ARE you then, I daresay most people abhor even walking by most public schools or riding the trolleys with the students.
Most would not consider actually going into a school to even volunteer the way Vivianne does. I am grateful for and applaud volunteer efforts. However, the ultimate responsibility and accountability falls to the person at the head of the classroom, whether for a day or two, a week, three months or an entire academic year. I feel if people do no know what actually goes on, they cannot offer truly valid solutions. I have lots of ideas about the Criminal Justice System, but I am not a part of it and cannot offer solutions to fix it. Let's be frank, public schools reflect the condition of the public they serve as do all public institutions. The public and our society-at-large, (or lack of it), is in pretty awful shape. My proposal of yearly mandatory classroom service who allow people to experience education from the other side of the desk and get a handle on what's really happening and the depth of the problem. On 4/13/08 4:54 PM, "Anthony West" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm totally cool with this "mandatory service" plan of Wilma's. Let them > prescribe policies for teachers, who have first made an effort to teach > one child themselves. > > -- Tony West > > >> Melani raises a good question about what we as a community could do? >> >> Lobbying for smaller class-size and more teachers is a great idea. >> >> I propose something that is not really the politically correct thing >> to say, but here it is. >> >> In order to address a problem one has to know exactly what the problem >> is, how far it has spread the the seriousness of it. As for urban >> public schools most people don¹t know the half of it. >> >> I have always wanted to have mandatory school substitute service for >> private citizens. On the order of jury duty, each citizen would be >> required to serve as a school substitute teacher for a day or two. A >> week would ideal. >> >> Lesson plans are provided and the person would be paid at the rate for >> a beginning substitute. >> >> Then and ONLY then will people see what it is actually like to teach >> in schools and what the hindrances are and be able to make an informed >> decision about what needs to be done. The caveat is no titles, (Hi! >> I¹m doctor______ and I am your teacher today.), just Mr. Mrs. or Ms. >> _________. >> >> Try to follow the scripted curriculum and the Scheduling Timelines. >> Find out if the script will actually be germane to whomever is sitting >> before you. >> >> See students who come to school without pencils or pens, homework done >> or even a notebook. These are the self-same people who would ready to >> kill if they went to a hoagie or steak shop and the found out store >> didn¹t have what they to make them one. >> >> The students who have $200 sneakers, but no pencils or books. The >> students living out their video games with which they spend so much >> more time than their studies. >> >> When one sees parents or other adult relatives come up to a school to >> videotape their child beating up another person¹s child, or even help >> them do it, one realizes that parent¹s and students¹ priorities with >> regard to getting an education. There have been several arrests >> publicized in the media but the bulk of these assaults are not reported. >> >> I think it would be a great community service since there are never >> enough people to go round when teachers are out sick. I also feel it >> would be the best way for the public, (who fund public schools), to >> truly get a handle on what the problems are in public schools. >> >> Once they know the extent of the problem, then we can brainstorm >> possible solutions. > > ---- > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see > <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
