All right, today was my first actual day working with my school and my school only. School begins on September 3rd and I still do not have a subject to teach and I finally just received a room (maybe...no one could find the keys this afternoon). What I do know is that it this room is small, windowless and more than likely will have to fit 30 students in a room meant for half that. Can I can a "whoa!!!!! Urban Education!"? While sitting in the room today listening to my principal push the importance of our students passing the test at the end of the year so we can be proud of our score on the statewide report card, I began to think about what this all meant. While I am a firm believer in urban education in the United States, it is a shame that principals have to feel a need to compete with other schools who have better resources than mine does. Also, my school is on the state "shit list" which means it already sucks, and so we're being watched by the state because there MUST be an improvement. Today I sensed desperation in the room...it hung like a fog. It was awful...left me all depressed by the end of the day. The other thing that bothers me about this day was that the tests my students must take at the end of the year they must pass and if they do not, then the teacher is at fault. Tests such these (which blame the teacher for the students not passing) create a mentality in this country which will continue to grow until the tests change to reflect ACTUAL knowledge learned and understood, not just stuff that students can memorize. Teachers can only do so much on their own and need help from EVERYONE around them, but many people, including administrators, do not seem to understand this (even if they say they will help get all those a part of the educational system involved). This will continue to be a struggle throughout the year. Damn standardized tests. The United States has one of the best university systems in the world, and yet, can't seem to get public K-12 education right. I do not get it and probably never will. Anyways, comment if you like. Anything that might make this less of an issue is always appreciated.