Education Fails.....really?
| Posted On: 01/09/08 01:20:45 AM |
Age 55, OR |
As the principal of a highly successful elementary school, and a christian with deep faith and a fundamental christian worldview, I am offended by this article. While I can understand the posture and position taken by the author, it is flawed due to the lack of information that includes the lack of making mention of the truth that public schools teach "all students" no mater the family history, disability, etc. I have yet to see the types of schools and educators that have been broadbrush painted as all of us being in the thrall of the NEA or other ultra liberal agendas. While some educators may fall for this, those that I know who are truly christian don't.
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Gov't. can't even address the real problem...
| Posted On: 12/18/07 06:28:53 AM |
Age 44, TN |
In my experience as a teacher in an inner city public school, poverty was the chief factor in poor student achievement. This is a problem the government thinks can be fixed by funding programs which supposedly "even the playing field."
The truth is this: All of the poverty I observed was sin driven. Divorce, substance abuse, licentiousness, materialism and a multitude of parental sins directly interfered with the students ability to learn in the classroom. Children often lived between the two extremes of neglect and abuse.
(Even in Christian homes, parents no longer properly train their children. In a well trained child, discipline is only rarely needed. Just ask your grandparents how many times they received discipline at school.)
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Educatio
| Posted On: 12/16/07 05:11:01 PM |
Age 61, OH |
Dear Mr. DeWeese,
There was much truth in what you wrote. However I do not agree that just getting rid of a bureaucracy will solve the root problem. I am well studied in the scripture and taught in High School the last seven years before retiring. I started teaching High school at 51 years old. The problem at our school was the adults understanding of the balance between love and discipline. By adults I mean parents, teachers, and administrators. Not all of course but most. We would sit down and collaborately discuss school problems and write a solution. The problem was that they either put no effective punishment for violators or just failed to enforce the rules. Just love and explain it to them and they will obey. The result was the same. The student ignored the teacher and the rule. The office refused to enforce all but the most grievous offenses. They were taught to talk the kids into proper behavior not discipline them.
As a result students in my classes that wanted to learn applied themselves. The ones who didn’t, nothing I did got them motivated, even contacting parents. The average achievement level for all is therefore low. This accounts for the statistics and the test scores.
The basic problem is that students have little respect for authority. Why because parents and the education establishment have lost their respect for God and his word. And put simply you cannot teach what you do not know, instead you model the opposite.
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re: Re: Back up?
| Posted On: 12/16/07 11:50:11 AM |
Age 56, OK |
Ok if you don't have time then bye bye.
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re: Re: Back up?
| Posted On: 12/14/07 03:57:26 PM |
Age 30, IA |
You're the one who played the race card, as if you wish "blacks" and "whites" had remained segregated. If I understand you correctly, then you need to back that up Biblically like I asked. Otherwise I can't take you seriously. I've wasted enough of my time in this thread. bye
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I wonder
| Posted On: 12/14/07 03:52:20 PM |
Age 56, NE |
Did you read this article? Tom gives plenty of reasons to get out of the public education system. He's just scratched the surface. Why would you keep your children in this system?
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Re: Home School
| Posted On: 12/14/07 01:27:36 PM |
Age 56, OK |
Could you please be more specific on what is going on in government schools that make them so bad as to keep you from sending your children?
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Re: Back up?
| Posted On: 12/14/07 01:18:07 PM |
Age 56, OK |
Where do you get I am defining what race a person has to be, to be a christian? I believe that the bible says to be a christian has nothing to do with race. Can you give me bible reference on public school education or any bible reference to our system of education? Before I can back a statement with the bible, you have to tell me which specific part of my post you are referring to. As far as the assuming on your part of me, assume what you wish. Since we are talking education, let me pass along some advice I was taught years ago at the starting of my education. That is "To assume anything is the lowest form of intelligence".
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It's not about education
| Posted On: 12/13/07 06:53:12 PM |
Age 56, OK |
If I am understanding your post correctly, all 4 of your children, are homeschooled? I am curious, what were the reason(s), you did not let your children attend public school?
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Home School
| Posted On: 12/13/07 05:51:21 PM |
Age 44, FL |
For us, government schooling is not an option so we have chosen to home school our children. We are able to do that on approximately $2,500 a year and that includes all curriculum, clubs, field trips, etc. We feel that most parents have to close their eyes and deny what is going on in the government schools because of their own selfish desires: cars, bigger houses, multiple vacations, bigger TVs, the list goes on and on and on. They are not willing to make the sacrifice it takes to home school, or enroll in private schooling, so the beat goes on.
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Back up?
| Posted On: 12/13/07 05:48:58 PM |
Age 30, IA |
How do you back up your statements Biblically? If you can't answer that, I'll assume the above post comes from a person posing as what (s)he thinks is a Christian (newspeak equates Christianity with fascist white supremacy). Maybe (s)he wants to see if people would respond with aggreement or outrage.
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Race mixing and poor education?????
| Posted On: 12/12/07 05:34:17 PM |
Age 48, NC |
I'm sorry, I missed the correlation. Desegregation of schools and the mixing of the races has caused the downfall of the U.S. education system???? I hardly think so.
I am a Christian, a homeschooling mom, and the parent of four--yes, count 'em----four mixed race children. Over the last decade, I have raised these children as a single parent,bringing them up to the glory of the Lord. They are all Christians,outstanding students, and servant leaders.
My oldest son is an honor college graduate who has traveled the world, first as a college student and then as a Peace Corps volunteer. He is a wonderful husband, an intelligent person, and a Christian light in a dark world. He and his wife braved third world conditions to serve the people of Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world.
My second son also graduated from college with honors and is now in medical school. He has been active with Habitat for Humanity since he was 16, and still is, despite the responsibilities of medical school. He is smart and funny and kind.
My third son just applied to a special magnet school for leading students in science and math. He is an excellent student and a quiet leader who points other students to Christ. He is just starting with Habitat and also volunteers with our local animal welfare group.
My youngest child and only daughter homeschools using the Classical Conversations curriculum. At 12 she is learning Latin, expository speaking, creative writing, and a host of other interesting and important subjects. She has a tender heart for God and composes songs and stories. She also volunteers at the local animal welfare group. Tonight she is helping sort Christmas toys at the Salvation Army. Both she and her teenaged brother have supported Soldiers' Angels and helped my support a child through Compassion International.
Wow, are these the children of iniquity that you are talking about? They certainly have not contributed to the dumbing down of American education. Rather, it is the lackadaisical parenting that occurs in so many modern households (including--sadly--many Christian households) in our country. Take a look at the grown ups who have left the rearing and education of their children to the state and all the special interest groups that are more than happy to take over the job. Point to parents who teach their children nothing, not even manners, but indulge them in everything.
These dynamics cut across race,social status, and class.
Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about a time when his children "would not be judged by the color of their skin but on the the content of their character". The downfall of our educational system is not a race mixing problem, it is a problem of lack of character.
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It's not about education
| Posted On: 12/12/07 12:03:38 PM |
Age 56, OK |
The issue with the eductation system is not, and, has not been about the education of our children. It is, and has been all about the movement of civil rights. Ever since forced intergration in the schools, government and the work arena (along with race mixing to do away with white people), education has plumeted, crime has went through the roof and our taxes is so high to pay for government programs there is really no middle class anymore. The middle class kept the wealth and power of this country going. This countries education system and morals is gone for ever thanks to our government and christian leaders in sponsering and upholding the civil rights movement. Of course it is more the blame of christian church organizations and pastors and their personal goal of control and power over people. They will stand before Jesus Christ one day and give account for what they have allowed to happen to this country, and, I suppose they will burn in hell for it. The christian church organizations and pastors could put a stop to all this, including abortion if they really wanted to, but it would take away the gods they worship; tax exemption and power over the people they believe they own.
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A sad scene...
| Posted On: 12/12/07 11:32:19 AM |
Age 25, WI |
This article really reinenforces much of what I have thought of and witnessd in the American public school system. I have a BS in History Teaching but have not pursued a career as a public school teacher for more or less the problems stated above!
The new definitons of literacy from Dr. Thomas could have been from any number fo syllabus descriptions for my myriad of Education classes that taught nothing on HOW to teach history but instead how to promote the very world citizenship that the author discusses.
They education system is not open to new interpretations or new ways of teaching but set directly opposed to and working against any worldview contrary to a lefist, secular belief system. It is certainly not a "marketplace of ideas" where children are taught the facts, right and wrong and how to make wise choices based off of their knowledge. A sad scene indeed.
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Education, Demographics, Technology, etc.
| Posted On: 12/12/07 09:47:08 AM |
Age 47, FL |
Interesting piece.
While there are some practical applications for modern technology, just as with drugs, just because a little is good, does not mean, more is better. American business and government leadership has been promoting the idea that more is better...both in technology and with drugs. That is the problem.
Unfortunately, history has taught us the the people will not muster forth the will for reversion to some of the better ways of our not to distant past. You can only pray to God and teach your own children well.
Our kids are in public schools. Like many of their peers, we monitor what they do when not in school, limiting tv, computer and supplementing academics where needed. But foremost, we have rediscovered the Bible and have dedicated our family to making the Word the foundation of our daily lives.
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America Education Fails Because It Isn't Education
| Posted On: 12/12/07 09:22:19 AM |
Age 60, OK |
I haven't read the complete article yet but what I have read is right on target. I have been homeschooling my two younest children since January 2002. My youngest had been in public school for 4 and a half years he had completed the four year old program, kindergarten, transitional first, first grade and was repeating the first grade when I pulled him out of school. He still could not write a complete sentence, could not do the simplest math problems, and all the school had done for him was have him labled as emotionally distrubed, ADHD, RAD, developementally delayed, and the list goes on. Since we pulled him out of school in December 2001 and started homeschooling him he has completed the 7th grade with an A B average, he is currently in the middle of the 8th grade. Please do the math, 6 calendar years and he has sucessfully completed 7 grade levels and is well into the 8th. We enrolled him in Class with Christians Liberties out of Illinois and for the first and second grade his father taught him. I was working for the school system that I removed him from. In 2003 I quit my job and started teaching him and he has done very well. When his sister graduated from the sixth grade in 2004 we removed her from public school and started homeschooling her also and she is currently working on her 10th grade work. Both are doing very well and not because of anything they learned in public school. There was a time people became teachers because they wanted to teach children not people become teachers so they can have their summers off and they don't have to work when they are at work. I worked for the local school system from 1998 until 2003 and I saw with my own eyes the negelect, and down right abuse that the teachers today are allowed to get away with. Your article hits home and sad to say probably doesn't go far enough.
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TAAS test TX nightmare
| Posted On: 12/12/07 04:01:48 AM |
Age 30, CA |
I was schooled briefly in a TX high school in 1994 and I heard the word TAAS so much it gave me anxiety. They definitely teach the test.
Call me crazy, but, if you teach the kids right, you don't need to "teach the test." They'll pass because they know the information.
They also taught us about how hard college was and intimidated my learning-disabled brother right out of going. I was amazed at how much easier college was than high school and I learned so much more at the same time. Our schools are broken and soul-destroying.
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An alternative explanation...
| Posted On: 12/12/07 12:52:22 AM |
Age 49, IL |
Having worked as a substitute in the public schools here for seven years, I would say that the therapeutic model of education currently in practice adds to the problem.
However, the primary cause of the problem with our schools is a bloated curriculum, chock full of tidbits aimed at placating every subculture in our society except maybe conservatives and Christians. The quote from Dr. Thomas is the tip of the iceberg.
The "dumbing down" of our children, however, is the result of constantly demanding higher standards in order to fit in all these multicultural initiatives. For example, when I attended high school in the 70's, algebra was aimed at above-average freshmen. Now it's a mandated program standard for middle schoolers. To constantly raise the bar is to set up more and more children for failure.
Why not return to basic skills and subjects in the elementary and middle grades (reading, writing, math, geography, history) and ensure they have a sound basis going into high school and beyond?
I would also submit that memorization is part of the process of "learning to learn"...
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