I must admit that I exaggerate a bit when I say our public schools are merely an over-hyped day care center but I'd like to stress that my point is that parents shouldn't rely solely on any school be it private or public. The importance of parents being involved in their child's education cannot be emphasized enough. No one said it'd be easy.
The video documentary "Waiting for Superman", which I'm sure most of everyone has already seen, is a brief insight into America's education system and while I'd agree that this video alone cannot save our children I'd like to add that I doubt very much it was ever meant to work without the help of those who view it.
The video can be seen at Cuevana and may involve downloading a plugin. To get rid of the Spanish captioning you can just hover your mouse over the tool bar within the video at the bottom and click on "ES"...
Here's the link... Cuevana | Inicio Waiting for Superman website Waiting for "Superman" | Official Site | Take Action
I think it's synonymous of our failing education system to see that Washington DC, or our nation's capital, is among the lowest proficiency scores across the country.
Perhaps anyone would like to comment on the video...Or simply express their concerns or their suggestions for America's failing education system...
America's failing education
America's failing education
If Somalia had the same education system would it be considered failing?
America's failing education
YZGI;1381407 wrote: If Somalia had the same education system would it be considered failing?
When all children have the potential of being successful then those that are not have been failed by any system foreign or domestic.
Perhaps you could tell me why you disagree with that statement and we can go from there
When all children have the potential of being successful then those that are not have been failed by any system foreign or domestic.
Perhaps you could tell me why you disagree with that statement and we can go from there
America's failing education
The problem with our education system is proficiency testing.
Teachers used to teach in order to educate. We were taught
to understand what we were learning, learned how to ask questions and to dig for the answers. We had the basics drilled into us as a foundation.
Now the children are taught what will be appearing on the fall and spring proficiency tests.
Teachers used to teach in order to educate. We were taught
to understand what we were learning, learned how to ask questions and to dig for the answers. We had the basics drilled into us as a foundation.
Now the children are taught what will be appearing on the fall and spring proficiency tests.
I expressly forbid the use of any of my posts anywhere outside of FG (with the exception of the incredibly witty 'get a room already' )posted recently.
Folks who'd like to copy my intellectual work should expect to pay me for it.:-6
Folks who'd like to copy my intellectual work should expect to pay me for it.:-6
America's failing education
flopstock;1381410 wrote: The problem with our education system is proficiency testing.
Teachers used to teach in order to educate. We were taught
to understand what we were learning, learned how to ask questions and to dig for the answers. We had the basics drilled into us as a foundation.
Now the children are taught what will be appearing on the fall and spring proficiency tests.Each state creates their own standards for passing each proficiency test and perhaps these standards are meant to coincide with what these kids know on a state by state basis. Meaning there seems to be no overall standard rather one big mess of school districts attempting to save their own asses...
Perhaps even to a greater extent is a trickle down effect to each teacher(Not all of course) who are protected by concrete teacher union laws...
Anyone feel teachers union's are hurting or helping our schools?
Teachers used to teach in order to educate. We were taught
to understand what we were learning, learned how to ask questions and to dig for the answers. We had the basics drilled into us as a foundation.
Now the children are taught what will be appearing on the fall and spring proficiency tests.Each state creates their own standards for passing each proficiency test and perhaps these standards are meant to coincide with what these kids know on a state by state basis. Meaning there seems to be no overall standard rather one big mess of school districts attempting to save their own asses...
Perhaps even to a greater extent is a trickle down effect to each teacher(Not all of course) who are protected by concrete teacher union laws...
Anyone feel teachers union's are hurting or helping our schools?
America's failing education
ScienceDaily (June 1, 2009) — Many children who are retained in kindergarten, first or third grade for academic reasons do not subsequently receive a document outlining the individualized special education services they should receive, according to a new report.
[...]
"Although debates about the value of grade retention abound, the practice, in and of itself, has never been demonstrated to be an effective intervention relative to subsequent academic achievement or socioemotional adjustment," the authors write. "Therefore, some experts in the field believe that retention should be accompanied by focused individualized assessments of children's special education needs. Although our results do not definitely demonstrate that retained children have been denied their rights to such assessments, they raise the question of whether the potential special education needs of retained children, particularly those who demonstrate persistent academic difficulties, are being addressed consistently."Elementary Students Held Back In Early Grades Often Do Not Get Special Education Plan A report worth reading I think...
I honestly think that no child should be retained no matter the circumstance. If it's suspected a child is not on the level of the other children in their grade then the parents should step in(Which should have happened to begin with to avoid such a situation) and the student should receive the necessary attention in order to bring that student to an acceptable level. Holding children back is probably, if not "the", worst thing you can do to the child.
There needs to be a change in the attitudes of this society if America is expected to progress. America is most certainly failing it's obligation and it's been quite some time since anyone hadn't realized it!
[...]
"Although debates about the value of grade retention abound, the practice, in and of itself, has never been demonstrated to be an effective intervention relative to subsequent academic achievement or socioemotional adjustment," the authors write. "Therefore, some experts in the field believe that retention should be accompanied by focused individualized assessments of children's special education needs. Although our results do not definitely demonstrate that retained children have been denied their rights to such assessments, they raise the question of whether the potential special education needs of retained children, particularly those who demonstrate persistent academic difficulties, are being addressed consistently."Elementary Students Held Back In Early Grades Often Do Not Get Special Education Plan A report worth reading I think...
I honestly think that no child should be retained no matter the circumstance. If it's suspected a child is not on the level of the other children in their grade then the parents should step in(Which should have happened to begin with to avoid such a situation) and the student should receive the necessary attention in order to bring that student to an acceptable level. Holding children back is probably, if not "the", worst thing you can do to the child.
There needs to be a change in the attitudes of this society if America is expected to progress. America is most certainly failing it's obligation and it's been quite some time since anyone hadn't realized it!
-
fuzzywuzzy
- Posts: 6596
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:35 pm
America's failing education
K.Snyder;1381405 wrote: I must admit that I exaggerate a bit when I say our public schools are merely an over-hyped day care center but I'd like to stress that my point is that parents shouldn't rely solely on any school be it private or public. The importance of parents being involved in their child's education cannot be emphasized enough. No one said it'd be easy.
The video documentary "Waiting for Superman", which I'm sure most of everyone has already seen, is a brief insight into America's education system and while I'd agree that this video alone cannot save our children I'd like to add that I doubt very much it was ever meant to work without the help of those who view it.
The video can be seen at Cuevana and may involve downloading a plugin. To get rid of the Spanish captioning you can just hover your mouse over the tool bar within the video at the bottom and click on "ES"...
Here's the link... Cuevana | Inicio Waiting for Superman website Waiting for "Superman" | Official Site | Take Action
I think it's synonymous of our failing education system to see that Washington DC, or our nation's capital, is among the lowest proficiency scores across the country.
Perhaps anyone would like to comment on the video...Or simply express their concerns or their suggestions for America's failing education system...
Okay i know how dumb your children are under your education system ...and it's not a critisism .... it's because during the last 20 years they have tried your system here ..and now our kids don't know what's happening around the world ..... they used to, we had test on it . Total overhaul of the education system, teachers have no powers anymore..you suddenly have to pay and get nothing for it.
My grandchildren are doomed unless we offer home education. I never thought that would happen here outside of a religious curriculum..... but alas if you want to educate your children properly private or system ...that's just how it has to be done.
The video documentary "Waiting for Superman", which I'm sure most of everyone has already seen, is a brief insight into America's education system and while I'd agree that this video alone cannot save our children I'd like to add that I doubt very much it was ever meant to work without the help of those who view it.
The video can be seen at Cuevana and may involve downloading a plugin. To get rid of the Spanish captioning you can just hover your mouse over the tool bar within the video at the bottom and click on "ES"...
Here's the link... Cuevana | Inicio Waiting for Superman website Waiting for "Superman" | Official Site | Take Action
I think it's synonymous of our failing education system to see that Washington DC, or our nation's capital, is among the lowest proficiency scores across the country.
Perhaps anyone would like to comment on the video...Or simply express their concerns or their suggestions for America's failing education system...
Okay i know how dumb your children are under your education system ...and it's not a critisism .... it's because during the last 20 years they have tried your system here ..and now our kids don't know what's happening around the world ..... they used to, we had test on it . Total overhaul of the education system, teachers have no powers anymore..you suddenly have to pay and get nothing for it.
My grandchildren are doomed unless we offer home education. I never thought that would happen here outside of a religious curriculum..... but alas if you want to educate your children properly private or system ...that's just how it has to be done.
America's failing education
fuzzywuzzy;1392688 wrote: Okay i know how dumb your children are under your education system ...and it's not a critisism .... it's because during the last 20 years they have tried your system here ..and now our kids don't know what's happening around the world ..... they used to, we had test on it . Total overhaul of the education system, teachers have no powers anymore..you suddenly have to pay and get nothing for it.
My grandchildren are doomed unless we offer home education. I never thought that would happen here outside of a religious curriculum..... but alas if you want to educate your children properly private or system ...that's just how it has to be done. We need another age of enlightenment. I'm quite sure you know what it is it's just that I think it's nice to read on occasion. The Age of Enlightenment (or simply the Enlightenment or Age of Reason) was a cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe and America, whose purpose was to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted science and intellectual interchange and opposed superstition, intolerance and abuses in church and state.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment
My grandchildren are doomed unless we offer home education. I never thought that would happen here outside of a religious curriculum..... but alas if you want to educate your children properly private or system ...that's just how it has to be done. We need another age of enlightenment. I'm quite sure you know what it is it's just that I think it's nice to read on occasion. The Age of Enlightenment (or simply the Enlightenment or Age of Reason) was a cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe and America, whose purpose was to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted science and intellectual interchange and opposed superstition, intolerance and abuses in church and state.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment
America's failing education
K.Snyder;1392640 wrote: A report worth reading I think...
I honestly think that no child should be retained no matter the circumstance. If it's suspected a child is not on the level of the other children in their grade then the parents should step in(Which should have happened to begin with to avoid such a situation) and the student should receive the necessary attention in order to bring that student to an acceptable level. Holding children back is probably, if not "the", worst thing you can do to the child.
There needs to be a change in the attitudes of this society if America is expected to progress. America is most certainly failing it's obligation and it's been quite some time since anyone hadn't realized it!On the same note, I feel that holding a child back is most damaging to their inherent need to understand themselves within the framework of society. It's atrocious that we'd hold a child back based off of the basic skills that our culture currently deems to be the standard by which we define intelligence.
It's absolutely a crime against humanity. And all of it is at the expense of these kids' integrity and understandings of what a human being should be in life.
Elie Maynard Adams is worth a read by anyone and in it is a certain bit that I find to be very relevant.
Pre-school and elementary education is concerned largely with laying foundations. Much of it has to be training in basic skills. It should be for the cultural development of the children's innate powers in accordance with the inherent normative constitution of the human self and in ways that can be justified to them later. Early training should be guided and controlled by the objective of preparing children for responsible self-direction and learning in their more mature years.
Sorry, I do not have a link but the referenced quote is in his book "A Society Fit for Human Beings"
The quote and reality of our education system extends far greater than just a few glitches in a system thought of as separate from our culture and to a very large extent to our every day lives. In the book Adams speaks of the dominance of our strive to control and manipulate our environment for monetary gain and power. This no doubt leads to our priorities becoming those that help us to achieve this at whatever the cost. We also redefine our understanding of our culture and define it in terms of the language we use to achieve these goals. This has lead to our need to define everything in what Adams calls the "scientific conceptual system". This is marked by our need to think of ourselves and the world in terms of it's scientific nature and our desire to relate our scientific based assumptions with our deteriorating need for meaning in our lives.
Other reads would be Adam Smith "Of the Division of Labor" and Karl Marx's "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844"
So long as we as a society define our existence by the scientific conceptual system and ways that control and manipulate our environment for self interest maximization then we will forever impede the inherent right of our children to grow up in a free culture that can only exist with ongoing criticism and reconstruction.
I honestly think that no child should be retained no matter the circumstance. If it's suspected a child is not on the level of the other children in their grade then the parents should step in(Which should have happened to begin with to avoid such a situation) and the student should receive the necessary attention in order to bring that student to an acceptable level. Holding children back is probably, if not "the", worst thing you can do to the child.
There needs to be a change in the attitudes of this society if America is expected to progress. America is most certainly failing it's obligation and it's been quite some time since anyone hadn't realized it!On the same note, I feel that holding a child back is most damaging to their inherent need to understand themselves within the framework of society. It's atrocious that we'd hold a child back based off of the basic skills that our culture currently deems to be the standard by which we define intelligence.
It's absolutely a crime against humanity. And all of it is at the expense of these kids' integrity and understandings of what a human being should be in life.
Elie Maynard Adams is worth a read by anyone and in it is a certain bit that I find to be very relevant.
Pre-school and elementary education is concerned largely with laying foundations. Much of it has to be training in basic skills. It should be for the cultural development of the children's innate powers in accordance with the inherent normative constitution of the human self and in ways that can be justified to them later. Early training should be guided and controlled by the objective of preparing children for responsible self-direction and learning in their more mature years.
Sorry, I do not have a link but the referenced quote is in his book "A Society Fit for Human Beings"
The quote and reality of our education system extends far greater than just a few glitches in a system thought of as separate from our culture and to a very large extent to our every day lives. In the book Adams speaks of the dominance of our strive to control and manipulate our environment for monetary gain and power. This no doubt leads to our priorities becoming those that help us to achieve this at whatever the cost. We also redefine our understanding of our culture and define it in terms of the language we use to achieve these goals. This has lead to our need to define everything in what Adams calls the "scientific conceptual system". This is marked by our need to think of ourselves and the world in terms of it's scientific nature and our desire to relate our scientific based assumptions with our deteriorating need for meaning in our lives.
Other reads would be Adam Smith "Of the Division of Labor" and Karl Marx's "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844"
So long as we as a society define our existence by the scientific conceptual system and ways that control and manipulate our environment for self interest maximization then we will forever impede the inherent right of our children to grow up in a free culture that can only exist with ongoing criticism and reconstruction.
America's failing education
This is one of my pet rants - if a country cannot or will not invest in its children then it will sink without trace.
BTW - Hello stranger, welcome back :-6
BTW - Hello stranger, welcome back :-6
America's failing education
Bryn Mawr;1408053 wrote: This is one of my pet rants - if a country cannot or will not invest in its children then it will sink without trace.
It does not bode well for the future when countries are willing to spend more for prisons than for education.
It does not bode well for the future when countries are willing to spend more for prisons than for education.
America's failing education
Bryn Mawr;1408053 wrote: This is one of my pet rants - if a country cannot or will not invest in its children then it will sink without trace.
BTW - Hello stranger, welcome back :-6Hello there Bryn. I hope you are doing well.
PS: I didn't think I'd left...Wow, is it really 2012!? :yh_rotfl
BTW - Hello stranger, welcome back :-6Hello there Bryn. I hope you are doing well.
PS: I didn't think I'd left...Wow, is it really 2012!? :yh_rotfl
America's failing education
K.Snyder;1408084 wrote: Hello there Bryn. I hope you are doing well.
PS: I didn't think I'd left...Wow, is it really 2012!? :yh_rotfl
Your presence has been missed - report for punishment immediately :wah:
I'm well, if silly busy workwise. How go things with you?
PS: I didn't think I'd left...Wow, is it really 2012!? :yh_rotfl
Your presence has been missed - report for punishment immediately :wah:
I'm well, if silly busy workwise. How go things with you?
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chonsigirl
- Posts: 33633
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:28 am
America's failing education
flopstock;1381410 wrote: The problem with our education system is proficiency testing.
Teachers used to teach in order to educate. We were taught
to understand what we were learning, learned how to ask questions and to dig for the answers. We had the basics drilled into us as a foundation.
Now the children are taught what will be appearing on the fall and spring proficiency tests.
I think with the National Testing coming up, educators are geared towards those tests. It is half and half-job security and teaching the curriculum.
Basics as drills, we do not do that, or at least don't let the prinicipals catch us doing it. They don't want us too.
But we all know you have to learn something and learn it many times before it is there in the mind, to stay.
As the older teachers are phased out over time, there will be less drilling, and I do not know how they will handle higher level thinking. I am going to a meeting on Friday about the things coming down the pike, so I will comment after I hear what is presented.
Teachers used to teach in order to educate. We were taught
to understand what we were learning, learned how to ask questions and to dig for the answers. We had the basics drilled into us as a foundation.
Now the children are taught what will be appearing on the fall and spring proficiency tests.
I think with the National Testing coming up, educators are geared towards those tests. It is half and half-job security and teaching the curriculum.
Basics as drills, we do not do that, or at least don't let the prinicipals catch us doing it. They don't want us too.
But we all know you have to learn something and learn it many times before it is there in the mind, to stay.
As the older teachers are phased out over time, there will be less drilling, and I do not know how they will handle higher level thinking. I am going to a meeting on Friday about the things coming down the pike, so I will comment after I hear what is presented.
-
Kathy Ellen
- Posts: 10569
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:04 pm
America's failing education
chonsigirl;1408109 wrote: I think with the National Testing coming up, educators are geared towards those tests. It is half and half-job security and teaching the curriculum.
Basics as drills, we do not do that, or at least don't let the prinicipals catch us doing it. They don't want us too.
But we all know you have to learn something and learn it many times before it is there in the mind, to stay.
As the older teachers are phased out over time, there will be less drilling, and I do not know how they will handle higher level thinking. I am going to a meeting on Friday about the things coming down the pike, so I will comment after I hear what is presented.
It's already here Chonsi as of last year, and it's mega awful!!!!!
Basics as drills, we do not do that, or at least don't let the prinicipals catch us doing it. They don't want us too.
But we all know you have to learn something and learn it many times before it is there in the mind, to stay.
As the older teachers are phased out over time, there will be less drilling, and I do not know how they will handle higher level thinking. I am going to a meeting on Friday about the things coming down the pike, so I will comment after I hear what is presented.
It's already here Chonsi as of last year, and it's mega awful!!!!!
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chonsigirl
- Posts: 33633
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:28 am
America's failing education
Oh my, I was afraid of that.
America's failing education
Bryn Mawr;1408095 wrote: Your presence has been missed - report for punishment immediately :wah:
I'm well, if silly busy workwise. How go things with you?I'm quite busy myself with my 19 month old and my attempt to learn a few things from time to time. I need to have her learn English as soon as possible if that's going to work out in my favor.
I'm well, if silly busy workwise. How go things with you?I'm quite busy myself with my 19 month old and my attempt to learn a few things from time to time. I need to have her learn English as soon as possible if that's going to work out in my favor.
America's failing education
chonsigirl;1408109 wrote:
But we all know you have to learn something and learn it many times before it is there in the mind, to stay.
As the older teachers are phased out over time, there will be less drilling, and I do not know how they will handle higher level thinking. I am going to a meeting on Friday about the things coming down the pike, so I will comment after I hear what is presented.
In his book, Adams suggests that our society[modern western civilization] has developed a mode of thinking that emphasizes the economical aspect of life, which is to say that we seek knowledge in a way that allows us to "gain mastery over the environmental conditions of our society". This means that we place our emphasis on monetary wealth and the power to protect it. It's a much deeper issue that lays at the center of our culture and when I'd suggested earlier in the thread that we needed a new "age of enlightenment" perhaps didn't speak of what I too feel is a problem with our culture and ultimately how we're affecting the moral and intellectual character of our children.
Adams makes very, very good arguments and I would recommend anyone that feels alienated from this society of greed and want to give it a read.
It speaks of the subjectivism as a result of our redefining our "value language" in terms of these goals modern western society has placed it's emphasis on. This subjectivism goes further to perpetuate the disparity between multiculturalism and civic unity in a way that prevents us from uniting under one democracy so that we may share in our "lived experiences"[1] and ultimately the values we come to terms with that is necessary in reasoned and informed consensus. Obviously reasoned and informed consensus is the most crucial aspect of a free society and if we can carry this over in to our schools we will see a benefit not only for society but our children that will grow in ways to ensure that such a society is preserved.
What's more, Adams claims that if we're to change this mode of thought that plagues our culture we must ensure our children grow in a joyous environment "in a culture that generates a sense of their own self-worth and of their proper place in the world, a sense of what their identity and status require of them in their circumstances, self-confidence as they develop and exercise their powers, faith that (for the most part) the world works or can be made to work for those who approach it in the right way and do their part, and aspirations and commitments that are worthy of them as human beings and the individuals they are."
[1] Adams speaks of "lived experiences" being the experiences in one's life that requires a value judgement which lends itself to how we shape our self-concept. Our self-concept, as noted earlier, is how we as human beings determine how we ought to live and ought to be in terms of the circumstances that arise from within our society.
An important thing to note here is that this book does not speak in the context of an implied psychological issue rather one of a deep philosophical perplexity that we face as our definitions of values become more and more perverted by our emphasis on monetary wealth and power. Psychology is one of many other areas of thought that has been redefined by our naturalistic view of ourselves and our world in such a way that does not help shape how we can resolve the very issue that led us as a society to look to psychiatrists and sociologists to explain to us the reasons behind the issues we face rather than give us insight to how we fix it.
Adams posits, that all human beings are knowledge-seeking individuals that serve to create meaning and purpose in their lives through self-reflection and criticism. He suggests that these tendencies play themselves out in our relationships that help us construct not only who we are as human beings, but also how we organize and live our lives in society. Adams further argues, that all human beings have a right to be brought up in a way that one can freely appropriate, cope with, and structure their lives through a culture developed out of such ongoing criticism and reconstruction. I agree with Adams when he suggests it’s imperative for children to be extended this freedom, so they may grow in such a way that strengthens not only who they are as human beings, but also how this may enhance a unified democratic society.
Without a connection on the most fundamental level of humanity, we become easily thwarted and depressed. Without a free and shared culture, we as human beings become passive, our goals become meaningless, and our lives, as Adams states, become, at best, “a tale told by an idiot.
But we all know you have to learn something and learn it many times before it is there in the mind, to stay.
As the older teachers are phased out over time, there will be less drilling, and I do not know how they will handle higher level thinking. I am going to a meeting on Friday about the things coming down the pike, so I will comment after I hear what is presented.
In his book, Adams suggests that our society[modern western civilization] has developed a mode of thinking that emphasizes the economical aspect of life, which is to say that we seek knowledge in a way that allows us to "gain mastery over the environmental conditions of our society". This means that we place our emphasis on monetary wealth and the power to protect it. It's a much deeper issue that lays at the center of our culture and when I'd suggested earlier in the thread that we needed a new "age of enlightenment" perhaps didn't speak of what I too feel is a problem with our culture and ultimately how we're affecting the moral and intellectual character of our children.
Adams makes very, very good arguments and I would recommend anyone that feels alienated from this society of greed and want to give it a read.
It speaks of the subjectivism as a result of our redefining our "value language" in terms of these goals modern western society has placed it's emphasis on. This subjectivism goes further to perpetuate the disparity between multiculturalism and civic unity in a way that prevents us from uniting under one democracy so that we may share in our "lived experiences"[1] and ultimately the values we come to terms with that is necessary in reasoned and informed consensus. Obviously reasoned and informed consensus is the most crucial aspect of a free society and if we can carry this over in to our schools we will see a benefit not only for society but our children that will grow in ways to ensure that such a society is preserved.
What's more, Adams claims that if we're to change this mode of thought that plagues our culture we must ensure our children grow in a joyous environment "in a culture that generates a sense of their own self-worth and of their proper place in the world, a sense of what their identity and status require of them in their circumstances, self-confidence as they develop and exercise their powers, faith that (for the most part) the world works or can be made to work for those who approach it in the right way and do their part, and aspirations and commitments that are worthy of them as human beings and the individuals they are."
[1] Adams speaks of "lived experiences" being the experiences in one's life that requires a value judgement which lends itself to how we shape our self-concept. Our self-concept, as noted earlier, is how we as human beings determine how we ought to live and ought to be in terms of the circumstances that arise from within our society.
An important thing to note here is that this book does not speak in the context of an implied psychological issue rather one of a deep philosophical perplexity that we face as our definitions of values become more and more perverted by our emphasis on monetary wealth and power. Psychology is one of many other areas of thought that has been redefined by our naturalistic view of ourselves and our world in such a way that does not help shape how we can resolve the very issue that led us as a society to look to psychiatrists and sociologists to explain to us the reasons behind the issues we face rather than give us insight to how we fix it.
Adams posits, that all human beings are knowledge-seeking individuals that serve to create meaning and purpose in their lives through self-reflection and criticism. He suggests that these tendencies play themselves out in our relationships that help us construct not only who we are as human beings, but also how we organize and live our lives in society. Adams further argues, that all human beings have a right to be brought up in a way that one can freely appropriate, cope with, and structure their lives through a culture developed out of such ongoing criticism and reconstruction. I agree with Adams when he suggests it’s imperative for children to be extended this freedom, so they may grow in such a way that strengthens not only who they are as human beings, but also how this may enhance a unified democratic society.
Without a connection on the most fundamental level of humanity, we become easily thwarted and depressed. Without a free and shared culture, we as human beings become passive, our goals become meaningless, and our lives, as Adams states, become, at best, “a tale told by an idiot.
America's failing education
Perhaps it's symptomatic of a country that thinks everything has a monetary value and cannot of itself be worthwhile unless you can put such a value on it. Valuing education of it's youth for it's own sake and for the greater good and that access to it is fundamental right everyone should have is a fundamental liberal ideal that many can't or won't get their heads round and the right in America seems to reject the concept out of hand. (and our plonker politicians as well) . A Good education system is something that takes many years to get right but less than a decade to ruin. Funny how there is always money for war but people question the amount going for education or health
Maybe it's not a new problem.
Eight crazy things Americans believe about foreign affairs - Americas - World - The Independent
Maybe it's not a new problem.
Eight crazy things Americans believe about foreign affairs - Americas - World - The Independent
America's failing education
And then there is the strange case of Minnesota
Coursera provides free online education courses in conjunction with 33 major universities such as Stanford, Columbia, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, etc. Minnesota has notified Coursera that they are not allowed to offer free online courses to residents of that state. What a noble goal - to protect its citizens from taking free university courses online.
Minnesota bans Coursera: State takes bold stand against free education.
Coursera provides free online education courses in conjunction with 33 major universities such as Stanford, Columbia, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, etc. Minnesota has notified Coursera that they are not allowed to offer free online courses to residents of that state. What a noble goal - to protect its citizens from taking free university courses online.
Minnesota bans Coursera: State takes bold stand against free education.