Glen Hartman makes some good points in his editorial in the San Antonio Express News. Teachers are the ones educating the students. They are the ones investing a copious amount of time and their personal money into helping students obtain knowledge. If it is mandatory to go to school, than there is a demand for teachers. Without teachers what would schools be like? They simply wouldn’t. If teachers are what schools depend on, and they are, then why are their salaries so low? Superintendents make way over 50,000 more than teachers do. And for what? They are more interested in political part of schools rather than educational value and content. Are the administrators who authorize the use of certain curricula getting fired or pay cuts? Are they being held accountable to provide teachers with meaningful professional development?

If a school has low academic success, can you actually say they do not meet standards? Since school’s academic successes are based off of standardized testing, does that accurately measure their academic achievements? How much freedom do teachers really get to well teach? Does following C-Scope and TAKS curriculums prepare students for college?
Teachers have to endure so much more than what they signed on for. There is no pay increase for teachers spending time outside of school tutoring students and sitting at meetings for hours on end. There is no pay raise for teachers who go to workshops.

If the financial aspects of teaching are getting out of control in large cities and even in small towns why not do something about it? By consolidating schools it allows the opportunity for the same amount of teachers, but tremendously reduces the number of superintendents who are being overpaid to “guide the school to success.” If the number of administration is cut down immensely, this will result in money that can go to actual educators. The profuse amount of superintendents should be taken care of before teachers getting laid off.

Blog #2

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Texas Education Agency is rethinking cutting the funding for parent teens in high school. The TEA had recommended cutting about ten million from the Life Skills Program for Student Parents. Many people are worried that if they cut these funds students will not be able to pay for childcare and the rate of student drop outs will increase as a result. Many school districts provide their own funding, but it is not enough by itself. I believe a possible investment for funding could be redirected at pregnancy prevention programs, which will thus help cut future student parent funding. Improving girls' education and life options are connected with reduced pregnancy and birth rates.I believe a child’s education is important no matter what mistakes they have made throughout their life. I believe every effort should be made to help students who don’t want to lose their dream.