I think it's true that family disruptions do eventually leach into the school system. Equally true, though, is that teachers DO in fact need better tools, more support, and, yes, more money to help the students that come to us in sometimes extremely dire personal situations. What, exactly, is Will trying to suggest here--that teachers do more with less, in short? That's hardly going to help the situation. We've seen what that kind of thinking has gotten us in the city: nominally more money, as NYCEd. pointed out, but MUCH more and MUCH more challenging work--not to mention that pay rises, such as they are, are not even keeping up with inflation.

I think Will does state the obvious inasmuch as teachers and schools cannot be entirely to blame for problems facing America's students. But he seems to believe that if teachers would just suck it up and do more work for less money--be "respected professionals"--everything would be okay. Yet no other professional is asked to do that, certainly not for the base salary of most teachers.
yo miss!, formerly in bushwick | 04.26.08 - 10:14 am | #

I guess George Will knows as much about public schools as any rich guy whose kids don't attend public schools. But Yo Miss is right. You don't hear anyone but teachers being attacked like this. And how is working for very little money the job of "respected professionals?" I've never been treated much like a respected professional, and even thoough I like teaching I don't think I ever will. I know what I do is important anyway. George Will is not getting out there and helping kids but we are.
Science Teacher | 04.26.08 - 2:27 pm | #