How do we fix education in this country? - Page 6

Layla_Z · 05-26-08, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aegyptos

I think there was a change in the way teachers are prepared and in the ideas that were put into teacher candidates head's that led to the poor results we have been experiencing.

What would those ideas be?

Layla_Z · 05-26-08, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleeding Head Ken

As a teacher, what would you say was the original intent of compulsory public education? Why do we have public education in the first place?

That's a good question. I think the intent was for parents to send kids someplace to be educated better than they, the parents, could educate them. I think that should still be the intent. It is a rare parent that has the knowledge and skill necessary to teach their child everything they need to know. I also think there are socialization issues that school addresses. Unfortunately, for some parents school has become babysitting. They get angry when their child has "too much" homework because it takes up their leisure time(not the kids, the parents). They don't care how their child acts at school as long as they don't have to get involved. If a teacher would dare contact them at work, they are furious, not at their child but at the teacher. I think we've (parents and teachers)gotten away from what school should be about...education. Schools are expected to do more and more that used to be the job of the parents.

SouthernDemocrat · 05-26-08, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Layla_Z

That's a good question. I think the intent was for parents to send kids someplace to be educated better than they, the parents, could educate them. I think that should still be the intent. It is a rare parent that has the knowledge and skill necessary to teach their child everything they need to know. I also think there are socialization issues that school addresses. Unfortunately, for some parents school has become babysitting. They get angry when their child has "too much" homework because it takes up their leisure time(not the kids, the parents). They don't care how their child acts at school as long as they don't have to get involved. If a teacher would dare contact them at work, they are furious, not at their child but at the teacher. I think we've (parents and teachers)gotten away from what school should be about...education. Schools are expected to do more and more that used to be the job of the parents.

If I am not mistaken, originally compulsory public education came about as a way to get kids off city streets. At the time there were no labor laws to speak of, many times both parents worked in sweatshops 12 or more hours a day, and you had hoards of kids running around.

UtahBill · 05-26-08, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernDemocrat

If I am not mistaken, originally compulsory public education came about as a way to get kids off city streets. At the time there were no labor laws to speak of, many times both parents worked in sweatshops 12 or more hours a day, and you had hoards of kids running around.

You are not mistaken, but add to it that just before they started running the streets and causing mischief, the children also worked in the factories, working long days for little pay. Child labor laws put them on the streets unsupervised.

Layla_Z · 05-26-08, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aegyptos

You would look at meaningless statistics of the sort bureaucrats love to point to as indication of what a great job they are doing. Your approach is much like the body count in the Vietnam War. A lot of numbers signifying very little.

I would rather look at the knowledge base and critical thinking skills of the graduates of these schools. When we do that we will see just what has been acheived. When we do we find our students don't really know very much and that our schools are stupendously ineffective for the money we spend on them.

Critical thinking skills are not a priority when test scores drive funding. This is sad, but true and demonstrates one of the many problems with standarized testing. However, I do not think that schools are as bad as you seem to think. I'd like to know the source of your information.

aegyptos · 05-26-08, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Layla_Z

What would those ideas be?

The educrat establishment. Your professors at teacher's college.

Layla_Z · 05-26-08, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aegyptos

The educrat establishment. Your professors at teacher's college.

You didn't answer my question.

aegyptos · 05-26-08, 11:50 AM

I'm sorry. Perhaps you didn't see my answer to your question. Let me repeat it so you cannot miss it this time. My answer to the question you asked me is:

The educrat establishment. Your professors at teacher's college.

independent_thinker2002 · 05-26-08, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aegyptos

Lets just say I know better than you and leave it at that.

Let's not.

You aren't even trying anymore are you?

aegyptos · 05-26-08, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by independent_thinker2002

You aren't even trying anymore are you?

No, not really.

I had hoped for something better out of this group of progressives but the last week or so have shown me that the young libs here are too green and stupid to debate with and those in your cohort are too much in denial to be rational.