Teachers maligned

Washington lawmakers introduced a bill (SB 6332) this year that sought to remedy the looming teacher shortage. Unfortunately they chose to address variables other than the precipitating cause of the problem, which is the unjustified media- and politically-driven disrespect of teachers, claiming that our schools are failing (which is simply inaccurate) and that it’s primarily teachers’ fault.

Instead of addressing these unfounded claims, the Legislature opted for higher pay for beginning teachers (while current teachers’ salaries have been stuck in the mud for years), and some other minor changes. Unfortunately, no consideration was given to professional status attacks.

While everybody wants the best and brightest to enter the teaching profession, who among that group would choose to be evaluated unfairly, according to the American Statistical Association, by over-reliance on standardized test scores? Who would choose to enter a “failing” system that blames them? Who wants a profession offering little room to exercise their creativity? And who, among the brightest and best, would choose to teach in the most difficult schools under these conditions?

Instead of treating teachers as professionals on par with doctors and lawyers, we too often blame them for societal problems out of their control. Who’d choose that?

Andy James

Colville