Teacher training... The state has put such new demands on teachers to push the children further ahead with our child left behind state law-- that most teachers don't know how to teach the requirements anymore--
A lot has changed as far as requirements in the last 2 years-- 1st grades used to have to know how to read and write somewhat, but no worry about categorizing thoughts, punctuation, Spelling, writing complete stories-- this was worked on-- but not as in tense as has to be done now and everything is rushed, so if your child is slower than the rest, they could be in trouble.
Our town is using a new reading program this year, so much of the focus is on that.
The draw back with this Reading Streets program is the amount of time dedicated to language arts. Add that to the math time and there is effectively no time left for sciece and history. I think that 1/2 hour each week is allocated for science and social studies. Some social studies is inclorporated into the Reading Streets, but the science subject is negatively impacted by far.
At our small ELOB school in NC mountains we would love to see more staff and volunteers. Even with a small class size charter we would like to give more one on one; and even smaller groups for deeper, direct, individual and hands on learning.
