tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post7965125475322012641..comments2023-06-04T05:30:22.619-05:00Comments on Two Kinds of People: Dear Erica, Or Is Public Education Dead?Susan Bearmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14991968368214219371noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post-4135064895202755202010-12-02T17:42:13.910-06:002010-12-02T17:42:13.910-06:00Susan,
You've discussed this critical subject ...Susan,<br />You've discussed this critical subject intelligently and with passion. Thank you.Linda Gartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00740477693031139484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post-88918996108455368062010-11-28T20:40:32.582-06:002010-11-28T20:40:32.582-06:00Tracey — While I agree that Erica's home life ...Tracey — While I agree that Erica's home life probably played a part in her drive and ability to express herself, she was not home schooled and did not learn those skills in a vacuum. I don't think there is much "glory" being claimed public education, nor much responsibility being taken for academic failures either. My point is that we are all responsible for education our young people. A critical look is essential, but simply condemning across the board does not benefit anyone. Not every family (in fact I would say most families) are willing or able to undertake homeschooling. It may be the right solution for some families, but I, personally, still believe in the importance of public education. Not saying it doesn't need help — it certainly does — just saying we can't afford, as a nation, to let it die.Susan Bearmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991968368214219371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post-14663682655501369322010-11-28T15:27:51.384-06:002010-11-28T15:27:51.384-06:00I'm thinking she didn't become so outspoke...I'm thinking she didn't become so outspoken and driven from her public education but from her family and life. <br /><br />But, if public education IS to blame for HER success, then we must surely be able to hold public education to blame for the masses of drop-outs and illiterate high schoolers who have been shuffled through the system. Nobody wants to claim the responsibility; only the glory.tracey.becker1@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606831315390042198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post-31108365987977681312010-11-10T13:07:48.941-06:002010-11-10T13:07:48.941-06:00I have seen this phenomenon as well. For example, ...I have seen this phenomenon as well. For example, our district invested heavily in the "Character Counts" program, then dropped it entirely for PBIS. It's an interesting phenomenon that relies on the assumption that one "program" (be it a behavioral program or math program or reading program) will solve every problem and/or meet the needs of every student and teacher.Susan Bearmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991968368214219371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post-61259918107725691182010-11-10T13:03:59.840-06:002010-11-10T13:03:59.840-06:00I'll go with you on that, Susan. But here in ...I'll go with you on that, Susan. But here in our local districts long before there were these expectations from government the districts were constantly changing the math programs (and other programs as well) they seldom looked at long term studies or real long term results (Trials of the programs), or even the cost and practicality. The revolving door for that constant change of approaches cost the districts big time, and then of course they would complain that they were strapped for cash.<br /><br />I agree that there are quite a few good people in administration because I've dealt with them, but those who make our final decisions are those who continue to, "spend for change," rather than do any real long term studies to find out how well something works, and IF it would even be viable for the districts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01203286781888444548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post-80556553251333577842010-11-09T22:16:34.130-06:002010-11-09T22:16:34.130-06:00Ciss — I actually put the blame for a lot of that ...Ciss — I actually put the blame for a lot of that on No Child Left Behind, which puts the emphasis on all the wrong things. Administrators must meet these ridiculous, arbitrary and ever-increasing target goals on an ever shifting "inventory" of children. Their funding is based on meeting this goals. It's a ridiculous business model that can never work in education. JMHOSusan Bearmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991968368214219371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3009912368962227337.post-74355733793790259302010-11-09T22:08:29.889-06:002010-11-09T22:08:29.889-06:00The only problem with most public schools are cent...The only problem with most public schools are centered on change for changes sake, testing which shows little of what children actually learn, and the administrations of schools as the only trustworthy source of information on how a school is actually doing. <br /><br />This ex-teacher is very sad for the shape of our state's schools.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01203286781888444548noreply@blogger.com