IT'S BIGGER THAN SUPERMAN, CALL WONDER WOMAN TOO!!!

       In his opinion article,"Waiting for Superman" to reform education? He's already here."James W. Guthrie shares an optimistic view of the nations' efforts to tackle the current educational system. Mr. Guthrie is a professor of education and Director of Education Policy at the George W. Bush Institute.
       This article appeared on Sept. 29th in The Christian Science Monitor and addresses the new documentary "Waiting for Superman". Directed by Davis Guggenheim, this film follows five students through the hazards of public schools. The film brings to light some frightening facts about schools and education. Disturbing facts like ;a kid drops out every 26 seconds. That's 1.2 million dropouts a year. Dropouts are 8 times more likely to go to prison and 50% less likely to vote. Dropouts earn 40 cents for every dollar a college grad earns and dropouts are not eligible for 90% of jobs. Mr. Guthrie also pointed out that the U.S. spends over $12,000 per student, per year and we rank 20th out of 28  industrialized nations. Basically, we suck.        
       Professor Guthrie breaks down the issue this way. There are three reasons why education reform is possible right now. First, money. As the deficit becomes more important, investments in schools need to be efficient. Second, increasing public pressure and attention. Third, we understand what works, scientific knowledge.  O.K. here's the way I see these points. Money: if planned cuts to entitlement programs are enacted by a republican congress, homeless, hungry students may not actually benefit from any amount spent on education. Second: Public Pressure, it's an election year. Will public pressure keep up once this political football game is called? The documentary will help shine the light, but it will fade. Last, we understand what works, scientific evidence. Let's assume he means standardized testing, he doesn't clarify. Standardized testing appears to be accelerating the decline, it's debatable. Guthrie says we understand what works. If that is the case, why aren't we doing it? If we are doing it, why do we suck?                                       
      I haven't seen the film yet but I have been watching hours and hours of airtime on the subject of education. I am considering a career in the field and feel this research may help me make my decision. Among the series Education Nation, numerous interviews, experts, and reports I noticed something missing. Arnie Duncan, Randi Weingarten, Ben Stein and a teacher Town Hall meeting all missed it. Michelle Rhee came closest, still no cigar. Not one of these people mentioned consulting the students. Not one expert said they spoke to students at any time, at any school. Not of any race, age or gender. That's pretty stupid if you ask me. Ben Stein even said students don't need computers. Wow. If students are not consulted, or their opinions considered, any plan will ultimately fail. Maybe we should forward the experts a copy of the "Clues to Critical Thinking."
       My qualifications are as follows; Hundreds of hours as a volunteer in three diferent school districts, fighting through the beauracracy of Magnet, Vanguard, and Honors class programs for my daughters' education, and my current status as a first time college student considering a career in education.
                                

Think Govt. is Boring?

       Try watching "Sons of Anarchy"  on F.X. This motorcycle club saga is anything but boring. They are also a good example of a democracy. Leaders are voted on, and they vote on issues affecting the club. There is a military arm of the club, they kick the ass necessary to maintain order in their "district". A budget is considered, health care is provided, and children are provided for, all functions of government.They even have sacred documents that the club was founded on. The "cabinet" also handles diplomatic missions between clubs and civic leaders. Foreign Policy issues thrive on this show. Probably the most accurate example of politics on T.V. today. It's bloody and people get hurt. As an added bonus, lots of hot guys, gals, hardware, and bikes. ANYTHING BUT BORING.

Pass the Purple Koolaid

        In the interest of being open minded I watched the National Rally for America hosted by Glen Beck. To be fair,I would not claim to be a fan of his. The purpose of the rally was supposed to be to honor the troops.The purpose of the rally was supposed to be to restore honor in America. I even thought there might be some legitimate concerns regarding the economy discussed amongst the speakers. I also wanted to watch the way the people who attended responded to his message. After watching for a while, I was confused. The emphasis on service members was there, somewhat. Naturally, there were comments about taxation, but no solutions forthcoming. The emphasis on restoring the honor of Americans started to piss me off. If I felt my honor needed restoring, Glen Beck is one of the last people I would trust to do it. First of all, why is he the judge of national honor? O.K., so now I'm aggravated and I turn down the audio. I do this sometimes to read the news ticker on the bottom of the screen. After a while I started watching the crowd, they were confused too. They wanted a Tea Party Rally villifying government and they were getting an evangelical revival. All I could think was,Manifest Destiny, here we go again. Indeed, the phrase Divine Destiny soon surfaced. Then I started watching body language, most of  human communication is visual. Now I'm concerned. It brought back images of Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Heaven's Gate. These people were religious fanatics, self endowed with divine rights, that caused the deaths of many of their own followers. How many people have to suffer in the name of religion before we really separate church and state? Mr. Beck made references to the Constitution and The Bill of Rights, AS IF HE ALONE CAN INTERPRET IT. Practice what you preach Beck!! and leave my honor alone.

Just a thought

        I"ll admit that this assignment is a challenge for me. Blogging is not one of my pastimes. To be honest, I boycotted the internet in my house until my daughter was applying for college.I know the information highway is full of usefull data. I don't believe it considers the right to privacy for citizens a priority. I object to the way the internet has been used to create a new venue for crime. Cybercrime, great tradeoff guys.