I have worked in the school system since 2006. I worked as a District Floater for the Orange County Public School (OCPS) system before working for the School Department of Hillsborough County (SDHC). Thus, I have visited more than 180 schools. I constantly see the same problems:

1. The students do not even sit down at lunch time to eat. It is a chaotic, social hour with mishaps just waiting to happen. Schools keep adults posted in the cafeteria in case of violent disruptions. But it is very hard for the adults to get the situation under control when they must maneuver around 50 or more students just to get close to the fight. By this time, a student has been beaten pretty badly and thoroughly embarrassed.

2. The Parent Teachers Association (PTA) wanted their students to be able to make a choice of their food selections in the cafeteria. The lunchroom staff does not pass a tray of nutritious selections. Rather, the staff keeps a constant supply of whatever foods are in demand, usually cookies, chips, soda, and french fries. As a former Food and Nutrition Services employee, I have seen the majority of schools cook enough vegetables to feed just one grade, and still have several portions left over daily.

3. Students return to class with a sugar high, cell phones, i-Pods, and a bad attitude. The assumption is that teachers and faculty have not set rules in place against disruptions. It isn't true! When asked to turn in electronic devices, these students are ready to fight. The office calls parents, who either don't discipline or may even pick a fight with the school for contacting them.

And through all of this, teachers and school staff are expected to teach, bring FCAT scores up, and discipline without parental cooperation. It is nothing like the educational environment of former generations. Please take these observations into consideration when reporting how students fare on the FCAT.

C. Roberts, Altamonte Springs