Schools need timeout for self-examination

Richard E. Law, Las Vegas

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | 2:01 a.m.

When will our Clark County taxpayers realize their schools require some attention other than money? The latest round of math failures, on top of students who can’t absorb the knowledge they should, could ring some chimes.

Taxpayers should force a timeout onto the school hierarchy and cause officials to step back for a total examination of systemic disorders. No excuses should be accepted for the failure of classroom instruction pending full validation.

Justification is due for the myriad “administrators.” Who are they, what are they doing, why are they doing it, and what pay, plus perks, are they receiving? Might their return to the classrooms mitigate this emergency?

We must use the timeout to examine what is actually going on in the classrooms to disenchant our dedicated teachers and those who want to learn. We must determine what is really being taught and what may be contributing to classroom failures. Why are teachers passing these failures to the next level?

Look at teacher hiring, oversight and advancement practices. Investigate why successful and experienced teachers from other regions are being excluded from hiring without explanation.Question the required courses for new hires and periodic courses beyond their college degrees for others. Examine what is being taught in the taxpayer-funded “teacher training center” and why.

How does all this apply to successful grade school teaching?

Overall, learn what must be done so everyone can enjoy the satisfaction of educational success more important than salary to most true educators.