On Sunday 10 April 2005 14:51, Peter Kupfer wrote:
>>Gene Heskett wrote:
> OTOH, I'd druther prosecute the federal drones that now days dictate > the methods to be used in teaching that "mind thats such a terrible > thing to waste" because they and their 'approved methods' guarantee > it will be a waste of what was a very promising mind when that child > was only 4 years old and had a hole in the top of its head for a > funnel intended to be used to pour usable information into.
I would just ask you to be careful not to lump all teachers together. Not all of use just dump in knowledge.
Also, let's not entirely blame the educational system. We are only part of the system that produces children. It would be nice if we were a much smaller part. The students that come to us (at least in HS) don't always have the same enthusiasm or respect for the educational institution as children used to.
Also, there are a lot more kids in school today, so perhaps the # of drones has increased, because of compulsory education. You yourself said you quit school at 14, and you were probably not alone. Those children that quit before are now in school and need to be taught.
> I can truthfully say that while I've seen a > lot of stuff that was sold at the ticket booth as magic, but the > actual delivered goods were always explainable by the physical laws > of the universe we live in. No exceptions, ever.
Amen!
> If you've ever had the experience of dealing with a 4 year old whose > IQ was easily in excess of 175, 30 points better than mine the last > time I was tested 50 some years ago, only to re-assess that same > child at the age of 7, and come away with an estimate of 115 tops, > you'll understand what I'm talking about. To me, thats criminal, and > the educational system that does that to that child should be > prosecuted, not for civil damages but criminal non-performance first.
First, IQ tests are not the most reliable indicators we have, so that needs to be considered, but maybe they work great.
But, again, let's not place the whole blame on the educational system. The educational system should not be that much of an influence on the life of the child. You are taking the ENTIRE responsibility away from the parents.
Schools are asked to do A LOT by businesses, parents, and governments, so we can not always have the free flowing, free thinking environment we used to.
> You can do what you think is right, and make some progress over the > weekend, or over the summer even, but the minute that child exhibits > any out of the mainstream knowledge in the classroom on Monday, > he/she gets 'controlled' to stop that supposedly disruptive > behaviour. Thats pure and a prime example of a mind being > wasted.
This is not always true, but sometimes is. You have to understand that a teacher has to usually work with 25-30 students at a time, and can not always nurture the gifted students. And, I can guarantee, in most places, gifted funding is cut FIRST!
Parents need to be help at least a little accountable for their children, they need to be providing enriching activities for their kids, and the whole burden should be left on the schools.
-- Peter Kupfer -- Using OOo since 'OO4 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
