The possible and impossible of education
I posted most of this in a thread regarding education in LBN. I feel it deserves its own thread, so here I post.
Right now I feel that the American education system is fatally flawed. It seems we try to do as little as possible with the least amount of money and for that matter without coherent planning or leadership.
There is no plan. No child left behind is not a plan. It is a scheme to destabilize an already unstable system. There is very little money. Every year budgets go down because of lack of funding. Some people say (republic-pigs) that money has nothing to do with it. I only agree to the extent that it is not only money that is lacking but leadership and resources as well.
It is about resources and money as well as leadership. We spend untold billions of dollars and assign at least as much in resources on killing and controlling people in endless wars and yet as a nation we cannot find it in our hearts to devote as much to the education of our children. That shows a lack of leadership...a lack of vision.
There are many options we could explore. Teachers with complicated curriculum's should be assigned Teachers Assistants to aid in grading and assist in guiding students in assignments. It is crucial to get the student teacher ratios to a realistic balance.
Advanced Placement Students should have the opportunity to attend special advanced classes. Children with higher IQ's need to be given challenges that suit their strengths.
Children who are musically or artistically inclined should have dedicated academies they can be bussed to that offer prep classes that lead to Masters Skills in the arts. It is important to not only stress Math, Science and Reading but the Arts as well.
Classes should be offered in Industrial Arts: Auto Repair, Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Welding and other skills that can begin at the High School Level.
Not all children want or need a college-centric curriculum. Many students would love to learn a trade skill that can lead to higher incomes without the benefit of a degree.
Free Lunch and Transportation Should be available to all students.Certainly we can do this. We can afford to do this if we just cut back on bombs and bullet. For every woman or child we neglect to kill overseas we can feed hundreds of or own children here in the United States.
Special Needs students should receive as much funding as they need to not only teach personal skills but also how to navigate in their cities. I have often heard people blame these children for the lack of funding available to advanced students. This is untrue we have enough money for all. We just prefer to spend that money on other things.
Physical Education should continue to be offered not just as simple calisthenics but also in a variety of team sports available not just for boys but for girls too.
In this country and in the administration of this country we would rather spend our money elsewhere. Such a pity...such a waste. As in so many other areas that we are concerned with as Democrats, real answers are neither addressed nor even acknowledged. We are living in an intellectual vacuum created by our leaders and the media.
It is not just about money. Without money, resources and leadership together, nothing is possible.
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