I respect your point here, Ray. I sincerely do. But when was the last time a kid got so passionate about math that they were subtracting numbers instead of, say, hanging out on the street? Creating things is empowering. Learning that is a gift.
Not all kids are going to be drawn to becoming writers or musicians or painters or singers - but God help us if none of them do. (!) Aim at nothing and you'll hit it everytime. Aim halfway and you'll get there too. Is it wrong to have the expectation that all aspects - math, reading, the arts - and more! - would be valid? It should not be a request or a hope, but a demand. I fear that's getting lost somehow as the minor issues - instead of the major one - get debated. Yes, we need to address the here and now. I know that. But there is absolutely no power in division and this group has gone two ways. Why is everyone fighting for "what we can get" instead of fighting for what our kids deserve? The former creates the aformentioned division, and the latter - undivided - can create a reality. I'm really big on the power of the Democratic party. I just wish it were more combined within ourselves. Maybe that sounds a bit too "pollyana" for some, but to me it's the entire point of being a Democrat in the first place. Caring enough to fight for ALL OF IT - together - instead of dividing and settling when they toss out a bone... There are many ways to take action. Me, I write. Locally and nationally. I write because a teacher who understood and respected the arts told me I could, if I really wanted to, in school. Reading certainly led the way..... And those who have responded to my articles and learned more have certainly needed that skill. Were both not necessary? Is my role less valid because I'm not a scientist? No. I make scientists aware that we need help for our schools. And then they use their math skills to write a check.... :-) Look for an upcoming roundtable article in the Spring. The key players are going to talk... Feel free to toss questions my way. Shawn Christenson Central - Downtown/West ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ray Marshall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 2:01 PM Subject: [Mpls] RE: Arts in the Mpls schools > I was the one who started this thread when I asked the question > relating to the merits of arts/music education in a time of budget > limitations and failing students. > It has been a good thread and a lot of good information and though > has been passed on to all of us. > But I think that some label under the misapprehension that "what is > good for my child is good for every child." > I don't believe that is the case. By definition, for every kid with a > 120+ IQ, there is an equal number of kids with IQs of 80 and below. > For every physics major who gets great enjoyment out of playing the > violin, there are more who flunk physics or never take it because they > couldn't pass the earlier science and math courses, even when well > taught. > It may come as a shock to some, but not every kid is going to go to > college. Some will become clerks, receptionists, telemarketing reps, > assembly line workers, restaurant workers, janitors, housekeepers, > taxi drivers, etc. They won't make much money. They'll probably > need a second job just to live. > > Some may never hold regular jobs. > Some will become carpenters, electricians, truck drivers, carpenters, > electricians, skyscraper window washers, cement contractors, etc. > Some of them will end up owning their own companies. > It would be nice if they were interested in art and music. But maybe > they might be interested in hunting, fishing, bicycling, running, stamp > collecting, gardening, quilting, sewing, etc. Or maybe they will have sick > children or spouses where they don't have time for anything. > These last people will need to be able to read and write and do > arithmetic. > It seems that many in the schools these days can't do that. > In a time of paltry budget increases and declining enrollments, the > percentage of kids who need real help with the basics will grow higher and > higher in the district. Giving them a lot of room for expression won't help > them much as adults if they can't read the job application form. > Ray Marshall > Minnehaha > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > REMINDERS: > 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > ________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
