Posted on 06/17/2009 5:09:20 AM PDT by Islander7
Actually, with the number of online programs, like Switched On Schoolhouse, the parent doesn’t need to know more than the kids. If the kids are self-motivated at all, or the parents push the kids to do the work, they will learn through programs like that.
Theoretically, in that case, the kids should be able to exceed the parents education.
How would an on line class fix this problem? On-line classes require even MORE discipline from the student than a regular class. In an on-line situation, there isn't necessarily even an adult there to remind the student to stay on task, the student must do it.
This is one of those rare instances where I think an inner city school did the right thing in not promoting those that didn't meet the requirements. As much as I despise inner city schools, their political bias, their incredible waste of money and talents, I have to reluctantly admit a blind pig actually found an acorn....this time.
As far as criticizing homeschooling? never, not in one post in years have I criticized the concept of homeschooling. I do however criticize the concept that homeschooling is the panacea for all educational woes.
I've been taking a graduate course, on-line from MIT for free - granted i don't get graduate credit, but I didn't want the credit, I wanted the knowledge, and thanks to free podcasts, I have it. I'm going to start taking one every spring and winter and 2 in the summer.
The Internet amazes me with the things that are free and valuable.
I couldn’t imagine being in the Chicago public schools to begin with.
I’m sure the teachers would love to have students who are willing to learn.
What makes this story even more sad, is the instances we keep hearing of where teachers give passing grades just to move the kids on. If that’s the case here as sell, that means that the 30% who did qualify for graduation, may not even know what they really ought to to get out of high school.
One of the worst aspects of our degenerate age is that "smart" is confused with "good".
Smart isn't trustworthy. It's not loyal, or helpful, or friendly, or courteous, or kind. Smart isn't obedient or cheerful, thrifty or brave. It's not clean, and it's certainly not reverent.
Hitler was smart.
The valor and endurance of the Greatest Generation didn't come from high school.
**ALL** academic successes happens at home.
What you described in your post is really “afterschooling”. It is nearly identical to everything I did as a homeschooling mom.
Very little learning actually happens in the classroom. The only thing the institutional school is doing is sending home a curriculum for the parents and child to follow.
But what was necessary was the intact family, the regular going to church or synagogue, the respect for elders, the love of country -- all things that in my opinion are handled successfully at home, and only at home. When we as parents leave character education to bureaucrats, we shouldn't be surprised that it doesn't meet up to the standards to which we were taught.
I have been thinking alot about the quote attributed to de Tocqueville, which perhaps he said, perhaps he didnt'
I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.
We have lost a great deal of "greatness" that has corresponded with a loss of "goodness" and I believe the reason is reflected in this article -- too many parents have abdicated their role as a parent and allowed, and even expected, the school to be the mom and the US government welfare check to be the daddy.
It is obvious some parents do so much more than others after school -- and I tell you that it takes the barest minimum of attention to a child to help him/her achieve success. It isn't multiple family field trips, or tutoring, or private lessons, or hours upon hours of supervising homework that is needed for success. A simple meal in the morning, a hot dinner at night and a quiet place to study is a bare minimum -- and there are thousands of parents that can't even provide that.
And that my freeper friend, is sad.
Jim, metmom, and Softballmom,
Surely blaming the teachers, the school, the system, or parents is not helpful. What is needed is a very close examination of how and where learning happens ( school or home) and realistic expectations for children of sub-normal IQ.
We keep applying the same teaching model year after year and do we really have good science to back up our methods? I doubt it.
Jim Noble pointed out that it is possible that many of these students may not have the intellectually ability to succeed in this type of program. Continuing to subject children to a system of instruction that will guarantee failure due to lack of intellectual ability is in my opinion emotional child abuse.
Realistically, what percentage of the population should be capable of completing four years of high school?
Metmom, you commented that the teachers did NOT have success with 60% of the students. Why is this?
Softmom noted that the teachers did teach 33% of the teachers.
So?...What's going on here?
1) It could be that the students do not have the IQ to succeed in the program the were compelled to attend. In this case the children need a far less demanding program than is offered. Perhaps training in the skills and attitudes needed for a job would be more appropriate.
2) It could be that the success of the 33% had absolutely nothing to do with anything the teachers did or did not teach. It could be that the 33% who were successful “afterschooled” themselves, and the school was merely sending home a curriculum for the parents and child to follow. These children may have done far better if they spent **less** time in school and more time at home.
3) Or...perhaps the government program is well suited to the 33% and this is the best place for the successful students.
4) Perhaps a portion of the 66% who failed may do better in a school that attempts to duplicate in the school what is missing at home. I could be that both the child and parent need to educated in those habits that comprise a learning centered home. George Will calls these school “paternalistic” schools. KIPP schools are an example.
We shouldn't assume that children are successful in school because of anything the school or teacher does.
We also shouldn't assume that children fail because of the school, the home, or the teacher.
The underlying assumptions of the public school system are destroying the country. The introduction of testing, which exposes the lies on which the system is now built, will accelerate the destruction unless the underlying assumptions are finally shown to be false and the lying stops.
Do you keyword tag threads that were pinged? That would be a really useful thing to do. I just added ARTH to the tags for this thread, just as a suggestion that is fairly unique and short.
Where is the science to justify what the government schools routinely do to children day after day?
I am not convinced that the schools actually teaching anything to the bright kids. Their success is likely due to “afterschooling”. And...It is abusive to subject children with subnormal child to what passes for government education today.
I’ve thought of it but was never able to come up with a short enough or unique enough tag. That’s a great idea.
I’ll add it to my ping announcement.
Amen.
People need to take care of themselves and their families.
Work for what you want.
Earn what you want whether it be grades or money.
Stop depending on everyone else and stop blaming everyone else for problems.
Until people learn that ... nothing will change.
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