From: jonr@bigsky.dillon.mt.us (Jon Robinson)
Subject: Re: Please Read and Critique for my Education Class
Organization: Big Sky Telegraph
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 20:18:37 GMT
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

David L. Hanson (dlhanson@nap.amoco.com) wrote:
: In article <WRIGHT.92Oct12184905@aesc.cs.odu.edu> wright@aesc.cs.odu.edu (LET'S DO EDUCATION) writes:
: 
: BAD
: 
: The lowest common denominator would have a tendency to prevail.
: Everything would be dumbed down so the inner city schools could
: pass some of their students.  Curriculum standardization should be
: done at the individual school level with guidelines at the district
: level.  The school's parents with the assistance of the school's principal
: and teachers should decide the curriculum.  State and federal interference
: brings unworkable and "politically correct" solutions that do everything
: but educate.

Absolutely, I agree 100%!

: 
: >REFORM #2 - Mandantory Competency 
: 
: BAD
: 
: Standardized tests tell how well the student takes standardized tests and
: how well the teacher taught the standardized test material.  Passing and
: failing should be based upon grades in each course with teachers encouraged
: to fail students who don't perform (like in the "good old days").

Agreed, again!
: 
: >REFORM #3 - Learning Disabilities Screening
: 
: BAD
: 
: The schools have no business in the life of any child before the age of
: six.  Even then it must be on a voluntary basis.  The witchcraft practiced
: by school psychologists should not be foisted on any family.


Well, I'd hardly call it witchcraft, and in the cases where
a learning disablity exists, the earlier it is caught the
better.  But, in the majority of the cases this type of
interference is not needed.  The family should take care of
this type of thing themselves but then again with the number
of children coming from non-traditional family stuctures
that might not happen.  Still it is I'd rather not see this
level of government intrusion.
: 
: > D: Stanford-Binet Intelligence test for 
: 
: See above.
Ditto.
: 
: >REFORM #4 - Enviromental Education
:
: BAD!, BAD!, BAD!
: 
: We don't need children indoctrinated so they become econazis as the
: liberals would like.  Public service requirements and "ecology" classes
: are simply communist style political indoctrination.  

Well with the use of econazis and such it sounds like your definately
a little paranoid about the extremist nature of most school teachers.
While I'm not sure public service and or ecology classes need to be
required I think you'ld agree that public service and recycling are
good things and should be encouraged at least at some level in the classroom.
Generally I'll agree with you on this point but hold some reservations
since it's not totally bad in my opinion.
: 
: Reforms that will work include:
: 
: 1. Starting the school day with prayer so the children know it is God
:    who created and sustains their life day by day.

And just what do you plan to do with those of us who don't
subscribe to your particular religion.  Are you planning a
little Hitler style purging of the Jewish and Muslim
communities.  Furthermore, I have fairly substantial proof
that I was "created" from a sperm and egg from my father and
mother and am "sustained" by the consumption of minerals,
vitamins, oxygen, fluids, and a host of other things.  The
Big Bang Theory, Chaos Theory, and the Theory of Relativity,
provide a solid explanation of how the Universe was created
with at least some amount of proof.  As long as it isn't
absolutely proven I'm willing to allow teachers to teach
Creation Theory as equal to scientific theories, but I draw
the line when you start talking about your indoctrinating
them with your mythology every morning.  Or perhaps I'm
misreading you and your plan is to each day have a prayer
from a different religion, ie. Catholic on Monday, Muslim on
Tuesday, Odin and the other Norse gods on Thursday. No, I
didn't think I was misreading you.
:
: There is much more that could be said, but the reforms that you mention
: are pretty much worthless.  

Yes, there is much more to be said.
Title: Computer Systems Developer
Make no mistake.  My opinions are most definately all mine.

-- 
Jon Robinson @ Big Sky Telegraph, Western Montana College of the UM
INTERNET: jonr@bigsky.dillon.mt.us / VOICE:406-6837870 / FAX:406-6837493
"Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  The staff usually forgets." - Fletch

-- 
Jon Robinson @ Big Sky Telegraph, Western Montana College of the UM
INTERNET: jonr@bigsky.dillon.mt.us / VOICE:406-6837870 / FAX:406-6837493
"Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  The staff usually forgets." - Fletch