Comments about ‘U.S. teachers 'most productive,' work longest hours, yet students' scores average’

Very funny article headline.

I would say the problem is that they consider long hours "productive." Hopefully the goal is to get them to achieve, not simply to work long hours. I would say if students test scores are average than US teachers are not "most productive."

From my experience in school I would say a big source of this is because my teachers spent half the day trying to make us understand we were special (or agreeing with some pet issue they loved to discuss) instead of teaching us. They should focus less on having us believe we are special (we are not special, just like the rest of the world is not special) and instead focus on us learning math, science, how to communicate effectively with people, etc.

We love our teachers. Thank you for all of your hard work.

A teacher's productivity cannot be quantifiably measured by a student's test scores. That would be like comparing how great a parent is by how well their sons and daughters turn out. There are lousy parents whose kids turn out great and parents who love and nurture their kids and they turn out to be hardened criminals and junkies. We have a lot of great teachers in our state and some who should not be in the profession. The sad part is that teachers (as well as police officers) don't get the respect they deserve because of those few who tarnish the image.

I taught high school for three years, so as a former teacher my comment may not be the most objective. My experience with most educators is that they are very passionate, dedicated, and highly trained in teaching and learning methods. Teachers absolutely work long hours - and believe me...they are certainly productive as they plan lessons, grade papers, and provide instruction. The nature of the job requires far more time than the typical school day. Sure, not all teachers are good teachers, but the vast majority are.

A disturbing trend in the American education debate is to discount or overlook a key factor in a student's success: personal responsibility of both the student and his or her parents. We can pay our teachers more...but until our students care about their education as much as the students in other countries do, we will continue to achieve less.

I am not placing blame with our students or their parents. It is a multidimensional issue, and certainly our teachers play a vital role. I encountered students who cared a great deal about their education. And many who did not. This is at least as much a factor as the teacher.

One of the reasons other countries do better than us at math and reading is because that is the only thing their students study. Other countries do not study the general classes that many of our students do. So it's an interesting trade off. Better competency in math and reading vs greater understanding of the world around them.

Agree with Erika Stevens, and would add that the outcomes of education (test scores) reflect more about the state of homes and families in America than teachers. A great teacher with a classful of kids with low family support and unstable home environment is going to produce a lot less than an average teacher with a classful of kids from strong families and supportive homes.

"Productive" means accomplishing what your goal is with the least amount of energy. Obviously our teachers are NOT productive. They spend too much time on silly little busy projects, teaching societal morays, and trying to figure out how to get parents to do their jobs. Why on earth should we not base a "good" teacher on their students test scores. Isn't your job to get the child to learn their educational materials and isn't testing how you know what they have learned? Back in the old days teacher said "get the child here and I will do the rest." The teacher took responsibility for the child's education. Let the parent worry about being a parent and teach the basic education. That would make our children successful again.

Mama Bear - Respectfully, I submit that it is a teacher's responsibility to engage students, and provide opportunities for the student to learn. The true task of a teacher is not to give a student facts to memorize but to teach a student how to think for themselves, analyze, and solve problems. It was my experience that many students don't want to think, because it's hard. There are some students who choose not to do their homework, and parents who do not set a high expectation to their students to work hard.

I would never suggest that all parents and students are like this - and surely a teacher needs to do his or her job to provide meaningful classroom experiences. I feel that a major difference between American students and those in Japan, for example, is that Japanese students may be more willing to spend several hours outside of school thinking, studying, and writing. In my experience, a vast majority of American students are not willing to put forth this time and effort because it isn't easy or fun.

It's not the amount of hours.

Students would learn more with three five hour days per week.

Comparing other contries test scores to US scores is a statistical falicy. In the US ALL students are required to go to high school. In other countries only those planning for college go. Trade school and lower learners are weeded out and never tested. It is like comparing apples to oranges. Take the top 2/3 of US scores and compare them to other countries and you would see an acurate picture of how well education in the US is doing.

first2third | 12:53 p.m. July 6, 2011
Elmo, UT

Many of our students are exempt or given an easier test. There are loopholes. Many are given re-tests. At least in Texas anyway.

Farmers aren't blamed when a hail storm destroys their crops and Wall St. traders aren't blamed if a corporation fails to earn 4th quarter profits. Why then is a teacher expected to command the thoughts of children who are under their influence for an hour a day? US teachers are required to teach ALL students, not simply those who are already selected for a university education (Europeans start this in 7th or 8th grade). Around 1980, US classrooms were mandated to include students with special learning/physical needs; one of the few countries to take this charge seriously! Teachers cannot compensate for the myriad distractions which occur after school. It is virtually impossible for a child (or an adult) to focus on the demanding task of higher-order thinking if worried about family, famine, or finances. After all, we are still living in a democracy. Children don't fear their parent will be fired/imprisoned if they don't do well on a test. Perhaps if parents were held accountable for the grades their children earn (say, in tax dollars owed, or community service), we might see students spend more time doing math rather than play games.

I am a teacher in utah. I have taught for ten years. We have to remember that there are many variables that go into a child's willingness, and potential to learn. Here are some examples that affects students ability to learn: self-esteem, school attendance, his/her own potential, the teacher, parental involvement, classroom and home environments, student behavior, ability to focus, money, class sizes, poverty, ect. I care so much about all of my students and spend hundreds and hundreds of hours of overtime, making sure that each child enjoys learning and reaches his/her potential. I also spend a lot of my own money on students every year to make learning more fun and exciting. Teachers are the hardest working people that I know of. If we don't look at all of these different aspect of a child's learning, and only look at the teacher, students will not suceed. We need to remember all of the things that are involved in teaching or children, and making sure each child reaches his/her own potential.

re: birds67 | 8:48 p.m. July 6, 2011
SOUTH JORDAN, UT

An effective teacher doesn't have to spend so much extra time and money on teaching. I've seen many good teachers who work this at forty hours a week. I would make some adjustments.