See Dick and Jane... Weep

Jewish World Review ^ | 4/19/02 | Malkin

[Arthur McGowan]

I have no patience with "conservatives" who minimize the evil of teasing and bullying. But the answer to it is to abolish the public and private schools that arbitrarily segregate children by age (and thus, automatically, separate siblings from one another), and create, also inevitably, jungles. Homeschooling is the natural, normal way for children to learn. All other modes of education should be resorted to only in dire emergencies, and for as short a time as possible. The worst environment for a child is a mob of other people's children, isolated from their parents and siblings.

[Khepera]

Well said.

[avenir]

My niece actually went to "Tranquility Bay" and, although I cannot stand these types of programs, it didn't ruin her. I guess my brother felt she was heading in the wrong direction and needed a break (in Jamaica!) to "work through her issues".

Part of the bargain was mandatory attendance in these seminars pushed by Resource Realizations. The parents also had to attend their own seminar(s). I did research and discovered that, basically, this seminar is a descendant of est, Werner Erhard's "Erhard Seminar Training". They will tell you no, it is not from est but from Lifespring...but guess where Lifespring came from?

They are called LGAT'S, LARGE GROUP AWARENESS TRAINING Seminars, and like est their goal is somehow to get the attendee to get "it". "It" in est was undefined ("In life, understanding is the booby prize"—Erhard). In the others it can range from personal improvement or, as in the school scenario above, "sensitivity".

The methods they use to get people to get "it" have been called brainwashing by some, or simple manipulation of people in groups in small, controlled spaces, by a domineering seminar leader (Erhard used to verbally abuse his audience—"You are miserable because you are all a bunch of a#$@^%*s!" When this, among other things, eventually brought negative reviews he handed the program over to his brother, est was re-branded as The Landmark Forum, and Erhard disappeared for years).

My brother tried and tried to get me to go to the seminars, but this relentless promotion by attendees is just another part of the whole scam. Like Gilcrease said "While Challenge Day is a critical first step, a one-day learning experience only goes so far,".

Read that: "While getting a bunch of students to fall for our controversial first seminar is a good first step, this will only go just so far to create the kind of sustaining wealth and power over young minds we are truly seeking."

[2Jedismom]

Homeschool ping!

[TxBec]

I guess my brother felt she was heading in the wrong direction and needed a break (in Jamaica!) to "work through her issues".

Gee I need one too :)

[EdReform]

Another "seminar" (Breaking Down the Walls):

Crossing the Line crosses the line, some parents say

[BibChr]

they have no place in taxpayer-funded schools whose primary function is supposed to be filling students' heads - not emptying their lachrymal ducts

Ah yes, there's where the columnist goes astray.

Or so I was told by a school official when our two oldest were in public school. I had voiced a similar thought, that we sent our kids to school for education in the basics, not for therapy. That was the province of the family and our church. Or so I thought.

I was informed in condescending tones that this was an "older model" approach, and that now schools felt that "anything that affected the children in any way was their concern."

A polite version of my wife and my thought was "the heck it is," and not long after, we began homeschooling — a decision we have never, ever regretted.

To say the least. (Articles such as this increase our non-regret factor.)

Dan

[ladylib]

It's a great excuse to get out of class -- for both bored students and teachers! However, with only 180 days in the school year, psychobabble crybaby sessions really can't be countenanced. I don't think I want to pay for this as a taxpayer. I know! What we really need is a longer school day and a longer school year!!!! Oh, homeschoolers spend about 4 hours a day on academic subjects and they are generally better educated than public school students???? But are they properly socialized???? The NEA wants to know!!

[bvw]

Recently, the FAA required all employees to attend the same type of outrage. When some employees refused, they were fired.

When and where? I have a hard time imagining what an FAA employee would be fired for, it just does not seem to happen.

[CyberAnt]

Mega dittos! And ... the only way this onslaught is going to stop is when parents get united and charge the schools enmasse and tell these people how it's going to be. If parents want their children schooled correctly, they're going to have to take control of the schools themselves. I'm not talking armed conflict here - I'm talking about parents paying more attention to what their children are being taught rather than what promotion they are seeking.

[bvw]

Hey, and on a related note:

Does any Freeper know anything about the USDA-located "Graduate School"?

[InvisibleChurch]

a 'thanks' bump

[2Jedismom]

I'm talking about parents paying more attention to what their children are being taught

I fear that more often than not, parents don't care what their child is being taught. It's free childcare for many. Who would want to "rock the boat" when it's all they can do to get them up and dressed before they have to be at work? You ask too much of them. /sarcasm.

[neutrino]

Once upon a time, the Communists in China were famous for having self-criticism sessions - and all were required to participate. It was a tool for control, and for building up information on the subjects.

Aren't we fortunate that we're special, and such things could never happen to us?

[TomSmedley]

Homeschooling is the natural, normal way for children to learn. All other modes of education should be resorted to only in dire emergencies, and for as short a time as possible. The worst environment for a child is a mob of other people's children, isolated from their parents and siblings.

"I God has intended for children to be raised by their peers, He would have had them born in litters, instead of one by one." (Rick Bowyer, home school giant)

[TomSmedley]

And ... the only way this onslaught is going to stop is when parents get united and charge the schools enmasse and tell these people how it's going to be.

I prefer the "John Galt" approach to government school reform. Let the dead bury the dead. The living have work to do, and a future to claim. Life's too short and resources too scant to waste on fool's errands.

[TLBSHOW]

How do you know what they are really teaching in your school?

This is sick stuff. Ok everyone cry.

[TLBSHOW]

If you can find an old Dick and Jane book the cost is about $500.00 each.

[CyberAnt]

You must be joking?? You think we should just walk away and allow the socialists and communists and gay agenda people have at our children - and what ever happens, happens.

If that's not what you meant, please explain??

[Artist]

A polite version of my wife and my thought was "the heck it is," and not long after, we began homeschooling — a decision we have never, ever regretted.

We haven't either. And I'm very grateful for all the help we received here on FR (from folks like you) that helped us over the fence!