Will Obama Really Fix Education?

[southern yankee]

Originally Posted by Lon

Unfortunately, that is true of many adults as well.

Maybe you are right Lon. But either way it is Pitiful

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by southern yankee

Something has to be done. My child graduated from high school in 00. But we have neighbors their children are still in Jr. & high school. It is horrible how under equipped these schools are!! Last year a friend of mine. the teacher would have to run off. pages for students to study. Because there were not enough books to go around. They are more concerned on the uniforms. the color of the coat. If it has a hood or not. Then if the student is prepared for the next grade. Pitiful La. i know ranks 49th in education. Which is a embarrassment in it self. The local university. Had the nick name of University of slow learners. We are one state who has the LEAP test for 5th and 9th graders. one test determines if they fail or pass that grade. If they fail there is a summer school class, they can take to prepare them. to take it again. But as a whole nation. We are a embarrassment compared to the other industrial nations, Children know who Brittney Spears is. But they have no clue of what the vice Presidents name is??

We call the same test TAKS here. If a ninth grader doesn't pass the reading TAKS he doesn't go on to high school. ... BUT the middle schools don't want to hurt the kid's self-esteem so they pass them anyway. I don't get how they can do that, but the reason is clear: stats! The middle schools get to look good because such a large number of their students pass, but the high schools look bad because the kids' scores are so low. Of course they're low; over half of our freshmen are in remedial reading classes while trying to struggle through literature, biology, world geography.

Stats drive the budgets, and the districts & schools forget that the budgets are there to help the students succeed.

[Violetmay]

All politicians make promises to the electorate, to be elected. But some look they are just talking the talk, but you know can't walk the walk. I believe he believes he can do it or bust a gut trying.

Anyone who puts themselves in the frame as a politician, esp on the scale of an American presidential election, deserves the chance to prove themselves don't they?

If they clearly hash things up, or have inherited a right pile of pooh, and all they can really do is a first aid job, isn't it good that someone is trying to do the right thing.

Like I said I don't know what is going on socially or politically in the states, so am not qualified to speak really, esp as there are so many states with such a diverse range of cultures therein. However he seems genuine, intelligent, and at the moment fresh for the fight to resolve the issues he has taken on.

[southern yankee]

Originally Posted by Violetmay

All politicians make promises to the electorate, to be elected. But some look they are just talking the talk, but you know can't walk the walk. I believe he believes he can do it or bust a gut trying.

Anyone who puts themselves in the frame as a politician, esp on the scale of an American presidential election, deserves the chance to prove themselves don't they?

If they clearly hash things up, or have inherited a right pile of pooh, and all they can really do is a first aid job, isn't it good that someone is trying to do the right thing.

Like I said I don't know what is going on socially or politically in the states, so am not qualified to speak really, esp as there are so many states with such a diverse range of cultures therein. However he seems genuine, intelligent, and at the moment fresh for the fight to resolve the issues he has taken on.

i am i wrong?/ doesn't Obama plan for his girls to go to PRIVATE schools??

[Violetmay]

Originally Posted by southern yankee

i am i wrong?/ doesn't Obama plan for his girls to go to PRIVATE schools??

I don't know. See my disclaimer, ''Am not an expert on american politics''. This means I know little or nothing on the subject. But please feel free to teach me, cos I am genuinely interested.

If this is the case, I can see why this would send signals of, ''hypercritisim'', (is that a word I have made up). But maybe until state schools are of a standard he is happy with, he will send them there. When he removes them from the private schools, to demonstrate his faith in state education will be the acid test.

In the u.k we have labour m.p's who also take a similar stand, yet lead a lifestyle that reflects and I have to think about this, is it more republican? [someone help me on that .. I am looking for the conversion of 'conservativism'', to american] . And this with other signals lead us as the electorate or nonelectorate, to question whether our new labour was actually watered down conservative.

But with the privilege of living in the Whitehouse, the comfort, staff, lifestyle, and yes sending children to proven successful educational places, whether private or not, goes with the territory of the title. So does a president of liberal or democratic standards, have to decline this, to show he is still one of the people? Or do people accept some of the trappings that go with the role?

Sorry I went on.

[southern yankee]

Originally Posted by Violetmay

I don't know. See my disclaimer, ''Am not an expert on american politics''. This means I know little or nothing on the subject. But please feel free to teach me, cos I am genuinely interested.

If this is the case, I can see why this would send signals of, ''hypercritisim'', (is that a word I have made up). But maybe until state schools are of a standard he is happy with, he will send them there. When he removes them from the private schools, to demonstrate his faith in state education will be the acid test.

In the u.k we have labour m.p's who also take a similar stand, yet lead a lifestyle that reflects and I have to think about this, is it more republican? [someone help me on that .. I am looking for the conversion of 'conservativism'', to american] . And this with other signals lead us as the electorate or nonelectorate, to question whether our new labour was actually watered down conservative.

But with the privilege of living in the Whitehouse, the comfort, staff, lifestyle, and yes sending children to proven successful educational places, whether private or not, goes with the territory of the title. So does a president of liberal or democratic standards, have to decline this, to show he is still one of the people? Or do people accept some of the trappings that go with the role?

Sorry I went on.

but that is thing here. if you don't trust the school system to send your kids there. then. i don't know if there will be much change, with other choices??

[Violetmay]

Originally Posted by southern yankee

but that is thing here. if you don't trust the school system to send your kids there. then. i don't know if there will be much change, with other choices??

Well. Here's the thing, his aim is to reform or improve education, sorry state education, and have no faith in it's current condition, you try to change it. Then you use it. I know I sound naive there, but maybe that is his aim. But I do see your point. Like I said many Brit M.P's of left/democratic lean still use the public school system. {that is private education}.

This is interesting.

[southern yankee]

Originally Posted by violetmay

well. Here's the thing, his aim is to reform or improve education, sorry state education, and have no faith in it's current condition, you try to change it. Then you use it. I know i sound naive there, but maybe that is his aim. But i do see your point. Like i said many brit m.p's of left/democratic lean still use the public school system. {that is private education}.

This is interesting.

very sad

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by Violetmay

Anyone who puts themselves in the frame as a politician, esp on the scale of an American presidential election, deserves the chance to prove themselves don't they?

Absolutely, but when the reputation is already there of saying one thing and doing another, we have to take note of where he sends his own kids to school. He may be interested, but is he committed?

Originally Posted by Violetmay

If they clearly hash things up, or have inherited a right pile of pooh, and all they can really do is a first aid job, isn't it good that someone is trying to do the right thing.

I argue that he's not trying to do the right thing. Neither was Bush, when it comes to education. Decisions and commitments regarding our kids' educations need to be kept at the closest possible level where priorities can be assessed and changed quickly as situations demand. Giving such monumental responsibility to slow disinterested bureaucracies is stupid.

Originally Posted by Violetmay

If this is the case, I can see why this would send signals of, ''hypercritisim'', (is that a word I have made up). But maybe until state schools are of a standard he is happy with, he will send them there. When he removes them from the private schools, to demonstrate his faith in state education will be the acid test.

One of the main issues the republican party supports is to permit parents to send their children to a different school if the one in their neighborhood is substandard. Obama's party is against such "no brainer" ideas, yet he does it himself. He rails against the rich, then follows their examples.

Originally Posted by Violetmay

But with the privilege of living in the Whitehouse, the comfort, staff, lifestyle, and yes sending children to proven successful educational places, whether private or not, goes with the territory of the title. So does a president of liberal or democratic standards, have to decline this, to show he is still one of the people? Or do people accept some of the trappings that go with the role?

Sorry I went on.

I like your going on.
My answer is yes, he should be willing to live as he wants his constituents to live. The White House with all its trappings are there to impress the rest of the world, not the US citizens. Remember that when we became a nation, all others were ruled by kings with the trappings of kings, who were impressed by glittery things as much as anything else. I think that the closer a US President shows himself to be to a "normal" guy, the more support he will get from the people.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by southern yankee

i am i wrong?/ doesn't Obama plan for his girls to go to PRIVATE schools??

Yup. That's what the article indicates.