Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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A Nightmare Vision For Education
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Posted by:
Michael Medved at
10:43 AM
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The new head of the national teacher’s union describes a dream for education that sounds more like a socialist nightmare.
Randi Weingarten, incoming president of the American Federation of Teachers, wants schools to become community centers for medical care and social services as well as classes. She called for a “federal law” promoting “schools that are open all day and offer after-school and evening recreational activities, child care and preschool, tutoring and homework assistance”, plus “medical dental and counseling clinics.”
In other words, she sees schools as big city versions of all-encompassing collective farms, with students their prize crop. Maybe such schools should also offer barracks for the kids, eliminating any need at all for parents or home. Ms. Weingarten forgot to mention that her vision involved a huge expansion of government and a crushing burden for taxpayers.
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-- If you want me to publicize your plan for eliminating public schooling altogether, it's time for you to slip it to me. Come on. Chop! Chop! |
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I personally understand the terrible injustice of infidelity and substance abuse that leads to divorce. My mother, brother and I lived the fall out of my parents’ divorce in the 70s.
Take heart-things are getting better for this and the next generation of single parent homeschoolers in some unusual ways. I'm sorry you were not able to give your children your first choice for education, but I agree that there are some wonderful private options out there and children are thriving in them. I have nephews in very quality affordable private Christian schools.
1. Homeschool Legal Defense Association has been working hard to help fund and encourage the homeschooling of children of single parents. It's a void we in the community have left unaddressed too long, and we're working on it.
2. Work schedules and locations are starting to be more flexible. More and more companies are allowing telecommuting and flex time options and that gives single parents more choices, and that can mean more parents homeschooling if they choose.
It also means two income families may be able to set up schedules that accommodate homeschooling. I know two families doing this and they are envied by many single income homeschool moms because the dads take on some of the teaching too.
3. The courtship movement is taking off. Courtship focuses as much on practical compatibility as romantic attraction. This more balanced approach marriage has been desperately needed in society. People are who they are and should have the life they want, so that means a marriage has to have BOTH partners on the same page on those big issues: Childrearing, lifestyle, finances, and religious/philosophical views.
Our daughters are 12,10, and 3 we are instilling this balanced approach in them. When they talk about what they’re going to do in their adult lives and with their future children we tell them to only marry men in agreement with them.
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I admire you greatly and can only hope that I would have would be as strong as you in the same situation. What a wonderful model of sacrifice, dedication and love of your child. |
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Noticing godly parents choose homeschooling in the early seventies, I wanted to join them in homeschooling my child however, after seeing devastation in my life, (ie divorce), I realized that I could not handle that or anyway I did not SEE A WAY that I could handle it. I was able to work to enable my child to have a private school Christian education with monetary help from the church through grade nine and still I greatly admire Home school Mom AZ.
I agree with you "wife and mom" when you say that "Money is what gives the public schools their power so continuing to use them ensures their pitiful survival.", but I wouldn't oppose Michael and Diane's decision to send their kids to public school. I pray that in this generation even more people attain to Home school Mom AZ's six step plan, but in the life I have experienced, it is still an idealistic plan. At graduation wouldn't you say that the parental data is likely to fall on a bell shaped curve and only the most excellent ten percent of parents would actually have achieved Mom AZ's six step plan? Public schools were good when they emphasized faith, morals, and knowledge and then they could provide a strong ASSITANCE to the parental role of educating children. Even now, if faith and morals are taught in the home, the school usually can provide the necessary knowledge base, but all too often, as things are today, a person's faith takes a battering.
The answer can't be to insist that everyone boycott public education, now that so many feel no alternative but to rely so heavily on it to be free to pursue other goals in life. I agree with strangling the money supply from the governmental side, refusing to give our money and votes to people who want to spend it to make us more dependent on public education for raising our children and that is the scenario described by the new head of the national teacher's union.
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"If you want to think ahead one year, plant rice. If you want to think ahead ten years, plant trees. If you want to think ahead 100 years, educate the people."
When you hold your hand out to the Federal Government, they own you. Parents have little or no control of the education of their children. Many are faced with being sentenced to be educated in our failing public education system. Money will not fix the system, that is a fallacy.
Liberal socialist thought has entered the educational system. Intolerance for other thoughts is prevalent. It was smart and good foresight to "take-over" the educational system with liberal thought and dismiss and ridicule the beliefs of others.
If you are really concerned about the country then bring schools back to local control and refuse all funding from Washington. That will be a good start. Education is the key, liberals know that. Why do you think they are over-represented in our school systems?
Think ahead to the future. Educate the people
Tibby |
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With more socialism,the government can teach what they want,filling young heads full of mush.Besides the money to support such a thing could come from that big pot in the sky. |
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Of course,
I support many forms of private education. I do not believe home education is for everyone and never wrote that.
It is just one private option we took advantage of for our family.
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How could you suggest this to the detriment of your members? Would you really want your over pampered, overpaid, over perked, over pensioned, ultra left wing, greedy, ungrateful teachers to "work" more than their grueling 5 hour per day, 36 week "work" year? Here in the public "worker's" magic kingdom of NJ the suckers, i.e. taxpayers would have to shell out near, at and over $200K for a real world work year. |
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Well I don't agree that Michael Medved "supports public schools." He has often called for the abolishment of expensive, worthless governmental departments, including the Department of Education.
Really what we are all ideally trying to preserve in this country is choice. You have chosen to homeschool, Homeschoolmom in AZ has (She is so neat), I have, and we wish others would too. But Michael I believe makes the case for busting the government monopoly on education. This will mean some will send their children to private schools, some to charter, some to religious schools, and some will educate them in the extra room upstairs. It's all good. He is no hypocrite. He plainly values education and all the possibilities. |
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Last weekend I was at the AZ Homeschool Convention. One of the ketynote speakers was Mary Schofield well known to homeschoolers for her books on homeschooling through high School.
Her sons are now in their early thirties. She homeschooled them in LA back in the 1980s when parents in various states were being jailed for homeschooling and groundbreaking cases and laws were developing.
She explained to all of us that she, like other homeschoolers at the time, had an escape route planned should CPS hassle them. If she gave them the signal, her kids would go out a certain window and take a certain route to a certain neighbor who would drive them across the Nevada border to stay with another homeschool family where they would hide until their parents could come get them.
That's how recent it has been since people in America had the idea that parents could not be trusted with their own children.
She is now one of the many attorneys working to fight the recent decision in CA. Her sons are now an FBI agent and a sheriff's deputy. |
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Note that the California Supreme court ruled back in March that Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children. The fate of 160,000 home school children depends on being overturned on appeal. If this is not overturned, I believe parents who home school will have to be certified as a teacher, and guess who will set the requirements? Public education that ventures into one sided idealogy and indoctrination is a violation of the 1st ammendment prohibition of government sponsored religion. |
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Sleep, do not worry. Sleep, we are watching out for you. Sleep, we will show you the path. Sleep, we are in control......
WAKE UP!!!!!!!!! |
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"Mr Medved is a public figure in a small audience [?] and regularly brings his family into the public conversation. Patience with others really has nothing to do with my opinion, I was just responding to Medved's usual support of public school, even though it bothers him that the price tag gets higher and higher."
-- Where in his column does Medved give the impression of being a big supporter of public school? As far as supporting it AT ALL goes; well, if you have a plan developed for changing over our ENTIRE education system to nothing but private and home schooling, I'd be interested to read it. [BTW, if that plan includes scrapping Herr Carter's Department of Education, I'll publicize it all across the web for you.]
I'd try to come up with a plan myself, but then I'm the product of public schooling (including a public university) . . . and yet, SOMEHOW I turned out to be an anti-union conservative whose parents (without the benefit of home schooling) instilled in me good morals and the confidence to stand on principle while thinking pragmatically on issues where the right thing to do isn't set in stone.
Guess I lucked out. |
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worried about job security?
or just jealous |
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When a lib wants to hang herself, you let her have ALL the rope she wants, my friend! Just stay out of-the-way! |
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If this person has their way home schooling will be illegal. |
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Mr. Medved:
Don't you understand money just magically appears out of nowhere. Thus, there is no reason not to spend all you can, since there is an unlimited supply for the unlimted entitlements and needs! This is the liberal / Dumbocrats version of the world! God help us when this world comes financially crushing down on ALL of our heads. Unless there is a Revolution which prevents this. Viva Revolution! |
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I think wife and mom touches on a cultural phenomenon. I am always surprised by people in general, and conservatives in particular, who spend time making the following arguments:
The government schools are doing a bad job academically and socially engineers to the left.
The government schools are costing too much.
They complain about WHAT, WHEN, and HOW the children are taught, but would never consider DOING the teaching themselves.
They demand their rights as taxpayers and parents to control what the schools do, not understanding that when they choose to send their children to the government schools, they are VOLUNTARILY HANDING THEIR CHILDREN OVER TO GOVERNMENT REGULATION, STANDARDIZATION, AND SOCIAL GOALS.
It simply cannot be had both ways. If you want to control the methods, materials, and schedules of your child's education you must do it yourself or find an institution that matches your goals and educational philosophy.
Don't tell me children are a parental responsibility and then turn around and demand government raise/teach them your way. That is not an option in the real world.
Educating a child is far too important to sit around waiting for government schools to change. Are you really willing to gamble on the unlikely event everything will be straightened out by the time your preschooler enters school?
I don't enjoy listening to that parent go on and on thinking I will empathize with them. I ALWAYS direct them to resources about home or private schooling in the area. It is rarely met with thoughtful consideration. It is usually quickly dismissed.
And don't start with the voucher argument until you can explain to me first why it is the job of government to educate children (especially those who are not poor) and then you tell me why those of us doing just fine should risk allowing the tentacles of government to grasp onto private education at all. |
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"Seldom is the question asked, is our kids learnin?" George W. Bush |
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Thank you for your thoughtful response to my posts.
I actually believe full time parenting and home centered education are not for the faint of heart. It requires a big sacrifice and perseverance. Our founding fathers and families understood that.
Mr Medved is a public figure in a small audience and regularly brings his family into the public conversation. Patience with others really has nothing to do with my opinion, I was just responding to Medved's usual support of public school, even though it bothers him that the price tag gets higher and higher.
Money is what gives the public schools their power so continuing to use them ensures their pitiful survival. Citizens with education and means should be leaders and not give "do I say not as I do" empty comments.
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I had to look up the word "populace" a few days ago, and the results on yourdictionary.com are so breathtaking, that I thought I would transcribe them.
Please bear with me, as this is very germane to the conversation.
"Populace usage examples:
Converse of object
EDUCATE: Japan sought to educate its colonial subjects for the purpose of improving productivity and not for cultivating a highly educated populace.
KEEP: Keep the populace amused, stop them having any doubts about society or asking awkward questions about what life is about.
CONTROL: Did the gentry really seek ( or need to seek or feel the need to seek ) to control the populace territorially?
ENCOURAGE: The TF began putting out information that encouraged the populace to air their grievances in a more peaceful manner.
TERRORIZE: Robber barons became a law unto themselves and built unlicensed castles from which they terrorized the populace and against them Stephen was largely ineffectual.
GIVE: Later, the true purpose of the event becomes clear to give the populace full license to have a raucous good time.
Preposition: into
SUBMISSION: ASBOs and summary justice are not mechanisms by which one fosters respect in society but a means of cowing the populace into submission.
Adjective modifier
ENTIRE: We all know the majority of the people are not crazy, but the entire populace of Germany wasn't nuts, were they?
RURAL: There also exist barriers that prevent the rural populace from accessing pediatric eye care services.
BRITISH: Unable to wait politely in silence any longer, one section of the British populace is set to take matters into its own hands.
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wife and mom,
Different homes have a different tempo, and I love that.
Children who see both parents succeed, expending enormous amounts of mental and physical energy, in the way that Michael and Diane Medved have, is very valuable to their education. I think Diane Medved missed out on homeschooling--she would have been wonderful-- but a great example in one's parents is not to be sniffed at.
Please reconsider. Be a little more patient with people. They can homeschool, even if it is only one of their children. |
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"Michael, didn't you send your kids to public school? I have always felt that you and your working spouse are the biggest hypocrites on this issue. There are plenty of educated women who sacrifice and stay home full time to raise their kids. The world can do without another psychologist,yikes."
-- Michael and his lovely wife Diane support the rights of people like you that choose to home school. Why is it then 'required' that they engage in the practice themselves? You might want to keep in mind that you're labeling as "hypocrite", in addition to telling them how they should have lived their lives, someone who is on your side.
Yikes! indeed. |
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That should have read, "...scholarship for the next two years." |
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I had the pleasure of having a homeschooling family over last month who is new to my area.
Their 16 year old son has been in college for the last two years and has been awarded an academic scholarship for the last two years.
His mother spent almost nothing on his education. They lived in an RV for 7 years traveling from job to job for his dad all over the West (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, etc.) The dad is in construction and builds freeways and pipelines.
The mom used a Bible, local public libraries, and very little prepackaged materials.
Her son also worked along side ranch hands, construction workers, in local stores, and had been involved in homeschool groups all over the West. Poor sheltered kid.
You do not have to be wealthy to afford homeschooling and education is more than academics. |
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There is a myth in our culture that we live in a two income economy. Millions of people around the country earning average incomes are living proof this is not true. They are able to homeschool their larger than average number of children on one income.
Others have mom working during school hours to cover the cost of tuition at a private institution (many of which have a tuition at the same or lower cost than the state's average per pupil funding.)
To insure educational options on a modest income do the following:
1. Ladies, marry a man with a marketable skill and an excellent work ethic who shares your views on finances, child rearing, religious/philosophical beliefs, and lifestyle choices. If you are not practically compatible in addition to romantically attracted you will probably get divorced. Single parenthood almost always eliminates financial freedom to choose educational options unless you earn a lot of money.
2. While you are a "Dual Income No Kids" couple make every single financial decision on the husband's income. NO EXCEPTIONS! Put the wife's income in savings.
3. Avoid debt like the plague. Debt is the enemy.
4. Mom stays home and raises the infant-prechool kids herself careful to instill nurture and discipline. Badly behaved children are difficult to teach and will not make it in a homeschool or private school setting. Look into private and home options in these years so you don't make any knee-jerk decisions.
5. If you choose private school over homeschooling, mom returns to the workforce during school hours and her income covers tuition.
6. If you like your local charter or public school and prefer it to the other options, save that money for college.
Way too many couples marry for the wrong reasons and make financial decisions based on the moment- not long term. They eliminate choices in their futures by making bad choices in the present.
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After all, nothing is more important that "educating" the kids and doing so equally.
How can that happen if the kids have empty stomachs? So our public schools need to provide lunch... and breakfast... and dinner. And how can the kids learn if they are sick? So the schools will also provide medical and dental care, including mental health care (interrogations for dirt on parents). And how can the kids learn if they don't have tutors? So we'll provide those, too. And how dan they learn if they have a disruptive home life or are otherwise uncomfortable at home? So we'll bathe them and give them beds in climate controlled, sound controlled dorms.
But private and homeschools will still bring about "inequality", so those should be strongly discouraged.
And how can the kids concentrate or be motivated to learn without being sure they will have a job after they graduate? So let's guarantee a government job will be there for them after they graduate.
Government schools employee union teachers. The union "taxes" the teachers to support larger government. Larger government supports larger government schools with more teachers giving the union more money. And the cycle repeats. |
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and just graduated our last son. You can do it and live on one income.
This progression has been coming for a long time.
Michael, didn't you send your kids to public school? I have always felt that you and your working spouse are the biggest hypocrites on this issue. There are plenty of educated women who sacrifice and stay home full time to raise their kids. The world can do without another psychologist,yikes.
Until people quit expecting the freebies and links to their scholarship to college, the socialists own conservatives.
Well off people are the worst. They move into the expensive neighborhood so all the children appear socially and economically like them, so "their kids" are fine in public schools. Until more people sacrifice and exit the public system, this is what you are going to get
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of the Communist Manifesto. |
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are an establishment of religion in violation of the first amendment; and the taking of parental rights and authority and the funding of some citizens beliefs while refusing to fund other citizens beliefs violate both the due process and the equal protection clauses of the fourteenth amendment.
Government schools indoctrinate instead of educate. |
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...take over control of the kids. Lefty parents don't want to be bothered with child rearing and conservative parents don't deserve kids. Better the kiddies learn from Big Brother to be submissive servants of the Big State, Big Government, Bureautheistic New Order. All this to be ushered in by the New Messiah. |
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Of course a government employees union leader is going to advocate a massive expansion of school services that will require hiring lots more potential union members.
We can't afford the 'education' we have now, so I see the chances of this happening as slim to none. |
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Lord, let my business I am starting take off so that I can homeschool my son... |
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when Newt wanted orphanages as an alternative to those who couldn't afford their kids.
Gee, wonder why the kids can't learn. Do you think it is all the other personal behavior skills that the school feels compelled to teach them which leaves little time for math and ingles? |
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