tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post4527517756436565070..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: One (Big) Reason Johnny Can't Read. Or Write, Or...George Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-46407524988119576062010-02-25T18:54:47.313-05:002010-02-25T18:54:47.313-05:00John--It's also worth remembering that many sc...John--It's also worth remembering that many school systems are top-heavy and bloated with well-paid bureaucrats who haven't darkened a classroom door in decades. Get rid of one or two assistant superintendents per district, and you can probably hire four more teachers (or give significant raises to those that deserve them), buy new machines for a computer lab, or fund any number of worthy projects. <br /><br />In the situation you refer to, I'm guessing that teachers who want tenure can get it by making another payment to the same board member. Sad, but hardly surprising. <br /><br />And the corruption extends to all corners of the education profession. Years ago, as a military ROTC instructor, I worked for a Lt Col who had bachelor's and master's degrees in education. He was contemplating a doctorate in the same field after retirement and contacted several large universities that belong to the Southeastern Conference. During a campus visit, the Dean of one particular school (which shall go nameless) let it slip that a $10K donation to the school would "guarantee" my boss's graduation from the program. <br /><br />At the school where I taught ROTC, I became acquainted with an ed student pursuing his Ed.D. He got his degree after submitting--and receiving approval--on an 85 page dissertation on seat beat useage on school buses. My master's thesis (in poly sci) was longer than that. Makes you wonder about the quality of today's education profs--and the people who run college education departments.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-74699428050524235182010-02-24T21:21:09.758-05:002010-02-24T21:21:09.758-05:00Bad to read about but you can also read about NE P...Bad to read about but you can also read about NE Pennsylvania where a number of cases have arisen wherein if you wanted to get a job teaching at a number of school districts you basically had to make a payoff to a member of the school board. Not defending bad teachers, just pointing out that there are bad people on both sides of the education profession.John from Pennsylvaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14037277947235149451noreply@blogger.com