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Monday, March 26, 2012

DOUBLE WHAMMY, WHY TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY « Teachers Fight Back

DOUBLE WHAMMY, WHY TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY « Teachers Fight Back:


DOUBLE WHAMMY, WHY TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY

I just finished interviewing dozens of teachers.  I was trying to find out why so many teachers are frustrated and angry. The majority of teachers gave examples of how much more demanding and difficult their jobs have become compared to a few years ago. The following are typical responses:
New curriculum demands are virtually impossible to fulfill. The curriculum is geared to the latest mandatory student testing and the testing goals are above and beyond the students’ abilities. Teachers are putting in endless hours to help the slowest students master what is needed.
Parents have been alerted to the test goals and are making more frequent inquiries, especially if their kids are not meeting the goals. Parent contact time is way up the last few years. Teachers are frequently on the phone and in conferences during their lunch time and during planning periods.
Teachers are constantly attending meetings where curriculum experts explain the most successful methods to