schools, the new american prisons

[Scataphagos]

That's not necessarily true. Kids have become more emboldened and teachers have had certain rights taken away from them creating a terrible environment. Many moons ago if I got sent home with a smack to the face from a teacher my dad would have beat the shit out me again. Now God forbid you touch a kid or reprimand him...the parents would be all over your ass.

One of the lessons kids need to learn... is that there are "consequences" for your actions. They should learn that at home and at school... those are the least painful lessons.

 

[Scataphagos]

Kids have become more emboldened

Bad for them, though as children they don't realize it. All kids "know" is "what they want". It's up to parents, teachers, others to keep them on the straight-and-narrow until they become old/experienced enough to make rational, informed, mature and experienced decision for themselves.

I recall... "I want...", "I understand".... I know what's best for me"... "It's my life, I get to decide." BULLSHIT! You don't. You only think you do. At some point, you do... but not now/yet. Goes for the home as well as at school.

 

[Ricter]

One of the lessons kids need to learn... is that there are "consequences" for your actions. They should learn that at home and at school... those are the least painful lessons.

They should also learn those consequences vary by their family's socioeconomic position.

 

[ElCubano]

One of the lessons kids need to learn... is that there are "consequences" for your actions. They should learn that at home and at school... those are the least painful lessons.

Agreed.

 

[loyek590]

Obama is talking on tv about IBM public/private school in Brooklyn. Sounds very promising

 

[wartrace]

for the most part I agree, but I would keep the school building and teachers. Structured social interaction is an important part of growing up. (girls)

Couldn't this structured social interaction be accomplished at church functions, in the girl/boy scouts and other venues. I don't see why we would need to keep the schools and staff them.

 

[AAAintheBeltway]

I say we abolish the public school system we have in place and replace it with 100% online content. If we issued students a basic laptop computer and set them up using the Khan academy they would be much better off than in a school building.

Advantages:
Students would move at their own pace. The stupid would not hold back the smart.
No teachers to pay other than the content provider.
No multi million dollar school buildings to build and maintain.
No need to bus students to a central location.
No bloated school administration.

If you have children but choose to work and can't leave your kid at home you could pay for some sort of day care facility.
If you want your kid to participate is other activities you could join a county "club".

This plan would save taxpayers billions. Right now we spend about 10,000 dollars per year for each student. An adequate laptop every three years would cost 200 dollars per year. Currently the Khan academy is free but to be fair and make it more complete lets say we give them 1000 per yer per student. 1200 per year vs 10,000 sounds like a better deal.

Brilliant idea. I had envisioned it happening first with universities, due to the ever-increasing cost and the fact their content is already available online for the most part.

Obviously, the various constituencies who profit from our current system would be appalled at your idea and fight it tooth and nail. Once voters figued out how much they would save on property taxes if they could ditch one of the biggest costs, public education, the idea could catch on quickly. Of course, count on government at all levels to do as much as possible to block it. Less money equals less power for them. Particularly now, with Common Core, they are on the verge of dictating a national PC curriculum.

 

[wartrace]

Brilliant idea. I had envisioned it happening first with universities, due to the ever-increasing cost and the fact their content is already available online for the most part.

Obviously, the various constituencies who profit from our current system would be appalled at your idea and fight it tooth and nail. Once voters figued out how much they would save on property taxes if they could ditch one of the biggest costs, public education, the idea could catch on quickly. Of course, count on government at all levels to do as much as possible to block it. Less money equals less power for them. Particularly now, with Common Core, they are on the verge of dictating a national PC curriculum.

I think a lot of parents would object since they would no longer have a free daycare service for their children. Too bad. The money we save on property tax would make up for it.
Another benefit would be no more school shootings! No more school bullying! No more teachers seducing their students.

 

[loyek590]

Couldn't this structured social interaction be accomplished at church functions, in the girl/boy scouts and other venues. I don't see why we would need to keep the schools and staff them.

public schools often force you to associate with people you wouldn't otherwise associate with, and that will develop skills you will probably need if you ever get a real job.

my idea is same kids k thru 12, they all stay together and hopefully become close friends after 12 years. They all graduate together. Some with the equivalent of a 6th grade education and others already at the college level. Their scholastic achievement would be readily available to any college or employer. For many, High School rivalry in sports is a very important part of life and a sense of pride for the community.

But the way we do it now is totally outdated