I started out teaching in inner city schools. This was my way of helping less fortunate folks. I lasted 10 years. Then I left because it was either that or kill some of the political leaders in that city.

I could write VOLUMES that many (most?) on this forum simply would not believe. Suffice it to say that Larry gives some insight, but his post is way too mild. It is MUCH worse that that.

There were two types of teachers in the high school where I taught. One group (mainly older teachers who only wanted to survive, not teach) who had an agreement with students: Don't bother me and I won't bother you. In those classes, nothing was done. When a supervisor came in to evaluate (about once every 5-6 years) the students agreed to behave and listen for that day as long as they could go back to whatever they did the next day.

There was no money for supplies. My salary was approximately the same as minimum wage, yet nearly one-third of that meager amount I spent on supplies and materials for students. Oh, yeah; the population was approximately 80 percent Black, 10 percent Mexican, 0.01 percent white, and the rest other.

After the first year, several of us used to go to workshops held in the predominately white schools, just to get in classrooms and steal everything we could carry because they had so much extra and we had nothing.

To go into detail about unequal treatment of students in the white vs minority schools would fill several volumes.

Larry, you gave a good account

DougR, you are so pro-bush that you wouldn't/couldn't recognize the truth if it hit you up 'side the head - or even lower!

Been There - Done That - don't dare dwell on it now or I'd loose my sanity.