03-25-2008, 06:41 AM
B"H
Hello. Thank you for reading this post. I am (sort of) a teacher in California. Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger, aka. "The Groppenfuhrer", has decided to create a budget emergency that probably does not really exist. He has used this creation to decimate our educational system yet further. His ultimate aim is power of course, as is that of the people behind the scenes who brought him to power in our State. Needless to say, the average person in California is an idiot for letting this happen, for not using their intelligence.
However, it has happened. Thus, we need a radical remedy in the United States. Those of you in other countries beware, and do not be deceived in to following the model we have followed in the last two decades. Yet, I say again, it has happened. Therefore, we need a remedy.
Here is my proposal for the United States as a radical reform of education:
1) Lower the voting age to 14. Children need power, real power. I do not believe that democracy can afford to exclude the powerless
2) Destroy the position of "Administrator" entirely. Replace this position with democratic councils of teachers, parents and students. Keep bought and paid for politicians out of it all
3) Teach real mathematics and science. In other words, LOGICAL THINKING as opposed to "constructivism"
4) Abolish the current over-reliance on standardized tests. If it is necessary to tell the Federal government that we are not obligated by their un-Constitutional NCLB law, then so be it. They can keep their Federal money. If we do this right, we won't need it. It is our money, really, not theirs. Taxes come from us, right?
5) Recall Schwarzenegger just like Governor Davis was recalled. Prevent another Governorship of his type by passing an Amendment to the State Constitution forbidding any celebrity from holding public office (only partly joking), at least until they have served real time in the LA jail for DUI instead of probation (not joking at all)
6) No more "educational consultants". They are a scam that has cost our State untold millions, if not hundreds of millions
7) Abolish teacher colleges. Let teaching be a vocation, one in which the Degree earned is in the subject taught. Training can be done on-site
8) Real punishment for misbehavior on the part of students
9) Drastic attention to the drop-out rate. No more statistical frauds that cover up the high dropout rate
10)Real campaign finance reform to reign in powerful interests who have turned our country in to a cash cow. Again, no more "educational consultants"
11)No more radical sexual agendas in the schools. If we do not have any religion taught in the classroom (indeed, we shouldn't have any one religion privileged in the classroom, as political Fundamentalists desire), then we should also not have sexual agendas that undermine parental rights. Imposing particular religions and imposing radical sexual agendas are both wrong for the same reasons, as they both undermine parental rights.
12)Real Social Studies. Teach that democracy was not handed to us by the Founding Fathers, many of whom opposed democracy. It came because of the struggles of labor unions, abolitionists, civil rights activists, and unpopular minorities
13)Respect for teachers. If you don't respect the teacher, you don't deserve the benefits of education. I'm talking to parents, by the way, not the children
14)Teachers need to have a basic competency in their subjects. If you can't add fractions, you need some remedial training before you enter the Elementary School classroom. That training should be provided. I went through a whole Elementary School math methods class, one in which I was the only one who could add fractions. The teacher considered me a trouble maker, and gave better marks to those who believed in her educational philosophy, even though they could not multiply and divide fractions
15)More schools, less prisons.
OK, some of these may sound a little overly political. However, I have saved the best part for last. This is where there is a strong relevance to an "Aspie" Forum. Here goes:
*****All Star Proposal *****) A real Special Ed program that emphasizes each student doing the best that they can to master the educational process. That means a lot of mainstreaming with Aides. There is no reason that we cannot have Algebra in Special Ed. No reason at all. It simply must be done right.
Aspies and Autistics have done Calculus, for goodness sake. It can be done, if done with compassion and care.
Now, having read this post, please go to the poll. Tell me what you think. Feel free to post. These are my best proposals. If I seem like I am desperate and at my wit's end, I apologize. I do feel that way, somewhat.
All the best.
Hello. Thank you for reading this post. I am (sort of) a teacher in California. Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger, aka. "The Groppenfuhrer", has decided to create a budget emergency that probably does not really exist. He has used this creation to decimate our educational system yet further. His ultimate aim is power of course, as is that of the people behind the scenes who brought him to power in our State. Needless to say, the average person in California is an idiot for letting this happen, for not using their intelligence.
However, it has happened. Thus, we need a radical remedy in the United States. Those of you in other countries beware, and do not be deceived in to following the model we have followed in the last two decades. Yet, I say again, it has happened. Therefore, we need a remedy.
Here is my proposal for the United States as a radical reform of education:
1) Lower the voting age to 14. Children need power, real power. I do not believe that democracy can afford to exclude the powerless
2) Destroy the position of "Administrator" entirely. Replace this position with democratic councils of teachers, parents and students. Keep bought and paid for politicians out of it all
3) Teach real mathematics and science. In other words, LOGICAL THINKING as opposed to "constructivism"
4) Abolish the current over-reliance on standardized tests. If it is necessary to tell the Federal government that we are not obligated by their un-Constitutional NCLB law, then so be it. They can keep their Federal money. If we do this right, we won't need it. It is our money, really, not theirs. Taxes come from us, right?
5) Recall Schwarzenegger just like Governor Davis was recalled. Prevent another Governorship of his type by passing an Amendment to the State Constitution forbidding any celebrity from holding public office (only partly joking), at least until they have served real time in the LA jail for DUI instead of probation (not joking at all)
6) No more "educational consultants". They are a scam that has cost our State untold millions, if not hundreds of millions
7) Abolish teacher colleges. Let teaching be a vocation, one in which the Degree earned is in the subject taught. Training can be done on-site
8) Real punishment for misbehavior on the part of students
9) Drastic attention to the drop-out rate. No more statistical frauds that cover up the high dropout rate
10)Real campaign finance reform to reign in powerful interests who have turned our country in to a cash cow. Again, no more "educational consultants"
11)No more radical sexual agendas in the schools. If we do not have any religion taught in the classroom (indeed, we shouldn't have any one religion privileged in the classroom, as political Fundamentalists desire), then we should also not have sexual agendas that undermine parental rights. Imposing particular religions and imposing radical sexual agendas are both wrong for the same reasons, as they both undermine parental rights.
12)Real Social Studies. Teach that democracy was not handed to us by the Founding Fathers, many of whom opposed democracy. It came because of the struggles of labor unions, abolitionists, civil rights activists, and unpopular minorities
13)Respect for teachers. If you don't respect the teacher, you don't deserve the benefits of education. I'm talking to parents, by the way, not the children
14)Teachers need to have a basic competency in their subjects. If you can't add fractions, you need some remedial training before you enter the Elementary School classroom. That training should be provided. I went through a whole Elementary School math methods class, one in which I was the only one who could add fractions. The teacher considered me a trouble maker, and gave better marks to those who believed in her educational philosophy, even though they could not multiply and divide fractions
15)More schools, less prisons.
OK, some of these may sound a little overly political. However, I have saved the best part for last. This is where there is a strong relevance to an "Aspie" Forum. Here goes:
*****All Star Proposal *****) A real Special Ed program that emphasizes each student doing the best that they can to master the educational process. That means a lot of mainstreaming with Aides. There is no reason that we cannot have Algebra in Special Ed. No reason at all. It simply must be done right.
Aspies and Autistics have done Calculus, for goodness sake. It can be done, if done with compassion and care.
Now, having read this post, please go to the poll. Tell me what you think. Feel free to post. These are my best proposals. If I seem like I am desperate and at my wit's end, I apologize. I do feel that way, somewhat.
All the best.
