Students,_the_and_Now

Let us go back in time. Let us go back to a more simple time and compare and contrast the educational system of yesteryear with that of the system today. Ready' Then: A student had to learn and had consequences for not doing so. If you neglected your lessons, humiliation was a certainty. In fact, if humiliation was the only punishment you received, you were thanking the Lord Almighty that night. If you failed a course you received an “F”. Period. Now: If a student does not learn he is referred to a counselor and then to the ARD program. The teacher is blamed and required to fill out 14 forms in triplicate and attend numerous ARD meetings. The teacher is also required to fill out endless forms every day to track the student’s progress. (Or rather how the teacher is jumping through politically correct hoops in the interest of not leaving this student behind.) More staff is called in to ascertain if Little Johnny has “issues.” Then: Students memorized important facts and figures. The multiplication and division tables, the Capitals of each State of the Union, as well as geographical locations of other countries and their capital cities, imports, exports, etc. The Socratic Method was applied with aplomb. If you did not know what your teacher was asking you, this was due to your not having been paying attention or neglecting your homework. The ruler was then applied in tandem with the Socratic Method producing the desired result; learning. Now: Students learn the TAKS test. (Or other test of this type.) Teachers do not question students since they might offend someone or hurt their delicate sensibilities. If they do upset Little Johnny, more personnel are called in to attend to Little Johnny’s issues. The teacher is put on probation for mollifying her young charge as well as for said student’s failure to pass his TAKS test. Then: Children were sent outside to play and run and grow strong. Young people learned about nature and life and relationships by looking and seeing and speaking with their elders. They also learned by, horror of horrors; failing. Young people learned to lose as well as they won, and to have humility and integrity while doing so. Hard work and honesty determined a person’s worth, and intelligence was not measured by a test or the number of initials following one’s name, but by the fruit of a man’s labours and his relationships with others. Now: Children are minded by the Nintendo and the television. Young people learn about life and self-worth by watching their heroes live fantasy lives on MTV. No child is allowed to lose and learn anymore, they are all winners. Intelligence is measured by the brand of car one drives or the amount of money one accumulates. Our elders are thrown away to rot in nursing homes and do not impart their wisdom to our youth. America has grown obese and stupid on the fat of it’s own success. We are spoiled and slovenly and immature. This is the spell-check, drive through generation who wants instant gratification and cannot abide negative feedback. Moreover, anything other than cosseted words brings about litigation and recompense of such magnitude as to banish the intelligencia to their back rooms and laboratories. This has made being studious and composed a trait akin to being a dolt. Our culture has glorified violence, ignorance, greed and stupidity. We have sown the seeds, and our enemies, being far more frugal in their wants, shall reap the benefits. I am nauseated by the politically correct culture that has deemed any reference to inequities in an individual’s personality or behaviour an “issue”. We cannot even say the word, “problem” anymore. Issues are periodicals or progeny, problems get solved! We may not, however, imply that Little Johnny has any problems. If we were to do so, Little Johnny’s parents become the next millionaires on our tax dollars and our kinder and gentler society intakes a collective gasp of shock; “How could they do such a thing to that child' No child should be left behind!” Maybe being left behind should once again be a personal choice. Making good excuses for bad behaviours and then rewarding those behaviours only ensures repeat performances of the same. “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.” Charles Darwin “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.” Socrates Am I ready for the real world, will I pass the test' You know it’s a jungle out there. Aint nothin’ gonna stop me, I won’t be second best, But the joke’s on those that believe the system’s fair, of yeah! Teacher, Teacher .38 Special DISCLAIMER: This posting in no way refers to those special needs students who have every right to helpful programs in our educational system, but rather to the mainstream student(s). http://nces.ed.gov/ National Center for Education Statistics http://www.dltk-kids.com/pioneer/school_in_the_1800.htm Time capsule letter written by a Second grade student in 1901. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1832792,00.html'loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r3:c0.110111:b27099008&xid=Loomia Article re: French teacher slaps child for vulgar epithet, receives praise/support. Article refers to, “American-style political correctness”. http://scotthochberg.com/taas.html Wish to take the TAKS test' Give it a shot!