The Red Tape

I've been trying to reflect on my experiences student teaching...now that I have time!!! One thing that has really struck me is the amount of red tape that hinders teaching. I know we've all heard teachers say this a million times before, but I've just been astonished by how true it is. I think many times this red tape gets in the way of what it was designed to help! For example, I've been sitting in on some IEP meetings lately since the end of the year is near. As you probably know, a classroom teacher is required to sign the IEP meeting minutes. Well, I'm sure this rule was designed to "force" teachers into being part of the solution. But instead, many teachers who would have sat down and been willing participants out of their own good nature now hurriedly run in, sign the sheet, and leave...because that is all they are required to do. No where does it say they are required to care...so they don't. When they were simply required to act in good faith, they did, but now they simply follow the guidelines that they are constantly strangled with. There are other red tape concerns to, especially with ESOL students. We have one student who could care less, and who refuses to do any work. But, no one wants to fail him because of the red tape paperwork they would have to do. So, instead this student keeps passing even though he can hardly add or write a complete sentence.

I really don't have a solution to the red tape problem. I wish I could say to the district, "just let us do our job...let us care on our own." However, I know there are teachers who won't care. Too bad there can't be a caring PRAXIS test. Either way, when I look for a school to teach at, I intend to look for one with as little red tape as possible. I want to enjoy my job, and my students. Hopefully I'll be have to do that without having everything be legislated for me.