It Does Not Take a Village to Raise a Child; It Takes Dedicated and Attentive Parents
Tampa Mom Makes Son Wear Sign Announcing 1.22 GPA
February 21, 2011AP - A Tampa mother is defending her decision to stick her teenage son on a street corner with a sign that says, among other things,
"GPA 1.22 ... honk if I need education."Ronda Holder says she and the boy's father have tried everything to get their 15-year-old to shape up academically. They've offered help, asked to see homework, grounded, lectured him and confiscated his cell phone. James Mond III's indifference at a school meeting last week was the final straw. The next day, Holder made the sign and made her son wear it for nearly four hours.
Experts criticized the move as humiliating and ineffective, and someone reported Holder to the Department of Children and Families.
Holder insists she's fighting for her child's education.
Pennsylvania Teacher Strikes Nerve with 'Lazy Whiners' Blog
February 16, 2011AP – A high school English teacher in suburban Philadelphia who was suspended for a profanity-laced blog in which she called her young charges "disengaged, lazy whiners" is driving a sensation by daring to ask: Why are today's students unmotivated — and what's wrong with calling them out?
As she fights to keep her job at Central Bucks East High School, 30-year-old Natalie Munroe says she had no interest in becoming any sort of educational icon. The blog has been taken down, but its contents can still be found easily online.
Her comments and her suspension by the middle-class school district have clearly touched a nerve, with scores of online commenters applauding her for taking a tough love approach or excoriating her for verbal abuse. Media attention has rained down, and backers have started a Facebook group.
"My students are out of control," Munroe, who has taught 10th, 11th and 12th grades, wrote in one post. "They are rude, disengaged, lazy whiners. They curse, discuss drugs, talk back, argue for grades, complain about everything, fancy themselves entitled to whatever they desire, and are just generally annoying."And in another post, Munroe — who is more than eight months pregnant — quotes from the musical "Bye Bye Birdie": "Kids! They are disobedient, disrespectful oafs. Noisy, crazy, sloppy, lazy LOAFERS."
She also listed some comments she wished she could post on student evaluations, including:
"I hear the trash company is hiring"; "I called out sick a couple of days just to avoid your son"; and "Just as bad as his sibling. Don't you know how to raise kids?"Munroe did not use her full name or identify her students or school in the blog, which she started in August 2009 for friends and family. Last week, she said, students brought it to the attention of the school, which suspended her with pay.
"They get angry when you ask them to think or be creative," Munroe said of her students in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. "The students are not being held accountable."Munroe pointed out that she also said positive things, but she acknowledges that she did write some things out of frustration — and of a feeling that many kids today are being given a free pass at school and at home.
"Parents are more trying to be their kids' friends and less trying to be their parent," Munroe said, also noting students' lack of patience. "They want everything right now. They want it yesterday."One of Munroe's former students, who now attends McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., said he was torn by his former teacher's comments. Jeff Shoolbraid said that he thought much of what Munroe said was true and that she had a right to voice her opinion, but felt her comments were out of line for a teacher.
"Whatever influenced her to say what she did is evidence as to why she simply should not teach," Shoolbraid wrote in an e-mail to the AP. "I just thought it was completely inappropriate."A spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Education Association declined to comment Tuesday because he said the group may represent Munroe. Messages left for the Central Bucks School District superintendent were not returned.
He continued: "As far as motivated high school students, she's completely correct. High school kids don't want to do anything. ... It's a teacher's job, however, to give students the motivation to learn."
Sandi Jacobs, vice president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, said school districts are navigating uncharted territory when it comes to teachers' online behavior. Often, districts want teachers to have more contact with students and their families, yet give little guidance on how teachers should behave online even as students are more plugged in than they've ever been.
"This is really murky stuff," she said. "When you have a teacher using their blog to berate their students, maybe that's a little less murky. But the larger issue is, I think, districts are totally unprepared to deal with this."Munroe has hired an attorney, who said that she had the right to post her thoughts on the blog and that it's a free speech issue. The attorney, Steven Rovner, said the district has led Munroe to believe that she will eventually lose her job.
"She could have been any person, any teacher in America writing about their lives," he said, pointing out that Munroe blogged about 85 times and that only about 15 to 20 of the posts involved her being a teacher. "It's honest and raw and a little edgy depending on your taste. ... She has a deep frustration for the educational system in America."Rovner said that he would consider legal action if indeed Munroe loses her job.
"She did it as carefully as she could," he said about her blog. "It's so general that it applies to the problems in school districts and schools across the country."
We live in a world where it's considered acceptable to have multiple children by different fathers without having married any of them. And where are these fathers when it comes to raising the children? Nowhere to be found. And when there are two parents in the household, more than likely both of them work outside the home, placing more importance on material things than raising a child. Simplify your life so that one parent can stay home to raise your children, and don't expect government to do it for you. If every household would do this, we wouldn't have the 14 million unemployed that we have today who can't find work because of the 8 million jobs that have disappeared since the recession began...and our children would be respectful, motivated, disciplined and happier.
It is the responsibility of the parents to motivate their children to learn. Perhaps instead of holding school districts and teachers responsible for 'no child left behind,' we need to remind parents that some will be left behind, but they'll be able to get respectable jobs at Walmart or trash hauling, although they probably won't pay very well and the kids will have to keep living with mom & dad.
What do we expect when we don't allow our children to fail. Schools are judged today by pure for-profit tests that then, in turn, remove funding from poorer schools, compounding the problems. But parents are to busy working double to pay for video games and cell phone for kids. Just participated in a good program at my children's school. WATCHDOGS allows fathers to go to school and participate in their child's day. Got to see my children's behavior at school and got to see the caliber of teachers they have. Father.com is the sponsor. Install cameras in schools and let parents see how their angels behave. Parents demand the time off from work to just spend time with your kids. 70% of learning about life comes from home. UNPLUG from the world at least one day a week and enjoy the gift of your children. Then get involved in their life. Then demand from school boards accountability; fire one school Administrator and hire two teachers.
I'm a teacher. I see the same things at the elementary level. I hear older teachers say "kids today are different," and the blind administration saying, "No, they're not, do your job." Guess what? Kids today ARE different. Why? They are RAISED BY MEDIA. 20, 30, 50 years ago, kids played outside, ran, rode bikes, built things, interacted with other kids in the neighborhoods, climbed trees, and explored their worlds. Today, brainwashed PARENTS ALLOW their kids to be saturated by TV, computer and video games. Most adults think it's NORMAL to spend 4+ hours a day in front of a screen, and don't question the media-dominant culture.
The media is not interested in sharing research on how that much electronic entertainment affects brain development, much less the development of a person's character and habits. PARENTS are the first ones to teach their kids. They are responsible for THINKING about what they're doing and allowing, researching and educating themselves, and making responsible choices. At many schools, teachers love students from Indian and other Asian families. Why? Their cultures highly value education, and their children tend to be the hardest workers with the best attitudes. The remaining cultures -- Black, White and Hispanic -- they've gotten lazy and entitled. They've absolutely bought into the belief that TV, computer and video games are a GREAT part of life. They'll buy their kids an Xbox or PS but not Legos or a bike, much less BOOKS. They'll plan parties and spend money on beer, fast food etc., but no money on educational materials or life experiences. It's all about priorities. And America's priorities are skewed, and expectations of young people are so low.
Transcripts from February 8, 2011, Frederick County, Maryland, Commissioner's Meeting
February 15, 2011Frederick News Post - Frederick County Commissioners Paul Smith and Kirby Delauter offered their views of the roles that marriage, women and non-profit organizations have in nurturing young children as the county was discussing what would happen to the federally subsidized Head Start preschool program.
Smith:
"I have good familiarity with raising little kids. ... My wife did run a day care for some time. ... I am very sensitive to the importance of the 3- and 4-year-old age for children ... but ... in my personal life I have devoted hours upon hours of my service to youth in different capacities: In my church as well as Scouts and other areas, and there's no question that our community needs to continue to be committed in this area and watch out for and help the families.
"I think it's ... very significant that we did make this ... marriage week announcement today because that is the best long-term ... way to help our children, as marriage is strengthened in our community ... because, I mean, I know -- as many of you know -- I had a lot of kids ... and my wife stayed home -- a significant sacrifice -- during those early years, because she knew she had to be with those kids at that critical age, and I know everybody isn't able to survive doing that, but clearly ... as we can strengthen marriage we can decrease the children that we have to reach, and I think the best approach ... ultimately, will be through the private sector, churches."
Delauter:
"I'd just like to say I had four kids that graduated from Frederick County Public Schools. I agree with Commissioner Smith. I do think the private sector's got to take up some of the slack. We ... ran on the platform like Commissioner Smith said: no new taxes, no tax increases. That was a mandate. ... We've been very clear that we take that seriously. Again, my wife, college-educated, could go out and get a very good job. She gave that up for 18 years so she could stay home with our kids. We gave up a lot to do that. ... I agree again with Commissioner Smith: The marriage thing is very important. I mean, the education of your kids starts at home, OK. I never relied on anyone else to guarantee the education of my kids. ... My wife and I are the ultimate ... decision-makers on the education of our kids."
Why Do Amish Only Go to School Until 8th Grade?
Amish schooling may end at 8th grade, but education continuesAmish America - Amish are well-known for their approach to schooling. Most Amish children attend school in one- or two-room private schools, and end their formal education at the eighth grade. Some observers criticize the Amish approach to education, seeing it as a means of restricting the individual.
Amish, however, root their belief in limited formal education in both religious and practical reasons. Amish education continues beyond the 8th grade in various formal and informal venues.
Amish stop school at the eighth grade for two main reasons:
- Practicality - Amish trades are agricultural or craftsmanship-oriented; Amish emphasize apprenticeship and hands-on learning
- Religious Objections - Amish feel higher education can promote ideas counter to Christian values
Amish feel an eighth-grade education is practical
Why do Amish feel an eight-grade education is sufficient? There are a number of reasons, one of the most important of which is practicality. As Amish society emphasizes agriculture as well as craftsmanship-oriented and manual trades, Amish feel that formal school learning can only provide limited value.
Amish education is oriented around factual knowledge and usefulness. The education on offer at Amish schools can vary, but Amish children typically get a solid grounding in the “three R’s”, as well as some history, geography, German language training, and limited science.
Amish have traditionally seen eight grades as sufficient for an agricultural lifestyle
The Amish generally see little value for themselves in abstract subjects taught in many high schools and institutions of higher learning. Though they recognize that they and the world as a whole need to services of the doctors, bankers, and other professionals colleges and universities produce, they do not see a need within their own culture for such learning, one reason that Amish do not attend high school.
Religious objections to high school
In addition to practical objections to schooling beyond grade eight, Amish also have some religious objections. Theories such as evolution are objectionable to the Amish, who take a literal view of the Bible and the Creation story. Though outright religious education is not offered in Amish schools (religious teaching is typically left as a matter for the church and home), Amish also appreciate the fact that prayer and religious songs are allowed in their parochial schools.
The Amish schoolhouse
The Amish schoolhouse is typically a one-room classroom, sometimes with a basement or with a second room, in some cases divided by a curtain. The teacher is almost always an Amish female. Occasionally Amish males teach, or Mennonites in some areas such as Lancaster County, or rarely, non-Amish (“English”) teachers.
Simple Amish schoolhouse in Ashland County, Ohio. The small structure on the right is an outhouse
The teacher typically handles all eight grades, or sometimes a school may be divided in two, with one class for grades 1-4 and a second for grades 5-8. The teacher may may have an assistant to help her. She typically has an eighth grade education herself, with some supplementary courses in some cases. She is selected for showing good moral character, Christian values, and for having an interest in teaching.
The Amish schoolhouse is typically built on donated land, and contains enough ground for a softball field, as well as (in some cases) playground equipment, and also separate boys’ and girls’ outhouses. Amish families maintain and pay for the school house. A school board, typically 3 Amish males, helps to make decisions such as hiring and salaries for teachers. Parents often visit the school, and each school has a guest book for visitors to sign.
The Amish school day is divided into periods covering the various subjects, and includes lunch and a few recess periods for playing softball. The teacher will typically check homework at the beginning of a lesson, and other students will work diligently at their desks, with older students sometimes helping the younger ones.
Some Amish do send their children to public schools, for various reasons. This is more common in communities such as Holmes County, Ohio, or in northern Indiana. A few Amish homeschool their children. Yet the vast majority of Amish in North America send their children to the local one-room schoolhouse, a right which they gained after long years of conflict with the state.
Conflict over schooling
Amish long resisted modernizing trends in American education before gaining the right to limit their children’s formal education. Objections to a high school education perceived as abstract and unnecessary to an Amish life (detailed above) led Amish to resist state mandates that required education beyond eighth grade.
Beginning in the first half of the 20th century, Amish resisted the trend toward school consolidation, which essentially shut down the small often one room rural schools that once dotted the American landscape, in favor of larger, more distant schools. The fear was that a more centralized, distant school would be more removed both physically and ideologically from both rural and Amish values.
Some Amish schools are more progressive, in terms of design, technology used, and curriculum. Holmes County, Ohio
Conflict over this issue emerged as early as the 1930s in Pennsylvania. Later, conflicts over forced schooling occurred in other states such as Iowa and Kansas. Eventually, the issue made its way to the Supreme Court of the United States, which in its landmark decision Wisconsin vs. Yoder (1972) granted the Amish and other religious minorities the right to remove their children from schooling after eighth grade for religious reasons.
Education continues after eighth grade
Despite the emphasis on ending formal schooling at an early age, Amish education continues after the eighth grade. Amish focus on numerous means of informal learning, such as reading, as well as apprenticeships and mentorships. Amish youth often learn craftsmanship and business skills by watching older relatives and doing things themselves. This hands-on approach has helped the Amish be successful in business as well as an effective means of passing on agricultural skills as well.
Some Amish, especially businesspeople, may take supplemental courses, such as correspondence classes, or may attend seminars or classes to pick up a particular skill (for example, accounting). The emphasis is on practicality and usefulness. Amish do not see education as evil or dangerous per se. Similar to their approach to technology, they make use of what is necessary of education, and leave behind that which they deem unnecessary or potentially harmful.
Though Amish may end formal education at the eighth grade, that certainly does not mean the end of the road for learning. Numerous Amish retain a hunger for learning after ending formal schooling, and self-taught historians and “Amish academics” attest to the multiple avenues for education in Amish society.
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