Political Landscaping > Domestic issues
Education . . .
lifefeedsonlife:
So - my wife and I have chosen to home school out youngest children. It's funny - because we looked at each other prior to this decision and thought that something was amiss in what our older children had experienced. We decided to do for our kids what we felt the local educational system (and by extension - the national one at large) didn't seem to be doing well.
Please click the following link and read it. Afterward - I suggest reading throughout the site - specifically the book itself - which I've just started. (It's free online - which is saying something about the author's motivations.)
http://johntaylorgatto.com/underground/prologue6.htm
This is not meant as a slight to teachers as persons - but rather an endictment of the American educational system.
lifefeedsonlife:
It's not just our older kids though - it was ourselves too. The best teachers I had in school were the ones who encouraged my 'learning elsewhere.' My wife practically missed her entire senior year in high school as she skipped school to go hang out in her city's public library.
I found the above link to be quite enlightening.
CindyLouWho:
I read the first three paragraphs and can't wait to read this later. Thanks.
Puffin:
I read his Underground History of education years ago. It was a good read, and would probably be good even now given the elapsed time.
Since you guys may read his things I won't comment and spoil your read.
lifefeedsonlife:
My son started schoo late as he was adopted from Russia when he was 7. He immediately began kindergarted here, but is still 'behind' in his education. He began his senior year this year and is now 19 years old.
His math teacher sent a note home requiring a parents signature stating that we will ensure that he does his homework and always brings a pencil to class. I didn;t actually see the form though as I thought the idea WAS RIDICULOUS.
My son is age 19. He pointed that out to the teacher himself and the teacher stated that because he is in school and lives with his parents he is considered a minor by the school and can't sign these things for himself - to which we said - bullshit!
The follwoing is a letter my wife wrote to the Principal. she also sent letters off the Governor Rendell and the ACLu (just because.)
Mr. XXXXX,
Since the Pennsylvania Department of Education has apparently managed to overlook a change in the law that occurred in December of 1990, nearly twenty years ago, that lowered the age of majority in Pennsylvania to age 18, I suppose that it is quite possible that you also might be unaware of it. You can find this law under 23 PA Cons Stat Chapter 51 section 5105, Attainment of Full Age. It is further supported by 23 PA Cons Stat Chapter 43 section 4321 which states that generally a noncustodial parent is not responsible to pay child support once a child is emancipated or reaches the age of 18. In fact, in 1995 the Supreme Court of PA, in the case of Curtis vs. Kline, ruled that requiring a noncustodial parent to pay child support past the age of 18 violated the state constitution because persons age 18 and older are adults under the law.
There is no provision under the law to consider that persons age 18 and over revert to minors when they step over the threshold of the public schoolroom. Further, persons age 18 and over do not need to be emancipated to sign ridiculous statements about remembering to bring a pencil to class, persons age 18 and over already are adults and it would require a court order to remove that status from them as they attain it automatically. No person age 18 and over is prohibited under the law from exercising his or her right to vote, to enter into a contract for a car loan or mortgage, get married, register for the selective service, voluntarily join the military, purchase pornography or cigarettes, or consent to medical treatment based on his or her attendance in a public school. Further, in case you have also overlooked this, the age of compulsory education in Pennsylvania is age eight to seventeen, so persons age 18 and over need only provide excuses for missed classes as a courtesy, not as a requirement since they are not required by law to attend school. I can only assume that civil rights are not a hot topic in your curriculum.
In closing, why in the world would any teacher require parents to sign a statement promising that senior high students will remember to bring a pencil to class? Any reasonable person would expect that if such a contract is deemed necessary it would be made between the teacher and the actual student, not the parents. As a parent, I expect that any child of mine old enough to be a high school senior would have the common sense, maturity, and enough responsibility to manage to bring a pencil without being told. Exactly what are you teaching, or not teaching these kids that they need to be reminded of such a thing?
Sincerely,
My Angry Redhead.
I like her. When she gets her hackles up - she is awesometo behold.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page