Better Pay, Better Teachers, Better Students

This is in response to Catalina's blog Teachers need an urgent salary raise . I agree whole heartedly that teachers are much more that just professionals who instruct our children in reading, writing and arithmetic. Catalina makes a good point that teachers our with our kids for 8hrs of the day and we rely on teachers to shape our children's young minds, personalities and behaviors. An increase in pay will help to attract those teacher candidates who might otherwise go into other professions if the salary wasn't as competitive. For those reasons I do agree that we should pay these important professionals more. However, with more pay shouldn't we expect more out of our teachers?

If we are to pay these teachers more we need to hold them to higher standards. Teachers should be tested on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to develop in their respective field. The progress of their students should also reflect how effective the teachers methods of instruction are. The last thing we need to to have higher paid teachers with a laissez-faireattitude. Let´s give our kids the best, and if that means recruiting better teachers with a higher pay scale, then so be it. That is, as long as we make sure those teachers remain the very best.

Teen Mothers Need Help

Teen pregnancy in Texas is on the rise and we need to put measures in place now in order to get it under control. Let's face it, abstinence is not working. We need to provide these young teens with contraceptives in order to avoid future pregnancies. Senate Bill 592 which has passed a preliminary vote, would apply to mothers ages 16 and older who are already mothers. The bill would provide contraceptives to these young mothers without the consent of their parents in efforts to deter repeated pregnancy. Some representatives are proposing an amendment to the bill would require the parents or legal guardians to be notified later.

Opponents to the bill argue that this would only encourage bad behavior. I say that this is ridiculous. First of all this bill is aimed towards girls who have already engaged in sexual activity and have already had kids. Chances are these young teens are going to repeat this behavior so why not put something in place to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Second, some girls are still embarrassed to talk with their parents about sex and this bill would provide them access to this much needed contraceptive. Regarding the amendment, if it will help to pass the bill then I say great, but regardless if parents are aware of their teenager's sexual activity or not, the teenagers are going to engage in these activities. Let's give these girls the ability to at least try and take some responsibility to protect themselves from another unwanted pregnancy.