Kids will do better in school under Obama plan

[lifesaholiday]

A plan to overhaul the 2002 education law championed by President George W. Bush was unveiled by the Obama administration in hopes of replacing a system that in the last decade has tagged more than a third of schools as failing and created a hodgepodge of sometimes weak academic standards among states.

I thought a school was just a building. Why don't we just bulldoze the bad schools? Are schools failing, or, are groups of students failing? Why aren't parents failing? When somebody's children are ignorant or irresponsible it seems like it is always someone else's fault. Also, if some states have weak academic standards, does that mean that kids are dumber than what the records show?

"Unless we take action — unless we step up — there are countless children who will never realize their full talent and potential," Obama said.

Oh, wow! So everyone is now going to realize their full talent and potential? So people are not going to stumble and fall in the future? I think those who will benefit most are those who have a talent for getting by giving the least possible effort.

Obama says he will make up ground lost to students in other countries. The blueprint would allow states to use subjects other than reading and mathematics as part of their measurements for meeting federal goals.

Yeah, we have been way overemphasizing reading and math. Maybe Rap should be a course. Or how about Copulation? Or Lying? Or Shoplifting? Or maybe some practical courses about how to get on Unemployment and stay on it?.

The White House is proposing a $4 billion increase in federal education spending.

I am sure students will do better. Grades will be more subjective. Teachers whose students have the highest grades will be paid the most. If we give away diplomas and degrees more people will have them. They just won't know as much as a third grader in Germany or Japan.

[Sunshine]

personally, I don't see how education is a federal issue at all. It is irritating enough when the state goes overboard with mandates and such.

[caballoviejo]

Obama is just talking out of the top of his hat. Its all he's ever done and will ever do.

[Dutchie]

personally, I don't see how education is a federal issue at all. It is irritating enough when the state goes overboard with mandates and such.

Because there are too many people out there homeschooling who have no business doing that because they lack the education themselves.

[Bob in WI]

Dutchie posted:

Because there are too many people out there homeschooling who have no business doing that because they lack the education themselves.

The U.S. population grew to around 250 million in 1991. But over 10%- 25+ million- cannot read or write at all. Another 45 million are functionally illiterate. That's around 28% that are out to lunch. These are not homeschooled children, the vast majority, in fact probably 99+ % went to PUBLIC SCHOOL.

http://www.efmoody.com/miscellaneous/illiteracy.html

Some newer numbers are: 2007 Nationally, the rate of functional illiteracy is 21%.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... html?cat=4

Since homeschooling is at best around 3%, these other illiterates had to have gone to public school. Also I have always read, homeschooled children on average outperform their publically educated piers.

[lindacarol]

personally, I don't see how education is a federal issue at all. It is irritating enough when the state goes overboard with mandates and such.

Because there are too many people out there homeschooling who have no business doing that because they lack the education themselves.

In 22 years as an educator, I have seen both sides of homeschooling. I have not reviewed the research on education outcomes for homeschooled kids, but I have a wealth of annecdotal evidence that makes me take exception to the last statement above.

As a 7-12th grade teacher, I have seen kids kept out of school to babysit for younger siblings. I have seen kids kept out of school to cover up sexual abuse; some of them died a violent death. But overall I have seen many more success stories than failures among those homeschooled.

As a college instructor of pre-service teachers, it is humbling to see how many homeschool kids come to college as well or better prepared academically and socially than those who come from public schools. How is it that moms and dads with no formal training in pedagogy can prepare kids for college as well or better than professional educators?

[Kayla]

Also I have always read, homeschooled children on average outperform their publically educated piers.

Studies done around 1988 showed HSers performing about 30% above their peers. A new ('07-'08) nationwide survey using 15 independent testing services and including HSers from all 50 states showed HSers performing 37% above their peers. There was little difference in the scores between males (87% average) and females (88% average). Children of college educated parents scored somewhat higher (can't remember exactly but I think it was around 90%). Children of parents having only a high school education still averaged 83%. There are exceptions, but in general, homeschoolers are doing quite well.

I'm aware there are homeschooling parents who shouldn't be HSing. I've known a few. There are also a number of PS teachers who shouldn't be teaching. I've had the misfortune to run into a few of those too.

[caballoviejo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwTpZpwjtIE&feature=related

Blessing for those dear hearts in the "productive citizen widget" making and keeping up with the world system. But I have the soul of an anti-authoritarian.

[lindacarol]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwTpZpwjtIE&feature=related

Blessing for those dear hearts in the "productive citizen widget" making and keeping up with the world system. But I have the soul of an anti-authoritarian.

Great beat. But the message would be so much more convincing without benefit of all that technology used in the production. It reeks of the benefits of education.

For a year of my adult life, I lived off the grid. I know first hand what it is to be gloriously happy without benefits of electricity and all the conveniences it makes possible. The desire for iced tea was the human weakness that sucked me back into this mad, mad world. Education, authoritarian governments, and ice cubes, they seem to be package deal.

[caballoviejo]

Authoritarian government was responsible for the develment the ice cube technology?

Who'd a thunk it! They must of snuck that one by me

Next you're gonna tell me that the US Defense Dept. War Machine invented the internet and yellow daffodils!

[lindacarol]

Authoritarian government was responsible for the develment the ice cube technology?

Who'd a thunk it! They must of snuck that one by me

Next you're gonna tell me that the US Defense Dept. War Machine invented the internet and yellow daffodils!

Okay, so I left out a few steps in my thinking. Can you have ice cubes without technology? Can you have technology without electricity? Can you have electricity without infrastructure? Can you have infrastructure without governments? Can you have govenrnments without authority?

I don't like the waste and corruption of authoritarian governments or their evil war departments; I love it when the electricity goes out (it is so quiet, and we get to use the kerosene lamps); Technology is only good when it works, same for the internet; Icecubes, however, are inherently good. So are daffodils.

Gosh, now that you made me think this over, Cab, that really is a lot of evil for the sake of an icecube, considering daffodils require none of this mess. I wonder if I still have that tent we used to live in. Maybe, we don't need education afterall, just a tradeschool for tent makers.

[caballoviejo]

Authoritarian government was responsible for the develment the ice cube technology?

Who'd a thunk it! They must of snuck that one by me

Next you're gonna tell me that the US Defense Dept. War Machine invented the internet and yellow daffodils!

Okay, so I left out a few steps in my thinking. Can you have ice cubes without technology? Can you have technology without electricity? Can you have electricity without infrastructure? Can you have infrastructure without governments? Can you have govenrnments without authority?

I don't like the waste and corruption of authoritarian governments or their evil war departments; I love it when the electricity goes out (it is so quiet, and we get to use the kerosene lamps); Technology is only good when it works, same for the internet; Icecubes, however, are inherently good. So are daffodils.

Gosh, now that you made me think this over, Cab, that really is a lot of evil for the sake of an icecube, considering daffodils require none of this mess. I wonder if I still have that tent we used to live in. Maybe, we don't need education afterall, just a tradeschool for tent makers.

and St. Paul would have agreed