tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post4787227600784991879..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Ombudsman: Public schools failed many TYC youthGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-796148502583808302008-09-13T17:49:00.000-05:002008-09-13T17:49:00.000-05:00All I'm saying is it starts in regular school. Tea...All I'm saying is it starts in regular school. Teacher's are not allowed to discipline the class for fear of ruffling somebody's feathers. You can't whip kids anymore, you can't fail them anymore, you are handcuffed. Principals and teachers have no authority anymore. The kids run the schools and then we wonder why they end up at TYC. They get no discipline at home and no discipline at school, either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38445164487776184582008-09-06T11:08:00.000-05:002008-09-06T11:08:00.000-05:00Ya. We need to support using tasers on 10 year ol...Ya. We need to support using tasers on 10 year olds! That'll teach 'em to behave!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-9675313006613022182008-09-05T12:34:00.000-05:002008-09-05T12:34:00.000-05:0011:38 - If you don't have anything better to contr...11:38 - If you don't have anything better to contribute on that, please go over to MSNBC and blog on the Alaska "Troopergate." Your comment is about as useful as most of the ones over there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81185957258408533602008-09-05T12:32:00.000-05:002008-09-05T12:32:00.000-05:00Yeah, that would really work in TYC!Yeah, that would really work in TYC!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-61614854730203073812008-09-04T23:28:00.000-05:002008-09-04T23:28:00.000-05:009:13 When I was a kid and acted up in class or did...9:13 When I was a kid and acted up in class or didn't do my work...I got sent to a principal who whipped my rear end! Then he called my parents so they could whip my rear end! I got the message and did my work and didn't act up in class anymore!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-48158183783118232342008-08-28T21:13:00.000-05:002008-08-28T21:13:00.000-05:00Thank you 1:24. It's nice to know I am not the onl...Thank you 1:24. It's nice to know I am not the only teacher who has experienced having students who don't want to learn! I wish there was an answer!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-7078302339567931462008-08-27T01:24:00.000-05:002008-08-27T01:24:00.000-05:00I worked in an alternative school. There are some ...I worked in an alternative school. There are some kids who will not do their work, will not respect the teacher, do not want to be there, do not care if they learn anything....what can you do?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42554812357038000802008-08-25T19:17:00.000-05:002008-08-25T19:17:00.000-05:00I am not a teacher, and have also been a strong cr...I am not a teacher, and have also been a strong critic of some of the teachers in TYC. However, I have only to look at the public schools to see a higher percentage of lazy and incompetent teachers. For the most part, the teachers, (with the exception of those who transfer in to TYC from the public schools to pad their retirements) in TYC do the best they can under trying conditions. I have seen some kids make fantastic changes because of a few teachers taking special interest in them. Like everything else in TYC, they are having to do it on the cheap. Why don't you take a closer look at your friend, Senator Whitmire, in that regard? <BR/><BR/>As for the Ombudsman - he, and (especially) his assistants have been a terrific disappointment. When he first came on, I thought he would be a breath of fresh air. He is not. <BR/><BR/>As for your snotty comment - sounded to me a lot like the kettle calling the pot. Get over yourself!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-82915171814047034202008-08-25T17:43:00.000-05:002008-08-25T17:43:00.000-05:00What we are dealing with is a lack of curiosity ab...What we are dealing with is a lack of curiosity about the things we consider important. Educationally, we put these kids on life support and try to make sure something gets in - mostly against their will. Who was president first - Lincoln or Kennedy - they don't care.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-80007234752631150132008-08-25T01:03:00.000-05:002008-08-25T01:03:00.000-05:00Grits,In regard to an earlier comment on this post...Grits,<BR/><BR/>In regard to an earlier comment on this post:<BR/><BR/>Have ever attempted to teach juvenile delinquents? Believe it or not, there are kids in the TYC classrooms that DO NOT want to learn anything and DO NOT care what the consequences are. You cannot assume that the teachers are not trying to do their jobs .<BR/><BR/>Not all of us are handing kids word puzzles all day, nor are we on here to issue smug, anonymous comments about kids being at fault for not learning! The point I was making is that you can't reach all of them no matter how hard you try. That does not mean we don't try.<BR/><BR/>Your statement about TYC teachers handing kids word puzzles instead of teaching them was judgmental, derogatory, and condescending and demeaning to the educators at TYC. Some of us work very hard to teach those kids, and for you to assume we don't is an insult. <BR/><BR/>My comment was not intended to be smug and I was not being rude, so why you would fire back with such a nasty comment is beyond me.<BR/><BR/>Maybe you should consider not sounding as negative as some of the people on your blog. It doesn’t become you.<BR/><BR/>Just a suggestion from an avid reader of your website.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-8544681555616199662008-08-24T18:58:00.000-05:002008-08-24T18:58:00.000-05:00Grits, You did it again. Please find out about th...Grits, You did it again. Please find out about the Reading program at TYC before you continue to make statements about the way students are taught to read! Let me repeat a previous blog...<BR/> <BR/>About this same time... TYC went ahead of Texas Public education and developed their own NCLB Research Based Reading program. Yep, this is true. I am addressing your statement about a non-reader teaching himself to read by reading...This reading program was developed and was a policy mandated program that was to be implemented in ALL facilities, and the curriculum was very structured, sytstemic and very individualized--which meant that classes were to be small. This was a DEVELOPMENTAL reading program for the students who TRULY read below a 6th grade level. However, with the turnover and attrition rate of educators, this program too became muddied. Principals wanted to use the remedial reading credits as "free" electives rather than have small individualized classes for the low readers.In their minds, it was a waste of an FTEs because the classes were to be small. What a shame, huh? Very few facilities adhered to the original mandate, and there was no accountability from central office to the program. Today there are probably only about 3-4 facilities who really follow policy on this low level reading program. But, the ones that are do a damn good job with it. It has made a huge difference in the lives of many kids. <BR/><BR/>Now, let's talk about numbers. The state lege says they want a ratio of 1:12. Well, why does that does not happen in education? You have many classrooms with one teacher and 16-20 students. Go figure that one???? When they count education staff, they include the ones that never are in a classroom with the students such as the diags, counselors, etc., so it throws off the count.I guarantee that much more learning would take place in classes with a ratio of 1: 10 or 1:12. Teachers in the core classes would definitely have a better chance of meeting the individual needs of the students with smaller classes. These are very tough students, especially now as we are removing the misdemeanor offenders and only keeping the very hard core kids. There are 2 facilities--Mart II and Gainesville that are still running populations between 260 and 300. Teacher staffing is a huge issue as are the numbers in classrooms.<BR/>Could teachers and teaching in TYC improve--you bet. We can always improve what we are doing. These are the toughest youth in the state, and they need the strongest teachers to meet their many and varied needs. However, in several instances the systems ARE in place already, there is just no accountability.<BR/>Interesting info don't you think? Funny that the report said nothing about any of this...Maybe it should be checked out--maybe just maybe someone should have talked to some teachers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49330597783888422902008-08-24T10:33:00.000-05:002008-08-24T10:33:00.000-05:008/23,In answer to your questions, TYC receives edu...8/23,<BR/><BR/>In answer to your questions, TYC receives education funding from the Permanent School Fund based on ADA and federal education funding such as Special Ed, just like any Texas school District. TYC is legally not subject to TEA rules except for Special Ed. Technically TYC education system has the same authority over its schools as TEA(actually more) except for Special Education, which is only there because the federal government only recognizes one state education agency per state in Special Ed. The education funding is calculated into the numbers in the Appropriation Act.<BR/><BR/>Howard A. HickmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81861821721037470112008-08-23T20:00:00.000-05:002008-08-23T20:00:00.000-05:00The Legislature has generally underfunded and over...The Legislature has generally underfunded and overmandated education within the Independent School Districts (ISD's) of Texas. The IDS's, after meeting the funding formulas of the state, (usually tied in part to the population in each ISD), must then seek the remainder of their finding from federal sources, grants, and local taxation. The bulk of revenue from taxation comes throught the Advalorem property taxes. Then they must decide if major capital expenditures such as new construction can be financed through bond elections and the expenditure of any reserves that they have acrued from unspent previous budget years. Of course, not all counties have the same wealth (ergo Robin Hood). ISD's must also practice austerity internally. They must manage employee benefits, salaries, utilities, insurance, maintenance etc.,efficiently to minimize unecessary expenses of limited funding. I am not familiar with the funding mechanism for TYC. Is it money that is allocated to TYC as part of the overall budget allocation for the agency? Do the ISD districts where the youth was enrolled prior to incarceration have to financially support any of the costs for kids that came from their district? Does Texas Education Agency (TEA) have any regulatory authority over the TYC education system? These would be interesting things to know. In TDCJ, you have the Windham School District. Does TYC's education system also qualify as an Independent School District? Maybe Howard Hickman would be able to answer some of these questions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47295058085525063532008-08-23T09:53:00.000-05:002008-08-23T09:53:00.000-05:00"You can lead a kid to an education, but you can't..."You can lead a kid to an education, but you can't make him learn."<BR/><BR/>Or as some at TYC do, you can give a kid a word-find puzzle, tell them to read on their own if they want to learn anything, then come home on the weekends to issue smug, anonymous blog comments blaming youth for the absence of even minimal attempts at instruction.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-7232158442274185712008-08-23T09:26:00.000-05:002008-08-23T09:26:00.000-05:00You can lead a kid to an education, but you can't ...You can lead a kid to an education, but you can't make him learn.<BR/><BR/>End of story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-45117138968169759452008-08-22T18:12:00.000-05:002008-08-22T18:12:00.000-05:00the school system has failed, just as TYC has fail...the school system has failed, just as TYC has failed, b/c the burden is too heavy with the limited resources we are allotted. People, politicians and bloggers always give lip service to how important education is yet fail miserably when it's time to spend the money on such an important issue. It's not just education, it's the same for mental health, protective services for kids & elderly, health care, the homeless, and so on. The more things change, the more they stay the same...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-52885158617000014942008-08-22T11:58:00.000-05:002008-08-22T11:58:00.000-05:00"Public Schools" failing the kids does not necessa..."Public Schools" failing the kids does not necessarily mean the teachers failed the kids, it means that the public school system in this state, as a whole, tends to fail special needs kids. The evidence that this is true is overwhelming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39350273773637129942008-08-21T21:39:00.000-05:002008-08-21T21:39:00.000-05:00That's right OMBUDSMAN aka:IDIOT!!!Keep blaming th...That's right OMBUDSMAN aka:IDIOT!!!<BR/>Keep blaming the school teachers for failing to educate LAZY kids whose parents(?) don't act like parents! <BR/>You sir and your pompous lege buddies couldn't find your A@@es if your heads went up them all the time! Just keep blaming and NEVER actually attempt to listen to those who do the jobs every day for sound ADVICE. How did we get here, because those in AUSTIN rarely admit they DON'T know it all.......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-58944446461897745002008-08-20T22:39:00.000-05:002008-08-20T22:39:00.000-05:00The fact that 40 percent or more of TYCs populatio...The fact that 40 percent or more of TYCs population is special ed tells the tale. State and federal law says that these youth should have been appropriately served while in public school. Many of them aren't even identified as special ed untill they reach TYC. Staying out of jail requires being able to function in mainstream society. It's all about education. So, tell me who dropped the ball.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-13278017698225049882008-08-19T21:30:00.000-05:002008-08-19T21:30:00.000-05:00I beg to differ on the opinions expressed here reg...I beg to differ on the opinions expressed here regarding alternative schools in public ISDs...used correctly, they offer a second option to students who want to continue their education, but are not suited for or are not able to attend regular high school for whatever reason. Many of these students had children while in high school or had to take a job in order to help out the family. I work in a suburban school district in West Texas where we have a WONDERFULLY SUCCESSFUL Alternative High School. We graduate as many as 30 students each year. Many of these kids also worry about where their next meal will come from and some of them wonder where they will sleep each night, but they come to school and we are dedicated to doing everything in our power to help them be successful. <BR/><BR/>So before you blame the public schools for contributing to the problems of TYC, please remember that not all school districts view the at risk student in the same way. Some of us have dedicated our careers to helping these kids find their way. Unfortunately, there are just some that we can't reach who may eventually find their way to TYC. But I can sleep at night knowing that my district is doing everything possible to see that none of them are ours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23983034770725959942008-08-19T20:41:00.000-05:002008-08-19T20:41:00.000-05:00The public schools aren't perfect, esp. in the rur...The public schools aren't perfect, esp. in the rural areas without adequate staff to implement programming. I taught 4th grade special ed and most of my students came from extremely unstable homes and I use term "home" loosely after visiting some of the hellholes they lived in. I've had kids enroll well into the school year. By the time we received their sped paperwork, held the ARD and developed an IEP or arranged for new testing they were already gone! This is very common and no one should be surprised that these poor kids never learn to read or write very well. Most of them are just worried about where or if their next meal is coming from...It breaks your heart and for the time we do have them in class we try our very best to teach them basic skills and provide some stability in their chaotic lives. It also breaks my heart to constantly read how "the public schools have failed" when I know how hard I and all my fellow teachers try to do the right thing for every child. Anyway, it's a sad truth that some people treat their pets better than their children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-59066407805076968602008-08-19T18:29:00.000-05:002008-08-19T18:29:00.000-05:00Monk, you are absolutely right. The sole responsi...Monk, you are absolutely right. The sole responsibility lies directly with the parents. <BR/><BR/>I am not saying that all teachers are qualified; however, they are not responsible for this problem.<BR/><BR/>Our department spends hundreds of thousands of dollars placing kids outside their homes. When those kids return, there is a noticeable change. Many times it is almost like an entirely different kid. However, give them 1 or 2 months back home, they return to their old ways.<BR/><BR/>The problems are in the home, not in our schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55647818079564194912008-08-19T14:56:00.000-05:002008-08-19T14:56:00.000-05:00and Sheldon, your experience in TYC was several ye...and Sheldon, your experience in TYC was several years ago, i have yet to see a student who can't sit up enough to learn due to being over medicated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14133398306011914982008-08-19T14:53:00.000-05:002008-08-19T14:53:00.000-05:00And don't say that TYC youth have it easy with too...And don't say that TYC youth have it easy with too many privileges and too many rights. <BR/><BR/>If you do you only demonstrate your ignorance. <BR/><BR/>Parents should be held accountable but so also should the agencies that we spend hundreds of millions on every year. It is not just TYC that has a problem. Child protective services, mental health services, probation services, and public schools all had access to TYC youth before they ever came close to being sent to TYC.<BR/><BR/>Research clearly shows that alternative school environments, which pool behaviorally challenged/delinquent youth with other delinquent youth, are clearly counterproductive both in terms of improving education and decreasing delinquency.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-30084379803772486612008-08-19T14:06:00.000-05:002008-08-19T14:06:00.000-05:001:40 writes, "When are the so called kids going to...1:40 writes, "When are the so called kids going to be responsible for there action's"<BR/><BR/>You realize at TYC we're talking about kids who are incarcerated in youth prisons, right? How much more responsible do you intend to hold them?Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.com