Delegate: "Restore Respect at School"
Del. Gerron S. Levi, a Prince George's County Democrat, has introduced four bills that collectively she calls "The Campaign to Restore Respect at School." Under HB 630, parents and guardians whose children have been repeatedly suspended or chronically absent would lose access to some state tax benefits if they do not attend teacher conferences and make use of community services. HB 631 would mandate jail time for assaulting a teacher, principal, school bus driver or other school personnel. HB 632 would require that all teachers receive some classroom management training before teaching in a Maryland classroom, whether they're educated in the state or not. And HB 633 would require Maryland employers to provide four hours per year of leave -- paid or unpaid -- for parents and guardians to attend discipline-related teacher conferences.
Levi is a longtime proponent of parents and students taking responsibility for their actions. She says this legislation is in response to data showing that discipline issues are driving teachers and principals from the state's most challenging schools. A survey of departing Prince George's teachers found student discipline the No. 1 reason for leaving.
Guess who Levi wants to testify at a hearing for her legislation? Jolita Berry.
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Comments
I am in full support of Delegate Levi's bills. There are multiple parties involved in the education of a child and they all need to be held responsible when that child is not successful, including the parent and the child himself/herself. As a BCPSS teacher, I have seen some of our best teachers leave the field, not because of low pay, but because of student discipline. Thanks to AAA and his supporters, things have gotten even worse. Their "the child can do no wrong, it's the teacher's fault" attitude as to why children are unsuccessful in school has only increased the number of unsuccessful children.
Sure, AAA may get a few more kids to pass the HSA's but how many kids are actually prepared to go to college or be a part of the work force? Many of these kids have poor attendance, poor social skills, explosive personalities, and just haven't learned that much in their time in BCPSS. Of the few who attend college, most are taking multiple remedial classes and eventually drop out.
Posted by: Dustin | February 21, 2009 10:02 AM
Do we need to legislate parenting, good manners, etc? Aren't there already laws for assault, truancy, school attendance,etc? Teachers are professionals. We have been trained ,trained, and retrained.I have been in school forever! Clearly the laws we already have need to be enforced. Just what we need! One more layer of red tape. Also, most schools will meet with parents day or night.I have been in school as early as 6:30 AM and as late as 8:00PM to meet with parents. There is also the phone, email, and the Parent Portal so why do we need a law allowing parents time from work to meet with teachers? Sorry, but let's just use what is already in place and not being utilized. Most importantly, send respectful kids to school who want to learn.
Posted by: wise educator | February 22, 2009 5:51 PM
And did she really have to pick Jolita Berry as a spokesperson? I'm sure there are better teachers to talk about violence than one that a judge has said "acted deplorably." Seems like muck-raking to me.
Posted by: a parent | February 23, 2009 2:33 PM