Fire, you are the one who brought religion into this discussion. Apparently, it is part of your agenda. I said that I believe religion is best taught in the home or religious setting. If you think our uncertified public school teachers who are working on their degrees and becoming, “Highly qualified” in four areas have the time or ability to address religion to your satisfaction, perhaps you should create your own schools.

My religious education consists of reading, researching, listening to spiritual leaders, experiencing connection and sharing with others. I’d rather my son concentrate on AP English while in school.

When it comes to separation of church and state you will always find views from one extreme to the other.  As to Jefferson you have part of the story, which I will not debate here.  He is always quoted using very few of his documented historical writings concerning the issue.  I have a PhD in Theological Studies and I have studied the subject from a historical social point.  I will not further respond to post concerning the religious issues because I do not believe this is the proper medium to debate it.  I respect your viewpoint and agree that we do not hold the same opinion of this subject. 

However, to the original post concerning how to handle bad teachers, as the system is now, nothing.  Not because we do not want to, but because our pockets are not deep enough.

Personally, I think that church and home are the place to learn about religion and faith. Do you believe that teachers can teach without bias when most of us don’t even agree with others sitting on our pew? We need to concentrate on basics.

I have no problem with children worshipping on their free time or before a meal. However, separation of church and state exists for a reason. Thomas Jefferson wrote: “"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”

I think they got it right.

In my opinion a child should have the right to pray and read their Bible at school. I also believe that the students have a right to hear all of the arguments of creation.  I do not believe that the school system should push any specific religion, just give the students the right to express their religious beliefs.

Our school system would not allow prayer before ball games.  We were advised against having prayer before our board meeting. Some principals tried to stop court protected prayer at the flag pole. I could give you several things that I encountered while a member of the school board, that was in my opinion negative toward a students right of freedom to express their religious beliefs.  No the school system should not be involved in religion, but individual expression should be allowed.

We have wanted God out of our schools, I am afraid now He is out and look at the mess we have.

KxVx, I have to agree with you. I think classrooms should be monitored. It’s a pity it has come to this. They have cameras in the hallways, why not classes? My only issue is that we all say things that may be interpreted as being abusive depending on the situation.

I worked as a social worker in an institutional setting for several years. I think we should have put in cameras to protect vulnerable adults in their homes and workplace. Every month we would have human rights committee and have at least one incident of staff on client abuse and even client on staff. Questions would be answered.

The idea of a micro recorder being sent with the student is GENIUS.

I think ALL classrooms should have surveillance cameras complete with audio. This way, if a parent, student or teacher has a complaint about a teacher, student, etc there is something that can actually be referenced, so that it’s not one person’s word against another.

Reviewing how a well performing school’s classrooms are managed could also be very valuable to the poorer performing schools.

Firedoctor, are you suggesting that public schools should tackle religion or they are negative about religion?

During 6th grade, my son had significant troubles in his primary classrooom. I sent a micro recorder with him to school so that I could confirm what he was said occurred. I met with the same teacher and kept the recorder handy. It was a simple way of proving how unprofessional and abusive that teacher was. She had the nerve to say my son was “weird.” That was recorded. It was proof!

Same school: the school “Psychologist” determined that he had Aspergers after a 4 minute observation. The school recommended a school that treated children with conduct disorders. AH! Someone who experiences autism should be placed with children with severe behavior issues?

They recommend a neurodevelopmental assessment. THANK GOD. The school district did not pay. The qualified doctor diagnosed mild ADHD and adjustment issues. Group therapy, onto better things. Know your rights!!!!!!

I will NEVER forget my sons third grade teacher at Allentown. She was the worst. Since she was tenered and retiring that year she felt as though she could do anything she wanted. She “taught” my son cursive writing. She would mark is letters wrong and write the “correct” way out beside it. It looked the same to me. She told me she could write anyway she chose, that she was the teacher. Ugh! I am soooo glad that woman is gone. Her name is Ms. Be**h. I sure do hope she reads this and remembers the parents ready to give her an early retirement.

Sometimes even with multiple parents,students and fellow teachers complaining about one bad teacher still will not solve the problem. And it is sad to say but this is in a private school this year. No matter how many parents call, crowd the office we are always told the matter is being handled and they will speak to her. But nothing works, matter of fact the teacher makes it harder on the students of the complaining parents. And the complaints are coming out of every class she teaches. She was brought in as a temporary teacher this year and hopefully she will not continue teaching there in the future. I can honestly say this is the first time we have ever had such a bad experience in the eight years we have been here. And I hope it is the last.

I agree there are some bad teachers and bad principals (<--- correct spelling) everywhere.  One nephew goes to Bryant and the other to GB Middle School.  I have witnessed how the kids talk to adults and how teachers/administrators, etc., have to accept this because if not they will get sued by a parent for someone hollering discrimination.  One older male teacher for exampe (Bryant) was so happy they called a fire drill because he wanted to get out of class.  These students sit there and cuss the teacher, tell the teacher they are ugly, etc. Children like this have watched their parents do these things and they repeat what they see. I know some children were raised better than that and still do it, but they know if they are caught what will happen to them at home. I was taught to respect my elders.  If we had a problem with a teacher, we went to the office and reported him/her. If enough students or parents complain about the same teacher, someone will be done. I have witnessed this.