The State of Education

This will probably be my last post.  Ever.  Truth is, I've become irrelevant.  I'm not totally surprised.  People love to read about your dirty laundry but when life is good...not so much.  I'm okay with that...really!  I have a laundry list of things to do and writing is sort of taking a backseat to them.

Thursday a bombshell was dropped in the special educators laps.  We were getting a state audit on our confidential folders...going back to day 1.  Now, I have been employed by this school since -- this school year -- so, I am responsible for 20+ folders that are in, quite possibly, a state of disrepair.  Additionally, since the folders are being removed from the school, we have to move all our IEP meetings from March into February.  Fortunately, I had the foresight to split up my 12 or so February IEP's into 2 months -- January and February.  So, I have only seven to do plus whoever's meetings I am overseeing as an LEA.  

Let me put this in perspective.  In order to hold an IEP, three notices must be given to the parent.  We have a new software program that is, problematic, to say the least.  For me, most of my students are Hispanic which means I send 2 notices home -- 1 in English and 1 in Spanish.  However, there are two separate notices -- making it 4 notices that go home.  And the English (due to the software) does not clone into the Spanish -- so I have to read the English one and retype it onto the Spanish one.  I also need to arrange for a translator, test the student, score the test, check their ELPA-WIDA (English language speaking) scores, check grades, transcripts and write teachers to see what they are observing in the classroom.  After ALL this information is gathered, I can write an IEP.  Now, imagine that x7.  Not easy to do.  I am currently testing students for February.  I have managed to get four to come for it.  I still have three more to do.

Now as far as our admin...they are fabulous -- promising us subs if needed to squeeze all of this in.  My biggest problem with all of this is having to fix the problems of the people before me. AND, if problems are found, the ramifications fall on me.  I would solely be to blame.  And then, some sort of process ensues for the next three years, aimed at me.  So, since Thursday, we have been receiving list upon list of what needs to be in the folders, how they should look, etc, etc.  It is, to say the least, overwhelming.

I went into special education to help kids.  I do my work with due diligence but definitely get behind in my filing.  I play catch-up periodically but I am human, and to do everything within a day or two of an IEP is darned near impossible.   I teach three 80 minute classes per day, get 30 minutes for lunch, an 80 minute prep (2 used to plan with the co-teacher, do grading, etc and 2 for special education work) and we have after school meetings twice a week; one lasting an hour, the other, a half hour.   

I am, quite frankly, finding that education is losing its appeal.  I went into it for the kids.  I have a great rapport with even the most hard-core students.  I don't even mind doing the IEP's, quite frankly.  It helps me get a better insight into my students.  What I mind is being held accountable to a standard that makes me wonder, is it really realistic?   I don't mind moving paperwork into it's proper place.  In fact, I did a folder check at the beginning of the year and they looked pretty good.  But I checked quickly.  Now, my eye will have to be perfect.  Making sure there are zero mistakes -- no matter how minuscule.   

I know this much...if I find myself under scrutiny for the next three years, that will probably end my education career.  I don't think filing documents is as important as teaching students how to advocate for themselves or helping them further their knowledge so they can get into college, vocational school, the armed forces or a job.  My goal is for them to graduate from high school.  A tall order since we are a Title 1, Tier 1 school -- high risk, high need students.  I love my job and would never want to leave but at the end of the day, I have to consider what's more important...my students or my filing skills?  (and the skills of those who went before me).

And so, as I feel completely overwhelmed and anxiety-ridden, I will go to school on Monday with a smile on my face -- never letting them see me sweat.  February will fly by...of that, I'm certain!  The good news is I will not have any IEP's in March and April, I will finish my caseload with three meetings left.  Spring break will arrive and we will be on the downhill slide.  

You are now getting a glimpse at the state of education.  If you are one of those people who persistently complains that a teacher is not doing their job, you do not know the half of it.  I suggest you take away your child's phone so that they can learn during the day instead of answering texts.  Teach them not to disrespect others.  Show them what it means to be an adult and hold them accountable for their actions.   Spend time with them and love them.  We are not their parents...we are their teachers.  I will be their role model, their mentor, their teacher.  I will listen to them, teach them and help them succeed in the classroom and with any luck, they will be able to generalize it into the "real world".  

The state of education.  I am a committed, caring teacher.  I am also tired of giving everything I have so that it can be taken away from me.  All because of a folder audit.  Interesting.  That, my friends, is the state of education.