60 Minutes had a great segment on this cheating scandal. It aired about a month ago. The young man took it over and over. He didn't bomb the test. He consistently scored in the 2000's, according to the report. He came from a well-to-do family, but just wanted spending cash. There will be a way around the photo id for those who are savvy.

We have also taken the furlough days, and are looking at taking 5 additional days next year. (170 day school year) Our district was hit hard four years ago with massive pink slips for non-tenured teachers. As with the others, no cost of living adjustment either in quite some time. I love teaching and I'm happy to have this job right now, especially because dh has been out of work for two years now. I completely understand what you are going through. You are in my prayers...:grouphug:

I almost feel like Scholastic sponsored the report. Our school's book fairs are Scholastic, and we are pushed to order from them to support PTA, etc. No thanks! $3.00 more than at B & N. Our high school librarian does book chats with my kids for their monthly book reports. She always goes for the classics first, and never recommends fluff, as she calls it. She pre-reads every book before chatting with the kids about it. I just don't understand the lists at all.

I would proceed cautiously as if you were not moving, everything staying the same. As far as your dh's situation, it is a sign of the times. I don't know how many years he has in, but the focus has been to get rid of veteran teachers in order to hire younger grads at the lowest pay scale. It is hardly fair, but it going on everywhere in public education. It made me stand up and take notice when we were asked to seek out younger teachers and ask for help with our "stale" teaching methods. The Essential Question and standards had better be on the board before anyone comes walking through our classrooms. They ask the kids, "What does this mean? What are you learning? Show me what you did in here yesterday..." If your dh has a union rep, please urge him to have this conversation with him/her. In my situation, teachers can be put on program improvement based upon formal/informal evaluations. With the new changes coming, teachers can be let go just because...no reason has to be given. Good luck to your dh, and your family. Keep the faith. :grouphug:

This was my last break before school is out. I go back tomorrow... Ds and Dd's rooms have been cleaned, sorted through all books/curriculum to post for sale, graded papers, etc. Laundry is all done! I did nothing for me:confused:, except that I go back to work knowing that everything here is clean.

Some suggestions: *Do the 3 Rs, let your children pursue one subject independently *Break it up during the week like a block schedule *Planning out the week is a great way to goal set *People on this board have had much success with the workbox method Don't stress...everyone goes through this at one time or another.

Keep in mind that this is just a publication, a recommendation. This is in preparation for the common core standards that will be implemented in 2013-14. Finding literary merit in Captain Underpants? Really? Did anyone else notice the lack of quality non-fiction and what we consider the "classics"? Yes, getting most kids to read in a classroom is very difficult. If it's not handed to them, they struggle. The move towards these standards is having a student read a selected passage from the literature, and get the gist of the structure and style (elements). That way we are not "wasting time" teaching an entire novel when we could be focusing on so many other things. :confused::confused:

Wow, we must have been on similar missions. Last night we found our entire year's supply of mechanical pencils in my son's desk drawer. Also found our missing editions of Saxon 1/2 that he insisted was not in his room. :001_smile:

Another kitten catastrophe

:grouphug:

So feeling that quote right now...it is sitting in the same spot with the bookmark when I left it in November...

Ds is in his 9th grade year. He has had no history at all this year. In planning for next year, we are thinking of using a literature-based program (TOG, MFW). The question is, what year should we start with? Ancients, etc? Our local schools have dropped British Lit for 12th grade in favor of an expository writing class in preparation for college, so if he were ever to return to ps, he would lose that portion of history/literature. If anyone could offer some advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Out of all honesty, the parents probably don't see it that way. Let's say that other "said" children are self-sufficient and have created a good life for themselves. When looking at the other child, who has had a "hard" life, they feel compelled to give them what they can't give themselves. This hardly seems fair to the other children, who would appreciate the same treatment. I think all of us on the board have either experienced this, or witnessed this. There is no rhyme nor reason to it. The time that it bothers me most is when the one says they "deserve" it.

Dd's school adopted Step Up to Writing several years ago. She was writing the color-coded essays last year in 2nd grade. I will agree that writing to write doesn't make a good writer. One bad paragraph = five bad paragraphs. The new Common Core Standards that have been adopted require students to apply critical thinking skills in their writing. I have been studying these and there is a call for more in-depth writing. I personally am still recovering from "inventive spelling". It doesn't matter whether or not the if word is spelled correctly, just the fact that the student is trying to use more difficult words. :confused:

Graduated high school, a few college courses before taking new position at work.

I know that as the grade level increases, so does the complexity of the questions. I do remember cringing because ds scored in the 78th percentile for reading. When I looked at the scores for that category, he had only missed two questions. :confused: Also, sometimes the answer to the questions makes sense to us, but it is not what the test writer was looking for. My honors kids had a very hard time reviewing for state tests because they wanted to over analyze everything! Except for PSAT, SAT, the logical answer is the right answer. Maybe your dc tried to outsmart the test.

Since it's developmental, I doubt they expect you to show up 5 days a week. You only plan to do this for the summer? Do what is comfortable for you. My oldest ds did swim team until he quit to focus on his main sport. I am thinking of enrolling my dd 9 for developmental as well. It is also five days a week, but I only plan on 3 days. Competitive swim team can be very time consuming. I'm just not up for it anymore right now, as selfish as that may sound. :glare:

I am so feeling your pain right now. I have a sister who was much like this, never showed up for our dad's funeral. The return of the quilt is over the top. I don't know if this will help, but here goes: You said your aunt was in her 80's, and without being too personal, I have experience with this. After my dad died, some of our family just assumed they would come in and push my mom around, take what they wanted. At first, she had the strength to know her own mind. I'm very proud of what she has accomplished on her own. Over the past year however, I noticed that she will agree with someone or something, even though previously she stated the opposite. I know that she is always concerned about others feelings, so I know that is what contributes to it. I feel that your dear aunt is probably the same way. Given her age, and the outright belligerence of your sister's actions, she doesn't really stand a chance. I would write her a letter, saying how often you think of her and the times you spent together. How much you cherish what she has taught/shared with you. Include how wonderful your children are doing, how proud she would be of them. Don't be negative. Don't say anything about the sister. End of a loving note. You obviously had a wonderful relationship, or you would not be hurting so deeply. At the end of the day, when it is just you and your dh and dc, are you happy? If so, just keep going on. Put that relationship that you treasured with your aunt into your own dc, and teach them the rewards of a loving family. It sounds like you are a very loving and caring person. Share that with someone who will appreciate it, not take advantage of it.

:iagree:

:grouphug:

Very thankful. It it was the park I'm thinking of, there are many trails to explore. A parent's worst nightmare, but this has a good ending.

It depends upon who is reading it. It's a blip in an essay, not it's overall focus. Just to share, though..

Sorry to see him go. He was fun to watch this year. In his own words, he even said that hey, it's Peyton Manning. I wish he could have had the opportunity to stay and learn from him. I feel bad for the media circus he is going to be involved in now. At least now Sanchez can have some motivation to learn how to throw accurately. :D

Rather he would have been voted off, but I'll agree: Have never been so happy to see someone go! The bad thing is he'll be brought onto another episode because he didn't get to finish playing the game. I usually enjoy the strategy of Survivor, but those two together weren't just playing a game. They were downright mean and personal.

Agree with all of the above, and also check to see if someone is spraying for weeds/bugs in your neighborhood. This is usually done on a monthly basis.