New Orleans schools...

[Larry Gude]

...and DC schools on MPT.

This is just pathetic. New Orleans, at least some districts, has something like 80% of their kids 2 or MORE grade levels behind. There's 16 year olds in 8th grade classes and they are still struggling. This is nothing new, so let's save the excuse du jour; Katrina. DC, all the big cities, the poverty, the poor facilities, the overt focus on money and all it is is abject failure.

It's just heartbreaking to see what are basically adults who are scared and embarrassed and ashamed and have the social support system that basically says 'drop out, get into a criminal trade, why fight?'. These kids are lost. There are huge numbers who are way overweight. They are just pathetic.

I think everyone knows, whether they'll say it or not, that a kid is gonna pretty much be lost this way without parents and/or family and/or community that expects better from them. Better manners. Better self discipline. Better work habits and no amount of money is going to do squat until demands are placed and enforced on these children.

And where is this parental and communal attitude and level of expectation going to come from???

This is just pathetic.

 

[hvp05]

Better work habits and no amount of money is going to do squat until demands are placed and enforced on these children.

A better real-world example of failure despite having copious amounts of money thrown at something could not exist.

D.C. kids are some of the best financially-backed in the nation, but them and their system are a disgrace. One need not be "educated" to realize the status quo is fundamentally flawed; it should be common sense.

Yet it persists...

 

[kom526]

There are no expectations placed upon them by the parent(s) so why should they even try? :resistingurgetogetonsoapboxaboutwelfare:

 

[PaxPrincess]

You....

...are a judgmental sack of #### that's probably never been to New Orleans.

 

[chernmax]

A better real-world example of failure despite having copious amounts of money thrown at something could not exist.

D.C. kids are some of the best financially-backed in the nation, but them and their system are a disgrace. One need not be "educated" to realize the status quo is fundamentally flawed; it should be common sense.

Yet it persists...

Whats sad is in 1957, you needed the National Guard to force the doors open for the Little Rock Nine (9 African American students) who wanted to attend Little Rock Central High School. Now that the doors are all wide open, wheres the rush to get in??? They don't need any more financial-backing, they need parental-backing with a well placed foot through the door...

 

[MMDad]

...are a judgmental sack of #### that's probably never been to New Orleans.

Not quite Houma though, is it?

 

[MMDad]

.

D.C. kids are some of the best financially-backed in the nation, but them and their system are a disgrace.

I really don't understand why the Klintons didn't send their daughter to public school.

 

[donbarzini]

...are a judgmental sack of #### that's probably never been to New Orleans.

Okay following your logic................Have you ever been to his house? No? Then what makes you qualified to judge him to be whatever it is that "####" stands for? Hmmmmm?

 

[ImnoMensa]

It appears that many schools today are merely day care for young adults.
If the teachers can get through the day and keep them from killing each other or another teacher they have done their duty.

It is surprising that in these schools 20% of the students actually do seem to get some sort of rudimentary education.

I congratulate the 20%.

 

[ItalianScallion]

If you CANT read this, thank a liberal!

 

[chernmax]

If you CAN'T read this, thank a liberal!

FIXED!!!

 

[ImnoMensa]

Kids who go into High School and cant read or do simple mathematic problems are only wasting the time and talents of the teachers and holding back the education of kids who want to learn.

If you wish to enter a college you must first take an examination on your skills and ability to learn. That test should be taken to enter High School,otherwise we are wasting resources placing kids in an environment where thay cannot compete.

Is it a radical idea? Certainly, , Will it ever be done? No, What will be done?

The answer is simple. we will keep tossing money into the education toilet.

 

[Hessian]

Horace Mann

The great advocate of public funding for education wrote an essay to support his legislation (1840's): It is VERY convincing.

Gist: *There has never been a society that remains trapped in poverty if...the citizens are educated.
*If we wish to exploit the natural realm we need to apply our minds to solving issues and inventing things: this originates from education.
*Education will remove the crutch people have (class envy) if they know they are capable of advancing & thus education becomes the great equalizer.

Excellent points Horace:
...........but you are missing a few key components:
a) Work ethic
b) Greed for easy gain
c) Morality

Apply education to reach those noble goals and...if you ignore A,B,C...you have DC & New Orleans. (While the shallow politicians also ignore A,B,C.)
And since we are not allowed to legislate morality,...it will only get worse.

 

[Baja28]

Kids who go into High School and cant read or do simple mathematic problems are only wasting the time and talents of the teachers and holding back the education of kids who want to learn.

If you wish to enter a college you must first take an examination on your skills and ability to learn. That test should be taken to enter High School,otherwise we are wasting resources placing kids in an environment where thay cannot compete.

Is it a radical idea? Certainly, , Will it ever be done? No, What will be done?

The answer is simple. we will keep tossing money into the education toilet.

I thought they had to pass 8th grade before moving to the next??

 

[ImnoMensa]

Too many are passed on because the teacher wants to get rid of them ,or feels that the poor child will be stigmatised if they dont pass them.

I am certain you have read of kids graduating High school who cant read, Thats what this post is all about. These are the kids who were passed on despite failing grades in the eighth grade. They keep getting passed on for the same reasons, thereby causing problems all thru High school and slowing down the educations of kids who want to learn.

Do they have to pass the eighth grade to move on?? Yes. Do they have to know how to read and write and solve primitive math problems?? Obviously not.

Will it ever change?? No Political correctness wont allow that.

Kids in Maryland ,I believe are made to stay in school until they are 16,even though many stopped learning somewhere around the 5th. grade.
From the time they stopped learning until they get old enough to dump out on the public welfare and unemployment roles, or locked up in a jail cell for crimes they commit,they are just marking time and being a nuisance.

 

[toppick08]

Not quite Houma though, is it?

You wouldn't make a zit on a Coonass' butt.