Ways Governments help and Hinder Teachers
The government helps and hinders the work of teachers in schools. The administrative paperwork sometimes deters the time the teachers need to be in the classroom. In some instances, teachers have had to leave an assignment off or speed through it without having the time to answer students' questions. Sometimes there are students who, for some reason; cannot understand the nformation; yet the teacher has to move on. If teachers could be assigned teacher aides; some of these problems could be alleviated. If paperwork could be given to department head secretaries, for example; then teachers could do more of what they are hired to do. Even teachers union believe additional assistants are needed for teachers.
There are some complaints that schools have to cut through "crippling" layers of bureaucracy that stands in the way of children's education. Good school leaders motivate and mobilize teachers, learning support assistants, and others should work as a team to benefit the child rather than being inundated with administrative tasks required by the bureaucrats. Although some teachers are hiring assistants; most small school districts do not have budgets for this. In fact, another complaint is for lack of supplies. The over-elaborate assessment that schools put in place themselves was another concern.
Another problem that the government has interfered with is disciplining students. Because of problems and some litigations; they are unable to physically discipline any child. This places them in a Catch 22 situation because there are some students who are bullies, who have been known to attack the teachers. In fact, students have shared with their peers that they plan to "jump on" a teacher when the semester is over. That is very dangerous, but the teachers are not supposed to act fearful, nor can they physically challenge a student without being investigated, put on administrative leave, considered an abuser (which prevents them from obtaining future jobs), etc. This is debilitating to teachers because students do come to school with knives and guns. This is a real problem for the teachers. Government is responsible because there should be more security in the classrooms, especially with female teachers.
The "No Child Left Behind" Act of 2001 required State schools to only allow highly-qualified teachers to fill 100% of their core classrooms; however, no state has been able to reach this requirement. They say it is still an on-going debate to find the best way to determine distinction levels. This has definitely been a hindrance. The "No Child Left Behind" Law is also cited as a pressure mandated by the Ohio State Government as well as the media. According to CATALYST, the School Chief has tried to improve school performance by launching an avalanche of initiatives.
According to results of a CATALYST survey that asked teachers to rate obstacles and aids to implementing school environment initiatives: The biggest obstacles they face were listed as: Student discipline, teacher stress, and lack of time. These were all listed as hindrances. The teachers listed collaboration with fellow teachers as their most important form of help. From this report; one can see that there is still so much work to be done in the area of teaching. Although procedures for better evaluation of teachers is being done, the administrative work involved with this should not deter teachers from doing what they were sent to do. Governments have to understand that that is a hindrance to the teacher as well as to the student.
Conversely, ineffective teachers who remain in those positions without continuing their education should not use tenure as an excuse; nor should they believe they are not to be evaluated and called to action on poor teaching habits.
Educational tuition fees deter would-be teachers as well, according to the BBC news. There has been a 15% drop in teachers applying for primary teachers training degree courses in the UK. (No report on those figures for the United States; however, it could be much higher).
Finding a "happy medium" will take more time and work. Teachers must be heard and Government must listen and respond while keeping in mind that they are not in the classroom.
REFERENCES: Catalyst-ohio.org/news/index.php?item=217&cat=23
faqs.org/abstracts/government/Is-teacher-inconsistency-hindering-edu
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/11654.stm "Educational Tuition Fees Deters Would-be Teachers"
