Mrs. Rohner, Thank you for taking the time to present an in-depth response to questioners. You obviously considered your remarks very carefully and presented them in a well organized way. As you are aware, the educational systems are being examined and critiqed regularly by all sorts of people. Some of those people really know little about how things work and react strongly to things that they see or read or hear, although the real facts may be hidden. Your effort to improve lines of communication and clarify information is laudible.
I agree with Mr. Hinshaw. Folks are commenting and stating opinions about an event about which they have little or no knowledge. It is their right to do so. It is my right to agree that someone ought to ask what the facts are before staking positions. So, that is what I did. I sent an e-mail to the FFA sponsoring teacher and asked for information about the clean up. I may share an answer, if I receive one.
Thank you, Mr. Naughton. High School clubs often do projects to show good citizenship and civic responsibility. Clubs sometimes are sponsored by local civic groups such as Kiwanis , Lions and so forth. The goals of the clubs are varied, but generally both adult organizations and some student clubs aim to teach and demonstrate citizenship in action. In the case mentioned above, I have no clue about why the students were out of class during the school day. Perhaps they were enrolled in a student government class or had a free period. I guess that a person would have to ask the school administration.
Based on my past posts, I am certain that you know we are in agreement about most issues concerning education. The recent posts are not exceptions. In regard to the Federal v. State/Local control discussion : I am reminded of a rainbow. It would be so much less vibrant with only one color.
Tom, You are correct again ! I find that most politicians do pander to groups in order to garner votes. However, there is a difference nowadays. We are financially unstable and ought to be acting with restraint if not downright slashing budgets. The Head Start program offers free baby sitting for millions of families. In fact, most of the alleged education "reform" programs either do not work as advertised or function to better control the state and local governmental programs, which appears to me to be a/the goal of the Feds. We all know that education is and should be under the control of local/state systems and much of the Federal largess comes with long and strong strings. The states and local school Districts are loath to refuse Federal funds because the programs are usually aimed at remedial or Special Education areas, which are perpetually underfunded. Come to think of it, the entire educational system is underfunded and that makes it difficult to refuse Fed. funds. All of these thoughts bring me to the days when wolves were wild - until mankind began to feed them. Soon the wolves were "dogs"- domestication meant food but the price was high. Seems as if a great many of us are willing to be "domesticated" if only the Feds will feed us and make us feel good. My friends, the price is camouflaged but it is high !
Tom, As usual you present a great many ideas that deserve thought. I agree with most of them. I do think that Computer Aided Instruction does have a place in education. For example, highly organized and sequential learning packs seem to really assist those students who are learning-handicapped in some manner. If the impediment is language acquisition or word processing, being able to progress at an individualized pace or to reinforce what was contained in a class lesson seems to help. At the other end of the spectrum, high-end learners at times seem to benefit if motivated to learn more quickly than the peer group. The "smart kids" can chase their interests. That being said, the teacher still has to teach to the great majority of students. Those in the top, middle, and low ends of the spectrum still benefit from instruction by a teacher, who can bring sparkle to factual information, answer questions generated by inductive thinking, and constantly measure and adjust teaching to the needs of the students. To sum, we do not need classrooms full of electronics but I think that there is need for some computer access in most classrooms. The teacher is still the key to learning.
Tom, Yes, it is a very tough question to answer. Also it is quite individual, as it should be. I do not fear death as much as I fear dying. It is after all an expeience over which I have very little or no control and I am not good at anything over which I have no control. That being said, the uniquerness of each of us tells me that uniqueness of my death will make it difficult to preordain what steps should be taken at that time. At this point in time I will leave decisions about exraordinary efforts to prevent me from dying to my doctor. I will hope that I will have had conversations with my physician regarding guidlines for decision making.The truth seems to be that many/most of us die in the hands of people other than "my doctor", which may make the question mute. In the end, I will have those conversations that I shoud have and then trust that if my doctor is present he will make the wise decisions.
John Lemon 3 weeks, 3 days ago on High school students cleaning private property.
High school students cleaning private property.
Mrs. Rohner, Thank you for taking the time to present an in-depth response to questioners. You obviously considered your remarks very carefully and presented them in a well organized way. As you are aware, the educational systems are being examined and critiqed regularly by all sorts of people. Some of those people really know little about how things work and react strongly to things that they see or read or hear, although the real facts may be hidden. Your effort to improve lines of communication and clarify information is laudible.
John Lemon 3 weeks, 6 days ago on High school students cleaning private property.
High school students cleaning private property.
I agree with Mr. Hinshaw. Folks are commenting and stating opinions about an event about which they have little or no knowledge. It is their right to do so. It is my right to agree that someone ought to ask what the facts are before staking positions. So, that is what I did. I sent an e-mail to the FFA sponsoring teacher and asked for information about the clean up. I may share an answer, if I receive one.
John Lemon 1 month ago on High school students cleaning private property.
High school students cleaning private property.
Mr. Naughton, Well said!
John Lemon 1 month ago on High school students cleaning private property.
High school students cleaning private property.
Thank you, Mr. Naughton. High School clubs often do projects to show good citizenship and civic responsibility. Clubs sometimes are sponsored by local civic groups such as Kiwanis , Lions and so forth. The goals of the clubs are varied, but generally both adult organizations and some student clubs aim to teach and demonstrate citizenship in action. In the case mentioned above, I have no clue about why the students were out of class during the school day. Perhaps they were enrolled in a student government class or had a free period. I guess that a person would have to ask the school administration.
John Lemon 1 month ago on 199 What's wrong with our public schools?
199 What's wrong with our public schools?
Tom,
Based on my past posts, I am certain that you know we are in agreement about most issues concerning education. The recent posts are not exceptions. In regard to the Federal v. State/Local control discussion : I am reminded of a rainbow. It would be so much less vibrant with only one color.
John Lemon 1 month, 1 week ago on 197 Isn't this obvious vote peddling?
197 Isn't this obvious vote peddling?
Tom, You are correct again ! I find that most politicians do pander to groups in order to garner votes. However, there is a difference nowadays. We are financially unstable and ought to be acting with restraint if not downright slashing budgets. The Head Start program offers free baby sitting for millions of families. In fact, most of the alleged education "reform" programs either do not work as advertised or function to better control the state and local governmental programs, which appears to me to be a/the goal of the Feds. We all know that education is and should be under the control of local/state systems and much of the Federal largess comes with long and strong strings. The states and local school Districts are loath to refuse Federal funds because the programs are usually aimed at remedial or Special Education areas, which are perpetually underfunded. Come to think of it, the entire educational system is underfunded and that makes it difficult to refuse Fed. funds. All of these thoughts bring me to the days when wolves were wild - until mankind began to feed them. Soon the wolves were "dogs"- domestication meant food but the price was high. Seems as if a great many of us are willing to be "domesticated" if only the Feds will feed us and make us feel good. My friends, the price is camouflaged but it is high !
John Lemon 1 month, 3 weeks ago on 189 What the man says v. what he does.
189 What the man says v. what he does.
Ron, Amen!
John Lemon 1 month, 3 weeks ago on 159 Should classrooms be high tech?
159 Should classrooms be high tech?
Tom, As usual you present a great many ideas that deserve thought. I agree with most of them. I do think that Computer Aided Instruction does have a place in education. For example, highly organized and sequential learning packs seem to really assist those students who are learning-handicapped in some manner. If the impediment is language acquisition or word processing, being able to progress at an individualized pace or to reinforce what was contained in a class lesson seems to help. At the other end of the spectrum, high-end learners at times seem to benefit if motivated to learn more quickly than the peer group. The "smart kids" can chase their interests. That being said, the teacher still has to teach to the great majority of students. Those in the top, middle, and low ends of the spectrum still benefit from instruction by a teacher, who can bring sparkle to factual information, answer questions generated by inductive thinking, and constantly measure and adjust teaching to the needs of the students. To sum, we do not need classrooms full of electronics but I think that there is need for some computer access in most classrooms. The teacher is still the key to learning.
John Lemon 2 months ago on 179 Creationism cannot be taught in public schools.
179 Creationism cannot be taught in public schools.
Tom, Well said !
John Lemon 2 months ago on 166 The actual issue in the no-CPR incident.
166 The actual issue in the no-CPR incident.
Tom, Yes, it is a very tough question to answer. Also it is quite individual, as it should be. I do not fear death as much as I fear dying. It is after all an expeience over which I have very little or no control and I am not good at anything over which I have no control. That being said, the uniquerness of each of us tells me that uniqueness of my death will make it difficult to preordain what steps should be taken at that time. At this point in time I will leave decisions about exraordinary efforts to prevent me from dying to my doctor. I will hope that I will have had conversations with my physician regarding guidlines for decision making.The truth seems to be that many/most of us die in the hands of people other than "my doctor", which may make the question mute. In the end, I will have those conversations that I shoud have and then trust that if my doctor is present he will make the wise decisions.