Qualified, Shmalified

J. Kevin Tumlinson

Special thanks to my very picky friend and co-worker, David A. Dodson, for pointing out a searing grammatical error. When you're right, you're right.

Just because you've been doing a job for twenty years doesn't mean you know how to do it. I mean, sure, you've been called on to train others. You've read a thousand books, attended hundreds of seminars, gone to countless workshops. You've gained the respect of your peers and you've even won awards. You could possibly be the most honored individual in your field with a success rate higher than Bill Clinton's opinion of himself. But that doesn't mean you know what you're doing.

At least, that's what the federal government says.

The No Child Left Behind Act holds that by January 8, 2006, all educational aides must receive a two-year degree or pass an approved test in order to keep their jobs. The act takes no heed of experience, it simply insists on new, stricter guidelines. Unfortunately, the act does not specify an increase in pay. And let's face it, folks, if it doesn't say "pay more" in writing somewhere, then you can count on the money staying the same.

I'm going to wave my hand over this Magic 8 Ball ™ here and take a quick look into the future:

***

Will this lead to many educational aides leaving their positions in school districts? Signs point to yes.

Will this lead to aide dependent teachers being dumped on with even more work and responsibility? Definitely.

Is there any hope that overworked, underpaid members of the education system (not just teachers, mind you!) will be compensated for this explosion of work? Well, some things you just don't need a Magic 8 Ball ™ for.

***

I will always be a proponent for higher education, but it should be relevant or at least lead to at least some benefit. What benefit have these aides been promised? As far as I can tell, it is only the expense, time and worry of getting a two-year degree or face losing their jobs.

I don't know about anyone else, but one of the big motivators for me to pursue a college education was that I would get some personal benefit out of it. Sure, there is the satisfaction of accomplishment when you complete a college degree. In some cases, I've even heard that you can make more money with one! In my case, though, the biggest benefit is that I am able to work in a variety of fields that I find challenging and interesting, one of which is the field of education itself. The point is, getting a degree helped me move up from where I was. Would I have gone through those years of sweat, blood and tears just to stay in the same place?

You tell me.

Or better yet, tell your government. Here's the ViewPoint challenge for this week: write a letter to the governor, your congressman, your uncle on the senate, SOMEBODY who has a voice in this. Tell them that it is unfair to expect these very qualified individuals with years of experience to put themselves through hell for two years just to keep the job they're already doing marvelously. Tell them you're mad. Tell them you want something different. Just tell them something!

My granny used to say, "I never got a thing I didn't ask for." Seems like it's time to start asking.

J. Kevin Tumlinson is a writer and a schoolteacher living in Lake Jackson, TX. The Magic 8 Ball tells him to burn things.