Wrong Way in Education
Ya’ know, $200 Billion dollars to fix USA public schools sounds like it could work, right?
Doesn’t the idea of having state of the art science and math labs for students sound like a good idea?
Shouldn’t we reward good teachers and get rid of the bad ones?
It all sounds so simple and possible. But, from what I’ve seen, the new proposals, appointments and expenditures issuing from this administration, and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, are sending our schools into even more disaster-prone areas and conditions.
Let’s take a look at a few of the things that may be warning signs:
Will MONEY Fix the Problems?
While schools can always use any money that comes their way, it still seems that valuable programs get cut (and teachers end up buying supplies out of their own pockets) because the money goes to the wrong places.
We already spend more than most countries per student and yet our schools are failing miserably.
Now, Arne Duncan says he wants Mayors to have charge of the schools in their areas. He probably feels this way because this is the system he came from in Chicago, where Mayor Daley runs things.
Now, to give credit where it is due, the financial structure of the Chicago School District seemed to get straightened-out, but what happened to education itself? The STUDENTS are failing just as much, if not worse than before.
What about Science/Math labs and new buildings?
Buildings DON’T teach students! Teachers DO!
What good is a state of the art lab when students can’t read or compute simple math?
With Mayors in control of the schools (and budgets) we’ll get LOTS of buildings (and lucrative construction contracts), which may be great for any mayor’s political pals, BUT – buildings DON’T improve EDUCATION.
And how many mayors do you know that are well-grounded in education techniques?
Authority to the WRONG People
While I am aghast at the plan to turn education over to politicians, I am really incensed at the political maneuverings that are putting the WRONG people in charge of other areas in education.
Quoting from Family Leader:
“Kevin Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has been appointed by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to be Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. GLSEN is the foremost national group promoting policies to force affirmation of homosexuality in schools, beginning in kindergarten. For example, GLSEN once sponsored a conference at Tufts University that was advertised to “youth only ages 14 to 21″ where three homosexual activists led a workshop graphically guiding the students on gay sex practices.”
What is going on here?
Mr. Jennings has made it abundantly clear what his agenda is, and it is “promotion of affirmation of homosexuality in schools”.
Yes, schools should be made safe for ALL students, including those who have gender identity issues, but the programs promoted by Mr. Jennings concentrate SOLELY on tolerance for homosexuality, rather than kindness and tolerance for EVERYONE!
And, if I may humbly ask, “What qualifies Mr. Jennings to combat Drug Abuse?”
What about Teachers?
Now we are told that the Secretary of Education wants to CLOSE failing schools, FIRE EVERYONE, and reopen with great teachers.
WHAT!
First, even if it was possible to close failing schools (many, many, many in the USA) and fire everyone (thus contributing to the rising unemployment problem), HOW can ANYONE possibly find all those excellent teachers to go to work in those newly reopened schools?
Teachers are already getting a “Bum Rap” and taking the blame for problems completely out of their control.
Why do teachers get blamed when students are coming to school totally unprepared to learn?
How can it be the fault of the teachers when students are so disruptive that teaching is impossible?
And how can teachers be held responsible for a student who never even comes to class?
How can teachers succeed when they get NO respect and NO support?
We need complete education reform in this country.
What we are getting is further destruction of a crumbling program.
It’s time to protest!
Don Kingsland
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