Comments on: What Public Schooling Lacks http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks We Report and You Disagree. A Look At One Side To Everything. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:27:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Anne Bjerken http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3816 Anne Bjerken Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:08:12 +0000 http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3816 This is why people should vote based on issues as important as school funding and not ridiculous issues (that will never actually impact you during the term) like prayer in school. By the way, my public school did actually have a class called Personal Finance where they teach you how to balance your check book and do your taxes--but if you are in an advanced track you don't get that class, go figure. This is why people should vote based on issues as important as school funding and not ridiculous issues (that will never actually impact you during the term) like prayer in school. By the way, my public school did actually have a class called Personal Finance where they teach you how to balance your check book and do your taxes–but if you are in an advanced track you don’t get that class, go figure.

]]> By: Brett http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3813 Brett Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:01:23 +0000 http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3813 That is a problem if the school is holding back the advancement of the student from college credit classes, just so they don't lose out on that kids funding. Something is morally wrong with that, and it's all dictated by the government. I believe at the time of my high school graduation, students at Central were maybe offered 4 or 5 classes that had college credit. Not sure what that number is now, but a kid coming from Esko (Scottie too Hottie) came to college with something around 30-40 college credits. There needs to be something where those opportunities are spread throughout to every student. That is a problem if the school is holding back the advancement of the student from college credit classes, just so they don’t lose out on that kids funding. Something is morally wrong with that, and it’s all dictated by the government.

I believe at the time of my high school graduation, students at Central were maybe offered 4 or 5 classes that had college credit. Not sure what that number is now, but a kid coming from Esko (Scottie too Hottie) came to college with something around 30-40 college credits.

There needs to be something where those opportunities are spread throughout to every student.

]]> By: Wick http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3812 Wick Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:27:29 +0000 http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3812 Your mom, who ranks as one of The Coolest and Best Ever, is right on about government funding. The focus is now put on "checking a box to say the kids know a certain thing/score a certain score on a test" and not "can these kids think/write/communicate/etc. on their own after being in our classrooms" because the government rewards (read: funds) according to the latter. PSEO is a fantastic option for juniors and seniors (I am a bit biased, being a PSEO Coordinator at a college) because it allows students who are ready for an experience more in depth and quite different than high school the chance to go get it at no charge. It's tough for the schools to sell PSEO to their students though, because they lose the funding for the student if they are at a college and not a high school. Again, then focus is all wrong if it's about The Almighty Dollar and not the students and their needs. Despite the good intentions (I have to believe) of No Child Left Behind, it has indirectly also turned into No Child Excelling Ahead. Like healthcare, public education should be turned into a transparent pay-for-performance system ... but that's a long rant post for another day with at least three Summertime Shandy's in me. Your mom, who ranks as one of The Coolest and Best Ever, is right on about government funding. The focus is now put on “checking a box to say the kids know a certain thing/score a certain score on a test” and not “can these kids think/write/communicate/etc. on their own after being in our classrooms” because the government rewards (read: funds) according to the latter. PSEO is a fantastic option for juniors and seniors (I am a bit biased, being a PSEO Coordinator at a college) because it allows students who are ready for an experience more in depth and quite different than high school the chance to go get it at no charge. It’s tough for the schools to sell PSEO to their students though, because they lose the funding for the student if they are at a college and not a high school. Again, then focus is all wrong if it’s about The Almighty Dollar and not the students and their needs. Despite the good intentions (I have to believe) of No Child Left Behind, it has indirectly also turned into No Child Excelling Ahead. Like healthcare, public education should be turned into a transparent pay-for-performance system … but that’s a long rant post for another day with at least three Summertime Shandy’s in me.

]]> By: Bryce http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3811 Bryce Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:01:23 +0000 http://smoothpiece.net/what-public-schooling-lacks#comment-3811 I think one of the problems with public schools is that they have the 7th and 8th grade. My high school experience has shown me that 7th and 8th grade are the two most pointless years in schooling. I think those two years mentally hold a kid back from expanding his mind and releasing creativity in school. It wasn't until recently either, that schools would allow you to start taking PSEO classes which are courses offered by a college in high school for the advanced student to earn college credit. Legally any state has to offer you 4 free years of schooling and by taking those classes in high school you are basically getting a free years worth of college without applying for scholarships. Public schools should almost advertise that information for prospective students. I thought high shcool was a bit of a joke because it didn't really prepare me for college. I felt like I was just going through the motions of going to school. If high school offered more college oriented classes without being classified as a private school, it would be more beneficial for the students of tomorrow. I think one of the problems with public schools is that they have the 7th and 8th grade. My high school experience has shown me that 7th and 8th grade are the two most pointless years in schooling. I think those two years mentally hold a kid back from expanding his mind and releasing creativity in school. It wasn’t until recently either, that schools would allow you to start taking PSEO classes which are courses offered by a college in high school for the advanced student to earn college credit. Legally any state has to offer you 4 free years of schooling and by taking those classes in high school you are basically getting a free years worth of college without applying for scholarships. Public schools should almost advertise that information for prospective students. I thought high shcool was a bit of a joke because it didn’t really prepare me for college. I felt like I was just going through the motions of going to school. If high school offered more college oriented classes without being classified as a private school, it would be more beneficial for the students of tomorrow.

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