According to a December 8th, Chicago Sun-Times article, Parents United for Responsible Education, have their collective drawers in a knot, because the Chicago Public School System is failing students, mostly African-Americans and Hispanics, because of their miserable grades.
Parents United for Responsible Education a.k.a. PURE, says they struck a deal with CPS that would allow failing students to pass, even though they are not performing at their targeted grade level.
Bolstering their argument that failing students is “harmful“, "wasteful", and "extravagant", PURE cites the millions of tax dollars wasted, every time a child has to repeat a grade level.
If you’re not sitting down, I suggest you grab a seat or hold on to something sturdy. This next one is a real humdinger.
One Chicago parent had the nerve to be upset, because her son failed his reading course, and his teacher didn’t bother to knock on her door, and tell her son was getting an F.
Here’s an excerpt from the Chicago Sun-Times article:
"Parent, Linda Hudson, said she was never told she had five days to appeal a teacher’s decision to give her son an F in summer school reading, a move that forced him to repeat sixth grade, even though he was sent to summer school for poor math test scores. The reading teacher never alerted her that her son was in danger of failing reading, she said."
Deal or no deal with CPS, when did it become the responsible of the teacher to inform parents that their children are barely literate? If a parent is actively involved in their child's education - wouldn't that parent already know "Johnny" can barely read?
We may save a boatload of money by passing ill-prepared students to the next grade, but the tab will be even higher when those same students are on welfare, in prison, and wrecking havoc on society.
Passing failing students just to save a buck and save face, does a grave disservice to everyone involved. Especially, the taxpayers.
That's part of the problem with todays parents, they don't PARTICIPATE with their children, which, in turn, causes problems for all the rest of us. Can't help but wonder how the world will be for my grandchildren. If I did even a fraction of what these kids do today and didn't pass my classes, I would have been grounded for the rest of my life. Education, respect, manners and a strong work ethic seem to be sadly lacking with the kids in this country and in particular, this city. What a shame but mostly, shame on the parents.
ReplyDeletetowanda, thanks to my parents... I could read, write, add, subtract, divide, multiply, tie my own shoes, knew my telephone number and address - before I started school.
ReplyDeleteI was probably the only kid in the neighborhood who had a chalkboard at home. No one had to ask me to do my homework. I did it because I loved to learn. I had, and still have, an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
FGFM, why bother to comment if you can't contribute to the article or can only make a smart ass remark? One thing in your favor, at least you can spell but that's about it. Perhaps you should thank your parents or a teacher for that INSTEAD of being a smart ass! Just a thought...
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