That’s the cartoonist remembering when he was a kid, when we got out around Memorial Day and came back after Labor Day. Then they started adding a day or two per year. Now, we go to mid June and start Teacher conference days in mid August.The reforms that are being put forward by most of the people who say anything about the subject involve teachers working 8 hour days- which means actually being totally there for eight hours, no coffee breaks, 2 minute potty breaks, no lapse of attention to the work, then going home and spending about 20/30 minutes for each of those hours grading the work and prepping for the next day. They recommend doing this for 11 months a year, for a salary that after 20-25 years and a master’s degree, which you are required to get at your own expense and on your own time, will be about equal to that of an engineer who is one year out of a bachelor’s program.
……………At the present time, 1/3 of those people who train as teachers for four years wash out before their fifth year of teaching. How many people will even be willing to train to be teachers if the job becomes even harder and less rewarding? And, why would anyone who could get a better job stay after they did? In the effort to improve teaching, I think the powers that be will make the job so difficult that no one with the ability to do the job will be willing to take it.
Prior to the US Occupation after WW2, Japan actually required 13 Years of school for graduation from High School..During the Occupation, the Army insisted on “Americanizing” the schools. The Japanese never did get around to changing back..
Templo S.U.D. over 9 years ago
If there are any Aussies here, HOW short are your school breaks the teacher was talking about?
blunebottle over 9 years ago
Cold comfort, indeed!
cabalonrye over 9 years ago
The US gets three months?
cdward over 9 years ago
Not really. More like two. Ours runs through the end of June and starts end of August/beginning of September. Depends on what state you’re in.
vwdualnomand over 9 years ago
maybe we can send murdoch and his clan back.
Diane Lee Premium Member over 9 years ago
That’s the cartoonist remembering when he was a kid, when we got out around Memorial Day and came back after Labor Day. Then they started adding a day or two per year. Now, we go to mid June and start Teacher conference days in mid August.The reforms that are being put forward by most of the people who say anything about the subject involve teachers working 8 hour days- which means actually being totally there for eight hours, no coffee breaks, 2 minute potty breaks, no lapse of attention to the work, then going home and spending about 20/30 minutes for each of those hours grading the work and prepping for the next day. They recommend doing this for 11 months a year, for a salary that after 20-25 years and a master’s degree, which you are required to get at your own expense and on your own time, will be about equal to that of an engineer who is one year out of a bachelor’s program.
……………At the present time, 1/3 of those people who train as teachers for four years wash out before their fifth year of teaching. How many people will even be willing to train to be teachers if the job becomes even harder and less rewarding? And, why would anyone who could get a better job stay after they did? In the effort to improve teaching, I think the powers that be will make the job so difficult that no one with the ability to do the job will be willing to take it.
James Hopkins over 9 years ago
At least Zack has been paying attention to the history of Australia :)
Comic Minister Premium Member over 9 years ago
I love Zack’s expressions with his eyes!!
Tarredandfeathered over 9 years ago
Prior to the US Occupation after WW2, Japan actually required 13 Years of school for graduation from High School..During the Occupation, the Army insisted on “Americanizing” the schools. The Japanese never did get around to changing back..