Linda, et al,

My grandparents were teachers, my aunt was an elementary teacher and school
principal, my dad taught at the University level, my mom taught high school,
and my sister and I both teach at the University level (although my teaching
is limited to guest lectures on disability topics, as I haven't completed my
Master's yet).  I've had the opportunity to do this in nearly all of the
"colleges" - Engineering, Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Business -
across the University, however.

Another aspect that emphasizes the importance of families inculcating values
in their children is that with standards based education being the driving
force behind funding, teachers must increasingly "teach to the test."  I
don't argue think that proficiency in core areas should be allowed to slip,
but in a 6.5 - 7.5 hour school day, many of the "values based" curriculums
take a back seat to these "core areas."  There are too many schools who have
eliminated art and music programs to devote time and money to "teach to the
test."  Unfortunately, citizenship is not a large part of these tests.  Much
of the writing I see in freshman level students tells me that teaching being
driven by a specific test isn't working well across the board.

Have a great time in New Orleans!

Kat,

As far as "who elects the politicians?" it could be argued that it's largely
done by the largest campaign finance organization, or the one who can fool
or intimidate the voters the best.

On Nov 1, 2007 2:32 PM, Linda Walker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> You are correct. Teachers not paid enough, classes too large, parents
> expect too much, etc. however there are some awesome teaching
> materials put out by the anti defamation league that teach kindness
> and understanding and when it is not taught in the home I think it
> can be taught as part of good citizenship. I've interviewed many kids
> raised by racist parents and many of them reject the ideas of their
> parents simply from knowing right from wrong and most kids have a
> sense of fairness and justice. I think our democracy is in peril
> because of the schools and I am not blaming teachers for this but
> citizens and politicians who do not seem to appreciate how important
> education is. What if we spent one week of the Iraq war budget on
> schools. Soapbox standing down. Gotta prepare for my trip to New
> Orleans. Excited as I've never been there.
>
> --
>
>
> Kendall
>
> An unreasonable man (but my wife says that's redundant!)
>
> The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
> persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress
> depends on the unreasonable man.
>
> -George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950
>

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