I work with young people. Its a privilege and an honour and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I wished there were more teachers that felt this way. I dont know that they don't and I want to apologize if I offend, that's not my intention.

My question regarding teachers loving their jobs is based on the idea of 'best interest'. Best interest to me means that you as a person in power in the relationship you have with young people, are acting in a manner which is geared towards bettering a young persons' situation. Best interest is about what's right for the young person, despite sacrifices we may have to make. It is a plan of action a young person may not like, may not fully comprehend, nor accept, but you do it anyway.

I'll make this conversation a bit less global, as I know nothing of the US education system and how it works, nor do I know (really) how other provinces of Canada work in this regard. So, in Nova Scotia the amendments that have been ongoing have included dropping algebra from certain grade levels during their final exam due to low performance levels. It has also included the idea that you can skip all classes throughout the year, obtain all of the assignments and complete and pass them in on the last day of school and still manage a pass in a course. It also includes 'Social passes" - based on a persons age and ability, the school determines that 'in the best interest' of a young person, it will be better, in the long run, that they do not have the fundamentals in Math, English, Science than to face recieving a failing grade or being denied a pass into the next grade level.

If this is what young people learn today in schools, what will be their expectation of 'the real world' and the people they interact with?? 'Johnny' gets a labourer job at a construction site, he's angered by his low pay cheque and questions his foreman about it. "Hey boss, why do I only get this much??" The boss responds "Well you left out half of what was asked of you, and you left the job early... so that's the money you get for the work you actually put in". 'Johnny' gets further angry about it as , in his past, people who had power over him allowed him to not attempt the things he felt were too tough to do, he was accustomed to being pushed along without really attempting the objectives he was required to complete.

Imagine that young person then having to raise children, pay taxes, deal with Parent teacher nights. All because schools decided that extra help was not an option, that pushing kids through was a better success than having them succeed with a lot of hard work.  So.. where does best interest come into play here?? Some one explain... please... anyone?

I just don't get it. I have a lil one of my own, and I am already prepared to fight til I am black and blue so that she gets the education I believe she deserves and is worthy of. Heaven help the schools I deal with!!