Blog

Let’s Create A Level Playing Field

First, let’s start by admitting that schools need to improve. They always did and they always will.

The latest criticism of schools by conservative organizations and the conservative press is that schools are not producing enough scientists, engineers, chemists and mathematicians. One of the reasons is that over 50% of the teachers teaching math and science never majored or minored in math and science.

But as long as industry pays people graduating from college more money and better working conditions, schools will have a difficult time attracting math and science majors.

The conservative media says that educators knew the working conditions and salaries before they entered the field and should be satisfied with the glories of working in schools. Of course, those were the days before $3 a gallon of gasoline. Being of a good heart does not pay bills. In the industrialize world, salary is generally used as a determinate of the worth of an individual and the occupation. Maybe that is why CEOs are being paid millions of dollars.

If we create better working conditions and higher pay, schools will attract more people with better credentials.

What do teachers make?

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?” He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach” To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?”

15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention

A must read. The strategies were developed by the National Dropout Prevention Center in association with Franklin P. Schargel. Call me @ 505/823-2339 or email me at [email protected] for more info.

Alex’s Story – The Video

This is the story of a student who overcomes drugs and the death of a parent with the help of a faithful principal. You will be reminded of how educators have the ability to shape students’ lives. From the Eye on Education Tale’s from a Teacher’s Heart movie series.

If you want to read the full text, [Read more…] about Alex’s Story – The Video

Franklin on NPR’s All Things Considered

An audio interview by National Public Radio’s Claudio Sanchez for a program on dropouts called Experts: Consistency Needed in Counting Dropouts.

News Release for Dropout Prevention Tools book

News Release announcing Dropout Prevention Tools book (PDF format)

Fostering a Love for Reading: an Investment in the Future (an article from the Guidance Channel Ezine)

Reading and writing skills are the essential ingredients in almost every subject taught in school. While many reading specialists and researchers may argue about the best approach to teach these basic skills, there is one thing they, and the research, agree on. If a child does not know how to read and write by the end of the third grade, that child is clearly at risk. In our desire to achieve the greatest success with the largest number of children placed in our charge, we must overcome the school-based obstacles that place children at risk. The way to ensure that no child is left behind is to ensure that reading and writing are effectively taught.

Stopping Dropping Out! (An Interview with Education World)

Efforts to prevent students from dropping out of school should begin when children start school, not when they’re about to leave it, says Franklin P. Schargel, one of the authors of Strategies to Help Solve Our School Dropout Problem. According to Schargel and co-author Jay Smink, educators, parents, and the community need to work together to reduce the school dropout rate.