America invented the computer. Do you ever wonder why then our educational system sucks? Recently a ballot measure asking for additional property tax funding for our schools failed by a large margin, shocking the local school board.
The Board cried that because our community is heavily populated by senior and retired persons, we don't care about the future of the American youth. The board immediately cut the school year, layed off teachers, cut sports, and most of the arts in the elementary schools, and threatened to do the same for junior and senior high schools. That's nuts. How would they expect a student to begin art, music, or sports in junior high, if they never finger painted, sang a song, or played dodge ball in elementary school?
The People replied that they would gladly give the Board more money, if they could be assured that it would be spent appropriately. They said the upper management gets paid too much, take expensive retreats they link to training, and waiste money buying books.
I'm sure most every community across America has a similar problem. But squawking about buying books sounded crazy. Until I thought more about it. The schools claim that it costs hundreds of dollars per student every year for books, only for them to become obsolete within a few years. I don't think elementary school books become out dated quite so fast though. But I do think most other books are obsolete before they are even printed. I believe that once a child has basic reading, writing and arithmatic skills, usually (hopefully) by the 4th grade or so, his books do become very obsolete.
Imagine learning about a country, that by the time you read it, it no longer exists! Or studying chemistry to find a way to make something more green, when the idea has all ready been discussed!
I believe in technology, and I think computers are the way to go. Just think, the laptop I am now using can be purchased for less than $300. If every middle and senior high student were provided with a laptop filled with everything he will study during the term; that could replace most every text book he lugs to school daily. I'm sure the initial cost could be expensive, but they could be updated every year with the latest learning information, and that cost would be small. Imagine have access from your school room or from home, to every book in the school library. It would have to have a big impact on teaching our kids. Why make them wait to get to college before using a computer?
I'm voicing my concern to our local district, and if you agree, please voice yours as well. Gotta get busy to make way for the children's visit. No more Docking today.
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come back to ca...to meet the budget schools are now cutting 8th grade graduation. yeah, they can afford to hold them at the local arenas and because it is too hot outside. does anyone remember marching across a plywood stage while your parents sat in chairs or portable bleachers in the 100* heat of the desert? never could figure out why an 8th grader of today needed a limo to take them to school dances either.
ReplyDeletewe have gone too far. it is time to reign it back in. but what are you willing to cut?
The.y just need to cut at the top. It's typical civil service. There are the workers that all make pretty much the same, middle management that get paid a little bit more, then the top administrators who make big $$. They are the ones to cut, Sista
ReplyDeletehows the visit? get down to the dock and blog! both of you.
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