Len
Apprentice Member
Posts: 74
|
Post by Len on Aug 30, 2008 17:35:12 GMT -5
len said: "We ask the schools to do too much, that parents and their "support" groups did (church, neighbors, extended family), used to do. And we are becoming more isolated from such."Families have changed in many ways. To start, extended families are scattered all over the place. WAY back when families tended to live in the same town, or near by not anymore. Many families are run by a single parent and unless they sit on their butts and collect welfare they are out working to put food on the table and don't have the time, or energy to assist their children like they would prefer, or their children need. It used to be if children were home alone they could play with neighborhood kids and parents didn't have to worry about gang affiliation, or neighborhood homes unattended by a parent in their absence. Kids today are often left to entertain themselves in a hostile environment without positive direction and guidance. This is a reality for many children and if the schools don't offer after school programs, or help for children to succeed what are we to do? Nothing? Many fine and excellent points. Consider, most live in, and prefer to live in, their own enclaves, ghettos or barrios. There is an extended family of sorts available. The "gang issue is questionable, as there have always been "socialization" and clubs for ever. Their behavior is another matter. The Irish in Boston/New York in the 1850s were no sweeties and now, "some of my best friends..". What is lost in most "bad" places are the men, plain and simple. And our government that allows, or even encourages, if not mandates absent males can be a major contributor to the social phenomena. You are right, kids are left alone, and rather than ask government workers to "care" for them, structuring a supportive (tax incentive) to keep families intact, rather than encourage or mandate women leave the home and go get money is a cool form of new slavery to feed an underclass. If schools had more monies available it would help to benefit the classrooms with better teaching tools, and what about field trips? Kids in private schools go on MANY day field trips, over nights, and even go out of the country to experience other cultures and learn first hand about history. The class divide is widening, and for the kids that don't have a supportive home life, or who have special needs they are paying with their futures and not by choice. I think it is beyond sad that so many people either aren't aware, or just don't care. And, in the end we all pay for the dumbing down of our children! CA schools rank 48th (last time I checked), and personally I think that statistic is enough proof that this state is in serious trouble, and so are our children... (I agree we need teachers who are top notch, and most of all who give a damn about the kids they teach.) You make an excellent point about more money for more field trips, trombones, and gym stuff. However it seems to go up in smoke to "administrative costs" and, let's face it, there ain't enough money on the planet to satisfy. We ARE 48th and Mississippi is looking "progressive"! Teaching is not for all, but many are in the profession which inflates real teachers' worth . The Teachers' Union is as powerful a union as the former Soviet's but more difficult to topple. My question: what is the end product of a successful education? Go along to get along? A good worker? An independent thinker? We have "critical thinking" notions introduced, but is math really emphasized & encouraged? Music? No, "cut back" is the music and athletic departments song whenever I hear administrators rap. The TWO things that truly educate anyone, any age, but best with young folks, and yet those are the first cut. As for field trips.....all learning USED to be done outdoors, on walks, in conversations and dialogues. Now that German-efficient method of producing toy soldiers is mandated by our government that YOU WILL teach for 50 minutes mathematics, and then.....50 minutes, blah, blah. We got our collective heads square up.....and we ask teachers to teach on all those other things....well you know the story better than I. It's mentioned often in these parts and these guys have a good bead on what need not be taught. You know, after typing this, I gotta come here in a GOOD mood sometime! Just for a change! |
|
|
|
Post by JustMyOpinion on Sept 2, 2008 18:17:23 GMT -5
len, I appreciate the fact you really seem to "get it" regarding what some single parents face, and just how messed up our education system is.
You said:
It is in my opinion that if children are taught the love of education the boundaries are endless. If children are in an environment where positive reinforcement is used rather than focusing on the negative children will maintain an interest in learning to their full potential. Unfortunately we have some classrooms where the children are like drones, all expected to learn the same thing, at the same time without enthusiasm, and if a child is brighter and needs more stimulation they become bored and tune out, if a child is struggling they should get the support they need instead of being measure up against the rest of the class with the end result being poor self esteem and then they too shut down. Sometimes all a child needs is a little extra attention, or just a few months to developmentally catch up with out judgment. Our system as it is stinks, and it really bothers me that society shows so much apathy regarding the failure of teaching our children.
|
|
Len
Apprentice Member
Posts: 74
|
Post by Len on Sept 3, 2008 11:06:36 GMT -5
len, I appreciate the fact you really seem to "get it" regarding what some single parents face, and just how messed up our education system is. You said: It is in my opinion that if children are taught the love of education the boundaries are endless. If children are in an environment where positive reinforcement is used rather than focusing on the negative children will maintain an interest in learning to their full potential. Unfortunately we have some classrooms where the children are like drones, all expected to learn the same thing, at the same time without enthusiasm, and if a child is brighter and needs more stimulation they become bored and tune out, if a child is struggling they should get the support they need instead of being measure up against the rest of the class with the end result being poor self esteem and then they too shut down. Sometimes all a child needs is a little extra attention, or just a few months to developmentally catch up with out judgment. Our system as it is stinks, and it really bothers me that society shows so much apathy regarding the failure of teaching our children. Great to see that one is not alone in "getting it" when it comes to education and the love of life time learning. Now a question: how can WE change the system, as in getting school districts to give up summer education for all-year-around school? We don't harvest crops, so the kids are not into that anymore. As I understand it, the 44 separate school districts can change it, IF THEY FEEL LIKE IT, and only then. Is there another method to compel them to come into the 20th, if not 21st century? Just wondering out loud. |
|
|
|
Post by heckheckle on Dec 8, 2010 1:30:12 GMT -5
I was quite surprised when Berzerkley said they would kick out all sports to save money. I was happy with the thought that somehow they had people who had common sense. Nope,
That was thrown out immediately. I say keep the 3 R's and cut out the sports. Let them get their own money. ;D
|
|
