I cannot deny that the achievement scores of our students are lacking. I do know the challenges the staff at our schools face. Who here has been in a school and observed teachers for at least a half day in the last year?
Classes are running 35-38 students. I don't know how a teacher can teach math to 38 kids and not have a few fail to understand. And as they fall behind, they loose the foundation for future learning.
Some kids on the system face drug use, violence and sexual abuse in their homes. It is so common that the kids are no longer surprised when they hear their friends talk of their home life. They come to school carrying this burden. How can one counselor per school of 400 students effectively deal with this?
School district 4j is now providing breakfast for all elementary and middle school children. That schools must make up for lack of nutrition of our children indicates a failure of something, and I think it has to do with home life.