From: hampday@earthlink.net
Date: Fri Aug 26 2005 - 18:12:26 BST
Hi Mati --
Mati said:
> I am a middle of the road type of guy. Liberals think I am too cold
> hearted and Conservatives think I am a passive liberal puppet. This makes
me
> feel pretty well centered as an individual. ;-)
In other words, you represent what is commonly called "mainstream" America.
This maximizes the probability that you will be accepted by the community at
large, while minimizing the the probability that your ideas will impact on
the future of that community. You realize, of course, that in MoQ terms
that makes you an "SQ type" person.
Mati responds to my questions concerning how a school administrator views
the multicultural reforms in the public school curriculum ...
> All the issues you shared are wonderful discussion pieces but I would
> suggest all these ideas of social justice, multiculturalism and liberal
> educators become less relevant as we look at the cutting edge of reality
> when you close the door and the class starts. What is important is that
our
> teachers find a way to make connections and reach out to the learning
styles
> and needs of every student. They need to focus on how important learning
> progress is being made and how you are going to reach out and find a way
to
> get those kids that aren't making it. How are you going invite parents
and
> community become more involved academically, and socially in such a way to
> further support and push these kids. Yes social justice and
multiculturalism
> are important and you find ways to teach these lessons as well. We do it
> all.
That is certainly commendable but, practically speaking, is "doing it all"
feasible, considering that the quality of education in the U.S. has dropped
from the top ranks by international standards and is currently, as I recall,
somewhere in the bottom quarter?
Mati on the 3 Rs:
> We already have it, it is called elementary education. Next bright
> idea? I appreciate that there is less emphasis, "on the little darlings'
> self-esteem and more on learning the skills of reading, writing and
> mathematics using good, old fashion repetitive drills" but the little
> darlings come to us with more "real" needs than ever before. ...
> Education is charged with leaving no child left behind. Why
> don't we make the same charge with our community and dare say
> families. The fact is many schools are working harder than before
> with greater expectations. They should and our kids deserve it.
> Platt I challenge you as a retiree to the following.
> Offer to tutor a kid in your local school twice a week for a semester.
> Find a way to make a real connection with a kid. Put all and I mean
> all your political views behind you as you do this and make
> sure that this one kid is not left behind. When you are done then
> I can converse with you on the topic. Sadly my father rejected the
> challenge for the comforts of retirement I suspect you will do the
> same (It would be nice if you proved me wrong)
Funny you should mention that. I can't speak for Platt, but I have already
looked into volunteer opportunities here in Delaware Valley, and have
interviewed with a retirement organization toward this very purpose.
Unfortunately, they were more interested in someone to help with their
marketing and fund-raising needs. Consequently, I plan to contact the
middle school in my locality next week to see if I'm qualified to do some
one-on-one tutoring. If that's not in the cards, I'll inquire about
"teacher assistant" openings. So I accept your challenge, and expect to be
back later with more "relevant" questions.
> But my concern is this, what does all of what I have mentioned about
> education up this point have to do with the MOQ. HMMMM. Nothing and
> everything. The MOQ is a tool in which we are afforded a richer
> philosophical understanding about the world around us. What we do with
that
> understanding is a different ball of wax. The problem I see is that we
love
> on MD to point and counter point different aspects of our opinions and
> understanding about the MOQ. It can be fun but it doesn't really do much
to
> take us to the next step.
On the other hand, don't you think improving the quality of our education is
a practical step in this direction?
Thanks for your response, Mati.
Regards,
Ham
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