Providence student survey finds dissatisfaction
Alternative content
Providence School Survey
Providence high school students describe their classroom experiences.Published: January 22, 2009
Updated: January 22, 2009
PROVIDENCE - A student-sponsored survey found high schoolers are not happy with teachers in the Providence school district.
The survey by a group called Young Voices collected information from nearly 1,700 students, or about 21 percent of the city’s high schoolers.
Among common complaints: teachers don’t explain information clearly and rely too heavily on handouts and textbooks in class instead of hands-on lessons.
Students also said teachers sometimes make discouraging comments.
The group surveyed nearly 150 teachers as well, many of whom said disruptions in class undermine their ability to teach.
Providence School Supt. Tom Brady said the problems weren’t new but that officials were listening and working on solutions.
One positive note: in every school the survey found a few effective, dedicated teachers.
Reader Reactions
What an extremely sad commentary. Our education system in this state is so broken. Throwing more money at an already expensive system is not the answer. One of my daughters friends came home crying not to long ago over some really negative remarks made by a teacher in the middle of the class room (this was not in Providence).
This is the problem with tenure. Teachers can say what they please with maybe a minor reprimand. This article says it all. Yes, there are some very very good teachers out there, the problem is, there are also some very very bad ones as well, and they are protected. This parent (referenced earlier) is organizing a group that will call out individual teachers publicly for this type of behavior, news, radio, print. People are really getting fed up with reports like this, but nothing is ever done. Taxpayers need to really take our schools back and start setting perimeters that need to be met by the education departments, or be fired, it is as simple as that, like any other job. The unions protect too many people who do not deserve to be on the taxpayers payroll, they need to act more responsibly. This article shows what a disgrace our system has become.
Advertisement