How Would You Reform Our Public Schools? - Page 2

AtlanticBlue99 · 05-05-2006, 03:38 PM

parents can teach too- schools arent the only home of kids...

7 Hills · 05-05-2006, 10:01 PM

Thats true but not every parent can be trusted with that responsibility. MAybe because they didnt use rubbers so thats why they have the kid in the first place......ha joke....But I think teaching the school proper safe sex would be more prosporus

AtlanticBlue99 · 05-05-2006, 10:23 PM

i believe schools should teach all sides to any argument and let the kids decide. so i am with you on this one, romey (7 hills.. romey.. get it? j.k.)

7 Hills · 05-06-2006, 06:06 PM

lol. Yes but it is very hard in this world to show both opinions. thats why if you had a diverse group of teachers opintionated in different way the student could perhaps develop a sense of whats right on his or her own.

Roman · 06-26-2006, 01:06 PM

1. Make them all private, this will make them for efficienct and effective. Don't believe me, take a look at most other government run operations such as the BMV. We spend twice as much on primary edcuation than we did 10 years ago, this would help alleviate the problem.

2. Also, economics and personal finances should be manditory. A. I read a study a few years ago that claimed something like 70% of people accumulate their debt in college and never get out of it, it seems those of us that are fiancially resposible more and likely found out the hard way. B. The spin placed on economic data is nothing short of rediculous. Many claim how bad our economy is but if go to www.bea.gov and look-up Real GDP data you'll find we've been doing real well. Also we're led to believe that tax cuts are a bad thing when in fact their not. A study released last week showed we actually generated more tax revenue the last two years with the tax cuts. Some woul dalso like you to think 0% unemployment is a good thing, etc. C. Retirement is gonna be a problem escpecially for younsters, they need to understand how to invest their money at an early age to ensure their future financial security.

3. Primary education needs to be more like college. I remember being in high school and teachers telling me that they're trying to prepare me for college but when I got there it was nothing like they told me.

humblemastermind · 08-02-2006, 02:57 PM

Roman, I like your idea of mandatory economics courses, but I disagree with the fact that privatization of schools would solve the problem. Private schools will be more selective of high-quality students and will leave behind less motivated students. Also, private schools might not be an option for the poor, unless the government were to instate a policy mandating financial aid for students that need it.

I believe that the real problem with the public education system is the heterogeneous nature of it all. That is, you have brilliant, highly intelligent and highly motivated kids learning with high-maintenence, disruptive kids, and so the better students are bored out of their mind while the less motivated students are struggling to pass their classes. I would recommend that each grade be divided into three different classes: one for the students who really don't care, one for the students who try but aren't the top tier, and one for students who want advanced and accelerated classes. This would maximize the learning experience of each of the groups.

EdIII · 08-25-2006, 01:28 PM

I think the schools should stick to reading, writing, and arithmatic... not how to use rubbers, or or the correct placement of an IUD... I'm not opposed to some sort of general health class, but stick to the basics... the parents do have a responsability to teach as well, I mean, they had the kids in the first place!

TheOriginalHurt911en · 08-25-2006, 02:12 PM

I don't like how the currect system stresses the importance of tests. I think the currect generation of students are overachievers, partly because of the pressure from the parents, and partly due to failure to realize that money isn't the ultimate pursue in lives.

All the time, you hear things like "Yale graduates earn 30% more than USU graduates" or something like that. It's alwasy about money. I think the right question should be, "do they enjoy their jobs?". <<<This is what the currect system is NOT emphasizing.

Freedom for All · 08-27-2006, 01:10 AM

Well, I see some good ideas here.

First, divorce the teachers unions from the school administration and school boards. The school boards are supposed to represent the community of parents and students, not be pawns of the unions. Does anyone else find it significant that the California Teachers Association was the strongest union in the state, until it was supplanted by the Prison Guards, of all things?

Change the focus on unmerited self-esteem to accomplishment. Real self-esteem follows from real accomplishment, after all. Not one person should be "proud" of the color of their skin, of their genitals (or what they do with them), or anyhing else, unless they personally expended real effort to succeed. This means, among other things, that the concept of "failure" must be re-introduced to the class. It's not like the kids don't understand it, the problem lies with the foolish teachers who think it's not a learning tool.

Personally, I think nothing will stifle the religious yearnings of the young quicker than to teach them about all the major religions on an open comparative and unbiased basis. So let's teach religion in schools. If it's not proselytizing, it should be constitutional, IMO.

There's only about six hours in a school day. Why is that time being wasted with any number of empty politically oriented classes that don't lead to marketable skills or even useful thinking patterns?

And, finally, re-institute the idea that school isn't a right, it's a privelege. If a student can't obey the simple rules of school...you know, don't shoot your fellow students or the teacher, little things like that, they really don't need to be there. Expel the trouble makers so the students who want a real future aren't prevented from earning one by the trash.

Feslin · 08-27-2006, 01:12 AM

I agree with just about everything you said Freedom...