The public school system in Texas if filled with contradictions. The number of people to be educated is not necessarily related to the sources of the wealth that can provide sound programs. In general, the areas with the largest number of students are lowest in per capita ability to pay. Political formulas for school funding will no longer do. Equitable allocation of school tax funds is a greater problem than equal education for all.
How do we save money on education?
Sixteen years of public education, beginning at age five and ending at age twenty-one, is a luxury offered in no other nation. Why is it the other nations have greater success with educating children? Could our problem be that we are trying to provide more rather than concentrate on quality in a shorter period of time. Graduation from high school used to be at the age of 16. Do we need to return to that model?
"Very little motivation can be generated by educators when they require all students to be subjected to a compromised process geared solely to produce skills necessary for college entrance." The answer to a better education system is instilling the desire to learn. This used to be the basic mission of every teacher. Then standardized test came along and destroyed the mission of a teacher.
This nation enjoys the highest standard of living in the world. However, the record reveals a greater number of students who despise all forms of learning. The reason: Learning is no longer fun! These students remain in school and possibly spend their time flaunting the learning process by willful disobedience, violence, and rebellion. Students who fail to reach a sixth grade ability to read, write, and compute mathematics require massive remedial programs throughout the entire learning process. These remedial programs have become a vast waste of public education funds. 30% of high school graduates attending higher education now have to attend remedial classes as part of their higher education program. Taxpayer funds wasted on a high school education.
Public education's goal must be to make possible a productive and worthwhile life for every citizen. Learning is continuous throughout a person's lifetime. Statistics indicate that too many 'uneducated' adults return to the classroom. This shows a drastic need to revamp the public education system in Texas.
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You are mistaken. The goal of the public education system is to make as much money as it can. If students become educated during the process that is just a bonus. Keeping the money flowing and the power is the idea. It is part of the growing, oppressive government we are subjects to. If you want to control people you need them stupid and unarmed. The Washington DC controlled public education system is the branch of Government that in charge of the stupid part, And it is doing its job and being rewarded well for it. Go to any town in the USA and you will find the superintendent is the highest paid person in town, and the football coach is probably the second. I agree with outsider it is past time to shut them down.
More spending will not solve the problems faced by by small school districts with large numbers of students from low income families.
I think that we need to work together to help improve their local public schools. I think that we need to identify and concentrate on some specific areas in which our system is failing. I think that mathematics is one such area.
It is a matter of concern to me that some adults comment on their inadequacy in mathematics in the presence of impressionable young people. It would almost seem that some adults might even take pride in having had difficulty with high school level mathematics. I doubt that they would have the same attitude about having been unable to read.
For a variety of reasons too many students entering high school at the 9th grade do not have the knowledge, skills, and motivation to be successful in learning Algebra 1. Failure to learn mathematics at an appropriate age limits the career choices of students almost as much as failure to learn our national language.
Failure to earn at least four credits of mathematics in high school limits the choices of colleges and occupational training. Failure to learn high school level mathematics limits the choices of occupational training in our military.
The highest rated high school diploma in Texas public schools now requires five credits in mathematics. Additional academic recognition can be achieved by taking an advanced placement course in calculus. Additional academic recognition is a plus for all students who want to be considered for admission or scholarships to top rated colleges and universities.
Unfortunately, it is easy for students to fall behind in mathematics achievement, but it is very hard to catch up. Too often, students do not seek help before they fall behind. However, there are computer programs and other materials, which can be used at school or elsewhere to aid those who find mathematics so challenging. More and more, mathematics courses can now be taken via the Internet.
In these times of tight budgets and soaring inflation our schools should be reaching out to organizations and individuals to make voluntary donations rather that relying on tax increases on properties that are likely to continue to lose value. I believe that most school leaders and teachers who are secure in their positions would welcome the interest and help from organizations and individuals. I believe that more community involvement in our school would make everyone more aware of the importance of education.
Recently, STOP and STEP, two local organizations in Camp County, Texas donated 10 Pentium (IV) computer systems to the Pittsburg JHS School for use in teaching mathematics. This was done in an effort to help our young people learn more mathematics before entering high school. This was done to help students who have fallen behind and those who want to learn at a faster pace.
The principal at the PJHS, and several potential donors are considering the purchase of some mathematics courseware (http://www.teach12.com) for use with the donated computers. Donations of additional computers to individual students and to teachers in subject areas other than mathematics are also being considered.
Bob Roe
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