Some people are waking up to the disaster that is the Bush/Obama education agenda.

[Orlandodem]

Children will be the casualties!

The spotlight beamed on discussions of education reform last week as it became the focus spanning prime-time slots on every network. This was a great idea. This was big!

As a concerned and involved parent, I expected this media blitzkrieg would generate unity. Yes, this will be very big, I thought.

I believed the dialogue on topics carefully selected for this highly publicized "National Summit on Education" would genuinely focus on resolution vs. blame. I envisioned the other prime time major shows covering education would produce some sort of result -- a consensus on an approach -- in its widely acclaimed group-therapy type style. Yes, definitely big!

Utter disbelief came over me as I listened to segment after segment of a one-sided clamoring chorus criticizing a population of teachers on cue. The big assault began to unfold. By the end of the weekend, I could parrot the lines echoed repeatedly from each panelist who traveled from show to show.

Chancellor Rhee's raw remark: "Oh, I know kids are getting a crappy education."

Secretary Duncan's remark: "Teachers must be held accountable for failing our students -- this is morally unacceptable."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rita-m-solnet/casualties-of-the-afterma_b_751944.html

[leftstreet]

1. Union busting and privati$ing everything

It's reprehensible

[callous taoboy]

2. Yeah, and you want to hear the kicker that this teacher listened to yesterday?

Parent- teacher conferencing with one of my 6 at-risk students yesterday, I ask a mom what she sees in her daughter's future, and she says, "Probably be a drop-out like I was." This is a mom who has been taken to court over truancy in first and second grade. She looked at me with a look of utter disinterest as I tried to convince her that her daughter needs support at home because she is failing reading and math.

[exboyfil]

4. Any thoughts on solution?

If the parents and peers don't take it seriously, I really don't see how the kids have a chance.

I would have to say it would be impossible for the parent in this case to support the child in any meaningful way at home other than making a quiet space available and ensuring that the child actually puts the time in on the work. My middle school girls are quickly passing me in many areas in which I can help, and I am a degreed engineer with two masters degrees. My oldest no longer comes to me for English, Science, or History (I feel her teachers and I have done an excellent job in getting her to this point) and she never came to me for Music, Art, or Spanish. I am still plugging away some in Math with her. It is nice to see her independence growing.

My wife who has a non-technical college degree has been unable to help my children for quite some time now. I don't know how a mother who never finished High School is going to be able to support much past the 4th grade.

My parent really did not help me either. They did little to interact with my teachers, and they were rarely home when I got home from school. I was in danger of failing up until 2nd grade when I got a book from the Bookmobile. I caught the reading bug, and I did well after that. I wonder if I would have done as well with more support. The early independence may have made a difference.

[FiveGoodMen]

3. K&R

[Starry Messenger]

5. Wow, powerful piece.

k & r