[rhoyaltempest]

We can go back and forth all day over who's at fault but I think we all know that the article is not talking about those parents that have some sense and have respect for teachers. And of course there are some "bad" teachers out there, but the article is talking about those parents (and unfortunately this group is growing more now than ever) who are out of control when it comes to their kids and have little to no respect for teachers. I have seen/heard it all and taught 13 years ago so things have been going down hill for a while (also I called parents on the phone; we didn't use email). From students being out of control and disrespecting teachers to parents trying to fight teachers without having any details. It has been out of control for a long time and it's getting worse. The children are getting worse to deal with and the parents are getting worse to deal with...see the connection? Where I taught, teachers spent much of their class time telling a child to sit down and shut up (not in those exact words) instead of teaching the day's lesson. The bottom line, no discipline at home coupled with parents who have little respect for teachers equals teachers having to be babysitters and disciplinarians all day. With the low pay (especially in school districts that need teachers urgently) and politics, more and more teachers are jumping ship now more than ever and this will continue unless we make some changes as a society.