Yes I do playground and hall duty and no I do not get paid for it. State law I believe does not allow a student to be retained more than one time. Now having said that I may be wrong and it could be a district policy. Either way it is wrong that a high school student reads at an 8th grade level. But isnt the question why does he/she read at that level. Just a few possibilities 1. the child isnt interested in reading, 2.No one encouraged reading at home, 3. A learning disability such as deslexia which makes reading difficult. Now lets address standardized testing. If ALL students in every classroom were at the same educational level and if ALL students were able to learn at the same pace and level they bring on standardized testing. But students are not all the same, and why should a student with a diagnosed learning disability be forced to take the same test as mainstream students. Then when that student does not meet state expectations, it is automatically the fault of the teacher. Heaven forbid that it be the fault of those who insist that these kids be forced to take the same test. Now I believe in your last post you stated that it is no longer a case of overworked and underpaid. Right? Then your opinion that a teachers worth varies doesn't work. You can't have teacher friends who are underpaid and "work their rear ends off" because you said so yourself...that isn't the case anymore. Now lets address my name calling. After having checked my posts (thats what took me so long, I didn't have to call and check on who gets paid for what) I have not called you or anyone else any names or even hinted in that direction. And you apparently did not read my post as thoroughly as you should have. I do not complain about my job. My complaint is that people who have no idea what goes on and who insist on soley blaming teachers for the state of education dont know what they are talking about. Now about you asking me what I think teachers are worth, well you never asked me that question until now so here is my answer..EVERY PENNY THEY EARN. I dont mind criticism when it comes from people who know what they are talking about and can back up what they say. And as for respect I give people what they earn and respect is something earned. So do I have respect for the job my trash hauler has, you bet I do. I wouldn't want to be subjected to the hazards hes is subjected to but I didnt blame him when the city started charging me for him doing his job. Oh and about that pedestal, I dont have one, and about 85% of my teaching time is done on the floor with my students around me so that my students have a feeling of community and kinship in my classroom. I tell my students that the classroom is their family and I believe that. Do I get defensive when I hear my peers being picked apart? You bet I do. Do I have humility? You bet I do. I consider it a privledge to teach. Is it a privledge to do what you do? And would you defend your profession if it were being constantly bombarded? Like I said if you havent been there you dont know what your are talking about.