Ah, the joys of Spring Break. The only thing nicer than being away from my students for a week? SUMMER! After dealing with craziness, pre-teen pregnancy, students who don't speak English, and the sheer mass of students who have been told that they don't need to pass my class to go on to high school, I am so ready for school to be over.
Boy, was I stupid to think I could go from high school to middle school and get those kids ready for 9th grade. I had no idea when I made my decision that there is no incentive for 8th grade students to pass English. All they need are three credits in English and/or reading between 7th and 8th grade, and they take a combined total of six credits between 7th and 8th. They can fail half of their classes and still go to high school. Or they can fail all of their classes and still go to high school if they're too old to stay in middle school. I have students who are moving up just based on that.
Now with the talk of teacher pay based on test scores, you can bet that I am looking for greener (i.e. more literate) pastures for next year. So far I've applied at a private school and have sent my info to a "turn-around" high school. Now the waiting begins...
One thing is certain: After my husband graduates with his math degree with a concentration in actuarial sciences and statistics - no way would he become a math teacher! - I am turning my back on public education for good. If this year has taught me anything, it's that education is a losing battle in this state, and quite possibly in this country. I've been teaching since January 2004, and I've yet to be proven wrong.
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