Spring break is here and boy do I have some stuff to talk about

I'm going to get the serious stuff out of the way and then move on to some lighter topics. Let's start. Of course education is up on the docket. I was talking with a couple of co-workers about Oprah's school for girls that she opened in Africa and the backlash it got from people here stateside. Her reasoning is what really made me think. It was said that she sent out surveys to see what kids wanted and when she got the surveys back almost overwhelmingly the American kids wanted material goods. The kids from other countries simply wanted schools and education. Armed with that knowledge she embarked on spending her own money to build an all girl school in Africa.

I'm by no means an Oprah fan, but I think this should be a wake up call for those who think that education doesn't need to be addressed in this country. It seems as though it has been taken for granted and that has led to the quandary we're in now. The students are not achieving on a competitive level, the teachers are stressed beyond reason and are leaving the profession and the "expert" and states are not trying to address the true issues. They fire teachers, fire administrators, close schools and when all of that still doesn't work they still refuse to look at the 900 pound gorilla in the room....the parents!

Since education officials like to look at research so much, let's focus on the fact that kids are most influenced by their parents. Kids often times will take the educational, professional, career routes that their parents took. My question is why don't we focus more on this aspect in education? Hmmm, I think I know. Most of the people that are in places of power to make these decisions are too scared to have to actually deal with telling a parent you need to do better because the education system has taken the Disney route. They like to tell the kids that everyone's a winner and can and will do everything you want to do.....without having to put forth any effort. Now they can't stop people from believing that and it's hard to go in a different direction. Secondly, the frivolous lawsuits have made a lot of officials scared to stand for anything because they fear being sued. Just like doctors, school districts play the ultra conservative role to avoid lawsuits. I guess it's necessary, but it ultimately let's the kids down.

All that I want to say is if we expect our kids to learn at a higher level we have to hold them to a higher level. We can't keep giving reprieves for a hard upbringing or because there's only one parent in the house. We have to show them that in order to get an education, you have to want an education. The more you want it the more you get from it and the better you'll be because of it. That's how education was in my house growing up and it's made me a better person. Let's start holding the parents to the flame if you really expect the kids to achieve. If you have any comments feel free to leave some and if not feel free to hang around and read some of my other post. Take care!!