find 'most anything on here. It's a little like Montessori but involves the child's whole life.The kids can jump from whim to whim.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on June 04, 2010, 05:59:10 PM
Unschooling happens at home, but there are no set rules of any kind. The kids run the show. It they don't want to partake in "school" for a few weeks, that's OK. Watch TV all day, no problem. Sleep 'til noon every day, why not? Study math at 3:00 am. ,go for it...or so the kids think. It does work after a fashion because the Internet is available and as you know you can find 'most anything on here. It's a little like Montessori but involves the child's whole life.The kids can jump fro whim to whim.
uhhh don't know anything about that, Homeschooling involves a childs whole life. Theres is no real set schedule as long as the work is done. There is a curriculum that has to be completed, but no set hours in which they have to be sitting there. If it takes them 1 hour to finish then its 1 hour, if it takes them 10 hours its 10 hours.
As far as letting kids sleep to noon or later, If i had kids, their butts would be up around 7 am or so doing their chores and starting a day. TV wouldn't be a option cause i don't have one now, and i find it is one of the biggest problems in kids being lazy these days. They would rather sit in front of a tv than running around outside using their creativity and imaginations.
As far as jumping from whim to whim, no i wouldn't support starting something then when bored quitting before its finished to start some other whim to not finish it.
I don't believe in the regimental setup that schools have, but i do believe kids need structure and boundries. I also believe that children need goals set by the adults so that they reach higher than they would themselves. Its called settning the bar higher.
My boys were reading by age 3 or 4, started out reading a bible, which is the best because it teaches not only reading comprehension but proper sentence structure and spelling. It is a bit difficult but they learn.
They were on my computers at age 6, mind you this was before computers were the norm in a household. they were also helping me work on them at that age handing me parts and tools and watching and learning.
Spent a lot of time learning how to hunt, fish, how to survive in the forest, how to navigate the forest, (BTW that requires math and geometry). This was before they got into 1st grade. 3 of my boys were invited to duke at the age of 12. One son was invited to the legislature at age 12 to serve as a page. I refused to allow that. But it makes a statement on his abilities. How did he get that request? He informed the good senator that the senator was wrong when the senator told the 12 year old students the 2nd amendment protected the rights of hunters to hunt. My son immediately informed him and said Sir you are incorrect on that, the 2nd amendment was written into the constitution in order to preserve the ownership of arms by the people to overthrow a government that has become tyrannical.
My kids weren't taught by the Government school system. And it shows!
There is truly a movement called "Unschooling" - it is not at all like homeschooling.
Unschooling teaches that kids will learn what they're interested in - the kids set any agenda. (There usually isn't one.)
In home schooling, parents set an agenda and decide what a child is to learn.
Steve, some day it's going to hit you that you and yours are unusual and what works for you absolutely would not work for everyone. I think it's fine that your kids turned out well. You can't expect all families to act or react or be successful doing education your way. By the way, I thought your sons were due home from the Marines in May. Any word on them? Mom, I 'm glad you've heard of unschooling. Personally I'm a little skeptical.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on June 04, 2010, 08:50:20 PM
Steve, some day it's going to hit you that you and yours are unusual and what works for you absolutely would not work for everyone. I think it's fine that your kids turned out well. You can't expect all families to act or react or be successful doing education your way. By the way, I thought your sons were due home from the Marines in May. Any word on them? Mom, I 'm glad you've heard of unschooling. Personally I'm a little skeptical.
Well personally, if you don't set goals for kids, and let them essentially do nothing, then its not a good thing. IF given the choice children will choose the path of least resistance. Now homeschooling doesn't necessarily bar them from learning waht they want. It in fact allows greater freedom for the kids to explore what interests them. Everything you do can be a lesson, and instead of being locked away in a building 5 days a week, the classroom is anywhere. no need for 4 walls and a chalk board to learn.
My kids are not that unusual Diane, I can point out couple hundred kids that went to the same schools that my kids did that are just as good or even better at things, have higher education that my boys. So yes it does matter setting education at a level where kids will achieve. Not lowering the educational standards so that the slower kids can feel good about themselves. The slower kids will learn and maybe they won't achieve that bar, but they will get as high as they can go.,
QuoteMom, I 'm glad you've heard of unschooling. Personally I'm a little skeptical.
I'm not a fan of unschooling. I think it's similar to those who say give a monkey a typewriter and eventually you'll get Shakespeare.
(or whatever that saying is - but I think you can get the gist of what I mean.)Quotehomeschooling doesn't necessarily bar them from learning what they want. It in fact allows greater freedom for the kids to explore what interests them.
This is what's good about homeschooling. if kids are interested in something, then the adults have to help them explore what interests them - show them the resources where they can learn more.
I think that's what good teachers do, whether in a public school, a private school or a home school. All have good teachers, all have bad teachers.
Some schools are more structured than others; some kids need more structure, some need less. They all need guidance of some kind, however, and from what I've seen and heard about unschooling, it doesn't provide any.
I'm in favor of whatever works! ;) One size does not fit all. Kids do need some structure as far as I'm concerned, some more than others. Time management skills are important too and free wheeling it day after day won't help with that at all.
Some adults who were never fit to be parents are better off having their kids somewhere else during the school day. I know that sounds rough, but we all know some of those.
Very interesting discussion. Susan
From what I've seen kids (aside from those with special needs) need regiment and discipline. You want to see a child excel? Place them in a Bootcamp like enviroment, set the standard high and accept nothing else. If a child doesn't give 100% towards an assignment make them do it again, until it becomes habit. And for the love of all that is holy, quit giving children an award for every little thing they do. Recently, at my oldest boys 6th grade "graduation" every single child in his class recieved an "achievment" award. I was expecting the teachers to start with the "and here is little johnny's award for showing up with a pulse" bit. Make the children EARN their awards by meeting the standards.
Quote from: Varmit on June 06, 2010, 06:12:15 AM
From what I've seen kids (aside from those with special needs) need regiment and discipline. You want to see a child excel? Place them in a Bootcamp like enviroment, set the standard high and accept nothing else. If a child doesn't give 100% towards an assignment make them do it again, until it becomes habit. And for the love of all that is holy, quit giving children an award for every little thing they do. Recently, at my oldest boys 6th grade "graduation" every single child in his class recieved an "achievment" award. I was expecting the teachers to start with the "and here is little johnny's award for showing up with a pulse" bit. Make the children EARN their awards by meeting the standards.
Yeah that is a big problem, it turns awards and achievements into meaningless pursuits. 1st 2nd and 3rd place awards should be what is needed to spur excellence.
Did you see that crap about someone wanting to make words easier to spell??? Sheesh. WHat happened to learning how to spell the darn word instead of reducing the english language to the texting crowds
You're contrary & disputing the experts in the gov't education system.
But, you're right and you have the right to do so, so stay right in there.
Yeah, what's wrong with the way words are spelled now, if people would just learn to spell.
Quote from: Varmit on June 06, 2010, 06:12:15 AM
From what I've seen kids (aside from those with special needs) need regiment and discipline. You want to see a child excel? Place them in a Bootcamp like enviroment, set the standard high and accept nothing else. If a child doesn't give 100% towards an assignment make them do it again, until it becomes habit. And for the love of all that is holy, quit giving children an award for every little thing they do. Recently, at my oldest boys 6th grade "graduation" every single child in his class recieved an "achievment" award. I was expecting the teachers to start with the "and here is little johnny's award for showing up with a pulse" bit. Make the children EARN their awards by meeting the standards.
Whats the difference betwen this and what you call government school indoctrination. You all aren't against indoctrination....you just want your kids indoctrinated YOUR way LOL
Kids do need rules and structure.....they DON'T need to be browbeat ( as in bootcamp like environment) and they DON'T need to be coddled ( as in everybody wins).
In my humble opinion any kid worth their salt is going to rebel against ANY kind of INDOCTRINATION and think for themselves.
and yeah giving every kid an award whether they are good at something or not is doing that child a DISSERVICE......they never find their TRUE talents if you blow smoke up their ass that they are good at everything. They never learn to try again when they fail. The ones who are TRULY good at any given thing don't realize they are BETTER at that one thing.
Ahem... my turn too. Thanks Pam. Some of our language and words are based on other languages that we picked up over the years. Why change the spelling? As you know there was a time when spelling wasn't standardized. When everyone lived in the country or small villages it didn't matter much, but as we began to travel and broaden our horizons it did matter. Last names needed to be spelled the same as the generations passed by. Look at all the variations some names have. In some cases peoples' lives depended on it.
As far as rewards for kids achievements, it's important, but the pendulum has swung too far now in some cases. I remember being pleased,when as a first grader I brought home a star on my paper and Mom praising me for it, but that was it. They didn't throw a celebration. I was expected to get good grades and that was that. It didn't take a boot camp atmosphere. Not every elementary school kid should be treated as if he/she is going to be a Marine and that is very short sighted to think so. Most parents wouldn't stand for it anyway.
How do you know what 100% is for any given child? Every child is different and every day is different and every subject is different. That's what the teacher works on. If a child comes to school in tears because he just found out his parents are divorcing, the teacher doesn't tell said child to "suck it up" and get back to work. The teacher also can't get carried away with sympathy either. (By the way Varmit, the word is "regimen" not "regiment"...they are not in the military!) Consistency is a good word too. I do agree that overdoing the awards can cheapen the success, but doesn't everyone enjoy their high school band letter or sports letter, or earning their way onto a team? We even had a reward of sorts for spelling. New words were introduced on Monday with an introductory test followed by the usual "use it in a sentence" etc. A trial test was given on Wednesday. Then the final test was given on Friday. Words that were spelled correctly on Wednesday could be skipped on Friday. Many kids never took a Friday test. That's a well earned reward.
Some kids can be real discipline problems who have the notion that even scolding is attention and they want and need it. Then we try to catch them doing something, anything, to compliment. Usually after a short time they find that a nice compliment is much better than a grumpy criticism and they begin to turn around. It doesn't always work, but often does. If you saw me quietly complimenting a child for putting his books neatly away you'd think I was nuts. But get the whole story!
I don't understand all the graduations either. We didn't/don't have that. I graduated from Kennett High School, period. I think some kindergartens have graduations because the moms want cute photos? I'm not sure.
I agree that the self image thing can be over done, especially when the parents get overly involved, but boot camp? How about a child version of a horse whisperer instead. I could wither a child just by giving the kid my third grade school teacher double whammy look. Still can. I rarely ever had to raise my voice to my own classroom kids.
Red ......ya remind me of the little kid on the play ground who stands on the sidelines and encourages the other two boys to punch each others' lights out. ;D
What branch of the service were YOU in?
What I have seen on unschooling makes me believe it is completely INSANE.
Pam and Diane, you totally missed the point of what I was getting at. By "Bootcamp" I wasn't implying that children need be indoctrinated into anything. Just the discipline aspect of it. You show up at school in uniform, on time, ready to go to work. And that includes the teachers. The day starts with an hour of P.T. (teachers also) followed by "real" classes. No home ec., no study hall! Teachers are to be addressed properly and with respect, as are the students. Awards and recognition are given to those students that EARN them. And the standard is set high, you don't achieve it you don't pass. You don't lower the standard to the point that there is no real achievement.
I understand bootcamp dude. I grew up that way. I never lipped off at my elders. I also learned respect is not OWED except basic... you EARN it......and yes it IS just as much an indoctrination as any other...its just the one you choose to use.
I have been on the outside of what is considered the norm and I have colored INSIDE the lines...........Indoctrination of ANY kind repells me......I am one of those people that the harder you push or pull the more likely I am to "take to the hills" I'll still get there but it wont be by any road YOU know.
I have fought the school uniform thing since my kids got in school, I will continue to fight it for my grandkids, I do not think round pegs in round holes do anybody any good......give me a square peg anytime......specially if they fight to STAY square
Quote from: pamagain on June 07, 2010, 11:36:40 AM
I understand bootcamp dude. I grew up that way. I never lipped off at my elders. I also learned respect is not OWED except basic... you EARN it......and yes it IS just as much an indoctrination as any other...its just the one you choose to use.
I have been on the outside of what is considered the norm and I have colored INSIDE the lines...........Indoctrination of ANY kind repells me......I am one of those people that the harder you push or pull the more likely I am to "take to the hills" I'll still get there but it wont be by any road YOU know.
I have fought the school uniform thing since my kids got in school, I will continue to fight it for my grandkids, I do not think round pegs in round holes do anybody any good......give me a square peg anytime......specially if they fight to STAY square
Couldn't agree more with the uniform statement....
Also, home ec is an excellent thing to teach in school.... there are more than just a few subjects that should be taught in school.
Quote from: pamagain on June 07, 2010, 11:36:40 AM
I understand bootcamp dude. I grew up that way. I never lipped off at my elders. I also learned respect is not OWED except basic... you EARN it......and yes it IS just as much an indoctrination as any other...its just the one you choose to use.
Respect is demanded and required of children towards adults. There is no earning it. I don't care if my kid likes someone or not, they were NEVER EVER allowed to disrespect an adult, there was NO quarter given if one of my kids disrespected an adult. IF they did, they usually got work detail at home that would make a marine cry, and then they were to write up a appology in writing, and explain their actions in writing to the person they disrespected. Not only that they had to go face the adult and apologize while handing their written apology to them.
Even today, my kids are in their 20's almost hitting 30's, and they still respect their elders.
Quote from: jerry wagner on June 07, 2010, 12:52:42 PM
Couldn't agree more with the uniform statement....
Also, home ec is an excellent thing to teach in school.... there are more than just a few subjects that should be taught in school.
LOL well home ec was one of those easy courses you took to keep your gpa up when you were taking a rather difficult course like bio-chemistry, or calculus.
But i knew how to cook, sew, can, and grow my own food long before home ec class was even available to me.
You are describing Newark Charter.Yes, they have uniforms but they don't all look alike,There are long and short sleeved golf shirts in about 10 colors with the school logo on it, Khaki pants or skirts (don't say it!) and the kids choose which colors they wear each day. They do march down the hall without a peep but keeping in line is easy. We built the school with contrasting tiles on the hall floors to make a line to walk on. The kids understand that quiet in the halls is to respect other classes and the lines are for safety. Respect is not a problem, period, and it goes both ways.( when did "disrespect" become a verb!) The teachers are tops and the kids work very hard to be the best they can, but it's done with love, not hitting. By the way, you drop Home Ec. Shop has to go too! ;D They are both good classes. Applied science and math are used in both. We don't have an hour of pt, but the buildings are three floors, and recesses and gym are very active times.
QuoteRespect is demanded and required of children towards adults. There is no earning it. I don't care if my kid likes someone or not, they were NEVER EVER allowed to disrespect an adult
basic respect as due any human......I've known plenty of adults who didn't deserve my respect above or beyond that,OR my kids respect. I gave my kids the common sense to know when an adult was somebody they COULD/SHOULD tell to take off. You and I differ on this. My kids are 31, 29, and 18. They respect their elders as in being POLITE whether they like em or not but as far as what I consider respect ( as in somebody to aspire to or to look up to) that is given when it is earned.
TOO many perverts use kids being taught never to question the authority of adults as a way to get AT kids. So NO I'm not sorry I gave my kids the leeway to learn the difference. Period.
OK...I've been a good girl as long as I can stand it on this thread...I have nothing to say about the homeschooling or unschooling element...But I do have something to say regarding the aspect of respect within the classroom...
I have never demanded the respect of my children...I have always commanded the respect of my children...There's a huge difference between those two. I deport myself in such a way, both in the classroom and out in public, that I raise the bar high for my students. I first treat THEM with respect. Before a child will care what you think, they have to first believe that YOU CARE. I believe in forging a bond between myself and my students. It is only after I have that bond that real learning occurs...Because it is at that point that the kids have accepted that I care for them unconditionally and they aren't worried about whatever censure they might have to face from me. It is at that point that the kids really kick into high gear and start showing what it is that they are REALLY able to do...And I just sit there and smile. ;D You cannot browbeat children into learning. You cannot bribe them into learning. You have to lead them into learning...I am a mentor...I am a confidante...I am a friend...I am a teacher. Those who can, teach...Those who can't, talk about it.
Exactly Cat! :)
Thanks Cat! Deportment? I don't think anybody knows what that is any more. ;D Thank goodness you think and speak like a teacher! Your kids must adore you. Kids will usually reach for the goals we set, even though they may not be the same for each child. Teaching by intimidation and fear doesn't cut it with me.
My supervisor used to ask me how it was I got good consistent performance from my crew. Cat you described it perfectly, thanks!
Quote from: Diane Amberg on June 08, 2010, 09:30:43 AM
Thanks Cat! Deportment? I don't think anybody knows what that is any more. ;D Thank goodness you think and speak like a teacher! Your kids must adore you. Kids will usually reach for the goals we set, even though they may not be the same for each child. Teaching by intimidation and fear doesn't cut it with me.
Who said anything about intimidation and fear?
Oh yeah, for those of you who think that a "bootcamp" enviroment is a negative one, bear in mind that the folks that serve in our military (you know, those "round pegs and round holes") are among the most intelligent and well educated people in our society.
Quote from: Varmit on June 09, 2010, 10:01:31 AM
Who said anything about intimidation and fear?
Oh yeah, for those of you who think that a "bootcamp" enviroment is a negative one, bear in mind that the folks that serve in our military (you know, those "round pegs and round holes") are among the most intelligent and well educated people in our society.
Bootcamp is all about intimidation......are you serious? LOL Bootcamp is all about givin power to another person/entity, teachin people to do what you are told WHEN you are told HOW you are told whether you agree with it or not. It'll work on kids yeah....but ME PERSONALLY/I think it's not the best or first way to go. So what?
Never said they weren't. Some of the most intelligent and well-educated people in the history of the world were also SQUARE pegs.
Just out of curiousity.......does your butt squeak when you walk?? You are way too anal about my opinions dude. We/You and Me are two different people with two different ways of operatin..........so? I hope you live a long and happy life with your bootcamp kids...more power to you.....I'll just be over here livin MY long happy life with my HOPEFULLY square peg kids and grandkids :) but if they turn out to think more to your side more power to em...I'll love em anyway LOL
Quote from: pamagain on June 09, 2010, 12:59:24 PM
Bootcamp is all about intimidation......are you serious? LOL Bootcamp is all about givin power to another person/entity, teachin people to do what you are told WHEN you are told HOW you are told whether you agree with it or not. It'll work on kids yeah....but ME PERSONALLY/I think it's not the best or first way to go. So what?
Never said they weren't. Some of the most intelligent and well-educated people in the history of the world were also SQUARE pegs.
Just out of curiousity.......does your butt squeak when you walk?? You are way too anal about my opinions dude. We/You and Me are two different people with two different ways of operatin..........so? I hope you live a long and happy life with your bootcamp kids...more power to you.....I'll just be over here livin MY long happy life with my HOPEFULLY square peg kids and grandkids :) but if they turn out to think more to your side more power to em...I'll love em anyway LOL
Most kids that go into the military have to be unlearned. The schools and parents have filled them with so much crap that the military cannot do anything with them until they unlearn them and then bring them to a point so that they can be taught.
The few that actually do not have to be unlearned, usually become the leaders in that they can concentrate more on developing the skills that are present. For example, Most kids these days can't handle a gun. But those kids that have spent their childhood using a gun to hunt with, target practice, clean and maintain the gun, don't have to be retrained. They already possess shooting skills that the marines or army can refine into better shooting skills. The rest they have to start from ground zero in teachin this is the end that kills you this is the end that kicks you.
this is just one example. A bootcamp is about building teams. People working together in sync. To do that you have to get them all thinking alike and acting together but within their different abilities.
Personally i really think that every kid coming out of school should serve in the military for at least 2 years. The skills and the disclipine that the military gives would help them succeed in life, make them more confident.
Speaking with the DS at my sons Graduation, he said that 90% of all recruits that come in are some of the most disfunctional, obstinate, illiterate, and messed up kids they have ever seen. But they do succeed when the marines unlearn them.
I remember josh got some of that unlearning training when they hit the gas chamber. He made a wisecrack about something and the DI decided that he needed to do the chamber again, that he wasn't tearing up or puking enough from the first go round.
So bootcamp is not negative, it is what keeps the guys alive. and it is what makes them valuable in the work force later on.
So if it works in military you can set a school up to teach the basics of it and keep the kids learning.
Quote from Pam
Bootcamp is all about intimidation......are you serious? LOL Bootcamp is all about givin power to another person/entity, teachin people to do what you are told WHEN you are told HOW you are told whether you agree with it or not. It'll work on kids yeah....but ME PERSONALLY/I think it's not the best or first way to go. So what?
Pam,
You are right. Boot camp IS to make a person follow a command and do it without question and do it" NOW". There is a reason for that. In every firefight I was ever in within seconds of hitting the crap there were always calls of "guns up----radio up----corpsman up" and that meant NOW---not tomorrow---not next week---BUT NOW. And trust me---when I had this little petite body of mine tucked under a helmet and the call for "radio-up' came I did not get up from being brave. I did it because I was still scared that drill instructor was gonna boot me in the butt if I didn't react immediately .
You would love boot camp Pam, but not as much fun as the DI's would have with you. They love the rebellious, head strong type, that you come across as but in the end when they said jump you would ask how high ,on the way up ----just like I did. :)
Quote from: jarhead on June 09, 2010, 04:43:25 PM
Quote from Pam
Bootcamp is all about intimidation......are you serious? LOL Bootcamp is all about givin power to another person/entity, teachin people to do what you are told WHEN you are told HOW you are told whether you agree with it or not. It'll work on kids yeah....but ME PERSONALLY/I think it's not the best or first way to go. So what?
Pam,
You are right. Boot camp IS to make a person follow a command and do it without question and do it" NOW". There is a reason for that. In every firefight I was ever in within seconds of hitting the crap there were always calls of "guns up----radio up----corpsman up" and that meant NOW---not tomorrow---not next week---BUT NOW. And trust me---when I had this little petite body of mine tucked under a helmet and the call for "radio-up' came I did not get up from being brave. I did it because I was still scared that drill instructor was gonna boot me in the butt if I didn't react immediately .
You would love boot camp Pam, but not as much fun as the DI's would have with you. They love the rebellious, head strong type, that you come across as but in the end when they said jump you would ask how high ,on the way up ----just like I did. :)
ROTFL yeah that would be interesting.
Jar I totally get why it is necessary in the military. Yeah I would EXCEL in bootcamp......challenge me and you bring out my best.
:P I had this big reply all typed out and then figured pffffftttttt....LOL I AM headstrong and I am rebellious.......you say that like it's a BAD thing! ;D
Srk....you have a bad habit of jumpin to the conclusion that if somebody disagrees with somethin it's because they don't know anything about it LOL and launch into a big lecture!
Pam,
I was in no way saying being rebellious and head strong is a bad thing. Matter of fact I have been said to be like a Billy goat, myself. Something about a hard head and stinking ass !!! :)
So, what is wrong with having children address teachers as Sir or Ma'am, Mr. or Mrs.? Or having the students stand when answering or asking questions? Whats wrong with requiring students to come to class with a presentable appearence (slacks and a collar shirt) not baggy jeans and t-shirts or the "hoochie" outfits for girls? Or setting a high standard that requires actual work to achieve? Implementing rules and disciplinary procedures that hold students accountable for their actions?
Varmit, nothing, but some parents (not most teachers) when it comes to dress, will tell you you are stifling the child's freedom to choose, and they do choose poorly sometimes. They feel as strongly about it as you do on your pick of freedoms to protect. Remember the hissy fits over the flag tee shirts? Ya don't wear 'em it can't happen! The big school district here tried years ago to have a dress code and the parents went ballistic! Personal freedom they yelled! Pants dragging on the ground? Butt crack showing? Not your (the school's) business. Personal freedom ,has nothing to do with education, butt out! ;D It has been moderated several times and it's much better now. Sometimes the girls sneak extra clothes to school to change into and the parents don't know! Uh, what's in those huge pack packs? Can't search 'em Personal freedom! ( I can assure you no school or parent here would be happy to see boys show up for graduation in jeans with holes!)
Standing to ask or answer questions is something else. Many of my own teachers did that and our really shy kids would rather take a failing grade than be in the center of attention like that. It adds nothing to the child's education, but I think it's up to each school to decide. As far as form of address, that seems to be regional. Mr and Mrs. are used always here, but Ma'am and Sir, almost never.
I've got to share this with you. Last week at Newark Nite we were sitting at our booth and we heard an extremely angry voice and some serious crying. It seems this girl, who was maybe thirteen had gone to a friend house before they went to the street fair. She had changed into totally in appropriate clothes for anyone, let alone someone her age. She made the mistake of bumping into her mother,who she didn't know was going. Talk about screaming and yelling! The mother had her by the arm and was dragging the girl down the street last we saw of her. She'll probably be grounded until she's 30. ;D