[etni] fw: Accomodating English teachers.

From: Aviva Shapiro - <shapiroaviva@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Accomodating English teachers.

 Hello,

I have been reading the letters about accomodations and English teachers
with a lot of interest. As a teacher of 23 years , I know that English teachers
are and have always been the MOST "accomodating " teachers of all.
We spend hours dealing with accomodations such as recording tapes or
sitting with pupils who need to be read to.. Now that the ministry is requesting
we fill out a form voicing our opinion of each student (who needs some kind of
accomodation) in a more formal manner maybe we will finally be listened to by
the school counselors , other teachers and the administration. Because it is
true that we know (or should ) what accomodations our pupils need. WE see
how they function (or don't) in class and observe how they work. on a regular basis.

For years it has bothered me that kids (some ) are given accomodations which
they don't need or that they are not willing to use. (like recording their answers
onto a tape!!) while others don't get what they do need. Now , hopefully the
schools will try to give credit to what the English teacher who actually knows
the student thinks, rather then a person who meets the students once or a only a few times.

In spite of the fact that already overworked English teachers are being asked
to do even more.. I hope that in the long run.. our pupils will benefit .
Furthermore , (hopefully) if we have more say in what they get as accomodations
maybe, just maybe we won't have kids getting accomodations they don't need
and those who do need them will get what they need . And maybe there will
less confusion all around.

As for reading the 'Ivchun'.. as far as I know . it is true that parents must give
their permisson for anyone other than the counselor to read it. And many if
not most English teachers are not trained to understand what it all means.
Unfortunately today, I think that there are counselors who also don't
understand the diagnostic tests..

So let's not complain too much. Let's hope that the in the future if we all
work together we can make the system a bit more organized and fair to all.
Perhaps this a step in the right direction.

 Aviva


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