Rachel Tabachnick
Listen to internet radio with MOMocrats on Blog Talk Radio
Listen to Tabachnick describe the major right-wing donors — among them the former head of the Michigan Republican Party Betsy DeVos, a billionaire heiress connected to the Amway corporation — who support the passage of a law that would allow taxpayers to subsidize middle class and affluent families that would send their kids to private schools anyway, and not underprivileged youth for whom the vouchers were originally intended. The interview with Tabachnick begins at about 18:30.
I hope you might do a follow up story on the effects of Obama's Race to the Top mandates on public school privatization, such as doubling the number of charters, reducing teacher certification requirements, private take-overs of "failing" schools by stealth for-profits . The Race to the Top mandates and Duncan's proposal to release states from NCLB's unattainable standards are accelerating this for-profit education industry.
Obama is feeding the right wing propaganda nuts who are targeting the Dems traditional base- minorities in these private schools.
I hope you might do a follow up story on the effects of Obama's Race to the Top mandates on public school privatization, such as doubling the number of charters, reducing teacher certification requirements, private take-overs of "failing" schools by stealth for-profits . The Race to the Top mandates and Duncan's proposal to release states from NCLB's unattainable standards are accelerating this for-profit education industry.
I'm sick and tired of "educators" looking after themselves instead of the students. Unions are only promoting the growth of their own power. Teachers and administrators are apparently only thinking of their own well-being and their retirements. Where are the teachers who understand that their job is to serve the kids? Where are the teachers who are willing to stand up to the unions and tell them they are not serving their constituents?
Foolishly parents have come to believe that "educators" are better equipped to know what is best for students. That was the biggest mistake. They are not endowed with any great foresight, and certainly not proved to have the best interest of our children at heart.
Instead of educators thinking parents are too stupid to know what’s best for the children, they worked with the parents to support the parents’ highest desires for their children.
I received a better education out of high school then most kids today get out of college today. I was required to take core curriculum (History, Math, Science, English, Foreign Language) all four years of high school. And it was arduous. If I didn't do well, I failed. Teachers worked after school with kids that were having trouble. Sports and music and arts were not only available for all kids but you were required to take gym three days a week and art or music filled in the other 2 days. That left you with 1 choice out of the days’ classes.
There were no useless courses on getting along with others or how to use a condom. Anyone who was going to church or temple or living in a society that made manners and basic morality a common everyday theme of life didn't need that at school.
Our movies, our books, TV shows everything supported the same themes, not to mention there were rules of behavior, appropriate dress, basic morality that were supported and sustained in school as well as everywhere else in society. If you didn't follow the standards there were consequences.
We have unfortunately thrown standards and requirements out the window as being too much of a challenge; all in the name of political correctness, being kind to someone. Well, it turns out you aren't being kind to anyone.
Morality was taught at home and supported by the community and by the school district. Love of country was also taught at home and in the school.
Students weren't coddled. The world won't reward anything but the best. Set High expectations and encourage children to excel. Give them pride in achievement. No life isn't fun, it's work; hard work with lots of failure along the way. You'd better learn to deal with difficulty and move forward. And even better help your neighbor, instead of being defeated.
I am all for home schooling, charter schools, vouchers for all students, what ever it takes so that each student has the ability to find the means to get an education that will prepare them to become productive members of society; not steal their futures.
Our public schools have failed our children. They don’t deserve our support as they are currently configured. And it starts at every local school board, every community, and every state to free families so they can make the necessary choices for their own children.
The “educators” and their unions have failed us utterly.