yes - i did say my students were growing - i did believe in what i was doing.
i ALWAYS said they were low - and that they were on a 3rd-5th grade level.
i ALWAYS said the standardized test scores did not reflect the growth that took place under my watch - in my classroom.
i did CHOOSE to work there. the concept of the school was great and i wanted to believe in it...
i chose to work there because my liberal ideology and my passion to make a difference - it was a nice fit...
so simply answering your stupid remarks - for the 5th time or so - THERE IS NO REVERSAL OR CONTRADICTION - just one person at two different points in time.
i gave it my 100% - and i think many of the teachers did - but we could not erase what they went home to every night...
which is something i have highlighted in discussions before...which stemmed many of our conversations about poverty, particularly in ESL.
i feel in order to truly improve the education in ESL - kids must have their basic needs first. many of those kids do not have that. many of the parents do not value education, and do not push their children at home if at all...
i said before and i still say today - the poor situation in ESL both in education and in general is a lack of commerce and growth - which is stunted by violence and crime in the area.
until the cultural problems are addressed - until east st.louis is invested in and repaired - EVERY and ANY school will fail there.
not because those kids can not learn - not because they do not deserve to...
but because they are more worried about surviving.