I found a website about the
This website mentioned that 1 in 4 High School grads can barely read their diplomas.
We spend ONLY 41% of our class time on basic academics. Germany and Japan
spend 250% MORE on the same every year. And that's just the beginning...
We haven't covered religion--Dare I even say it? No, I mustn't say R******n...
This is how some nice schools look like...
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| Don't say the C word. Ever. You little republican scum, you. |
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SCHOOL?
i think that we need to send our kids to Japan.
ReplyDeleteHaha LOL!
Public school seems to have become indoctrimation camps instead of institutions of learning. Instead of teaching our kids to think for themselves, learn the basics, learn to research the facts, learn how to spot inconsistencies and "spin" in the facts, they are spoon fed ideas. No longer do we teach the basics of the constitution, standing for what is right, recognizing the One who created us all. We are taught that it is wrong to be entreneurial, wrong to work hard, study hard to live the dream, we have to take away from those who have worked to achieve, give to those who haven't worked, so no one feels left out. Schools seem to be fulfilling their roles in the dumbing down of American young people.
ReplyDeleteI'm a product of the public school system in California, or as I like to say, " The Peoples Republik of Kalifornia".
ReplyDeleteI got out of there in the middle 1980's and even back then you could see the effect of "the hippies" as they wormed their way into the school system. I lived about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, so the hippies were still thick like ants at a picnic. But now it seems they've spread their communism nationwide... While they preach tolerance and diversity, they'll trash Tom Luna's truck, and scare his elderly mother!!! Back in Kalifornia, these same "tolerant liberals" actually firebombed a car with a bumper sticker on it that was against gay marriage.. It just said "Yes on Prop 8"... SO THEY FIREBOMBED IT!!!
Remember Graham,liberals are the biggest hypocrites in the world. As you get older you'll see lots of examples in your daily life. Be well...
PCP/NOF
I think we need to have more discipline in the classrooms and get back to our roots. I was probably one of those 'hippies' mentioned above, however, I am grateful to have grown to a point where I do know right from wrong. I've learned to work for and appreciate what I have rather than have a sense of entitlement for something I don't deserve.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I am VERY grateful I do not have children in the public school system as it seems that it's a constant battle for parents who do. At the same time, I find much hope in the fact that there are students like you, Graham, who will stand up for what you believe rather than cower to the masses. You are an inspiration and I pray there are a lot of 'Grahams' out there to assist you in forging ahead! ...and then I need a Graham to also show me how to put my name in this post! Ha! Ha! Just me, Ms. Fancy...
There is no doubt that we have huge problems in our public school system. One way I would like to see change is for schools to be operated as a business. There needs to be careful monitoring of the books where there are checks and balances in all areas. I have worked as a teacher in a state that had a union and now I currently work in a state that does not. The salaries of the upper administration seems to be more in line with a sensible budget in the state without the union. Could this be part of our financial issues? Top heavy salaries but not enough money for current and correct curriculum?
ReplyDeleteThe statistics regarding high school seniors reading ability saddens me. As a person who has chosen education as my career I would like to share a couple of my opinions. First and most importantly until we can mandate good parenting, healthy homes, two parent homes, families valuing education as a top priority we will continue to fall behind other countries. Parental involvement from helping in the classroom, assisting with homework, helping high schoolers plan their 4 years of classes with a 4 year college in mind, change will not happen. Also mandating schools to require that their teachers justify their time on task, their class test scores and truly caring if their students show the growth needed to be promoted to the next grade things will not improve. Another idea is to eliminate social promotion, if you can't pass the end of the year exam for that grade you do not go on.
I could go on further with more of my ideas but I shared a few of the ones that I feel very strongly about.
I have a friend who is an elementary school teacher in California. She is troubled by the amount of time she has to spend on the one or two trouble makers of the class. It takes away from her teaching the majority of the class. With private schools in the bay area between $15,000 and $25,000 per year (that's right, starting in kindergarten!!) she hopes to put her kids in catholic school. $4000-$5000 per year but the school has the discretion to kick out the bad apples and allowing the teacher to give every student a chance to learn.
ReplyDeleteStudies show that there is an inverse relationship to spending and performance in the public school. The muddied, union-controlled, bureaucratic labyrinth makes it almost impossible to implement real solutions. Have you seen the new documentary, Waiting for Superman? It was very revealing about the underlying problems in education. It featured "bright spots" in the Charter School movement that had amazing, positive effects on education. Check it out :)
ReplyDeleteWith some states in our country at a 32% reading at grade level for 8th grade, there is certainly a problem. I don't blame the teachers. They are forced to teach to the "test", teach to the slowest learner, or teach to the troublemakers. Actually, the latter should state, taken from away from teaching due to the distraction of the troublemakers. The problem primarily lies with the parents too tired or complacent to work with their children where the teaching should definitely take place - in the home. I homeschool not because I am frustrated with the teachers. I am most frustrated with the parents not doing their job and the government not making education a priority.
ReplyDeleteI dont think goverment should be involved in education. I would like to see parent choice which would create competition. I agree with many comments BG above. I dont think money is sole answer I think we need a total overhaul of our education system. Here in Idaho Im not in favor of much Luna plan. Just follow the money trail to see who benefits for cutting teachers in favor of getting laptops. I do agree with getting rid of tenure, its about time.It was interesting to read fact regarding We spend ONLY 41% of our class time on basic academics. Germany and Japanspend 250% MORE on the same every year
ReplyDeleteClass size matters: Regarding the Superintendent’s suggestion that there is no credible evidence pointing to the impact of class size on educational outcomes, I strongly disagree. Class size matters a great deal, as is obvious to anyone who spends time in our schools and according to a substantial body of research. No one believes the deceptive average class size figures the Superintendent likes to cite because the reality on the ground is usually quite different. Classes are crowded now in districts all over the state. In what alternative universe is reducing the amount of one-on-one time a teacher can spend with a student perceived as putting students first?
ReplyDelete2) Teachers matter: The Luna plan rests on a puzzling contradiction. The assertion that effective classroom teachers are the most important factor in student achievement cannot be reconciled with a proposal to reduce more than 1000 classroom teachers. If teachers matter more than any other factor, and we know they do, then reducing our teaching force flies in the face of such reasoning. There isn’t a parent, student, or administrator in the state who would argue that one of our biggest problems is too many teachers. Furthermore, today’s knowledge economy requires far more than rote memory and the transmission of information (where technology is most useful). Only teachers can help to instill some of the most prized qualities in today’s workforce (i.e. collaboration, effective written and oral communication, empathy, problem-solving, analysis, etc.)
3) Education is a team sport: Despite what the Superintendent may say, key stakeholders in the education community, including the State Board of Education, local school boards, superintendents and administrators, teachers, and parents were all left out of the process of crafting this plan. This isn’t a matter of opinion—these stakeholders all say that they were not consulted during the plan’s drafting. In the private sector, such a heavy-handed, top-down imposition of a radical restructuring without some degree of buy-in from those required to implement such a plan would be unfathomable and a recipe for failure.
S1113 (Modernization & Reform) increases the student-teacher divisor to pay for a 1:1 ratio of computers to high school students while requiring four on-line classes during high school. Expressed public sentiment was overwhelmingly against this proposal as written. More public and stakeholder consultation and collaboration are necessary so that an improved plan can be crafted and consensus reached.
ReplyDeleteS1110 (Pay for Performance) was negotiated with stakeholders for nearly nine months before general agreement was reached. The plan rewards schools for student growth achieved during the academic year. It pays teachers extra for teaching in hard to fill positions and for taking on leadership roles. The plan is based upon the principle that if you reward something, you will get more of it. The New Plymouth School District instituted a pay for performance plan and has achieved amazing results.
S1108 (Labor Relations) supports student growth and local control. It is generally supported by the Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Associations of School Administrators, and the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence. Some features are:
• Performance evaluations focus on student growth and school board chooses evaluation criteria;
• Principal has discretion in new hires;
• Parents have some input for performance evaluations (could be as little as 1%);
• Employees ordered by court to stay away from minors put on unpaid leave. This protects kids and frees up more money for education;
• During reductions in force, needs of the students take priority over seniority;
• Courts will review school board action for propriety, but will not hear cases from scratch. Less court costs mean more money for education.
• Master contract limitations of one year allow school board to respond to citizens rather than having their hands tied by past boards that are no longer in office;
• Public negotiations and open records ensure transparency and a more accountable government.
[BG] I went to Riverside Elementary for the last 2 months of '09-'10 in 5th, after I moved from AZ.
ReplyDeleteI hated every moment, and I should go there and ask the principal for my 2 months back. I remember the dreaded part of the day--Language arts. I would write on average 50 sentences A DAY just to prove that I knew what a VERB was. Pshha!
[KOF] At least all the Cherubs get Ramadan off!
ReplyDeleteNot like it matters how much you go to a publik elementary skool, you don't learn anything.
Just Look at me:
K-2nd grade: Benjamin Frankin Charter School (BFCS), Arizona
3rd: Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA)
4th: Home school
5th until Spring Break, I moved: Home school/Public (worst 2 mo. EVER!)
6th: Skipped
7th: ANSER Charter, Garden City, ID
[Joyce]
ReplyDeleteWe pay, here in Idaho, something like $14,000 A STUDENT. For what? Last year when I was in an elementary institute of learning, we didn't have first rate equipment. We didn't have new computers, Blu-Ray movies, new books, or fine cuisine.
It was alright, mind you, but there were about 20 kids in my 5th grade class of learning, which equals about $280,000. There were 3 or for 4 5th grade classes. That means about $820,000 or so. And then all the 5 other grades. Where did the money go?
I didn't get any money out of the whole fiasco.
[Bobbie] I will be waiting for superman, too!
ReplyDelete[Nicole] Our kids are impacted by the INTERNET. I use it for business and blogging and school, but there are many others my age who always are babbling about Ke$ha or something on Youtube. I just really wanted to see that guy opening a 20 year old LEGO set on youtube.
ReplyDeleteThat's not even the bad stuff! Don't listen to Ke$ha's lyrics to much, unless you need to vomit.
Every song on the radio is the same message:
"Sex, Sex, Sex, Party, Sex..."
I never look into this too much, but most parents would need to monitor their kids. I might be halted from the computer for selling after bedtime. In fact, I have been working on here past bed time!