I have taught at two schools systems, adjacent counties, and coached at two others (so not a teacher, but my GF was and I was very plugged in). All in Virginia. But they may as well have been four different planets. There is no discernible US education “system” beyond the most basic premises. Available to all, a set number of days/hours, etc. Schools don’t have the same hours, classes, facilities, budgets, on and on. My current school is one hour from my previous one and sometimes I feel like I entered a wormhole when I switched. And these two up here (NOVA) are just nothing like Blacksburg, and Lee County is hard to comprehend now that I have other experiences. Blacksburg was light years ahead of Lee. And Fairfax is light years ahead of Blacksburg (although Blacksburg HS is excellent for the region; it is essentially Virginia Tech’s minor league system.) Back before I became a teacher the GF and I were traveling all over looking to escape Lee (that’s how we ended up in Blacksburg.) We went to a weekend open house in NC, and that was a horror show. “Schools” literally single wide trailers on rented lots. RJ Reynolds practically begged her to come (Winston/Salem). We went for a tour, and while the school was an actual school and in a high roller hood, it was still just not quite right. We both agreed NC is simply not a go (and not trying to throw shade, I know we have NC posters.) She is a Spanish teacher, and a badass. She has options. Also a career switcher, so she has That Other World experience. She could be choosy, and NC just isn’t an option for someone with others. Also went to open houses in Greenville (SC) and Morgantown (WV). Again, I don’t want to insult, but those were worse than NC. It is amazing to me that anyone would ever choose to teach in those states. Hats off to those teachers. In my own county I teach a summer school astronomy class at Thomas Jefferson. As much as I like my own school, that joint is a different beast. The planetarium is a digital projector with $50K per pop shows, and they have probably 30 of them. The planetarium at my school has an analog projector installed in 1978. We make it work, but man, I am like master of the universe at that TJ palace. The director of the summer school asked me if I would consider coming there once their current teacher retires (she apparently is on the clock.) Uh, consider?? Yah bruv, I’ll think it over…. My point is there is no system. Perhaps that is a problem in and of itself. But the fact is that a school within a golf course length of the one you have is quite possibly nothing you’d recognize from your daily experience.
When you were shown how wrong you were… This is hilarious as I was wondering if you would respond. As I knew you had nothing to defend your ridiculous singular data point that was shown to be worthless!
This is good stuff! You just have to figure out how to navigate it with your family. Or you can just find your data point and not ask why and defend it to the end. Like @citygator I have one in public (oldest) and two in private. Not sure what will happen as our oldest in private will be going to high school in 25/26. She may stay private. May go public. We will access our local circumstances and make the decision accordingly.
Thanks, and agreed. Every school is different. In city’s defense, I do agree on a macro level. I am biased, clearly. But I can tell you even with my “never say always” mentality (I teach science) that beyond the outliers most schools and almost all teachers are fighting the good fight. Yes, there are some scumbags. There are three million of us. I personally put the limit on a population becoming infiltrated by a d-bag at about, oh, seven. If you have even a handful of truly dependable people in your life, that is riding high. Three million? Ha! Plenty of bad actors. But I promise you that most of us are all about what your are also.
Appreciate you @Emmitto!!! I have many teacher friends. Some agree with me politically. Some don’t. Basically all are killing it for the kids regardless of politics! Shoot one of my oldest’s friend whose dad I coached with is now at a “rival” high school. Her father is brilliant and politically the exact opposite of me. We coached together as our kids grew up and he kills it teaching elementary kids at Dr. NH Jones (where our daughters met before softball). We do not see each other often these days. But our daughters first softball game of the season was at his daughters High School. We pick up like it was yesterday. And you are spot on about every school is different. Our oldest finished at NH Jones. Our younger two were moved to private due to the shift in leadership/covid/along with other reasons that happened at NH Jones. I will always love NH Jones. But it is just not the same school it was (the problems began preCovid/only reason I brought Covid up was to be honest about the reasons and NH Jones was better on Covid policy imo than the private school they ended up at ironically if you ask me). Keep crushing it. There is no doubt my kids would excel in your class. And we need people like you to make sure future generations have teachers like you. I know multiple of my oldest’s teachers likely have politics the opposite of me and my daughter but they are great teachers as she knows it and loves them! Keep up the great work as what you are doing means so much!
A dozen posts and you can’t back up your claim. Pretty much the only thing worthless is your reading comprehension. We all saw you post that Florida is doing better and then post nonsense drivel. It’s ok to say you were just bullshitting. We all know you cowardly shriveled away.
I reckon I might hold some sort of record to this day. My parents were sticklers about, if you ain't sick you go to school. In the 4th grade I got a 4 year perfect attendance award. I have no idea if the record continued because we moved away for 2 years........That said I made up for it in High School, did my share of skipping class.
That is great! My oldest hates missing school. Literally despises if her softball game is away and she has to get out early. She will hide being sick to the best of her ability…
When you have nothing… LOL! You have been shown the why. You have been shown what most people accept as the best reliable source on the topic. But you refuse to accept it. It is just reality and I can’t help you at this point. Everyone can read it for themselves.
I can read just fine. Starting to wonder about you though. At some point you will figure it out though.
Point me to the post you have to back up claims that Florida covid actions led to better outcomes. I'll show you what I relied on: From the OP linked article: Ive asked you to back up your post like I have. Youve done nothing except parade around like a 5 year old claiming you did something you didnt.
I think post-COVID more people are staying home when they get sick than "soldiering on" ... including kids. I don't think that is a bad thing in of itself. At what point people might abuse that or stay home when they are no longer in danger of getting others sick, I don't know. Some will find it easier to make up the time missed than others.
I provided you the US World and News rankings that show Florida number 1. All you did was try to say Florida’s SAT scores were low. But did so without asking why. I showed you why. Which showed your point was worthless and an ignorant singular data point to use.
I linked the comment in the OP where THEY determined there is no impact on absenteeism based on closure duration. Respond to that. It has nothing to do with rankings or SAT scores. I posted SAT scores because you posted nothing but an opinion against the OPs linked study. You are able to follow that or would you like a diagram?
I will post it again for you. What do the states with the lowest SAT scores have in common? I will help you…they all have the highest percentage of students taking the test. What do the states with the highest average SAT scores have in common? I will help you…they have the lowest percentage of students taking the test. Every state with over a 1200 average had 3% or fewer take the SAT. Florida was 90% and one of a handful of states that has over 75% taking the SAT. And every one of those states are at the bottom for average score. Just think about it. You will get it eventually. You are the one using a singular data point and ignorantly applying it.
