tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post2194372811395607722..comments2023-10-23T12:23:54.134-05:00Comments on Larry James' Urban Daily: Student apathy and national leadership. . .Larry Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-83380184724739042142010-09-21T09:44:42.797-05:002010-09-21T09:44:42.797-05:00Hey Larry, Sheri McLemore here~
Received the follo...Hey Larry, Sheri McLemore here~<br />Received the following e-newsletter from Stephen Krashen last week:<br /><br />"Thomas Friedman ("We’re No. 1(1)! asserts that American education has declined, our test scores are low, and that we must therefore demand more of our students.<br />This is all wrong. American students from well-funded schools who come from high-income families outscore nearly all other countries on international tests. Only our children in high-poverty schools score below the international average. Our scores look low because the US has the highest percentage of children in poverty of all industrialized countries (25%, compared to Denmark's 3%). American education has been successful; the problem is poverty.<br /><br />The solution is not to blame students for being lazy (our elders said this about us). The solution is to protect children from the damaging effects of poverty: better nutrition (Susan Ohanian suggests the motto "No Child Left Unfed"), excellent health care for all children, and universal access to reading material."<br /><br />"LIKE" BUTTON! As a former teacher in a low-socioeconomic district, I have witnessed the reality of Krashen’s statement. While the lack of discipline is raging, it fades in comparison to the damage poverty wreaks in the classroom. Johnny’s brain is like a car, it must have fuel- his sputtering/bewilderment is visible. Suzie can’t concentrate on the lesson while desperately trying to hide, her wardrobe of today, is that of yesterday. These examples, (from hundreds, maybe thousands) aren’t invented scenarios, they are my memories.ecosavvyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03252979503832095531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-4873912134483852962010-09-17T16:33:59.011-05:002010-09-17T16:33:59.011-05:00The real issue is why Friedman wrote an piece base...The real issue is why Friedman wrote an piece based upon two prior articles. He produced an article comprised mainly of others' work! Not enough energy to produce an original product? Who is apathetic now, Mr. Friedman? ;>)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-79601314120893302522010-09-17T10:39:17.023-05:002010-09-17T10:39:17.023-05:00It's hard in many policital climates to lay bl...It's hard in many policital climates to lay blame on parents and, worse, their kids, for failures in education. But we do need to face the fact that parents who don't read to their kids, don't ask them about their grades, and generally treat school as babysitting will not likely produce successful, educated kids. Until we can educate parents about their role, many kids stand little chance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-55997092994501221402010-09-17T09:17:06.454-05:002010-09-17T09:17:06.454-05:00oh, is he now? who told you? Newt Gingrich who a...oh, is he now? who told you? Newt Gingrich who also says the prez is "Kenyan with an anti-colonial worldview." he is American and i hope he's anit-colonial!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-8184356755185504202010-09-17T06:28:59.409-05:002010-09-17T06:28:59.409-05:00Number one, we have not "dug out of this rece...Number one, we have not "dug out of this recession."<br /><br />Number two, it was mentioned that China and India have free markets "like we do." We no longer have free markets, thanks to Barack Obama. He is killing the economy and he is doing it on purpose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com