Click on the link for the article that Follows, and answer the following:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/12/14/2007-12-14_harlem_principal_gets_a_slap_over_memo.html
1. What is your reaction to the article?
2. What reasons might explain why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers?
3. Would you be happy if you knew that a teacher gave you a "passing" grade, even though you didn't deserve it?
4. Should teachers challenge students to learn, or just help them to pass exams like the Regents, and the State Tests?
5. Do you feel that you are challenged enough academically in your classes? If not, then what should teachers be doing to challenge you more?
30 comments:
My reaction towards this article is that I feel that if he thinks they're so dumb. Find ways to help the child. Don't send off memos and things. That's why a say challenge the student but help them to pass. Help them learn the new subject your teaching. Don't just focus on one kid whos passing and just leave the others who are struggling behind. Your a school environment, your supposed to help the students pass and succeed. And when they fail you fail as a teacher, as a person giving knowledge to youths. So don't think it's there problem, they did it, and theres nothing to do to fix it. I feel I am being challenged enough in my school. And at the same time I am being helped. Unlike my old school.
Joshua Howard
Class:901
Period:6
I think that it was wrong for the principal to write that memo. He should try to enforce teachers to challenge the students so they could actually learn something, instead of telling them to make the work easy just so the students can pass their classes. Teachers should challenge students to learn. If they only help students to pass then the students will not learn anything. Yes, I do feel that in my classes I am challenged enough.
By:Mariela O(per.7)
My reaction to this article is wow.By giving kids good grades your not only making a bad impression on yourself your also making the students dumber.The memo the pricipal sent to the teachers was pass the kids by all means neccesary.I would be happy but at the same time guilty.Although i passed i was given a grade on how i did.I think it is very important for children to be challenged because otherwise they won't learn as easily and expect to answer very easy questions.I am constantly being academically challegened in class.
Billy Poulos
class 902
-I believe he shouldn't dumb down the classes because they should let the students show their full potentional and teach them that they have to work hard to achieve things.
-He sent this memo so it could make school easier for the students.
-I would be upset because I would think i was dumb and that the teacher did it because he/she felt bad.
-The teachers should challenge them to learn.
-I believe I am challenged enough.
-Chrissy Thomatos Period 4
I was surprised to hear that a principal would even say such a thing. Why would the principal want to discourage students from learning at their own pace, and also stating that teachers should make things easier and let children who are failing pass, without even deserving it. Everyone learns at a different rate, and if a student is having a hard time, the teacher should be there to help out. I think the principal sent out this memo, to state that not all students have it easy at home; they have difficult lives and it can be distracting towrds their grades. Even still, I believe that the principal stated things in the wrong way, and almost made it seem as though students were dumb, and that they aren't able to achieve standards, when they can. I would not be happy, if my teacher just gave me a passing grade, even though I didn't deserve it, because I know that it isn't the right grade to give me, and I want to be able to pass on my own. Sure the teacher can be able to help me pass, but I would feel better if I knew that I was the person who got my grade. I think that teachers should challenge their students to learn, but only if they know that they will be capable of doing harder work. If you are stuck with something, the teacher should help you, but maybe they can also challenge you with harder work to get you more advanced. It helps you to see what you are good at. I feel that I am challenged enough in my classes, because I understand everything and I am not falling behind. I keep up with my work, usually in math, because it is harder to keep up with.
Anastasia ~ Papis 903
1.) My reaction to the article was that i think teachers should educate the students so that they learn instead of just helping them to pass without them learning a lot.
2)that might explain why the principal sent the memo to the teachers are for admonishing him for "[leaving] the impression.
3.)Yes I would be happy if I knew that a teacher gave me a passin grade even though I didn't deserve it.
4.) I think that teachers should change students to learn because if the teachers just helps you to pass you probably didn't learn anything.
5.) I feel that i am challenged enough academically in my classes becaause a lot of the stuff we do in school is challenging for me.
Maria A period:7
karen c.
i agree with the principal if 65% of the students are not passing, then the calsses are too hard for the students.maybe the principla felt that too many students were failing, and been challenged too much. no i wouldnt be happy because id feel like im being robbed formt he education im sappose to receive. a good teacher would challenge a student for both reasons, to educate the student and help the students pass their exams. i feel like im not being challenged enough in some classes. the teacher should place me in another class or challenge me more;
1.My reaction to this article was that the principle of the harlem high school thinks that his students in his arent as smart as they could be so the'll have to lower the passing grade level.
2. The principle sent the teachers his memo because he thought the kids werent getting the work. He also said that kids are having they're own problems at home and not to pressure them.
3.I wouldnt be happy if I passed for something i dont deserve. I would feel guilty to kids who didnt pass for something the got wrong and i got right. I think in order to get a passing grade you have to work for it and not just pass like that.
4.Teachers should help students learn and challenge them at the same time. They shouldnt make it too hard on students but not too easy.
5. The classwork in class is at a very good level for me as of now.Teachers are making the lessons understandable and not too hard but also not very easy.
Kristina papa class 901
period 6 history.
1. My reaction to the article is i thought this could go either way. I think both sides are right.
2. I think the reasoning for this is that the principal wanted the students to do better by telling the yteachers to make the class easier for students so they can do the work they are at the level for not work that is too hard for them because they will fail and the passing rate will be lower.
3. Yea i would be happy if the teacher gave me a passing grade even if i didnt deserve it because it is better for me.
4. I think that teachers should challenge their students but at certain times. I think this beacause teachers should care about what the regents is like and iff the teachers are teaching stuff not on the regents or important exams whats the point of teaching because all their students are gonna fail.
5. I think im challenged in certain classes and thats alright but in others im not.Like math because i learned all of this last year but this is good beacuse im able to learn more for the regants because it is all regents prep.
1. My reaction to this article was that if teachers don't have hope that their students will do great and better in a class, then that shows the student that there really isn't hope in them doing better.
2. Some reasons that might explain why the principal sent the memo to the teachers could be a complaint from parents and students. It can also be that he relized the decrease in student test grades.
3. I probabally wouldn't feel right about the position the teacher would put me in if they gave me a grade that I didn't deserve. If I was doing 90 average work and the teacher was giving me a 70, I would feel the same way if I was doing 55 average work and they passed me with a 65 when I clearly did not deserve that grade.
4. I think that teacher should encourage and challenge students with harder work. In seventh grade my teacher was extremely hard in math, but when it came to the state test the problems were a lot easier looking. I think that it might seem difficult and unfair, but in that way it made the test a breeze.
5. I think that in some areas we can be challenged or the work can be to intense. Sometimes everyone has already learned this and it can be annoying to learn something again. I think if teachers are not challenging enough they should give different work or homework to certain students to do, if they choose to do harder work.
Amanda P. 4th period
[used to be 6th period]
My raction to this article is that even though 65 percent of the kids have to at least pass if not there school is really bad. The principal sent out the memeo because there school is the worst because a lot of kids are getting left back. If i got a passing grade and didnt deserve it I will be very happy. Teachers shouldent challenge kids but they should help us pass the regents thats why we have teachers to help us. I feel that I am being challenged because now the higher the grades you go the harder they get.
Christopher Caraballo Period 7
1. I feel like the principal was wrong for what he did. He should've added a program for extra help instead of dumbing down the curiculum.
2. The pricipal probably did this so the kids could get higher grades and his school can become a good one.
3. No I would not be happy to recieve a passing grade even though I didnt deserve it because that would mean I did nothing to deserve it.
4. Teachers should challenge children to learn because whatever they learn will help them in the furture to succeed.
5. I feel we are challenged enough in our school. It shows in most of the test we recieve and the grades we get.
*after reading the article i found that the principle was wrong.
*he might have sent the memo to the teachers because he wanted to adress something that he was concerned about. The student's grades.
*i would not be happy if my teacher gave me a passing grade and i didnt desreve it. it would make me not want to try. And it would make me feel that there was no reason to do my work and in in the end i would have lost out in an education.
*teachers should challenge the students so that they could learn more and go further in life. Now just be on one level forever.
*i am feel i am be being challenged in most of my classes.
~sarah bianchi
Maria Quintero
Period 4
I thought that if the students were not pasing that the teahcers should help them more and take extra time to teach them what they do not understand...i dont think that the teahcers should take their class in a slower pace because then when the time comes to take a state test they would not understnd half of the questions on it because they did not get up to it and they would fail.
I think the prinicipal sent the memo so the students could get higher grades and not everyone would be failing
i would be happy if a teacher gave me a passing grade at the time..but when we are suppose to take regents desighed for students who go at a regular pace i would probably fail because the teacher was going at such a slow pace,and i would not be happy about that
I think that teachers should challenge students to learn because this way they can remeber it when they need it like if they are getting a job and if the teachers are really teaching helping the students understand everything that they go through (at a normal pace)then they would remeber everything for the regents and state tests.
I do feel i am chanllanged in school because what i am learning i havent learned before.
(=
1.my reaction to the article is that the Principal was over reacting on the topic.
some reasons might explain why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers so they can see if something can be done so the student can do better.
when i think about it no becouse i didnt deserv the grade that the teacher is gaving me i didnt do my work or whatever i need to do to get that passing grade so its not fair this is why we go to school to learn and do it on our own.
i think teachers should challenge students to learn, and not just help them to pass exams like the Regents, and the State Tests but it mainly should be about the two exams and if theres time they shhould challenge the kids.
yes i Do you feel that i am challenged enough academically in my classes.
1. I think that what the principal of an East Harlem high school said did not what to show that he thinks that the students are dumb just that he wants the teachers to make the work lighter because most students are not passing.
2. The reason why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers is to tell them that most students are failing and need less work.
3. No I would not be happy if you knew that a teacher gave you a "passing" grade, even though you didn't deserve it.
4. I think that teachers should challenge students to learn and not just help them to pass exams like the Regents, and the State Tests.
5. I Do you feel that you are challenged enough academically in your classes except in math.
By: Monica Torosyan
Class:902
Period:7
1. It gets me upset to know a teacher doesnt really care whether their students are getting thier proper education.
2.I guess to make it easier for themselves.
3.No i would not be happy.
4.Yes teachers should challenge students because it makes them smarter.
5..Yes i feel i am challenged
-Rabaya Rahman
class 902
1. What is your reaction to the article?
I'm surprised that a principal would propose that, because to me that seems desperate. That should be the last option when you realize that people aren't doing well in their academic field.
2. What reasons might explain why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers? To get their opinions; approval, and to inform them about their doings, the deserve the right to know.
3. Would you be happy if you knew that a teacher gave you a "passing" grade, even though you didn't deserve it?
Honestly, it would be wrong to let it through but at this point it really depends on the subject, because if you need a 65 desperately, very desperately then thats the way to go. But if you have a guilt building inside of you, you would do something.
4. Should teachers challenge students to learn, or just help them to pass exams like the Regents, and the State Tests?
Teachers should do both;when the student finally rises to that point where they're ready to pass well, then challenge them so they can succeed better.
5. Do you feel that you are challenged enough academically in your classes? If not, then what should teachers be doing to challenge you more? I don't feel MUCH challenged but enough to keep me busy and working my best to rise above their standards.
-Livi Cabrera
Period 4
1. I am very shocked at this article. I cant believe that the principal sent that memo to pressur the teachers to dumb down their classes.
2. I think the reason why the principal sent the memo to the teachers is because the student are not passing their classes
3. No, I would not be happy with a passing grade even if i dont deserve it because doing that do not teach me anything. It does not teach me to better myself in life.
4. Teacher should give student challenges to learn because it proves to the student how great they can do academically.
5. I feel like I am challenged enough. If I was not being challenged I would not have so much homework.
Period 7
1). I had heard about this from somewhere. I am shocked, even if it was indirect the principle called his students dumb.
2). The principle either had the students best interest in heart or he didn't want the statistics of his school (and his reputation) to look really bad.
3). No, I like to work for my grades. I don't like taking the easy way out of things
4). Both, the students should not only be able to pass but to get the highest grade possible. They should also learn more than there supposed to. I don't think you should learn what you have to, I think you should learn even more.
5). In most of my classes I do. However in math I do not. I think the teacher should give more challenging work to the students who understand the material more than others. Maybe even ask them to tutor or help another student who does not understand.
I FELT THAT THIS ARTICLE WAS A GOOD EYE OPENER TO PEOPLRE THAT THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION IS DROPPING. AS A PRINCIPAL THIS PERSON SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ENCOURAGRE THESE STUDENT TO LEARN NOT TO PASS FOR THE SAKE OF OPASSING. I THINK THE SKOOL SHOULD TEACH NOT ONLY HELP STUDENTS PASS REGENTS. I WOULD BE VEY OFFENDED IF MY TEACHER JUST LET ME PASS WITHOUT TRYING TO GET ME TO DO BETTER BECAUES IT WOULD MAKE MWE FEEL LIKE A LOSER.
SAVAS H 901 7TH PERIOD
1.My reaction to this article is that Lieberman is very ignorant and wants to take the easy way out of a tough situation.
2. To possibly provide a mission statement on what he wanted them to do although it was the exact wrong thing to do.
3. It would be mixed feelings. I would be happy if I passed, but that sense of accomplishment and achieving something wouldn't there.
4. Teachers should help their children to learn and they should also help to enlighten them as well, especially when it comes to exams like the Regents and State tests. If teachers don't challenge kids, how will they go out into the real world and look for a career.
5. Yes because sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the challenges that I have to face and go through sometimes. I believe I have enough on my plate. Jason K 902
1. What is your reaction to the article?
My reaction after reading this article was W0W. I had a couple of question after reading this article… why was this teacher allowed to teach?
2. What reasons might explain why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers?
I think because the principal wanted to let the teachers what is in the memo and also what the student think of there teachers.
3. Would you be happy if you knew that a teacher gave you a "passing" grade, even though you didn't deserve it?
No because if I didn’t deserve that grade I shouldn’t get that grade. I want to get the grade that I deserve in that class or from that same teacher.
4. Should teachers challenge students to learn, or just help them to pass exams like the
Regents, and the State Tests?
I think that teachers should teach there classes and help them learn new things in that topic. Also the teachers should help to pass the exams, and the State test.
5. Do you feel that you are challenged enough academically in your classes? If not, then what should teachers be doing to challenge you more?
I feel that I am challenged enough by all my classes.
ariana period 7
1. What is your reaction to the article?
My reaction after reading this article was W0W. I had a couple of question after reading this article… why was this teacher allowed to teach?
2. What reasons might explain why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers?
I think because the principal wanted to let the teachers what is in the memo and also what the student think of there teachers.
3. Would you be happy if you knew that a teacher gave you a "passing" grade, even though you didn't deserve it?
No because if I didn’t deserve that grade I shouldn’t get that grade. I want to get the grade that I deserve in that class or from that same teacher.
4. Should teachers challenge students to learn, or just help them to pass exams like the
Regents, and the State Tests?
I think that teachers should teach there classes and help them learn new things in that topic. Also the teachers should help to pass the exams, and the State test.
5. Do you feel that you are challenged enough academically in your classes? If not, then what should teachers be doing to challenge you more?
I feel that I am challenged enough by all my classes.
ariana period 7
1.my reation is that i was odd thata teacher wanted to make the classes easyer so it wouldent take harder to pass.
2.maybe he sent the massages becouse he was helping out the kid in that school making it easier for them to pass there classes
3 i ould be happy but i would feel like i dident earn it.
4.they should challenge kids on ho to larn becouse then they could see there true potential and how fa they can learn.
5 well i would say that iam challenged already from all of the teses and everything.
1)To me this article is a big deal, because to students, performance is also part of self-esteem in which Lieberman is lowering by supposedly calling them dumb.
2)I think the principal sent the memo to the teachers because she didn't want her failure as a principal to be exposed and so wanted to lower standards.
3)No because then the teacher is just giving me fake hopes which could lead to dissapointment in the future.
4)I think they should help them until the students meet standards and then try challenging the class.
5)I think I am being challenged because if I wasn't I wouldn't need a notebook and pay attention to pass the class. I also go aaway with something new I learned everyday.
Danny P p.8
When I read this article, I was a little dissapointed that directions such as these were actually carried out. I feel that it is the responsibility of the Board Of Education to provide a challenging learning environment for students, And I know that i would personally not be motivated to work harder If I knew I could pass with lackluster grades. I also feel that a memo such as the one passed out in this particular case demoralizes the students, and makes them feel inferior and unintelligent.
Period 3
1)My reaction is thatteachers shpuldn't just pass students just for passing them. I was a bit surprised actually.
2)Just to make sure that none of them have been just passing students for the heck of it.
3)Yes and no i would be happy that i had passed the class but to be passed just for no apparant reason is wrong.
4)I think that teachers should challenge us but just enough for us to understnd and along the way help us with the state exams and regions.
5)yes i do feel challenge in most of my classes/
Eirene Skocos
class 903
11/17/07
1. What is your reaction to the article?
I had a strong reaction to this article. I beleive that it is mostly true. Teachers should help their students recieve grades that are higher, and they should decipline them as well to make sure they receive good grades. But then, it is the students responsibility to understand and learn to have a good education.
2. What reasons might explain why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers?
The principal probably sent the memos to the teachers to tell them of what their students think. If the students opinions are taken, it COULD make the school a better place of education.
3. Would you be happy if you knew that a teacher gave you a "passing" grade, even though you didn't deserve it?
No, I would not be happy. I passing grade is deserved only to the students that try their best, and that do not slack off. Students that receive a grade that is not deserved, is just telling the students that they can slack off and not cooperate, but still get a great grade.
4. Should teachers challenge students to learn, or just help them to pass exams like the Regents, and the State Tests?
They should challenge the students that need to be challenged. Students that have higher grades and do better in class. But the students that do need help at a slower rate, teachers should help them little by little as needed.
5. Do you feel that you are challenged enough academically in your classes? If not, then what should teachers be doing to challenge you more?
I feel that in most classes, I'am challenged enough academicaly. But in some classes, I feel that I'am not. Teachers should make us work harder, and at a faster pace if they want us to be challenged.
1. I think the Principal should not be pressuring the teachers like this. I think id the chancellor decided to do this it should go for all the districts and not just one.
2.The principal might have sent the leter to teachers becuase of multiple complaints left by parents.
3.Yes and no. Yes becuase I would be "passing" but no because i didnt earn the grade and I probably wouldnt gt it and that would make me go no where if I couldnt understand or somplete the work.
4. Teachers should worry about teaching the most important things for the regions and then challenge them. This way the students aren't too pressured.
5.I think i am challenged enough but more then half of the stuff is easy. I think teachers should make us work a little harder.
Christina Wylie
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