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{February 20, 2009}
This week I am thinking about our state of economy and how this is going to affect our public school systems. I, as I am sure many others, know that something really needs to change and this needs to happen fast in order to start changing things for the better. I am not really sure how this can take place becuase of the complexities that are involved. Before I returned to school to persue a teaching degree I thought that much of what is going on is black and white. Things that could get fixed easily. Well it has not taken me long to discover that things are not so simple. Many of the issuses that are facing not only urban schools but suburban schools will take major overhaul to solve. I am not sure of exactly what needs to change but I am sure that everybody need to get on the same page and come to some sort of agreements as far as what is acceptable to them as administrators, partents, teachers, students and community members. This concept will be very difficult and may only be accomplished from region to region, for example. I thinks that many of the problems that have risen come from just that. That people that are supposed to be on the “same team” don’t agree and/or don’t know and follow policies that are put in place let alone issuse that sould be outlined for people to follow. I also beleive that all people will not like policies in place but they must follow the protocol unless somehow cleared to do otherwise. In short our problems are very complex and difficult to solve but not matter what is done to shift for change.
I agree with you when its comes to the economy not being back or white. Its a really scary place right now not only in the school systems but in regular jobs. For the most part I have talked with alot of my friend and about every company has a hiring freeze on and alot of school are taking the same types of action. Look at naz, they have not start to hire or do anything right now for fall, they are at a total stand still waiting to see how many students they are going to have. Its very scary. I was with my parents and their friends sat and they were talking about it and how its really going to change lot. They said growing up their parents wanted to give them everything and they have been doing that and more for us. So my generation thing they can go on trip and spend money like they did with their parents. And we will do that for our children when we have them but what to do right now is the question? How can we make thing better? What can we do? 401K are horrible now people are losing so much money, alot of people have nothing to retire on, it just really sad that you put so much work into something so you can enjoy life later and now look at it. Companies are not even matching 401K. I could talk about this all day. There are so many different angles and direction to go into. Its just a mess.
Angela, to say that school change is complex is an understatement! You are so correct on your observations there. There is indeed so much disagreement about what is best, effective, safe, wise,… and sadly, the interests of the students are often not the ones at the forefront in many of these very political discussions.