You teachers just don't understand kids.
"US finds statewide problems in schools; Says English learners not adequately served" by James Vaznis, Globe Staff / September 17, 2011
At least 45,000 teachers in 275 school districts across Massachusetts lack adequate training to instruct students who speak limited English, potentially impeding thousands of the students from advancing academically, according to a US Justice Department investigation.
Detailing the problems in about 70 percent of the state’s school districts, including Boston, Worcester, and Holyoke, federal investigators leveled much of the blame on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
They said that the state had failed to mandate specialized training for teachers who serve English-language learners and that the department’s policies and procedures are so outdated and ineffective that teachers can complete the training and still not be adequately prepared, according to a letter issued by the Justice Department in July.
State education leaders shared that letter with the Globe yesterday as they outlined plans to overhaul teacher training....
In the letter, portions were redacted....
Why? We are talking about the education of our kids, not the peddling of war lies and such.
Many programs for English-language learners were thrown into disarray in 2002, after Massachusetts voters abolished widespread use of bilingual education, which allows students to learn subjects in their native tongue until they are nearly fluent in English. The new law stresses teaching all subjects in English, using a student’s native tongue sparingly.
The Justice Department’s investigation into the state’s training of teachers is the outgrowth of three smaller probes of the Boston, Somerville, and Worcester public school systems during the past three years that found wide-ranging deficiencies in the teaching those learning to speak English.
In each of those cases, the districts entered into settlements with the Justice Department to avoid litigation, promising to more accurately identify students for specialized instruction and to increase training of teachers, among other measures.
But in monitoring compliance, federal investigators grew concerned that districts were not training teachers fast enough and that the quality of instruction of fully-trained teachers appeared to be subpar....
The Justice Department said the state needs to better equip teachers with the skills to help students develop English vocabulary and reading comprehension and learn to more effectively communicate with students who have language barriers.
Emily H. McCarthy, deputy chief of the Educational Opportunities Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, faulted many of Boston’s teachers and their union....
That's the DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, right?
--more--"
Any of you teachers know sign language?
