the list (of criminals) is revealed

[1880nonsports]

and never gave or changed a grade for any reason nor was I ever asked to. Of course I taught mainly kinder and first grade :-0 - but did teach up to the 8th. I would have to agree it's bit insulting to disparage the profession - one in which legislators and supervisory staff are paid well in excess of a teacher's salary coupled with too large class sizes (especially in the poorest areas) and inadequate funding for books and a full well rounded curriculum. There are always individuals looking to get something for nothing but I would suggest that happens far less often within the teaching community than many other avocations in which an opinion carries some weight relative to the subject.

[Snapolit1]

I apologize for my comment. I was not trying to insult anyone but made a dumb comment. My brother is a lifelong teacher and I believe it is the most important job in the world. And terribly underpaid and under appreciated.
On the east coast we have had numerous scandals in the last few years where principals and teachers have cooked grades where raises and promotions were tied to scores on standardized testing. Examples where principles have erased grades and changed them where they felt their job was on the line. This obviously reflects the efforts of a minimal amount of people.
I am truly sorry that I made such a dumb comment.

[begsu1013]

easy guys, i knew what he was talking about.

and i can understand why any teachers would get offended about it, because ya should!

it's happening in the middle / high school public systems here. basically, the teachers are under a quota for a certain percentage to pass a standardized test or they lose their job. several caught red handed and even found guilty of racketeering. yes, racketeering!

you teachers should be appalled, as well as any parents. it's disgusting, but i don't think his comment was directed at all teachers and certainly not college professors.

it is happening though.

edit: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-...401-story.html

[earlywynnfan]

I am appalled, trust me. I'm also appalled at the constant legislation that states we have to meet nearly-random set scores or, in the end, the entire school gets shut down.

IMHO, I also disagree with the shoe sales comparison, too. I think it's a salesperson's JOB to try to get you to buy stuff, the more the better.

But enough of this, let's get back to the main point.

[HRBAKER]

Same thing was a huge deal in Atlanta city schools in the last 10 years, reaching to highest levels of administrators as well. A very few bad apples just like any other profession.

[Snapolit1]

As a lawyer, I endure daily comments, from friends, family, and complete strangers about what a sleazy profession. I am sure there have been dozens of sleazy lawyers comments in this thread alone. I guess I've gotten immune to such nonsense.

Wrong to disparage an entire profession obviously based on the actions of a few knuckleheads.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

As a lawyer, I endure daily comments, from friends, family, and complete strangers about what a sleazy profession. I am sure there have been dozens of sleazy lawyers comments in this thread alone. I guess I've gotten immune to such nonsense.

Wrong to disparage an entire profession obviously based on the actions of a few knuckleheads.

I really don't see any reason to apologize. You pointed out some basic truths on how certain occupations 'stretch the truth' (for lack of a better description). You never once indicated that ALL were guilty in each profession of such 'crimes'. And there is truth to what you said that this DOES happen in each profession.

I do find it interesting that those who teach or have taught were the most vocal in taking offense. Maybe, and as it relates to the thread, they other professions are silent here because they are the ones writing the tickets and using old fish.

And to someone's comment on "certainly not college professors", I'm hoping that was tongue-in-cheek or included rolling eyes.

[D.P.Johnson]

99% of all lawyers give the rest a bad name......

[Stonepony]

Originally Posted by tschock

I really don't see any reason to apologize. You pointed out some basic truths on how certain occupations 'stretch the truth' (for lack of a better description). You never once indicated that ALL were guilty in each profession of such 'crimes'. And there is truth to what you said that this DOES happen in each profession.

I do find it interesting that those who teach or have taught were the most vocal in taking offense. Maybe, and as it relates to the thread, they other professions are silent here because they are the ones writing the tickets and using old fish.

And to someone's comment on "certainly not college professors", I'm hoping that was tongue-in-cheek or included rolling eyes.

Nope, as a physician AND teacher's son, I rolled my eyes.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

As a lawyer, I endure daily comments, from friends, family, and complete strangers about what a sleazy profession. I am sure there have been dozens of sleazy lawyers comments in this thread alone. I guess I've gotten immune to such nonsense.

Wrong to disparage an entire profession obviously based on the actions of a few knuckleheads.

I can't think of any other profession where you can be successful by screwing people, and not be doing something illegal. The entire profession isn't sleazy - just certain branches.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I can't think of any other profession where you can be successful by screwing people, and not be doing something illegal. The entire profession isn't sleazy - just certain branches.

Which branches are those?

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I can't think of any other profession where you can be successful by screwing people, and not be doing something illegal. The entire profession isn't sleazy - just certain branches.

Totally agree. I also think the law itself encourages a lot of this, but the Trial Lawyers Association resists any meaningful tort reform.

In many disputes, one party is in the right while the other isn't, or one party is reasonable and the other is greedy, and so on. There have to be plenty of times when lawyers think to themselves: "I'm working for the jerk and my job is to help him screw the good guy."

But, lawyers work for whomever hires them, and sometimes that's the jerk.

*Perry Mason was the exception - his clients were always innocent.

[masimen]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I can't think of any other profession where you can be successful by screwing people, and not be doing something illegal. The entire profession isn't sleazy - just certain branches.

How bout the record business?

[D.P.Johnson]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I can't think of any other profession where you can be successful by screwing people, and not be doing something illegal. The entire profession isn't sleazy - just certain branches.

Porn???