I don’t mean to be negative. I am, in general, a happy person who enjoys life and tends to prefer the optimistic perspective. Unfortunately, I stumble upon stupidity far more often than I’d like, and then I get angry. Here’s a recent example …

One potentially valuable source of funds for reform are common provisions in teacher contracts that obligate schools to spend large amounts of money on programs that lack a clear link to student achievement.

Education Sector: Research and Reports: Frozen Assets: Rethinking Teacher Contracts Could Free Billions for School Reform

This study identifies eight provisions that “have a weak or inconsistent relationship with student learning”:

1. Increases in teacher salaries based on years of experience;
2. Increases in teacher salaries based on educational credentials and experiences;
3. Professional development days;
4. Number of paid sick and personal days;
5. Class-size limitations;
6. Use of teachers’ aides;
7. Generous health and insurance benefits; and
8. Generous retirement benefits.

I’m not going to address each item. Anyone who’s been teaching for more than two years can easily supply a list of reasons for keeping each item (check this report [pdf] from the NEA on trends in education). What amazes me is that anyone can even consider this a solution.

Let me get this straight: the problem is, the educational system as a whole doesn’t seem to be working. On top of this, the best and brightest either aren’t entering the teaching profession or are leaving it after only a few years. And the proposed solution is to make the job even less appealing!? The solution is to put even more kids in one classroom, thereby making the teacher’s job even more difficult? The solution is to not reward teachers for their commitment and continued learning? The solution is to encourage teachers to get out early so they can secure a decent retirement plan from some other industry? Did I somehow wake up this morning into an alternate–and vastly more ignorant–reality?

In the meantime, Congress has been giving itself raises for years without increasing minimum wage. It took ten years for the government to figure out that $5.15/hour is not enough for most workers to live on at any comfort level. We’re nearing the $1 trillion mark on spending for the war in Iraq. And we’re paying unbelievable amounts of money for role models like this:

[Michael] Vick has a $130 million contract. He has lucrative endorsement deals (pending) that alone could feed and clothe small countries. Yet, he tried to sneak a fake water bottle that appeared to have been used to conceal marijuana past airport security.

Jeff Schultz: It’s time to let Vick go | Sports Columnists | ajc.com

If the government, or any other agency, is looking for sources of money to improve education, I just supplied three easy targets. Anyone listening? Or are we all too busy being distracted by the loud sounds and pretty lights?

… each day you watch rivers of bright merchandise run past you
And you are floating in your pleasure boat upon this river

Even while others are drowning underneath you
And you see their faces twisting in the surface of the waters

And yet it seems to be your own hand
Which turns the volume higher?

America - Tony Hoagland

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