Just saw an ad on CNN discussing the benefits of a public school

[applegrove]

education. Can't believe we are at the point where educators feel the need to speak out and buy air time.

[guillaumeb]

1. That question should have been answered 100 years ago.

But Betsy DeVos, and the rest of the corporate privatizers, see an opportunity for profit and they are willing to sacrifice our schools and our children to their greed.

[applegrove]

2. And they see a chance to indoctrinate. Maybe stream students into

the right places for corporate needs as opposed to the student's. And it is not like we know all the ins and outs of how people learn and think. I shudder to think of the influence of the non liberal right wing on schooling.

[guillaumeb]

3. A school system that focuses on training for unquestioned obedience?

Turning out millions of worker bees using a low level curriculum while the elite send their children to be trained to run the country?

[applegrove]

4. I've worked at a bookstore. The manager there treated

the university students who worked there part time totally different that us 'townies' who did the same jobs. Almost like there is a philosophy to keep worker bees on their heels...not quite sure of their place. And I've heard it anecdotally from others out there in the workplace when corporate philosophy changes. If they want to keep worker bees on their heels, why would they not start in public school?

[guillaumeb]

5. Such training must start young.

And US community colleges can be used to support this type of division.

Offer tech training that generally qualifies one to perform a specific job. And describe such curriculum as being designed to ensure that graduates will be qualified for a position.

Making a positive out of a negative.

[applegrove]

6. I have no problem with students being tested and encouraged to

go into a specific field. What worries me more is lack of liberal arts or analytical thinking being taught. Or streaming kids at the age of 12. Or erasing all mention of learning disabilities off the department of education's website. Do they know that half of NASA scientists are dyslexic and may take time to learn to read? Education should be created by educators, not corporations or know nothings like Betsy Devos. I knew a stonemason who went to school in 1960s England. He was one of 2 kids in his graduating primary school class to go to grammar school for high school. Such was the class system then. Constant daydreamers can end up creative thinkers but are not prized by business. Stuff like that. Too smart by half ****. And some nasty far right thinking will make its way into charter schools because they are private and will want to graduate right wingers, and they seem to enjoy one upping each other's in their cruelty.

[guillaumeb]

7. Agreed. I was not dismissing Community Colleges, but they are often the only affordable

choice and often people are steered into certain areas, or encouraged by the promise of a job.

One of my brothers is a mechanic who went to trade school. He is intelligent but did not want to work in an office setting. He makes an excellent wage as well.

[applegrove]

8. Absolutely. I have a brother who is a carpenter. He is now in sales and

likes that alot. Uses his carpentry knowledge every day. But my parents pushed him into getting a university degree first. He hated it. Loves carpentry and being creative that way.

[yuiyoshida]

9. Book burning is up next!

[Greybnk48]

10. It ran on MSNBC during Rachel as well, n/t.