From: charlie
Date: 10/21/03
Time: 9:14:55 PM
Remote Name: 209.240.198.61
Jasper,
I feel that a lot of the school shootings and the bullying incidents are directly connected to the sheer disaster that is public high school these days.
It has no "meaning' for so many. Unlike when we were in school there are even more namby pamby things going on. More everybody in the same hole. It is ridiculous.
I feel that the school systems did everybody in society a disservice when they went away from the vocational schools that were available.
When I went to school, there were tracks--business, general, college bound, vocational etc. It did not keep you from going to college if you were not in the college bound track if you ended up wanting to go. I was in the business track and ended up going into business but switched to education after the first year.
Not everybody is an academic and not everybody is suited for an "office' job or a "paperwork" job. And thank goodness for that.
There are people who are "happy' to be a truck driver or a construction worker or in lawn care service, etc. because it gets them outside to work.
You and I differ with the vouchers because we have a different concept about public schools. Even though I taught in public schools for 27 years--I do not think that they are the be all and end all for all people nor should people be "forced" into them...and have little to no say in where they go to schools. And vouchers don't necessarily mean that the kid will leave public school for private schools---just that they will change schools.
One of the biggest problems in the public schools are those who are there who do not want to be there and make it a career to disturb and ruin it for everybody else. There is nothing right nor fair about that. And so I don't see why a child MUST be subjected to this if they want to go to a school where there are rules and regs that keep this sort of kid out of their sphere. It is in the Constitution that we have the right to free assembly with other people. We can pick and chose who we socialize or work with. Why can't kids have that choice?
Some schools are dangerous even to attend.
I think there would be more competition and more creative ways of teaching if there were vouchers.
What I fear about vouchers is that the schools (private or church) will fall under the rules and regs set up by the Government if they participate. Therefore, ruining ALL schools rather than just public schools with the Mickey Mouse crap that goes on.
WE aren't going to change each others minds on this either.
But I think a kid (and family) should be able to chose if they want a school that wears uniforms, or has a 'contract" with students and parents like the Magnet Traditional schools, or schools for the Arts, or schools that stress other areas like Math or writing.
A child who NEEDS structure and quiet to work should be able to go to a school that supplies that.
A child happy with group work and the outcome based education crap should be able to go there.
There should be more choice in these areas.
And if the child has absolutely no interest in academics and is most happy with vocational things--let them go there.
And throwing more money at the situation--does not help either. If you want change--change the programs and the curriculum and the methods.
charlie