Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghostwriter
Most of the stuff he spews is bunk but I agree with a little of what he said but not for the reasons he states. I believe we should remove the federally mandated standardized testing but I also believe we should return the total responsibility for education back to the states and local governments. I do believe the states run the University and CC systems and, in most cases, do a very credible job. If the states don't want to compete they can continue to graduate dummies. If they want to compete in a global economy they will place the emphasis needed to meet these new requirements and new realitites. It is time to drilldown to the lowest level (state and local) because what we have been doing for the last 40+ years isn't working all that well.
I talked this over with my daughter who teaches high school English and we both agree with the following:
I know I am going to get a lot of crap for this (but that is the norm) so here goes.
- Shut down the DOE and allocate that money (for the next 5 years) to the states based on their student population. Phase this money out and the schools will step up to the plate and meet the new realities.
- Make teacher tenure difficult but reachable and have certain steps and rewards (tangible and intangible) for meeting these more stringent requirements.
- Pay the teachers more to teach in "crappie" schools.
- Quit passing everyone regardless of ability. Hold them back if the can't or won't do the work.
- School uniforms until 10th grade.
- Separate schools or, at least classrooms, for boys and girls until 10th grade.
- Bring back vocational training. Quit this push for everyone to go to college. Everyone should not and there should be alternatives.
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I agree with a lot of what you said, especially having some incentive for teachers to teach in "crappie" schools, whether more pay or what. However, coming from wearing uniforms from k-8th grade, there was little difference. The kids who couldn't afford new uniforms every year or have multiple versions (ie have one or two polo shirts per week vs having five) were still taunted. Kids were made fun of for how the uniforms fit them instead of clothes being out of style or whatever. I know there were two people in my class who are still dealing with eating disorders that started at this age potentially (I want to say probably) due to our peers teasing them about their bodies.
Also, I would have killed someone if I hadn't had my guy friends in middle school. The girls I went to school with were absolutely horrible. I do understand that it might be better for some children as it might allow the focus to be more towards education instead of social interests. Also while in mixed gender classrooms girls are less likely to exceed in math and science. Perhaps having different classes for boys and girls but still allowing social interaction during lunch/recess/etc? Also what about homosexual children? Would you keep them with their gender?
Other than that, hell yes to everything you said. Not everyone should go to college. It shouldn't be shameful or disgraceful to not go to college.
I feel like you should be reviewed somewhat periodically after a professor is tenured. The few I had, well one was great while the others couldn't care less.