Purchasing on a district scale tends to involve a person with a backgound in business with little or no experience in a classroom, much less the broad experience of having taught in classrooms across the grade spans. Each has its own uniquenecesses that, at times, need to be taken in consideration before purchases are made. Teachers are often involved with the selection of textbooks but rarely on district wide purchases of hardware and software. With the person with the business background, money is the priority - getting the most for the least - for the children.
The power of politics: Some purchases are made to convince parents that the very best is being provided for the children. Some purchases are made to prove that the person making them has the authority to do so in spite of the recommendations and or protests of those who must use the materials, in order to stengthen their position and authority, as it is essential they have that control to do the best, as they see it - for the children. Some purchases are made because the supplier provides other materials to the school district as great prices and the district does not want to lose the important business connection - for the children. Some purchases are made because a board member (who may or may not personally [or a realitive or friend] benefit directly or indirectly) was able to convince a majority that some purchase would be a good thing - for the children. The power of tradition can somethimes be wielded in smaller school district in smaller towns in conservative areas. "Our great, great, great grandparents learned math without a calculator and so shall our great grand children". We will not buy anything so long as we can make, what we have, that we are comfortable with, work - for the children. Then of course their is simple ignorance. No one can know everything. If the person making purchases does not acknowledge that and fails to consult those who must use the materials to be purchased, then purchases are made, ignorant of the usefulness of that purchase, but made anyway - for the children. Not to be left out is the "buy of the century, but time is running out". So a purchase is made which looks good but there is not enough time to consult with anyone who would really know, so the purchase is made - for the children. To my knowledge, very few bad purchases were made for anyone - but the children. Of course a few make headlines when the money is found in someone's pocket instead of in the classroom. For the most part, purchases are made with the best of intentions by well meaning, very human beings - for the children. -- Apple2list is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... / Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \ / <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \ Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Apple2list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/apple2.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/apple2list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
