On the other hand, I have a lot of work to do in Biology.  Two kids passed my midterm!  I curved the exam and threw out 20 points, which only helped one more student pass the exam!  Their test scores were absolutely disgusting.  It showed me how little they understand high school.  I know they understand the subject somewhat because I ask them questions in class and the kids can tell me either directly or indirectly the answer I want.  They do not know how to prepare for tests and quizzes.  Every test I have given them throughout this young school year has been met with a low mean score.  The outliers in my statistical spread have been the passing scores, whose numbers seem to dwindle as we move deeper into the curriculum and introduce technical vocabulary.  I plan to work on reading and vocabulary building skills in our final 20 weeks together.  Showing them how to read for content will definitely improve their test scores.  Many are in need of an attitude adjustment.

My Anatomy roster seems promising.  I have many students enrolled in the class who are familiar with and were successful with my teaching strategies and methods from prior courses.  I look forward to digging deeper into that curriculum than I ever have before.  Unfortunately, it is set up as a half-year elective.  To truly educate the kids about the body, I need a full year.  I give them a nice overview in 20 weeks, but nothing close to the whole story.

It's almost time to get ready for work.  I'm getting back into my old routine again.  I fell out of blogging for a few weeks, only hitting this site when I felt I had something important to say.  I worked on other projects like BufTix, my new Buffalo Bills/Sabres/Bandits/Bisons/Concerts/Shows ticket affiliate website.  I did most of my taxes.  I still need to work on the K-1 form for my defunct partnership.  I plan to complete that this week.  If you need a good piece of software to do your taxes, I recommend TaxAct.  You do everything online and you get your refund by direct deposit in about 10 business days.  I have used it for the last four years and the developers keep improving the user experience year after year.  You can e-file your Federal return for free.  You will pay about $10 to e-file your state return.  For $10, you can e-file your taxes and get your refund in less than two weeks.  Sign up for TaxAct now!

I met with an administrator yesterday to discuss the enrollment changes.  It felt somewhat like a fantasy football draft in reverse.  We went over statistics, discussed the merits of each student, and decided whether or not they were a good fit for the course.  Few candidates were spared the red pen of schedule changes.  The survivors of the chopping block will have to find the motivation they need as they are stuck with me until the end of the year.  I plan to take a more proactive approach with those kids in the 3rd and 4th quarter, calling home more often and encouraging additional tutoring after school.  I am left with a healthy roster of students capable of passing the exam at the end of the year.  Overall, my prospects look good and I feel confident going into the last half of the year.

Coincidentally, I found three of my students in my administrator's office when I went up to have my meeting with her during my planning period.  They were complaining about me, itching and scratching to get out of my class.  They left as soon as I came up, but my administrator filled me in on their grievances.  Short list of complaints lodged by these students, of whom two will return to Chemistry 3rd quarter.

1.  Chemistry is too hard.
2. I am not nice.
3. I do not "explain" things in enough detail.
4. I give them too much work.
5. I do not give them chances to redeem themselves by way of making test corrections, etc.
6. Everyone is failing Chemistry.

Fortunately, my administrator has my back.  She knows my teaching philosophy and methodologies and that I hold my students to a very high standard.  She refuted each complaint, providing adequate reasons for each.  She understands that the scores my kids receive in class are indicative of how they will perform on the Regents test at the end of the year.  Here are her responses to their complaints:

1.  Yes, Chemistry is hard.  You knew that going in.
2. Your teacher is not supposed to be nice.  He is supposed to teach you.  That is his job.
3. Perhaps you could address that with your teacher or stay after school to get help on the topics you don't understand.
4. Chemistry requires hard work.  You must work to understand it.
5. Your teacher is preparing you for college.  You don't get to make corrections in college or get face time with your professors.  He is getting you ready for the next step.
6. Many people are passing Chemistry.  Do not assume that everyone is failing because you are.

All of her responses echo my own sentiments.  I gave a test yesterday.  They have the nerve to ask me if we can have "5 minutes to review" before the test.  Can you go over this type of problem?  No, I can't.  I announced this test a week and a half ago.  It did not come as a surprise.  In fact, you were supposed to have it sooner but you skated on the snow days, forcing me to postpone the test by two days.  I reviewed everything yesterday in class.  I gave you a set of problems to do last night to prepare for the test.  Did you study last night?  Did you put in any time with me after school leading up to this test?  Have you studied 15-30 minutes each night as I have recommended since the beginning of the school year?

My conclusion, which I boldly stated to the entire class before passing out the test:

WORK HARDER!

I have yet to grade these tests, but I have low expectations.  For years, these kids have slipped past their classes by knowing just enough to get by, because when they encounter resistance, they stop working.  In some classes, that's good enough.  For my classes, it's not.  Hell, I'm selling my curriculum short as it is.  I want to be further ahead and in greater detail than I currently am.  I review the most basic of topics to the point of brain-melting professional boredom.  You know how to do all of these things: add, subtract, multiply, divide.  You don't understand the context.  I'm here to help you with the context.  It kills me when a kid doesn't know how to enter information into a calculator.  Really?  You're in 11th grade?  (you(hard work + positive attitude)) = success.  Go ahead and undermine your potential by telling yourself something is too hard and you are doomed to fail.

For most, history has not dictated that they are doomed to repeat their failures.  Instead, we place them in softball electives where we can get them the credit they need to graduate.  If we give them an easy way out, then they will place no value in hard work.  For those who take the road less traveled and stay the course, it will make all the difference.  They will go on to college, they will have more opportunities, and they will instill the value of hard work in their children, ultimately making my job easier should all go according to plan.