Posts by silvertinker6

velvetskipper8 said:How talkative are your teenagers, say around the 14 or 15-year-old mark? I look at my buddies' kids and some of them—honestly, they just don't shut up. They come home and spill everything about school, who they talked to, where they went, the whole nine yards. Then there's the complete opposite end of the spectrum—the ones who act like talking is physically painful. All I get is "I don't know," "nothing," "fine," and so on. That’s the kid I’ve got. Some coworkers have even confirmed this happened to them with their own kids too, and they basically just say it’s a phase that eventually passes.
I was browsing online looking for some perspective, and everyone seems to be preaching about "finding oneself" during adolescence and the need for parental support without being overbearing or pushy.
I honestly have no clue where the line is for what counts as "normal" behavior, but I certainly don't remember going through some grand period of "searching for myself" when I was that age.

My son is 14, heading into 8th grade... he'll only open up to his friends when they're debating video games... everything else feels like pulling teeth... most kids seem to be this way, and I suspect it's perfectly normal... occasionally, a conversation will drift naturally toward school and what's happening there... that's the only way he'll offer even a shred of information about himself, his friends, or his teachers... but those moments are few and far between...😁
He gets good grades, doesn't cause trouble, and I know that "less is more" when it comes to school social life these days, so I'm not panicking... but I would love it if he actually said something more once in a while...

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The rally in Chicago was hit by heavy downpours, yet we still saw roughly 300 to 400 people show up... I can't say I was particularly impressed with how the Chicago crowd handled things... but then again, considering it's Chicago, I suppose it’s expected... a mediocre performance at best...
It is truly unfortunate that the weather didn't cooperate... hopefully, we will see a much larger turnout if the skies clear up next time...
Respect to everyone else who stayed the course!!!

Is there anything happening in Los Angeles?
Fantastic....I certainly won't be missing that!

gentlesailor17 said:The question was really about what someone who just graduated actually does. In that case, you go to the unemployment office.
If they already landed a job (which is what you were getting at), then yeah, you report to Social Security.
And looking at the stats, most graduates end up at the unemployment office first anyway. That’s what I meant. There isn't anyone to report you to Social Security if you haven't found a job yet. Once you get one, then you do that.

I didn't give Social Security any proof of my college degree, but when I pull my records from the FDA portal, my education level is listed there perfectly fine.

I was writing from the perspective of someone getting hired, because... that is how I interpreted a previous post...

but not everyone who finishes college registers with unemployment immediately, so there are plenty of unregistered individuals; it really just depends on who chooses to sign up...

It is possible that colleges and Social Security are now linked and data updates automatically... that wasn't the case in the past, so I remain skeptical. I would double-check everything if I needed to submit specific documentation for anyone...

ruggedmaker2 said:And what about those people who finish college and skip the unemployment office entirely because they landed a job right away? I mean, do they even bother showing up at the local unemployment office with their credentials or what?

Registration with Social Security is mandatory, obviously...
The unemployment office is really only for when you're actually out of work and need to register as a job seeker and deal with all the usual requirements for the unemployed...

Someone please correct me if I've got this wrong.

gentlesailor17 said:You just gotta head down to the unemployment office and show them your degree certificate. That's All for getting it updated in the official employment records.
Same deal for any extra certifications or training—you just bring those papers to the local labor office too.

That is incorrect... registration happens through Social Security, while the unemployment office operates independently. You have to register at both locations once you finish school or college...
They enter the data separately. If you have a printout of your work history from Social Security, they use that to verify your education level, I believe... but it is wise to bring physical proof to them as well... just to ensure there isn't any erroneous data entered...

Morgan Patel said:Hey,
just wondering if anyone knows how the FDA, Medicare, or the IRS actually track our education levels.

I’m from a generation that never had those old paper work booklets, just the digital stuff now. I'm not even in the IRS system because I never officially registered there—I just worked for an employer who handled everything through the Social Security Administration. But this new gig requires proof of my degree, so I'm curious: can they just pull that info themselves, or do I need to send the FDA some kind of certification or diploma? Like, does the government get automatic updates from universities or whatever?
To be clear, I want to know if there's some massive shared database where all this is linked up—Social Security, college records, the whole works—or if they're totally clueless and I have to do all the legwork myself.

Thanks in advance,
B

So, even if it is all digitized, when you land that first job, you generally have to bring proof from your previous employer's pension/social security filings... though I am a bit confused as to how you were reported without those details in the first place.....
They won't actually have your education data on file unless you present physical proof for them to enter into the system. Previously, they used to manually record everything in paper files, but now they input everything into electronic records. Consequently, you will need to take your original diploma—or whatever documentation you have regarding your highest level of education, such as a high school certificate—to the Social Security Administration for verification. They will need one copy to keep on file, and then they will update your educational status in their system....
Do this now, so that your records are accurate moving forward....

You can request an online login through the tax authorities, which allows you to print out quite a bit of your own data, including your work history from the Social Security Administration.....

Arthur Moore47 said:Ratings should range from 1 to 5. I don't think there's much point in only handing out A's and B's. In theory, more sensitive kids might end up feeling pretty discouraged if they get a B—since that’s basically the lowest grade in that top tier—and by fifth grade, a D could honestly lead to a total meltdown.

When my daughter was in first grade, she was pulling straight A's on her math tests, until she suddenly hit a D one day. Her teacher explained to her that the specific letter grade isn't what matters most; what really counts is whether she actually learns and understands the material. She ended up having to do some extra credit work, but now everything clicks for her, and she's actually quite proud of herself 🙂
I suppose it's important to use assessments to track a child's progress and see where they might need a little extra help, but we shouldn't use those grades to define their actual worth.

Regarding the grading methodology, I believe the standards were tightened about two years ago, such that 90% and above results in an A, 80-89% is a B, and so on—I don't recall the exact percentages for the lower tiers... the teacher presented these specific benchmarks at the parent-teacher meeting, and naturally, teachers are expected to adhere to them...
Are all mistakes equal? Likely not, but I maintain that both progress and actual knowledge should always be rewarded...
The teachers for both of my children are fair; they observe the students closely and recognize who possesses potential and who is actually applying it... I truly have no issue with the existence of grades... and honestly, if they didn't exist, I wouldn't have an issue with that either... My priority is simply receiving information regarding their progress and how much they know... both from the children themselves and from the teachers...

Andrew Doyle said:Look, the role of an elementary school teacher is incredibly vital; they carry a massive burden of responsibility on their shoulders. If—and when—that teacher manages to get the classroom stabilized, establishes genuine authority, fosters a productive atmosphere within that young group, and teaches them the social dynamics and rules of the room, then that is truly commendable work. It’s foundational for when those kids move up to middle school next year.
But to suggest that the teacher should be doing the parents' job—handling every single aspect of both moral upbringing and academic instruction... good grief. A teacher covers grades one through four, but we are parents for life. This isn't about being hands-off, but in my view, the primary responsibility of parenting remains firmly with the parents.

The reality is that things are incredibly difficult for everyone right now—teachers, parents, and children alike. These are trying times, and frankly, there’s no sign of things improving anytime soon. I know plenty of parents who simply lack the time or the mental bandwidth; they are stuck in survival mode. When a parent walks through the door at 7:00 PM after a grueling shift, they can only do so much. They make sure the kid is fed, ensure they have clean clothes for tomorrow, and figure out dinner. That’s it. There isn't always time to sit down for hours coaching a child through creative thinking, helping them structure a story, and then drilling them on grammar and spelling.

All of us who have children, or work with them, bear a responsibility for their development. We do the absolute best we can in this chaotic world, and we should strive to stop looking for scapegoats elsewhere. Children grow up far too quickly anyway... and when they do, both as educators and as parents, we will finally see exactly where we stood and how many mistakes we made.😉

Signed!

But regardless of how exhausted you are, if a child needs thirty minutes of help with something, you have to provide it....
Creative time and socializing can happen on the weekends... and in my opinion, it is absolutely critical that a child develops solid study habits during those first four years... it serves them well later in life..... and I am certain that every child excels at something naturally, so they won't always need assistance..... they might struggle with one or two subjects here and there, and that is when you need to step in and help...
It is not a burden for me if it means my child grows up feeling more confident and satisfied...

urbantinker8 said:I mean, besides the fact that I actually work in the school system, I also happen to have two kids of my own, and I don't really feel like once they hit seven years old, my part of the "job" is finished—like I can just sort of hand them over to a teacher and expect them to handle all the upbringing and schooling entirely on their own.🙂

and being solely responsible for them 😁

Let’s be realistic: there are all sorts of kids, all sorts of parents, and of course, all sorts of teachers out there, right?
Exactly.
The bottom line is that while schools can extract a great deal from some students, they certainly can't do the same for everyone. So, dear parents, if your child isn't part of that specific group that naturally grasps and retains everything taught in class, you have the option to step in and assist them... or you don't, if you feel like it.
But if you choose inaction, please don't go around blaming everyone else. Just accept that this is simply how things are.

I personally kept a very close eye on my son's schoolwork through the third grade. He always handled his assignments independently, but whenever he hit a snag, he would come to me, and I was more than happy to help him work through it. He’s one of those types who listens intently during lectures and does the bare minimum at home. I consider myself lucky.😛
He’s in fifth grade now and we aren't facing any issues at all. Honestly, when I hear people complaining about how difficult school is or how much their kids are struggling, I just conclude that I got lucky because my son is exactly who he needs to be.

Adam Evans62 said:Just lurking here for a bit... purely from a professional standpoint (I'm a teacher) and gathering intel for next year when I'll be back to teaching first graders after a four-year break.

To be honest, I'm nervous 😛. After all this time, facing a whole new batch of kids and parents... getting to know them, seeing how they "operate," figuring out what they actually want and need, and then trying to squeeze all that into the standard state curriculum is a massive responsibility and exhausting work.

Especially since I see every year that grades are becoming more and more important to parents (and I’m specifically talking about parents, because in about 10% of my classes, the kids are the ones who actually give a damn) while they put in less effort or simply don't know how to prepare their child at home before they even step foot in school.

So you end up with a 7.5-year-old in your class who doesn't know a single color or shape 😲, can't list their family members, can't explain the route from home to school, can't spot seasonal changes in nature, or identify basic animal genders/species... basically, they can't connect concepts and real-life events logically. That is the responsibility and duty of the parent or guardian—not to teach them to count perfectly to twenty or read flawlessly (they'll learn that in school), but to build that foundation. Of course, a kid like that will end up at a disadvantage compared to others and get bad grades—which isn't their fault—and they'll likely lose any drive or motivation to learn.

I'm against letter grades or numerical grading in the first four grades (especially for electives and social studies), but arguing about it is pointless because that's just how the current laws are set up 🙄

But seriously, I have to appeal to parents: spend more time preparing your child for an independent life and learning. Don't just dump everything on preschool, school, or the TV... every year we get worse generations because they've lost the ability to connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world.

That is absolutely correct.....
Setting aside the fact that there are children with genuine special needs, I believe many parents simply do not engage with their children during those formative early years...... if they haven't mastered the basics mentioned above, it becomes incredibly difficult to compensate for what was missed.... in fact, it is nearly impossible.....
And I agree that we must monitor a child's progress in those lower grades and teach them the necessity of regular review and study....
If that foundation is laid, there won't be a crisis when things get more demanding in fifth grade and beyond, because what was established early on remains established.....

wanderinggardener12 said:How much weight do grades actually carry for a first grader? How many are even necessary? And more importantly, what kind of message are we sending to the child versus what we’re telling the parents?

Consider this scenario: a first grader is halfway through the second semester, and all they have to show for it in English Language Arts are two grades—a C in reading comprehension and a B in literature. The reason for the C? When asked which three stores Pale visited, the student answered "a toy store" and "two grocery stores," whereas the answer key expected "a bakery, a fruit stand, and a candy shop." Where is the evaluation of oral expression—the discussions about the books they read, their ability to articulate thoughts, their creativity, or their reading fluency? Where is the assessment of their handwriting, the heavy workload they complete, the development of fine motor skills through writing, or any meaningful verbal testing?

A friend of mine shared this specific situation with me. Her son started the year barely recognizing letters, struggling with phonics, but he has progressed to reading quite steadily; he reads slowly, but he reads independently, tackles literature, writes, understands everything he reads, and expresses himself well above his age level. He’s even independent when it comes to his homework. So, what is the underlying message being sent here? And what are the long-term implications if those C's and B's
What if this same child also has a single B on a math quiz?
That’s it. No other grades exist. His mother attended the parent-teacher conference, and now they are stuck in a dilemma: should they enroll him in extra tutoring after a grueling school day that runs from 8 AM to 5 PM, or should they just let things play out naturally?

I’ve known this little boy since the day he was born. In preschool, he could count to ten without a hitch, he draws beautifully, he’s organized, he’s inquisitive, performs science experiments at home, builds things, and explores the world around him...

I honestly don't know what to tell her.

She mentions that he hasn't really cared about grades until now, but now... she’s unsure whether she needs to confront him about them or simply allow him to develop without the unnecessary burden of academic pressure.

That is a very small number of grades... the second semester has been going for two months already, but perhaps the teacher is moving a bit slowly??!!!
If a child enters first grade without knowing the alphabet or how to read, then this progress is good and exactly what it should be... frankly, most kids today start first grade already knowing the alphabet and some reading skills, often up to solid reading levels... so in those cases, everything is fine...
But then those children are at a disadvantage compared to these readers and letter-learners...
If the child is bright, they will catch up; I only suggest a little bit of practice at home... maybe pick up some novels or books that interest the child and spend half an hour reading and retelling stories with the parents...
Math is similar... just repeat a few problems they worked on to solidify the knowledge...

Good luck!