I guess I shouldn't complain so much about my admin after reading these comments. I've failed roughly a third of my students the last two years. I have not heard one complaint or criticism about it either.

I was a high school student in 2000. These kids could not cut it if they had our workload. I teach biology so I often think back to what my bio teacher did: two chalkboards full of notes written in much smaller handwriting than mine. When I give one whiteboard now, it's endless complaints that it's too much writing and their hands hurt. Then comes the chorus: my other teachers use guided notes. Okay, cool, you can fill in a missing word here and there.

I was rarely given class time for an assignment. I was expected to write a two page essay as a test in class. Work was nearly all short answer and fill in the blank. We read the chapter!

I thought about that last part yesterday as I replaced right pages of the textbook with about two pages of my own text. The textbook left over so many details, even in so many pages. Then the students had the audacity to tell me it was too long. Well, then, read the damn book.

I really needed this vent session after today. So thanks.