My Liberal Identity:
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Thoughts About Public Schools
As regular readers of my blog know, I frequently listen to the Neal Boortz radio show as a way to monitor what those on the Right are saying.
Boortz often rants about public schools, which he always refers to as "government schools". His contention is that public schools exist not to fully educate students, but rather to give them just enough education to be good citizens, but not so much that they would seriously question how things are in our culture. Boortz has often stated that if it were up to him, he'd abolish the public school system and institute "school choice", which is another name for the voucher system.
While I agree that much about the public school system that needs improvement, and I've ranted about it here on my blog, I think Boortz' views, though they have a grain of truth to them, are extreme, to say the least.
Though there are substandard teachers in the schools -- I know, because I dealt with them during my son's school years -- there are also many gifted, caring teachers who make a difference in their students' lives and school districts that have outstanding programs.
Boortz also misses the point that the best thing a teacher or a school can do is to give students the tools in which they can further educate themselves throughout their lives. My father taught me, and I've taught my son, that if one is a fully fluent reader and a competent researcher, then that person is capable of getting a good education, regardless of what kind of school they're in. That is, if you're a good reader and researcher, you have the tools to acquire the rest of the knowledge that one needs to have a well-rounded education. Motivated students always take the initiative in educating themselves, even when they have teachers to guide them, and don't wait passively for others to educate them.
Personally, I think Boortz' "government education" rant theme is just another in his elitist worldview, along with his "poor, badly done to rich people" theme.
Thoughts?
The one thing I have always been puzzled by, is why all first grader don't
learn to read. Can't see a three or four foot person terrorizing the class
as I have heard that as an excuse.
Parents are ulitmately responsible for the education of thier children.
Parents must teach basic things so children are ready for kindergarten, and
supplement the education of thier children throughout school. This is a
process of making a little animal into a human being and deserves
attention.
Well, obviously I've been out of town. What people need to remember is
that uneducated people do not disappear. They vote (poorly) and often end
up as drains on society either through prisons or entitlement programs.
This is why public schools are so important. We cannot afford an
uneducated populace. Now, is our current government trying to make sure
public schools are merely adequate and no more? Yes. It would be nice if
there were more support for teachers who try to do the job right.
