From: charlie
Date: 10/19/03
Time: 7:46:11 AM
Remote Name: 209.240.198.62
Jean, The problem is that this kind of stuff is not seriously discussed. It is too UN-PC to be talked about in the education field. You see all the time where some teacher is suspended or fired for even trying to have a discussion about it.
There is as I said --the schools in general are no great shakes--even in the high income areas. Too much PC stuff going on and too much "play and games" at school. The difference in performance at the schools comes in when the parents have high expectations (want their kids to have successful careers) and what they don't learn at school, the parents teach then or they hire a tutor.
You don't get that for the most part in the ghettos or projects or very poor areas--whether it is white, black or whatever. Same happens here in Eastern Kentucky.
There are successful ghetto schools---but they are rare. They are the ones who are magnet schools or charter schools where the parents are cooperative and the kids either cooperate or have to leave and go to another school.
We had better public schools (for all races) back in the time where the parents had the attitude that the schools had power over the kids and the parents backed them up.
I sure know, I was raised with the teacher is right and if you (me) get in trouble at school, you will also be in trouble at home.
Today, it is more--how dare you keep my child from recess --no matter what the kid has done. And you can't keep my child from priviledges--I'll sue. Doesn't matter that the kid is hell on wheels at school or that he/she is doing NO school work.
Until these discussions are allowed--freely--the problems will stay.
And although you can have some isolated success--unless the home/church/and politcal community sees the problem and gets in there to help---there won't be much success.
charlie