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Politics : Mainstream Politics and Economics -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steve Lokness who wrote (7762)	1/30/2012 11:06:15 AM
From: Bearcatbob	2 Recommendations Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 85487

Well Steve, I think we agree 100% for a change. Now - how do you fix it? Well - I always look to markets. Empower the parents to direct the monies allocated for the education of their children to the institutions of learning of their choice. Now - I recognize that leaves a hard core of difficult students behind. There is the question. However, it would put students who want to learn in an environment where learning is possible instead of a general cesspool. Private institutions would have to meet some basic standards of curricula - but only to specify what is included - not what is excluded. This would end the monopoly of teacher unions and truly free the system - which of course would cheer the teachers because they always say - "it is about the children". Bob

To: Steve Lokness who wrote (7762)	1/30/2012 11:12:59 AM
From: grusum	1 Recommendation Respond to of 85487

I'm all for eliminating the Dept of education - yes, we really need to do that. as I think education needs to be controlled at the local level. yes, infinitely better at the local level. but even better without any government control. we got better education when communities got together and built schools or rented old buildings and refitted them for education. today it would be even easier. parents made sure the best teachers were hired, and the best curriculum installed. education was offered but not forced. the parents were the ones that forced the kids to go. and trouble makers were dealt with swiftly and harshly. it was easy to get expelled. and with today's software, kids can learn at an exponential rate. AI will know where the student is weak by the answers they give. I don't want my child educated on a curriculum from a Georgia President for instance. yes, it should be your choice as the parent. But, ...Sooooooo, if it is not at the federal level, how do we correct it so it works? you, the parent will know your child needs to be taught the basics. you'll find the best way to do that with a combination of computer software and teachers. the software will continually improve to where the teacher will eventually be there just for discipline and the children's safety. a free market in education will bring the best teachers and the best software to the front. the only thing you have to do is trust that it will.

To: Steve Lokness who wrote (7762)	1/30/2012 4:26:17 PM
From: Little Joe	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 85487

"Stating the obvious; it's not education that is bad it is that something in how we do it that is wrong. I'm all for eliminating the Dept of education - as I think education needs to be controlled at the local level. I don't want my child educated on a curriculum from a Georgia President for instance. But, ...Sooooooo, if it is not at the federal level, how do we correct it so it works?" I wish I knew the answer. I graduated high school in 1961 and the problems were beginning then. I went to a Catholic Elementry School for 8 years and in 9th grade I attended an elite public high school. My familiy moved to another school district and for the first time in my life, I little homework. About 1/2 of my teachers were poor to mediocre and some teachers couldn't maintain order in the classroom. The Catholic School I attended was in a poor neighborhood, a dilapidated building and old books. Many of the children including myself were from broken homes, had drunken parents, etc. 1/2 of the students came from an orphanage. Despite these handicaps I guarantee you every chile in that school could read, write, and do arithmetic. The ones who I followed after school got good jobs or opened small businesses, etc. Education is not new, we have been doing it for thousands of years. We did it well in America in the past. I think we need to look at what worked then, what is working now and combine the two: I suspect the final solution would be something like: 1. Get rid of fed. dept of ed and give the money to the local school districts. 2. Get rid of State dept of ed and give the money to the local school districts. 3. Emplower teachers and local schools to enforce discipline in the school. No one ever talks about this problem but if kids don't come to school they will not learn. If kids are beating up the teachers the other kids will not learn. lj