Issues facing poorer schools

Schools in poorer socio-economical areas are facing several challenges in their efforts to meet the criteria of “No Child Left Behind.” The first of these issues is teacher retention in poor schools.  The poor schools do not have the financial resources to retain their best teachers.  Top teachers do not stay in the poor schools as once they gain experience. They move on to higher paying positions in more wealthy school districts.   Compounding this problem of teacher retention in the poor schools is the difficulty in recruiting high quality college graduates (Matthews, 2002). Richer schools use signing bonuses to entice the best college graduates to teach in their schools.  The poor schools do not have the finances to compete for the best college graduates (Dobbs, 2004). Poor schools also lack the funds to properly maintain their facilities and environment impacts the cognitive development of students especially in the early years of life. (Feldman, 2008)  Teacher recruitment is made more difficult because teacher salaries lag behind inflation (Alverez, 2007).

Poor schools are for the most part found in lower socio-economic areas such as inner cities and rural areas which historically have attitudes that downgrade the importance of education (Mandrell and Schram, 2006)

There is a lack of expectations for these students from their teachers resulting in a self fulfilling prophecy of failure.  (Gandara, 2004) The students in poor schools may show a lack of motivation to attain academic excellence. In poor schools, higher absenteeism negatively impacts academic achievement.

References

Alvarez, Brenda. (2007). Teacher Salary Lags Behind Inflation. Retrieved May 23, 2008 from http://www.nea.org/newsreleases/2007/nr071210.html

Dobbs, Michael. (2004, June 7). Poor School Sue for Funding. Page A13. Retrieved May 23, 2008 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20727-2004Jun6.html

Feldman, R. (2008).  Development across the lifespan. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Gándara, Patricia. (2004). Lowering barriers for underrepresented students. Retrieved May 23, 2008 from http://www-dateline.ucdavis.edu/020400/DL_gandara.html

Mathews, Jay. (2002, September 10). Top Teachers Rare in Poor Schools. Page A5. Retrieved May 23, 2008 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59173-2002Sep9.html

The Effects of Parenting Styles

Today, there is a discussion of the types of parenting styles and their effect upon an individual. Drawn into question are the long term effects of parenting style upon the development of an individual. There are debates over nature versus nurture, cultural expectations, parental control, and parental involvement. The Bible has much to say in regards to child rearing and parental style. One of the more popular clichés is “spare the rod and spoil the child” which not exactly what the text says. People have used this cliché to authorize child abuse but that is not what Solomon wrote. Rather, the Bible says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him” (Proverbs 13:24, New International Version). The idea of discipline means to set boundaries or parameters with reasonable consequences for their violation. This is further seen in Paul’s writings where he says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, NIV). This is clearly an admonition against the authoritarian parenting style dominant in the first century Roman Empire. Solomon also writes, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6, NIV). This word “train” gives the idea in the Hebrew of starting a child on the right path which parents are supposed to do. The Bible tells us that children are “like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth” (Psalms 127:4, NIV). If reared under the right circumstances, children will fly straight and true. Modern research is now proving what the Bible has always said to be true. Parenting style has a great impact upon the development of the individual’s behavioral control, autonomy, and his mental health.

Midnight the Cat Text Messaging

Chocolate the Dog

There you go again

I remember the presidential debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Carter was just making a rambling speech to answer a question when soon-to-be President Reagan just shook his head and replied, “Well, there you go again.”

I have the same reaction when reading that Dr. Bruce Prescott making wild accusations against Judge Paul Pressler. He makes assumptions that must be considered amazing. He claims a connection between SBC leadership and Christian Reconstructionism. He uses a clip from a Bill Moyers documentary and an interview with between Gary North and Judge Pressler. Here they go again. At least you think they could be more creative in their attack then trying to connect dots that just aren’t there. However, I digress. I pulled down my copy of the book, A Hill On Which to Die, and I will let Judge Pressler defend himself.

One of the more ridiculous charges that has been brought against me is that I support reconstructionism and dominion theology. Anyone who accuses me of this is willfully ignorant. I have often attempted to set the record straight, but the Baptist media have not reported my statements, and people making the charges seem determined to keep themselves ignorant of the facts. I know very little about this type of theology, but from what I’m able to piece together, dominion theology expects to bring in the kingdom of God on earth through peoples’ actions- political or otherwise. Theologians would classify this as a postmillenial position- that Christ will come again after mankind has brought in the millenium era on earth.

That is not my position. I believe the Scripture teaches that the world will get worse and worse and then Christ will physically return to earth and set up His kingdom. (This is a premillenial position.) The two positions are completely opposite. The postmillenial position says people will do it. The premillennial position says people will fail.

The only way I can possibly suggest that this foolishness began is that I allowed Dr. Gary North, a reconstructionist who holds to dominion theology, to interview me, and his interview was well-circulated. I have always allowed anyone to interview me if it is convenient. Being interviewed by someone does not mean that I agree with that person’s position. If it did, I would never have consented to the interviews I gave Bill Moyers, Fisher Humphries, Dan Martin, Toby Druin, Greg Warner, Gus Niebuhr, Bob Allen, and others.

The bankruptcy of the liberal position is shown by the liberals making such a ridiculous charge. I am not, never have been, and never will be one who holds to reconstruction or dominion theology. It is entirely contrary to my understanding of what the Bible teaches about the nature of man and the future of the world.” — pages 268-269.

Let’s not forget as Judge Pressler points out in the book, after the interview, Bill Moyers edited the clip and changed the questions he asked Judge Pressler. After reading this Dr. Prescott, all I can do is shake my head and remember Ronald Reagan’s comment:

“Well, there you go again.”