Education Decline, One Step at a Time ( Government School driving over the cliff)

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/05/education_decline_one_step_at_a_time.html ^ | May 23, 2012 | Richard Miniter

[wintertime]

Some time ago, I joined the National Council for the Social Studies, the NCSS. I've since had that membership canceled -- I suspect because they read some of my pieces and realize I'm neither a social studies teacher nor a groupie. However, thanks to that fleeting association, I remain on several NCSS e-mailing lists, and every so often something very interesting drops into my laptop.

The occasion was that the New York State Board of Regents (the body which oversees public school curricula) had scheduled discussion on "Alternative Pathways To Graduation." "Alternative to what?" one might in innocence ask -- "learning something?" But let's not get ahead of ourselves. What the e-mail intended to do was encourage members of the NCSS to contact the Board of Regents and let them hear "SMART ARGUMENTS to make it clear the concerns we have about the FUTURE OF NEW YORK STUDENTS and the FUTURE OF NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION."

[wintertime]

I forgot to ping you to post #20. I quote you.

[verga]

Sweety are you going to put me back on your ping list or not.

I realize that you can't really stand the heat, but you did say one time that you liked the debate, did that change?

[SoftballMominVA]

just teachers who are hanging on to pensions and $10 a month health plans

Once again I keep wondering where these great jobs are - probably in places I wouldn't live - but my pension will be laughable and my health insurance for my husband and me would cost over $300 a month.

I'd probably have to move to a union state and I can't do that, not for just money. KnowwhatImean?

[SoftballMominVA]

Real conservatives welcome homeschoolers, Parochial schools, private schools and charter schools.We are also opposed to posers who sit in front of a computer pretending to know some thing based on an isolated incident that they themselves incited and them blaming the whole system. They whine but do nothing to fix it.

100% agree. I got nothing but mad love for folks who set aside their lives to teach their kids at home and those that sacrifce to pay for a private school. I promise you, it is worth it.

For the others who can't for whatever reason, I'm there in my classroom doing my best to treat your child the way you would want them treated - with respect, firmness, and love.

That's just how I roll.