>From: William M Kane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Otis, > > I know this is getting a bit off topic, but I need to step up on >the soap box here: > > Yes, the "school system" is churning out many students who can't do >what is described below, and I will be the first to admit that. >However, what you described is not just a matter of learning the "three >R's" . . . it goes well beyond that . . . it is called work ethic. Now >a work ethic can be started to be taught in school, but it is one of >those things that is reinforced if not totally taught at home. If >parents and communities don't stand up and help the school system teach >this, the USA will continue on the same trend it's on. We can't stand >up at the polls and demand "no child left behind", but then turn around >the next day and complain that the taxes are too high, and we need to >cut school funding. . . . we also can't place total blame on the school >systems. Look at the leading countries (academically) cultures and >you'll see that the learned behaviors we seek are not taught in toto in >the schools. > > Otis, I hope you do not think I am attempting to flame you. I'm >just trying to vent some steam and perhaps share some of my >understanding with the general public. > >IL Bill
Our problem is a cascading one and point-directed fixes are only band-aids at best. Yes, children are not learning a good work ethic. Yes, NEA union power is protecting a bad system. Yes, parents are uninvolved. Yes, bad school boards put in poor curriculums. Yes, teachers, even the best ones, began with a bad paradigm for education (Dewey/Mann). There's so much to fix. But throwing money at it has been a major contributor. The cries (whines) are far too familiar. Either its: "We're not able to do enough, so give us more money" or "We're doing a good job so everyone needs a reward". For this their PR gets a gold star. And that should be enough. That's all the kids got. :) CRB
