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Multi-Track Twelve Month School Term for Clay Community Schools?Posted Sunday, November 9, 2008, at 10:22 AM
Recently, there appeared a notice of a hearing on a feasibility study on the possibility of Clay Community Schools adopting a multi-track twelve month school term. I sent an e-mail to the superintendant, assistant superintendant, and the curriculum coordinator requesting more information; but have yet to receive a reply so I decided to look it up on the internet.
Public school corporations in Indiana are required, by law, to be in session one hundred and eighty days; that is, to provide one hundred and eighty days of possible instructional time. To meet the requirements, it takes almost nine calendar months. A multi-track twelve month school term means that our schools would be operating year round; however, it does not mean that every student would be attending year round. From http://www.ericdigests.org/2001-3/year.h... "In a multi-track 45/15 design, students are normally divided into four groups. During a 12-week period, all students receive nine weeks of instruction and three weeks of vacation, but only three of the four groups are in school at one time, while the fourth group is on vacation. When the vacation group returns, another group leaves for a three-week vacation. Thus, in the multi-track configuration, the enrollment in existing schools can be increased by one-third, or, alternatively, current class size can be reduced (Minnesota, 1999). Moreover, money which would otherwise have been spent on construction of new schools may be utilized to pay additional salary to teachers who elect to extend their contract on the multi-track year-round schedule. Therefore, the annual income of these teachers can conceivably be increased by one-third, and the effective supply of teachers can be increased by one-third (Liebman, 1959). Although each schedule has unique benefits and challenges for the teaching staff, neither schedule implies that the teacher will be working the entire year." Let's discuss the pros and cons of this idea. Educationally, I see a benefit in the shorter vacations; the students do not have as much time to forget what they have learned. I see that our classrooms could be utilized year-round; lessening the need to provide more classrooms and possibly reducing class sizes so that more instruction could be provided to each student. As noted above, the annual income of teachers "can conceivably be increased." There is also the possibility of expanding our offered curriculum, more opportunity for remedial instruction time as the students requiring it could potentially attend school "off-track" and, optimistically, the potential to raise our high school graduation rates over the ninety percent level. Some of the possible drawbacks of a multi-track school term are increased costs, scheduling problems or conflicts, negative impact on families, negative impact on the community, and safety issues. Transportation, house-keeping, cafeteria labor costs increase by one fourth. Bus replacement must also increase as the buses must run their routes year-round vice three-fourths of the year. Effectively, this moves the requirement of funding from the Debt Service and Capitol Projects funds, for the cost of construction of facilities, to operating costs out of the General Fund with additional funding needed in the Bus Replacement Fund. On the part of the schools, scheduling of classes is even now a challenge; but a multi-track schedule would affect that only a little, as I see it. It may well improve that situation. The scheduling of snow make up days and the requirement to extend the school year if we exceed our snow make up days for the winter tracks could pose a problem. Projects that have been scheduled during the summer hiatus, such as bus inspection preparation, computer replacement and air-conditioning installation, would now occur concurrently with the educational process. However, on the level of the family, it would be likely that children would be on different tracks. That poses a potentially difficult decision for parents, wishing to take a family vacation of a week or two, of which child to take out of class to do so. The same situation could also affect the family budget when one child is required to attend school and another is not by raising child-care costs when an older sibling babysits a younger one or both would have normally been in school at the same time. On the community level, there is the increased school bus traffic every morning and there is also the potential safety issue as many travelers through our area would not expect to round a corner and find a flashing and stopped school bus on the roadway in the summer time. It may well be prudent to erect signage throughout our school district warning motorists that or buses would be on the road year round to lessen the risk of traffic accidents. Educationally, I would prefer to move to a single track school term, which is year round attendance with several short vacation periods. It is maximum education, but it costs money. Multi track attendance can work, it is being used elsewhere. It can work for us as well, if we recognize that it is not without its own set of problems, find out what they are, and devise solutions before they crop up to throw us into turmoil. We won't find every problem until we put the system in motion, but we can solve the ones that we can see from the outside before we move to the inside. Frankly, I am undecided on this at the present. I am looking for more facts and would welcome opinions based on research and facts. Let's explore the pros and cons that you see. Leo L. Southworth Aka: FlyinLion Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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Personally, I would be strongly against the twelve month structure ~ besides the headaches caused to parents plus the increase on the system's budget ~ My main concern is when do kids just get to be kids ~ vacations are already shorter & days are longer since I was in school ~ and we appeared to learn a great deal way back then ~
In the words of the immortal philospher Deap Throat, follow the money. Who'd pay?
I am not in favor of this. I agree with Karebabe... when do kids get to be kids? As a band parent, I see this as a nightmare! As a non band parent... I want time off for vacations and the lazy days of summer!
It's a no for my vote!
Band students make a choice to be a part of that activity. If they have no life, as many claim, then they should have researched the time commitment before signing up.
For the overall good of all the students, this would be a good thing. Implementing it may be another. The temptation for kids to skip when their buddies are on their "vacation" seems to be a problem with this setup.
If someone could produce data that shows that learning improves with this setup, then I would be for it. I do not know if that exists or not.
Bruther:
Learning will improve when actions of parents and other mentors in the community reflect the true importance of education. Via the success of the marching band, we have proven that kids can work hard and sacrifice free time to something they feel is worth going after. We just have to convince both students and their parents as well as tax payers and government officials that this type of effort, monetary support, and mentoring is essential in all other areas of education as well. I think there are pros and cons to having school in session year round. A lot of money could be shifted towards actual academics from physical plant which I am in favor of but it would be a tough sell, especially in this community which by its vote has shown to be resistant to change, even if it benefits the community with a higher degree of literacy and better employability [is that a Bushism?-grin]. Good education costs money and even our lack of county wide support for a library shows our lack of support for county wide education and literacy. If we can't wrap ourselves around the idea of just supporting a 7 period day in our high schools to allow access to ALL the county's students or capping class size to allow for more teacher student contact, I don't see full year school having a chance locally. If each of us would pay the added amount in taxes that it costs in gas, car payments, and insurance, for our kids to drive to school for early bird and send them all to school on the bus, we could do it. Instead we complain that our taxes are too high and allow them to buy cars and then have them waste their time supporting the car instead of investing in taking more challenging courses to better prepare for their future. The car will be gone in 5 years and they will STILL need that education they missed out on.
Recently there has been a documentary shown on PBS stations comparing Carmel Indiana high school to one in Bangalore India and one in Shanghi China that shows Carmel as lagging far behind. If one of the best high schools in the country is sub par to global standards, we had better re think what our kids need from education and stop being so nostalgic over what they would miss if it would change. We are going to have to shift our priorities in order to give our kids a better chance at competing. There are plenty of kids who do fine without being in marching band, who don't have cars, nor the part time job that supports their car. We as parents need to stop listening to the whining about kids having to ride the bus [which we are paying for] and tell the kids to spend the time studying instead of flipping burgers to pay for gas in their cars. Then there will still be time for them to be kids. A part time job that only pays for the transportation to get to that job sort of defeats the purpose does it not?
With planning, family vacations are possible at any times of year and maybe even preferable off season to those who grow crops. 4H programs should be all year anyhow like scouting so the emphasis is more on responsibility for their livestock project instead of only the culmination at county fair.
No, I'm not wasting my time trying to promote full year education in this community as many people are not yet fully aware that they are already trading away their childrens' future to fully reach their potential by clinging to nostalgia and ignoring the train of global competition coming straight at them down the tracks. People, go to the internet and do a google search for global competition and career competition. Then come back and tell me that a vacation during the summer is more important. Better yet, try to find a copy of that public TV program comparing Carmel's school to the other two mentioned and then tell me that things are fine the way they are.
We've already shown that kids can multi task with a full schedule with their part time job and extracurricular activities. Cut out just one of those things and have them focus more on their academic preparation for their future and we will be doing them a lot more good.
Each of us has choices. My kids still have time to be kids and still would if we went to full year school. Sure they would like their own car. Sure they would like a part time job for pocket money. Sure they would like cable TV, Nintendos and Wiis. But I would rather use my money and their time in other ways. It would be a bit different with all year school, yes and we would have to adjust. We adjust now to the changing competition or we adjust later when they aren't properly prepared to compete for jobs.
It's ultimately our choice and our choice now will effect them for their entire life. This is what we have to realize as well as have them realize. What they choose now will limit or expand their choices in the future. Same with our choices and the wealth of our community as a whole.
Have a good day.
Bruther... i do not understand your comment. I made no reference to band kids not having a life. I just meant i don't see how it would work for them
One question ~ Jenny, Leo & Bruthers ~ do you have children in the system now and will you still have children in the system when this plan could possibly be implemented? As a parent of two elementary aged children I think folks that will actually be facing this issue are the ones to be concerned ~
Karebabe:
Good question. I may not answer the way you would expect... Yes I still have 2 kids in Clay Community schools...To be honest I don't believe that they will still be in the system when we finally get a 7 period day [I would love to be pleasantly surprised and wrong about this]. Never mind an all year school. Look at my comments carefully though. I am not ready to put a lot of effort into campaigning for an all year system. I have been campaigning for a higher level of academics to be available for ALL of the students since I moved here 13 years ago. From all day kindergarten for ALL the kids to raising the ceiling for those at higher end of the group so we could allow the academically gifted students to achieve to their full potential. These students were being ignored due to the fact that this was one area that was not mandated by government. Keeping the ceiling too low keeps all at the "average" level without external augmentation in their educational career. Some progress has been made but the world is progressing faster than Clay County is. What parents need to be doing NOW with the school we already have available is making choices that will benefit their kids the most now while campaigning to eventually make it better for all of the students as some will never have parent advocates. However if we only campaign for our own children we are not being wise about the future of our community [state, country, world] as it will never improve until the economic level of a good majority of its inhabitants improve. It will not thrive until a higher percentage of families in it thrive. We still have too many in our community that we have let fall through the cracks. Remember the phrase "it takes a village.." If you know someone who doesn't have that parent advocate, give that child a hand along with your own child. It can only bring positive benefits for the individual and the entire community. You will never know the ripple effect you will cause.
I found the site for that program I was writing about. It's called 2 million minutes.
http://2mminutes.com/
Go to it and read up on how far behind we are already. It's a crisis situation that so many are blind to. The issue of what time of year school is going to be held in the future is a very minor "inconvenience" compared to what else we are going to have to do, in school and outside of school on our own to help our children get a richer academic experience in order to be more competitive.
Even if we don't have children in school, the level of education we provide to our community members will make the individual, our community and our country more competitive in the future so I disagree that only those with kids in school should have a say about this. That's like the old guy in the waiting room telling me that since he doesn't have kids in school, he shouldn't have to pay for education. The level of education and economic wealth individuals in our country will directly effect our level of economic wealth in the world as well as the level of economic wealth of our own community. We will have to pay for the education of our fellow Americans or we will continue to pay for the results of their under-education by supporting them for their entire lives. I for one, want them all to thrive and not have to look to me in the future to support them more than I do already. Education is the only way to achieve this.
We are paying for school already so why do parents not make their kids attend everyday to get the most for their money? Why do parents of HS students let them take study halls and not fill out their schedule to take the widest variety of classes in order for them to get the most varied experience possible? Why do we let kids tell us that they aren't riding the bus to school but let them waste money in order to drive a car and then waste time and flip burgers to pay for it and then not demand that they spend more time studying to get better grades but only those that will barely allow them to participate in extracurricular activities? I am NOT "dissing" marching band but how many kids could get better grades by not spending so much time working to support their car and band? Sure there are straight 'A' kids in band but how many would do better if they were cheered on at equal level to master their other course work as they do in band? I'll bet that there are some kids in band that could have a better economic future by dropping marching band and investing more time into their academics. Having them participate in band is a good thing but is it the proper choice for all when academics are forfeited and possibly a better economic future? Choices the parents have made that are not always to the true benefit of their child. 'C's' might be the level at which you can stay in band but the parent's can always make the choice to have that be at a higher level in order to benefit the child if they feel that is important.
Are their parents true boosters for them in academics on equal level? This is just one example. I can say same for any of the sports and other activities, including the hours spent at video games or even on the computer chatting on face book? Are we making wise decisions when making these activities available at such a level just because so many others do and it's "popular" and advertised so well?
Why do some of us go every year to Disneyworld or to a Florida beach but do not every take them to Indianapolis to the art museum which is free? We take them to see newly released films at the movie theater but don't take them to a school play, community theater, or local university drama club production.
The schools in this country need to use all at their disposal to be more competitive but we as parents also need to make wise decisions in order to augment what the school cannot give. It's all a matter of choices. We can all do better and must realize that it takes time and effort and that no matter how good a school is, each parent can, no must, do his best to make sure their child gets the most out of their life under your roof. Both in school and out.
It's all about choices. Each one we make will effect our child's future and each one will also effect the economic future of our society. We need to take them a lot more seriously than we do in many cases.
Karebare, I'll address your question as to who should be concerned about education first. It doesn't matter if a person has a child in the system or not. Every person who pays taxes for education (everyone who pays the increased sales tax) should be concerned that we are getting the best education for the money. My son is currently attending Northview, I have grandchildren at Van Buren and North Clay, and I have children of friends or relatives in every school in the corporation.
While you observed that the school day is longer and vacations are shorter than when you attended school, you must also be aware that the world's pace has also picked up….lol! I don't know how much history has changed since you attended school, but the students of today have three more decades to learn about then I had, along with a lot more technology………..although I don't think that anyone would know much about a "slip-stick" except that you might be able to find one in a museum….lol! Kids will always find time to be kids…….always have and always will.
LifeObserver -- the taxpayer always foots the bill……..lol! Who else is there?
Bruther - I'm still looking for data as to this improving education. All the information that I've seen so far is that this system allows year-round utilization of the buildings and the possibility for a teacher to earn more money by working 12 months vice 9.
Jenny - I have to disagree with your idea to tell a student that has a part-time job to, as you put it, support a car to "spend the time studying instead of flipping burgers to pay for gas for their cars." While I firmly believe that the more you learn, the more you earn, there is also the learning that takes place on the job. While you and I look at a child's future, the child looks at the present. Which has the highest value in their eyes in the moment, an "A" in a difficult class on the report card or the car they are flipping burgers to feed so they can feel a little independence from school, job, and parents? We both know the answer, the car. (I never flipped burgers in high school, but I walked a lot of miles in the hay fields pitching bales of hay.) The studying has an educational payoff, but so does the work experience.
To all: As I said in the post, if the proposal was for a single track year round school term, I would be in support of this. I'm a firm believer in the phrase "the more you learn, the more you earn". I don't see much greater educational value in the "multi-track "concept over the single-track nine month school term as it is, but I do see additional costs.
flyinlion ~ just a note ~ everytime you address me you use "Karebare" & although that is cute ~ the nickname is "Karebabe" ~
First of all, I agree with Karebabe on the fact that if you don't have a child in school you will not understand how this kind of schedule would affect a family. Which in my opinion, the family is the backbone of a child's education.
Secondly, I would be against "year-round school". I don't think our children's lack of education is due to the fact that they are not attending enough school. It is because we as parents have crippled their teacher's ability to control the classroom. Resulting in "school" time spent on disruptions and not on teaching. We have a to many students that show no respect for the teacher or for their fellow classmates that want to learn. These disrespectful students not only ruin their own education, but they also affect the education of other students that get distracted by them. A student's lack of education isn't due to the fact that they forget things over the summer, it is because Mom and Dad have not taught them the discipline they need to behave in school or to be good students.
My children are on the honor roll and have worked hard all year. I enjoy having them home in the summer and look forward to spending time with them. Parents need to parent their children. Changing our school schedule is not going to magically produce educated young people. It will only frustrate those kids who look forward to a well deserved summer vacation.
I like your thoughts freedom mom!
Leo:
I agree that a part time job is a good learning experience...My kids paint dormitory rooms and clean up after Colts Camp participants during the summer. Sure makes them want to stay in school so they don't have to do it all their lives [grin]! They also shovel plenty here at home with regard to our livestock. Nothing wrong with physical labor. If nothing else it makes one appreciate those who do it on a regular basis and demonstrates that all types of labor is honorable.
I just feel when the job is only to support a car it cancels things out, especially when it takes time from their studies during the school year.I feel their "job" is to go to school, including some of the extracurriculars that broaden their life experiences. Still those too need to be prioritized so academics stays at the top.
Freedom Mom:
you really need to look at the 2 million minutes program. My kids are also on honor roll and I spend time with them. I don't necessarily think all year school is going to fix things either. As you said, parenting needs to improve. However, the program of which I speak compares a very good student at Carmel HS with those at the schools in India and China. Whether it's more hours per day or more days per year, or a shorter vacation so as not to have to review so much when going back to class, the students in the US are falling way behind others in the world. That is something we need to change. Since the federal government says that we get funding only if kids are in school 180 days, that's all we are doing when we need to be doing more. I don't like the fact that my kids don't have absenteeism , don't have study halls, and they still can't get enough high level academic courses as so many others do. No matter how well behaved the students might be or how well the teachers teach, they cannot teach as much information as those who have more student/teacher contact time. The kids in the US need to get a higher level of education. Clay county does not have the contact time [due to large class size in lower grades and 6 period day in HS]that some of our surrounding counties even have. Researchers aren't even comparing education in other countries to Clay county. They're comparing them to one of Indiana's primo schools and still Carmel is a lot lower.
In the future if we let this continue, those in the US will want to emigrate to China and India to dig ditches and work in rice paddies as those who come from Mexico do here as most of our population are not desperate enough to do that kind of labor forever.
All I'm saying is watch out it's coming if we don't wake up and pay attention that other countries are passing us by.
Up until the end of the cold war with Russia, our government poured money into education of future scientists. That stopped in '60's. Now those who had the benefit of that education are starting to retire leaving needs that are starting to be filled already by scientists from other countries as we do not have enough at that level of education.
Responsibility starts at the parent, yes I agree. But it is not enough to simply get your child to the school that is being provided. we must provide more in order for our children to be competitive.
So far all most talk about here is spending "quality" time and good old summertime nostalgia. Is anyone not willing to trade some of that in order for your children to survive economically in the future job market?
Time to wake up!! Our teachers can only do so much in a defined period of time. We need to lobby for more as well as augment whenever we can.
Freedom Mom ~ I couldn't agree with you more ~ keep those remarks coming ~ my kids are like yours ~ honor roll & God, help them if they get in trouble at school ~ they really will catch it at home, but I have to wonder with all the disruptions in the classroom how many parents are like us ~
And, Miss Jenny ~ once again you assume that we are lesser parents because we want summers with our children ~ news flash ~ you are not the only one that knows about museums, plays & good quality educational learning fun for children ~
And, Leo ~ the 4-H program is year round ~ we are not an organization that just has a fair ~ 4-H children are discplined, service oriented and constantly learning ~ our program has some of the best youngsters in this county as members ~
Whoa back there karebabe. Take a deep breath and re read the post. I was agreeing with a lot of things you said. Where did I say any one on this forum was less of a parent? I did say WE needed to wake up and see what was going on around us. I said to please look at that program as our educational system here in US was lacking and we as parents and community members need to look at education differently than we have in the past...maybe start thinking about quality time also including educational time if you hadn't already and that many things could be done with several short vacations throughout the year instead of one long one. Heck, most people with jobs only can take off a little time each year anyhow so it's not like the entire family could go off for the whole summer now....I did not say that individuals here did not do that but you must admit, a good many do....and I believe I was the one who mentioned that more emphasis be put on all year 4h projects. Don't blame Leo. I know full well that 4H lasts all year as my kids have to take care of their animals on a daily basis. To "some" however [not all and not accusing anyone in particular on this forum again because as you know who I am, I do not know who you are unless you see me at Kroger or Aldis and tell me so], many livestock projects are only the child's project during the summer and grampa or Uncle Joe has the animals the rest of the year and the child only shows up a few weeks before fair. We all know it's true though it shouldn't diminish those 4H'ers who are at it all year. Just saying here that a worthwhile program that taught kids responsibility and leadership did NOT HAVE TO culminate in a fair.
I also said that I'm not sure I would be necessarily for all year school. Just that we are behind other countries and we had better do something to give the kids more contact time with both their teachers and their study time. This is one thing that could be done with less possible strain on the budget.
Have you gone to look at that web site or tried to find out about it? I don't expect you to take my word for it but at least you owe it to your kids to be aware of the situation before you flatly refuse to know the consequences of leaving things as they are.
Look at it and then tell us what you think about what it says and then tell us what you would do to try to make our students more competitive instead of challenging a suggestion without having an alternative suggestion. That is just arguing for the sake of arguing and doesn't accomplish anything.
Ok everyone go to
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2...
This is an article the puts the program in a nutshell. Then if you want to learn more, google
"2 million minutes" and you will come up with many sites that discuss it. Browse through a few of those then form your own opinion on what you think needs to be done if anything.
From responses I feel that a good number of us on this forum already are concerned about our kids getting the best education possible. We just need to know that putting them through the system from K through 12 in a US public school is not going to be enough. Whether augmenting ourselves, travel, service, or other activities outside of school, we need to move now so our kids can succeed in global market and hopefully we can convince government to invest more in education as it did during the cold war so the nation and not only individuals within our nation can also again rise to the top instead of treading water and starting to drown economically as it's been shown recently.
Happy reading.
Karebabe -- Sorry that I've been addressing you with the wrong pen name. VA glasses and watched too many Care Bear videos when my son and his cousins were little….lol. Also, I did not say anything about 4-H, that was Jenny. I've never been involved with 4-H, I was involved in Cub Scouts and YMCA Soccer.
I agree with a lot that has appeared since my last comment. I disagree with less. I disagree with Freedom Mom on not understanding how this kind of schedule will affect a family, As a disabled (don't read that as an invalid) person who doesn't work a regular job, my wife and I are the "go to" people in the family as far as transporting children to school events such as band practice, drill team practice, cheerleading practice, and picking up the "hoodlums" in the family after after-school suspensions. As a grand-parent who is in an active family, I do understand how a year-round school term and a multi-track school year round school term would affect the family. I have to disagree that we "have crippled the teacher's ability to control the classroom." Believe me, they do try, but I have to agree that it is the parents, of course not all of them, only some, who are to blame for a lot of the disruptions due to lack of parenting in the home. I have to agree that that it would frustrate a lot of kids to change our schedule because of the few who haven't been taught how to act. However, the very ones who don't know how to act are the very ones who are going to end up uneducated and a burden on the rest of society in either the Dept. of Corrections or by making a career out of drawing welfare.
I share some of Jenny's concern about class sizes and education in the United States being behind some of the rest of the world. I would like to see class sizes reduced and contact time increased, especially in the lower grades where kids learn how to learn.
I'm going to share a piece of me with you. I have a grand-child who is one of the disruptive students. Up until he went to North Clay, he was slightly above average. With the changing of the schools, he "went bad." A lot of the blame rests with his mother due to lack of supervision in the home. He ran afoul of the law and was placed on probation in her custody. He continued to skip school and did not modify his behavior. Now, he has been in my wife's custody since Oct. 2, has been to school every day, has became a better-behaved (although not model) student, and has improved his grades and study habits as we DEMAND it. Shortly before the improvement began, he decided that he was going to tell me how things were going to be and, well, let's just say that the Marine Sergeant that is in me showed up….lol! Yes, he found out that I can be louder than he is, more stubborn than he is, and when I say something is going to happen, it will or I'll die trying. Of course, Grandma also got involved in a "good cop, bad cop" routine. But it made a difference. His mother, on the other hand, threatened to have me locked up as I told the boy that if I knew that a beating was what it took to convince him to change, I was willing to do it and serve the time in jail so that he wouldn't have to. I may be rather "new" to him, as I married his grandmother last year, but he is my grandson and I love him. I would die for him and after the deployments that I was on with the Marines, three hots and a cot in the county jail I could do, for him, standing on my head.
Sorry, Leo ~ it was Jenny that was speaking about a year round 4-H program ~ & Jenny ~ although what you say may be true about some 4-Her's ~ for the most part the 4-H program has many distinguished youngsters on the roster ~ and many of us teach them many useful life skills all year (not just at fair time) ~ ie: food drives, leadership workshops, Salvation Army bell ringing, Jr. Leaders just to name a few ~ & once again any parent that approves a child's participation just before the fair with their project is only accomplishing a grave injustice to the child ~
Karebabe:
I agree 100% on the 4H issue. My kids rang that bell and were in jr leaders etc. 4H is like all other orgs. It's what one makes of it and depends on parental participation and honor system. That's what is learned from it, not how to lead a cow into a ring. If that's all the parent demands of the child, they are not truly learning the skills that 4H can provide if involved fully. My example was only to demonstrate that those who don't want all year school just to justify a summertime county fair participation didn't really have an argument as there was plenty that they could be involved with year 'round.
HAve a good day.
Jenny,
You are right when you say that those of us who have responded to this blog are concerned about our children's education. My response was not meant to spark a debate with you on the importance of education. I felt that the freedoms of my family were being threatened, and that I needed to speak up. The government is not the best institution to decide what will work for my family. That job is mine. Given to me by God.
There are other options to educating your children than mandating everyone to spend more time in the classroom (you mentioned longer days, more days per year or less vacation time). You mentioned other counties offering more to students than Clay County. Why have you not considered transferring your children to a school that would better suit your families needs? You could also purchase courses (there are alot of options out there) for your children and have them spend their evenings or summer vacation working on them with you. Another option would be for only those children who want to take extra courses to stay later at school or go in earlier for an additional class.
Every child is not college bound. They each have different talents, different interests, and different after school activities. What works for your family may not work for mine. We live in America (not China or India). As parents we have the freedom to choose what is best for our families.
FlyinLion,
You just proved my point about parent (or in your case grandparent) involvement being the key to our kids receiving a good education. Changing the school schedule cannot replace the teaching that has to come from the home. We either help the teachers by sending students to them that are equipped with the skills to learn (behavior) or we hinder them by sending out of control kids for them to deal with.
freedom mom:
You demonstrate good points. I have had my kids take additional courses at Ivy Tech and Rose Hulman while still in high school in addition to be involved with scouts, 4H and other programs such as explore engineering when in middle school. I have also sent them abroad to learn about other cultures as well as planned vacation time in order for them to learn more about American history and different topics in science. Like you, I have chosen to do things on top of what today's schools have provided. What I'm saying is that this now needs to be more the norm for all students, not just the exception for some.
I do however have a different opinion about the issue of college bound students. Of course there are students who are not college material due to [how to put this politically correct in order not to offend] learning handicaps or obstacles, however in order to be able to financially afford a decent living, the majority of people who are students now and will be going into the workforce any time in the future will now need some sort of education beyond secondary school [high school]. Whether it be a technical training of some sort to college degree, the US high school diploma is not enough to be prepared to compete in the work force today.
True we do not live in China or India, but those families' choices will put our families in the position to no longer have a choice if we don't choose wisely now and anticipate competition from those in other countries. If we choose to ignore that now and in the future our country's economy is closely interwoven with those of the rest of the world, we are not providing sufficient information to our students.
In plain English, we had better plan to send more of our US students to some type of post secondary school if they are to "hold their own" financially in tomorrow's world. Telling them that they still have the choice of not attending college after high school is not an accurate statement. Telling them that if they don't choose to go to school after high school they will not be able to afford to raise a family, possible even when two salaries are coming into the household.
The world has changed and continues to do so and the US is still thinking in terms of the 60's. Those who continue to think that high school only is good enough are fooling themselves.
I think we agree on most of these educational decisions except for I think that we will be giving up a lot more financial freedom if we don't invest more time into education, even if it seems that we are giving up more personal family time....Even so that in itself comes down to personal choices ultimately. I am just afraid that there are so many parents 'out there' who don't realize the consequences of the choices they and their kids are making with regard to education as they aren't looking at the entire global picture and what others are doing in order to surpass us in US both academically and economically. Again it's like [reaching to the choir on this forum but how to reach those who blindly send their kids to school unprepared? As a society we all will end up paying for their unpreparedness through more taxation to pay for welfare and other social programs. Wouldn't it be better to get them to "wake up" and realize this some how? How to do it??
For further information on the developng global competition read the bood _The World is Flat_ by T Friedman. Eye opening and worth the time it takes to read it.
Wow a lot to absorb in this debate. It is going to be real hard to sum up, but I will give it a shot. First of all I think most in this forum are truly concerned for the educational needs in this county and this country. I believe that of all of you. I am glad the conversation is happening, it is a good thing. I do agree with freedom mom, I fear that our personal freedoms will be taken away from us if we are not careful how we approach this problem. It is a very multifaceted issue that can not be solved in one dimension only. Leo, since you opened this forum, I will start with applauding how you posted the facts and added your thoughts while leaving room for others' input. I am glad you are interested in helping your grandson, but please be careful in sharing too much in a public forum. Personal family issues should not be printed in the local paper. It is better to be anonymous in such situations to protect the people involved. I know in this case that is impossible since you write the blog, but I would not be so open since the people you are speaking about live in this community and are easily identifiable. It may end up being counter productive to what you are trying to accomplish with that young man.
Jenny, I know you wish the best for everyone, I believe you simply want more out of our educational system. So many of your statements are counterproductive and sound like personal attacks. You seem to have a disdain for the community you live in and hostility to people who are not enlightened in the way you feel you are enlightened. Some comments that disturbed me I have posted below.
"A lot of money could be shifted towards actual academics from physical plant which I am in favor of but it would be a tough sell, especially in this community which by its vote has shown to be resistant to change, even if it benefits the community with a higher degree of literacy and better employability [is that a Bushism?-grin]."
The word change is a new buzzword that won a man the Presidency. But the word change is a neutral word that is not necessarily a synonym for better. I am for improvement, not change. Now a different point of view in our country has a chance to change things. I hope the change is for better, time will tell. If you want to make improvements in this county you can't start by clearly having no patience for the beliefs of the people in said county. Oversimplifying a group who disagrees with you does a disservice to all. It may make you feel better but won't solve a thing.
"Instead we complain that our taxes are too high and allow them to buy cars and then have them waste their time supporting the car instead of investing in taking more challenging courses to better prepare for their future. The car will be gone in 5 years and they will STILL need that education they missed out on."
Jenny, you assume much to win your point. I do not believe that everyone in this county is like your example. Some kids work so they can go to college, some kids work for basic needs. Not everyone comes form a high income family. Please don't be so derogatory and assumptive to try to win your point.
"There are plenty of kids who do fine without being in marching band, who don't have cars, nor the part time job that supports their car. We as parents need to stop listening to the whining about kids having to ride the bus [which we are paying for] and tell the kids to spend the time studying instead of flipping burgers to pay for gas in their cars. Then there will still be time for them to be kids. A part time job that only pays for the transportation to get to that job sort of defeats the purpose does it not?"
"I am NOT "dissing" marching band but how many kids could get better grades by not spending so much time working to support their car and band?"
In the issue of band, you seem to be talking out of both sides of your mouth. You say you're not "dissing" the band, but you also seem to say that it's detrimental to a child's education. Now, to be fair to you, I agree that kids have too much distraction in their lives, but to have a productive conversation you can't insult the people who you are trying to reach. I can honestly say I would not choose for my children to be in band because of family schedule and personal goals, and at the same time see why people see benefit in the program and see the good it can bring. I would think you would have to take that argument on a case by case basis. If the child is holding up their grades then band is ok. If their grades are hurting then band has to go. Same thing with a job or any extra curricular scenario.
"People, go to the internet and do a google search for global competition and career competition. Then come back and tell me that a vacation during the summer is more important. Better yet, try to find a copy of that public TV program comparing Carmel's school to the other two mentioned and then tell me that things are fine the way they are."
"So far all most talk about here is spending "quality" time and good old summertime nostalgia. Is anyone not willing to trade some of that in order for your children to survive economically in the future job market?"
Ok, we need to become more competitive because our school system and family value system has lost its way. There are many things that have to be fixed, but you are implying that we must end summer vacations to be competitive. There is value to summer vacation. Kids can work to save for college, my children are free to be in the 4-H program without hurting their academics, and they do no animal projects, 4-H has a much wider program that just animals and the fair by the way would be out for the kids who are in school at that time. My children attend summer camps to enrich their core values, summer camps would be out if we go to an all year program. My children love having time to swim and visit family and friends, something we do not get to do a lot because of school. We are free to take family vacations that you stated you enjoy doing to enrich your children. If each of my kids was on a different schedule, that would be out. Please don't insult us with the "good old summertime nostalgia" comment. There you go assuming again to win your point. We do not lay around all summer doing worthless things. The sky is falling, but we need to remain calm and really deal with issues honestly, not just panic and throw more money at a system that is obviously broken or totally change our culture simply because we have problems.
"It's ultimately our choice and our choice now will effect them for their entire life. This is what we have to realize as well as have them realize. What they choose now will limit or expand their choices in the future. Same with our choices and the wealth of our community as a whole."
This is where I agree with you. It is our choice. Thank God we are not in China. Freedom has its costs, people are free to fail and succeed. You are right, we in America do have to wake up. We have thrown our values out because we didn't want religion. Up goes the birthrate of teens, drug use is out of control and now a family event, failing in school is accepted as a personal choice, there are no taboos on sex, up goes STDs. Welfare is nothing to be embarrassed about, so people actually plan on it when having children.
For those who choose not to believe in God, and that is their right, they have inadvertently stripped us of values. They hate those who choose to believe in God, which is their right, and believe they are academically backwards for doing so. Thus enters the fight between intelligent design, versus the religion of evolution. I call it that because people do not fight for a theory, they fight for a religion. How much time has been wasted in our educational system fighting this one issue? How many colleges push out people who dare say they believe in intelligent design? When we stop considering others' views unless they align with ours, we not only lose brain power in this country we cease to be the land of the free home of the brave. We need to be brave, we need to take a stand and say what is wrong with us and what needs to improve about us.
"I do however have a different opinion about the issue of college bound students. Of course there are students who are not college material due to [how to put this politically correct in order not to offend] learning handicaps or obstacles, however in order to be able to financially afford a decent living, the majority of people who are students now and will be going into the workforce any time in the future will now need some sort of education beyond secondary school [high school]. Whether it be a technical training of some sort to college degree, the US high school diploma is not enough to be prepared to compete in the work force today"
I really believe you're oversimplifying your argument. Freedom Mom is correct, college is not the only choice people have in this country, nor does it suit everyone and I don't just mean the handicapped or "obstacly" challenged, whatever that means. This nation was built on all kinds of talent. True, technology has changed that dynamic a great deal, but our need for what one would call blue-collar jobs are very necessary. If our schools only shoot for one target, that being college, then everyone who does not hit that target is a lost cause. That is so wrong, I am totally against having to pass a test to get your diploma in school. If you pass your classes then that should merit a diploma. It alienates a lot of kids, and they drop out and do not even get the diploma because we are stuck in one track thinking. Please also consider that a college degree does not guarantee a job. I am very sure there are kids coming home from college with big debt and no hope for a real job. I am also sure there are college grads flipping burgers, as you like to point out - or, worse, living on welfare. The cost of college is so high that some have to choose a technical/vocational college because the debt they would have to take on simply does not justify a four year program.
"As a society we all will end up paying for their unpreparedness through more taxation to pay for welfare and other social programs. Wouldn't it be better to get them to "wake up" and realize this some how? How to do it??"
How to do it?, that is the question of this blog and good debate has occurred. We do need to stop assuming that we will always be a great nation. We need to get back to educating our kids instead of using them to advance political agenda or a teacher union's contract. We can teach the "theory" of evolution and what we still don't understand, and dare mention some believe in intelligent design. We KNOW so much about the human body and human history that we need not fight over what MAY have happened when it started. I would guess sticking to what we know would fill most of the kids' school time. Most kids I know do not even have a basic grasp on general civics. They know hardly any geography, let alone about global competition. Our system has made teachers a slave to teach our children to pass a test so the school can get money, instead of producing well rounded students. Government can't fix this problem, but it sure has made it worse. We have to fix this problem. We should help those who need financial help, temporarily! We need to make it clear to the kids who are in school now that there simply will not be a government program safety net for their future and they have to stand on their own feet. I think that is simple fact, not cruelty towards the poor. We are standing on dangerous economic ground. We have killed ourselves with greed and blind entitlements. We have to stop being victims and fight to survive.
In the end we can't depend on government to fix us. We need families to care about their kids. Eliminating more family time will not improve this problem. In fact I hear many parents say the few hours they have in the evening with their children is doing school work. Why isn't that being achieved at school? Your kids will be ok, Jenny, because YOU care about them. I can see that and I believe that about you. We have to lead by example and implore with true concern to reach people.
My guess is parents are so fatigued by all the political debates in school that it's not that they don't care about their kids' future, they are just distracted. We hear way more debate about Johnny being able to wear his piercings than we hear about how Johnny is doing in school. Being able to express yourself gets way more tv and newspaper attention than achievement. I know we have very different political views but I bet , given time and I'm sure debate we could reach a reasonable solution to fixing problems. America is so polarized and self involved that we are going to crash. I hear a lot of talk about tolerance but I see it least in the people who preach it. Put your ideas out there, but leave room for others views and don't assume. It may seem logical that "if parenting is the problem eliminate parents in their children's education" but its a flawed theory. Children can not thrive without their parents. We can not take our human needs out of us. Children need direction, and God help us if the state continues to direct them. We will cease to be a free county. Which goes back to your China example.
So Jenny I applaud you for sounding the alarm that we are falling behind. I only challenge you in how you sound that alarm and how we fix the problem. I do understand your frustration in seeing the choices that some people make. I am sure we would agree on some of those points. But I do not believe that the government can fix our collective woes. Only we can. I know that is part of what you are saying, but for me it is the biggest part of my argument. I believe this is the solution to most of our problems. Teachers can only teach, they can't parent our children - that is our job.
Freedom Mom said a mouthful. "The government is not the best institution to decide what will work for my family. That job is mine. Given to me by God." I agree with that, one hundred percent! We had a saying in the Cub Scouts that "the person responsible for the child is always a parent."
The fact is that the Clay Community Schools Corporation is a delivery system for education, a tool of the taxpayer to meet a requirement written into law. Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children do not interfere with that delivery system as interference deprives others of education and wastes taxpayer's money. In this day and age, far too much interference occurs, far too many parents do not discipline their children for causing that interference at school, and the schools deal with it to a point; after that point, the schools eliminate the problem by eliminating the student from the school. The problem with that is that society, most generally, ends up supporting the uneducated or undereducated in some manner even if they do not end up in the Department of Corrections or on welfare for life.
Our judicial system holds some parents responsible, to the extent of the law, and the welfare department holds parents responsible, to the extent of its regulations; but those entities do not have the resources to hold every parent responsible on a daily basis. Personally, I do not see a way to reverse the trend that would be justifiable with the American concept of individual freedoms. I think that some people have lost so much of the concept of pride in the family that they no longer care about what their family name is associated with as long as they are not bothered by the government and the government continues to give them what they think is their due.
There is an old saying that "an apple does not fall far from the tree." I have often wondered how many "problem" students are the children of "problem" students of another generation. I know, within my family, that is the case. The ones who had or made problems in school now have children who are following in their footsteps.
While most of want the best for our children, you can tell your children what you feel their future needs will be, you can do the research to prove your facts, you can send them to the best school possible, you can determine their course load, you can enroll them in college and pay for it. What you cannot do is ensure that they will complete the plan that you have made for them after they reach the legal age to determine their own course in life. You can only hope that they do that. Also, looking at predictions is tricky due to the fact that the longer range that a forecast has, the less accurate it is. Just too many variables affect world events and the economy to look ahead too far with great accuracy.
That said and going back to the multi-track year round school term, I would say from the comments made that there would be little improvement in education in adopting it. Even my original view that a single-track year round school term apparently would not improve education significantly. While Jenny Moore's arguments that America is falling behind are valid and that we should provide more education, students and citizens would always fit the probability or "bell" curve. Try as we might, we cannot change that as the majority of people who could meet the standards as set will tend to do enough to get by, some will excel, and some will not care enough to meet the minimum standard.
Jenny ~
I have not had the time to read the sites, but I intend to do so ~
Ideally I think we can all agree that when a child begins to slip through the cracks is at the elementary level ~ I would be in favor of the less than politically correct idea of leveled classes ~ this, of course, would be to place the advanced children in one class, moderate learning in a second class & late developers in another class ~ then place the aids where they are actually needed ~ my early education in St Joe county was in this structure ~ the advanced children really do not need aids in the classroom & normally are not disruptive. Focus can be placed exactly where it is needed in the other classrooms ~ we need to end small ones being frustrated in elementary school when they don't comprehend a subject that appears so easy to everyone around them. Then, the next day, the teacher moves on & the child is still struggling on previous material ~ doesn't work. And, with the advanced children this can cause a delay in learning if the teacher devotes extra time to one or a handful of children.
And, I know, that for the most part we want some sort of inclusion in our schools ~ but as I see it, the current classroom needs to be evaluated. Let the advanced children continue on their path & let's get the struggling children on a better path.
I would also like to see many more children attending Preschool such as the LEAAP center ~ this is a great tool to prepare the children ~ all day kindergarten is a must plus instituting an intermediate class between the kindergarten & 1st grade levels.
Then there is the matter of when to actually pass our children on to the next level. In past years too many parents were allowed to let their pride stand in the way & forced the schools to pass their children. This needs to stop. A child's best interest should always be placed first. Frustration just builds with every year that a student still doesn't understand the information.
My next thought is computers ~ from personal experience I can testify that a light went on in my child's head in kindergarten when her grandfather purchased some learning software & stuck the child on the computer ~ this child has been happily learning & on the honor roll ever since. We need to focus on another form of learning ~ whether we're off the curriculum or not; we absolutely have to focus on the struggling child to insure the "light" is reached in every child. I can not even begin to explain the joy when my little one "got it" ~ her teacher ran outside to greet me & wanted to know just what we had done ~ as she stated "the butterfly has left the cocoon" ~ an awesome feeling to say the least ~
And, these, of course, are simple life experiences that obviously have worked in my world. I know that the community will not embrace this form of classroom ~ or want to hire more teachers or aids ~ but the high school drop out rate and low test scores all falls back on the elementary schools ~ this is where we need to implement the tools for the children. And, I am in no way dogging our elementary schools ~ they are limited on teachers, aids & funds. Personally, my children attend a great elementary, but I am also not blind to the fact that the teachers can only do so much in their school day.
Teacher evaluation. It is another tool that I am strongly in favor of implementing in our schools. We employ good teachers, better teachers & some that don't cut the grade at all. Annual evaluations of teaching practices & interaction with the students should be graded similiar to our expectations for our children.
Parent involvement ~ good luck on this one. Many are involved ~ I am more interested in my childrens academics & keeping them on track than any other activities, but other activities are necessary for a well rounded child. At our elementary we use Saxon ~ classroom work is performed & the second side of the sheet is homework to be done with parent/guardian. Wonderful idea ~ keeps me abreast of what my child is learning daily ~ offers repetitive learning. The issue is the parent/guardian of the child actually taking time to review this paper & assist their child with errors ~ although I am interested ~ I wonder how many other parents practice this method.
Another method at the elementary level is peer tutors. Many children can learn better from a peer than an authoritive figure ~ so let's take those advanced children & give them a buddy to assist.
I know that when I went to school this structure in no way interferred with my relationships with all the children. The playground was the playground ~ we didn't dog anyone that wasn't in the advanced class ~ but that was the sixties.
So, my point is this, we need to implement different processes at the elementary level in order to lower the high school drop out rate & heighten test scores. All of your comments about higher education bars is great ~ but the beginning of this process has to be at the elementary level. We need to supply all children whatever time it takes to secure a more positive track in life. Teachers can only do so much at this point; changing the enviroment is one step.
Karebabe,
You had a lot of interesting ideas. I also believe we need to have different levels at the High School level. That is why I am so against a final test to get your diploma. Not all children have the ability to do the advanced math required to pass the test.
We need to have different tracks in High School also. I believe a diploma or lack thereof affects a child for the rest of their lives and if they do the work and pass the class they should receive the diploma.
If we set fair standards that a child can reach within there ability, then I would be for passing a law that if you dropout you can not get your drivers license until you are a certain age. What that age should be I am not sure, would have to hear more input to make up my mind on that one.
Some of the classes at the high school are already in this structure ~
I have always felt that the specifics of a child's curriculum should determine the senior graduation test ~ many kids, as you state, are not college bound, but these kids are equipped with other skills such as building trades, auto shop, etc ~ different formats for the graduation test should be available for these children ~ I agree test them on what they do to the best of their ability ~ if they have never taken chemistry or algebra there is no reason to test on those subjects ~ appropriate testing is the key ~
We have five kids ~ all with different talents/interests; some skills are extremely similiar in all five ~ but all have strengths & weaknesses ~ we treat them as individuals which is what should be done with the testing ~
Look forward to your next comment ~
Localgal ~ I just re-read your post of the 12th (9:34pm) ~ I have been trying to get the same point across ~ to quote my Mother ~ "one can gather more bees with honey than vinegar" ~ many of Jenny's comments only intensify a debate not to mention create the atmosphere that the rest of us don't know squat about much of anything ~ I'm like you ~ I discipline my kids when necessary & take responsibility for raising them quite seriously ~ keep those comments coming ~ I really enjoy reading them ~
I must interject a word or two in defense of Jenny Moore before you "flame" her too much.
She moved here from out of state years ago, bringing different ideas, and has been working ever since to improve our schools as a parent and volunteer. She is human, she is a bit frustrated, and she is tired of repeating herself to people who do not seem to hear or to comprehend what she is saying. What concerns her is the same thing that concerns me, when you bring up facts that do not agree with the "powers-that-be", those facts are disregarded, period. If you bring forward something that indicates we can or should do something diferently, a label is slapped on you that says "If you're not with us, you're against us!" That is pure poppycock and an indication of a closed mind. Jenny and I are both trying to improve education within this community, as I think most who respond to this and other blogs on the subject are. Unlike the school corporation, our infromation and ideas flow both ways. Questions are answered.
That is why I believe that we can do a better job of improving education as a community if the school corporation and school board would listen with an open mind.
FlyinLion ~ it is not that Jenny has different views ~ it is the way that she often presents them in a belittling manner ~ many times from what she writes I personally feel that she is the one not open to anyone else's opinion or concerns ~ reread any blogs where she has commented ~ since you know her personally perhaps you are not offended by her comments; but look at it from another point of view ~ I think you might possibly understand how she might offend others with her comments ~ I have been her target many times & on one particular blog of hers she never did answer my question ~ & so far as "flaming" her as you stated ~ she doesn't mind attacking others ~
I hope I came across as commenting on Jenny's method of debate, not her person. I want to repeat that I believe that she really cares about education and has much to bring to the table.
The problem with education in the country is much deeper than just what happens in the school building. We as a nation have lost our focus and ethical compass.
I agree with Jenny that we need to wake up. I cringe every time I go online and read the daily news. I would guess at least 30% of the news reported is on what happened in Hollywood the night before. We need to get our eyes off the superficial material and focus on what really matters.
Localgal ~
You came across that way to me ~ I did not intend to attack Jenny personally either ~ just wanted to state that some of her comments are rather difficult to take at times ~
Localgal & Karebabe, I understand that people can rub each other the wrong way during discourse, especially when passionate on a subject that holds the great potential for emotion that the education of our children does.
We can all get so passionate that we stray from the subject and start generating "noise" at each other, at that point discourse has devolved into discord. I think that all who comment are passionate about this subject. From comments that have came back to me, I know that, at times, I don't come across on some things without "ruffeling feathers" and then have to explain myself in different words.
In the written language, choice of words and puncuation determine the tone of the writing. But sometimes, the reader can "read into" what is written an emotion that was not put there by the writer. That's all I was trying to say. Of course, the writer can also put the emotion in intentially, but I don't believe that that is what Jenny intended although she may have done it unintentionally............lol!
I listen to your responses and while I think some are misunderstanding that I am making generalizations when I point out that many are not on top of things with regard to their kids' education [those here as we have agreed are the interested ones and it's how to stimulate interest among those who are not doing their "job" as a parent or don't know how to], I still contend that the majority vote indicates that we MAY have more of a problem with this in Clay county than in some of the other locations in the U.S. Just as the city of Brazil in all but one precinct favored Obama with their vote, it does not mean that EVERYONE voted for him. But the fact remains that there is truth in the statement that the city of Brazil voted for Obama. Do you understand the point here?
With their vote, the voters in Clay County have not supported a county wide public library system and it is shown that availability to a library and its programs helps with literacy and a higher level of academic success. That does not mean that NO ONE in Clay County is concerned about education. Just that by their actions it is revealed that the majority do not really rate this highly. I can only go by what I see and perceive from information I gather and experiences I've had during my life.
Yes I might have a different way of presenting a point of view but the issues are what are important not the style or how "nicely" I make the statements though these too may have evolved from my personal experiences. Just a little window here. Sometimes in a society, a family, or a country even, a decision is sometimes made to "be nice" and not talk about a problem in order to avoid the unpleasantness of dealing with an opposing opinion, a wrong that's being done, or a person who is not going to want to admit that they have a problem. Some don't have the ability to disagree with someone else and still respect that person and still honor all the good that they bring to the table along with the part that they disagree with. I have had the experience that "being nice" and letting a problem continue does not ever solve the problem and at times it allows an injustice to continue to be perpetrated on another. My style has developed due to being in this situation from several angles so I tend to state things more bluntly now as I have found more good results from it even though there is more immediate discomfort to work through at first.
With very few exceptions [and those are usually removed pretty quickly by moderator] those on this forum all have what is best for the community at heart when they contribute, however we all are different people from different places and are who we are by our different experiences. That is what makes our society such a rich one as it acknowledges that our differences enrich each other, even though they all come with a certain amount of baggage as well as difference in traditions. Think of us as a diet. Brownies served day after day served with a side of chocolate milk might sound good for a week but after a while not so enticing. Our society is the same with people who are loud and soft, Direct and indirect, nice and good. Yes there is a difference between being nice and being good. Eddie Haskell [showing my age here, he was character from Leave it to Beaver who was syrupy polite to parents but in truth a juvenile delinquent]was nice but he was not good. While I like to think that I am a good person by my actions, I cannot claim to always being a nice one. It's just not what resulted from my experiences during life. My friends at least don't have to guess what I am thinking[lol].
To make this about the original blog, it doesn't really matter to me whether or not we go to all year school schedule , make a longer day, smaller classes, or more courses available, but in order to meet the changing world, we need to keep trying to find ways to improve on what we've got and find out what will benefit the community most and learn what we might be willing to give up as far as traditions of the past go, in order to progress to the future without loosing who we are as a society and which of those things are too important to the majority of the society to give up for education. On that I think we can all agree.
Sorry, unoit, it gets long at times. Easier to say what I have to say as completely as possible when writing then to have to explain later to two or three different people who did not see my point or came to a different conclusion because I didn't include the data that I had available.
I didn't get your point with the website....lol. Most were to simplistic to have any meaning.
Life in six words .....born, played, learned, strived, loved, died.....lol!