Free Republic

You're right college isn't all it's cracked up to be. I just had to take a leave of absence when BU had a paperwork glitch and lost my $46,000 scholarship. Come to find out, I can get a good-paying job and a cute two-bedroom house near my parents if I want. I was going for a degree in education so the pay is actually better just getting this job. So, college may not be all it's cut up to be.

National Honor Society is as much about character as it is grades. My junior year, a student in the top five percent of his class was denied admittance because he hadn't participated in extracurricular activities or completed enough community service (a requirement by the school). NHS is about being a leader in all areas of life.

I agree with you. Those children that truly are coming to school hungry should have a chance to eat. Most children should and are fed at home. I'm a conservative and against a lot of forms of welfare. I just don't think it's fair to punish the children for the sins of the parents. We should be pushing for tighter regulations of social aid programs so that these programs aren't necessary. Unfortunately, however, as long as the parents are able to spend the aid money on alcohol and junk, the ones being punished by not serving breakfast are the children.

You're right about not just giving medicine. Cutting may be gaining popularity because of the media but most cutters still need help. Serious research on cutting reveals that it is mostly white, middle-class, intelligent females who cut. They frequently cut because of a feeling of being out of control. They also have an insane amount of perfectionism. These two factors combined produce extreme mental anguish. I'm not saying this is all cutters but by far, it is the most common portrayal of a cutter. I know the facts on it because I was a cutter. And there is hope. I know that the statistics say that cutting can never be cured but it can. First and foremost, Jesus Christ. He's the best way to end cutting. Secondly, the cutter needs to be told that it is ok not to be perfect, that everyone else's lives aren't hanging on them. I'm sorry about your daughter and I'll pray for her (if you don't mind) but there is hope.

Sorry, the first statement should be "more to everyone reading."

This reply is more to all of everyone reading but also specifically to you.

Anyway, you mention "lazy, unmotivated, and unable teachers" as one reason why the public school system should be shut down entirely. Others in this post have mentioned the worthlessness of an education degree. Unfortunately, this is true; however, many education degrees truly are worthy of honor. For example, to graduate from my university, I am required to take two American history classes, one world history class, one geography class, two science classes, one math class, and two writing classes in addition to all of the classes directly related to teaching. They will not let you graduate until you have a basic knowledge in all of the major subject areas. People who graduate from my university don't deserve to be termed lazy or unskilled. Yes, it is a large university teaching socialist ideals (which I have learned to ignore) but it does adequately equip future teachers.

In my opinion, the solution is not to close the public schools. My answer is to encourage more conservatives and morally-minded people to enter the teaching profession. Either force the Christian and private universities to improve their teaching programs or quit complaining about those of us who go to the larger universities. Support those of us who are trying to make a difference. I've read a lot on this thread about just abandoning the public school system in favor of private schools and homeschooling. I agree that the public school system is inappriopriate for many children right now but I think careful thought needs to be given to the alternatives. Many private schools aren't doing their jobs. If your public school truly is that bad, pull your children out but continue to pray for the local school and try to support those teachers who are fighting for change within it. Carefully analyze what is best for your children.

I'm not saying public education is the best option. I personally would not send my children to it in its current condition. On the other hand, I am leery of advocating closing all public schools. I think they could be great places as several posters have mentioned. I agree that they need a major overhaul. I just think coming up with a solution is a better plan than just pointing out the problems and blindly running to alternative forms of education, which may or may not be the best for every person.

Hi, how do I get on the BU ping list? Thanks.

Right handed, left thumb on top - good luck with the project

I'm sorry but I do NOT consider myself to be riff-raff. I am getting a full ride from the federal government and the private university I attend. They understand that that is the only way I can break the cycle of poverty. Yeah, I could go get a minimum wage job somewhere and struggle all my life or I could take advantage of the opportunity given to me and make something of my life. Five thousand a year covers tuition but it sure doesn't cover housing and other expenses. I know because I applied to many smaller schools to avoid as much of a handout. I couldn't personally get anything besides the federal student scholarship because of my age and it didn't cover housing, etc. Am I supposed to be punished because my parents messed up their financial lives (through no fault of their own)? I'm an honors student (GPA well over a 3.5) at a top university working three part time jobs, and volunteering at my church. If I didn't have the financial aid, none of this would be possible. I'm sorry that your kids aren't getting as much financial aid but don't blame us who actually need it. We're just trying to get ahead (and by the way, when I do succeed, I fully plan on donating to both merit and need based scholarship funds)

Did anyone else notice that he asked for the movie to be confiscated until they reached an agreement? Maybe that work of art (aka, bunch of lies) will be unavailable for a while. We can hope.

I personally support summer homework and I'm still a student. It doesn't take that long and it does serve a purpose. There is nothing worse than going to class and finding out that you have to waste the first two weeks reviewing. In college, we also lose the first discussion because nothing has been done to be discussed. If one has a moderate amount of summer homework (just a few hours), that would be better for all involved. In addition, all of the classes I had in high school had summer homework. My senior year, that homework gave us enough time to really study genetics instead of skimming over it like normal years. That extra bit of studying translated to 3's or higher for most students on the AP exam that year. Summer homework isn't a bad thing; no person in high school or college can truly claim to not have two or three hours in an entire summer to complete an assignment.

I took honors classes all through high school. Many of them required some reading or a paper or two to be written. When my classmates asked the teacher why, he said it was to weed out the students that didn't really want to do the work. He didn't want those students dragging their heels and holding the entire class up. If someone didn't want to do the work, they could drop down to the normal level. Oh, and by the way, I did all kinds of activities over the summer and still managed to find the few hours that homework typically took. If you don't want to put the effort in, don't take honors classes.

18 year olds should definitely have the right to vote. Not all of us are relying on Mom and Dad's money and buying into the liberal left's lies. We're old enough to fight for and die for our country. I live in Boston, MA - one of the most liberal places in the USA and I know many people who know more about history and politics than most adults out of college. Many of them are also Republicans. Most of us pay taxes, not as much as adults out of college but we do pay taxes. And for the records, a decent number of us would do better on a voting test than most adults over 21. Would you like to take the right to vote away from them as well?

Ping

While I agree that college is extremely overpriced, not all of those scholarships are going to minorities who don't work. I'm the white daughter of a disabled US veteran. I'm getting 38,000 a year in grants and scholarships from my school, state, and the federal government. Yes, most of my professors do have their own agenda but I appreciate the chance to just go to college and try to succeed. Plus, in addition to my scholarships, I am working two jobs. I also volunteer a little over ten hours a week to my church. Please don't criticize the schools for giving out scholarships; some of us actually need them.

Excellent song as well. There are so many good country songs that could be used as our anthem, it's impossible to list them all. Furthermore, it would irritate the libs more than our listening to a bunch of rock music.