"A Nation At Risk"
An essay by this name was written in 1983. Unfortunately, I've forgotten who wrote it. It accurately described what was then happening in our nation's K-12 schools and went on to predict the inevitable result. 30 years have now gone by. The essay has proven to be 99% correct. Since 1983 Americas' K-12 educational system has steadily declined. All those years of special committees, study groups, self described experts, political and union interferences, and etc. - all have failed. Still, we continue to insist on the same programs and policies. Make sense to you?
In 1960 the system was quite different.
- Teachers began classes at 8:00 a.m. and school ended about 3:30 p.m.
- They dressed professionally. Men@Suit & Tie / Women@Skirts & Dresses
- Students sat at their desks, feet on the floor, and spoke only when required.
- The Principal or Vice Principal applied "corrective counseling and punishment".
- Discipline was the key to a successful school.
- Parents of students with repetitive disciplinary problems were invited to school.
- Uncooperative students with multiple infractions were expelled.
- Teachers worked on a one year contract.
- Teachers did not have an agent or union interface with school administration.
This format, or one that was similar, combined to educate our K-12 students for over one hundred years. Then, at sometime after World War II, politicians, unions and dreamy psychologists began to tinker with the system. The result is a terrible mess. The do-gooders, with the best of intentions, ruined the education of generations. Today we have an enlightened, elitest, semi-tolerant, unprincipled, self esteem centered system that has failed to educate millions of students. Our far left liberal educators have given us a system that applies a ridiculous standard of political correctness, and does not teach basic knowledge, skills, or other prerequisites of a vocation.
American education is no longer able to lead educational achievement in the world.
American education is no longer able to lead educational achievement in the world.
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