Comments on Cal Teacher Blog: 100: Advisory Answer?

I've been teaching an advisory for two years now, ...

2007-05-13T00:37:00.000-07:00

I've been teaching an advisory for two years now, and I have to tell you: it sucks. I get the idea behind it, but as I say in the linked post, "I'm a math teacher, not a camp counselor." There are some interesting comments to read that might help you anticipate the problems with implementing this plan. I think it can be done well, but is sure it tough.

You know what? SLC's are just rearranging deck cha...

2007-05-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

You know what? SLC's are just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic that is LAUSD and putting more responsibility on the backs of teachers...it is ridiculous...If we had aides in the classrooms and counselors who counseled instead of programmed classes we would be far better off...we would need none of this if the distict simply put more personel in the schools who had defined responsibilities instead of just assistant principles. For example a full time activities director (leadership teacher) and a coordinator of Service Learning.
More counselors and less "drop out specialists." More vocational classes and college prep classes....it's no mystery what works but SLC's put an amazing burden on teachers and I myself refuse to by fooled by them...the endless meetings the constant out of pocket costs and late nights...I have a life too and need to plan lessons...when are the parents going to get involved?
SLC's cause more preps for teachers and an inability to teach a special class or extra AP class..they are oppressive.

I'm not a big fan of the school within a school id...

2007-05-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big fan of the school within a school idea. I find it somehow too limiting. But I do like the idea of groups of students who have something in common. I attended a high school of a little over 5000 students. We had "majors" back then. All of us in a major had a set of core major related classes that we all took together. We mixed with the general population for the basics like math and English. Our sciences were special as were our shops and drawing courses. I was at an engineering magnet so everyone had drawing and shop of some kind. I felt this was the best of small and big. Advisories seem like another way to try to get that small group feel without losing the advantages (diversity of courses/teachers) that a large school affords.