Comments on: The F Word: Rich v. Poor in the U.S. Education System http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/ Cultivating a Better Conversation Sat, 14 May 2011 01:31:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mauimom http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-493 Mauimom Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:25:29 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-493 <blockquote><p>I have yet to meet, let me repeat that, yet to meet a person in <strong>there</strong> 20s or 30s who values education as much and we reviled Boomers do.</p></blockquote> <p>I’m not a Boomer, but I value education enough to know it should be “their” in your quote above.</p>

I have yet to meet, let me repeat that, yet to meet a person in there 20s or 30s who values education as much and we reviled Boomers do.

I’m not a Boomer, but I value education enough to know it should be “their” in your quote above.

]]> By: Mauimom http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-492 Mauimom Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:20:39 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-492 <p>Ms. Flanders, I urge you to contact a group called Critical Exposure. They take kids in the Baltimore public schools, give them cameras, let them photograph the conditions in their schools, and then arrange showings. Last year their exhibit at the statehouse in Annapolis prompted a large increase in the schools’ budget.</p> <p>I can’t seem to imbed the link. It’s criticalexposure.org.</p> Ms. Flanders, I urge you to contact a group called Critical Exposure. They take kids in the Baltimore public schools, give them cameras, let them photograph the conditions in their schools, and then arrange showings. Last year their exhibit at the statehouse in Annapolis prompted a large increase in the schools’ budget.

I can’t seem to imbed the link. It’s criticalexposure.org.

]]> By: Rayne http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-491 Rayne Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:29:00 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-491 <p>Mack, don’t know if you’ll be back…but you left Detroit before the Engler years really savaged the revenues. There may have been mismanagement, but now there is absolute chaos and devastation — and that’s become increasingly the norm across big swaths of Michigan.</p> <p>Engler. Bah. His name is a curse.</p> Mack, don’t know if you’ll be back…but you left Detroit before the Engler years really savaged the revenues. There may have been mismanagement, but now there is absolute chaos and devastation — and that’s become increasingly the norm across big swaths of Michigan.

Engler. Bah. His name is a curse.

]]> By: mack http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-490 mack Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:59:24 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-490 <p>As for the Obama kids, if I had the opportunity to send my kids to the U of C Lab School, I would jump on it.<br /> I take that as a sign of intelligence.<br /> IMO, Obama learned early to pick his battles, a trait which leaves me disagreeing with him on issues where he is soft (FISA) but respecting his effectiveness in bringing change where he can.<br /> Talking with a 20 something at work today who is a big suppporter, she told me her best friend “thinks Obama walks on water”. I replied that I hope she is not disillusioned when she realizes he is less than perfect, because he is the best I have seen in some time. But she (and others) are bound to be disappointed sooner or later.<br /> Anyways, the Lab School is a remarkable entity, not a run-of-the-mill parochial school.</p> As for the Obama kids, if I had the opportunity to send my kids to the U of C Lab School, I would jump on it.
I take that as a sign of intelligence.
IMO, Obama learned early to pick his battles, a trait which leaves me disagreeing with him on issues where he is soft (FISA) but respecting his effectiveness in bringing change where he can.
Talking with a 20 something at work today who is a big suppporter, she told me her best friend “thinks Obama walks on water”. I replied that I hope she is not disillusioned when she realizes he is less than perfect, because he is the best I have seen in some time. But she (and others) are bound to be disappointed sooner or later.
Anyways, the Lab School is a remarkable entity, not a run-of-the-mill parochial school.

]]> By: mack http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-489 mack Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:45:23 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-489 <p>Having grown up in the suburbs of Detroit and lived in the city proper for a few years in the early 80s, I can testify that the systemic problems existed under Democratic and Republican administrations.<br /> The city had a decent Mayor in Dennis Archer, but years of abuse have gutted the infrastructure and city services. It will be a long climb back, Essentially (from my now distant vantage point) the city of Detroit is now named Southfield. The old city is a corrupt suburb.</p> Having grown up in the suburbs of Detroit and lived in the city proper for a few years in the early 80s, I can testify that the systemic problems existed under Democratic and Republican administrations.
The city had a decent Mayor in Dennis Archer, but years of abuse have gutted the infrastructure and city services. It will be a long climb back, Essentially (from my now distant vantage point) the city of Detroit is now named Southfield. The old city is a corrupt suburb.

]]> By: MaryRacine http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-488 MaryRacine Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:18:25 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-488 <p>I grew up in the DC suburbs and the children of many Senators and Congressmen went to my public school (back in the 70-80s). I don’t think you can underestimate the Amy Carter effect on attitudes towards public versus private school choice among politicians. The press hounded her - teachers and fellow students gave interviews - and there was nothing that could be done. A private school can enforce confidentiality rules, a public school cannot. Chelsea Clinton went private and you didn’t hear a peep about her. I can’t imagine WANTING a politician’s kid in your class. A friend’s dad was on the school board. It sucked for him.</p> <p>My sister teaches at one of our old schools, and she says that you don’t see the politician’s kids so much anymore. Apparently the drop-off was when strict mandatory attendance rules came in. “We’re going back to the district for a week or two, can you give us junior’s homework” didn’t cut it anymore. So kids went to private schools, where it did.</p> <p>From my current suburban (childless) viewpoint, the public versus private choice seems to be as much about lifestyle as educational quality. Acting up in a high end private school doesn’t get you a police record. In a public school it just might.</p> I grew up in the DC suburbs and the children of many Senators and Congressmen went to my public school (back in the 70-80s). I don’t think you can underestimate the Amy Carter effect on attitudes towards public versus private school choice among politicians. The press hounded her – teachers and fellow students gave interviews – and there was nothing that could be done. A private school can enforce confidentiality rules, a public school cannot. Chelsea Clinton went private and you didn’t hear a peep about her. I can’t imagine WANTING a politician’s kid in your class. A friend’s dad was on the school board. It sucked for him.

My sister teaches at one of our old schools, and she says that you don’t see the politician’s kids so much anymore. Apparently the drop-off was when strict mandatory attendance rules came in. “We’re going back to the district for a week or two, can you give us junior’s homework” didn’t cut it anymore. So kids went to private schools, where it did.

From my current suburban (childless) viewpoint, the public versus private choice seems to be as much about lifestyle as educational quality. Acting up in a high end private school doesn’t get you a police record. In a public school it just might.

]]> By: helena http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-487 helena Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:12:58 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-487 <p>Do Barack Obama’s children attend public school?<br /> In: Political Office Holders [Edit] </p> <p>No<br /> the Chicago Tribune sums up some of their answers: </p> <p>“My kids have gone to the University of Chicago Lab School, a private school, because I taught there,” Obama responded. “It was five minutes from our house. So it was the best option for our kids.” </p> <p>Edwards said his children have all attended public schools. Clinton said her daughter, Chelsea, went to public school through 8th grade, when the family’s move to Washington required sending her to a private school because it offered more protection from the media.</p> Do Barack Obama’s children attend public school?
In: Political Office Holders [Edit]

No
the Chicago Tribune sums up some of their answers:

“My kids have gone to the University of Chicago Lab School, a private school, because I taught there,” Obama responded. “It was five minutes from our house. So it was the best option for our kids.”

Edwards said his children have all attended public schools. Clinton said her daughter, Chelsea, went to public school through 8th grade, when the family’s move to Washington required sending her to a private school because it offered more protection from the media.

]]> By: Nettle http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-486 Nettle Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:00:44 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-486 <p>There’s a lot of truth to what you say, in course content from kindergarten to postsecondary. We had huge public battles over our state’s history curriculum, what was in, what was out. Much more Reagan was in, indigenous history out for those where were believing in <em>that</em> change. They lost but we lost ground, too. </p> <p>So what about Obama’s ed plan? </p> <blockquote><p>Heather Higginbottom, who runs Obama’s policy office at the campaign’s Chicago headquarters, cited education as one area in which Obama offers ideas that are not traditionally Democratic, arguing that the problem is not all about schools or funding, but about parents who let their children watch too much television. </p></blockquote> <p>Meanwhile, what the heck’s up with this? Shouldn’t Democrats be deciding their own platform? Honestly, its not transformational to simply declare a one party system. Real creative there, guys. And do other folks get to have their “platform flyers” at these things or are they love-ins for Obama? Something tells me that platform committee’s going to need a lot of attention. </p> <blockquote><p>“<a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/barack-obamas-p.html" rel="nofollow">Barack Obama believes</a> that <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jCJokRL-4bIUMbN5goV0WMHUsJJAD91PN0AG0" rel="nofollow">every American</a> should be able to contribute to the Democratic platform, just as record numbers have participated in this campaign,” deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand said.</p></blockquote> There’s a lot of truth to what you say, in course content from kindergarten to postsecondary. We had huge public battles over our state’s history curriculum, what was in, what was out. Much more Reagan was in, indigenous history out for those where were believing in that change. They lost but we lost ground, too.

So what about Obama’s ed plan?

Heather Higginbottom, who runs Obama’s policy office at the campaign’s Chicago headquarters, cited education as one area in which Obama offers ideas that are not traditionally Democratic, arguing that the problem is not all about schools or funding, but about parents who let their children watch too much television.

Meanwhile, what the heck’s up with this? Shouldn’t Democrats be deciding their own platform? Honestly, its not transformational to simply declare a one party system. Real creative there, guys. And do other folks get to have their “platform flyers” at these things or are they love-ins for Obama? Something tells me that platform committee’s going to need a lot of attention.

“Barack Obama believes that every American should be able to contribute to the Democratic platform, just as record numbers have participated in this campaign,” deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand said.

]]> By: helena http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-485 helena Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:47:09 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-485 <p>Hmm, well we know that John Edwards sends his children to public schools and graduated from a state university himself.</p> <p>why didn’t people note these differences sooner? Don’t know about the Obama kids but it will sure enough be a talkin’ point for the Repubs if they’ve been in private school.</p> Hmm, well we know that John Edwards sends his children to public schools and graduated from a state university himself.

why didn’t people note these differences sooner? Don’t know about the Obama kids but it will sure enough be a talkin’ point for the Repubs if they’ve been in private school.

]]> By: cinnamonape http://grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/comment-page-1/#comment-484 cinnamonape Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41:02 +0000 http://www.grittv.org/2008/07/08/the-f-word-rich-v-poor-in-the-us-education-system/#comment-484 <p>It’s funny but I recall that once, during the school bussing era, the Republican line was “neighborhood schools”. But then they had no problem sending their kids to private schools clear across the city when their own neighborhoods began to be desegregated.</p> <p>One idea to compel more public officials to put their kids (and invest energy into fixing public schools) is to restrict or severely limit the number of kids who can go to PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES if they attend private and parochial high schools. This could be built into the current selection processes of public universities…allowing for a greater mix of urban and rural residents to attain higher education.</p> <p>If you put kids whose parents have resources and energy and high-goals for their kids back into the public system THEY will demand better schools and programs at that level. They will work hard to increase public funding, obtain better teachers, and improve security and discipline on campuses. I would bet you’d start seeing a lot more volunteers getting extracurricular art, drama, and club programs going.</p> <p>I lived in Davis California for some time…and there are no private schools in this University town. But the standards are so high that the complaint is just the opposite…what about kids who don’t want to go to college…where are the programs for THEM.</p> It’s funny but I recall that once, during the school bussing era, the Republican line was “neighborhood schools”. But then they had no problem sending their kids to private schools clear across the city when their own neighborhoods began to be desegregated.

One idea to compel more public officials to put their kids (and invest energy into fixing public schools) is to restrict or severely limit the number of kids who can go to PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES if they attend private and parochial high schools. This could be built into the current selection processes of public universities…allowing for a greater mix of urban and rural residents to attain higher education.

If you put kids whose parents have resources and energy and high-goals for their kids back into the public system THEY will demand better schools and programs at that level. They will work hard to increase public funding, obtain better teachers, and improve security and discipline on campuses. I would bet you’d start seeing a lot more volunteers getting extracurricular art, drama, and club programs going.

I lived in Davis California for some time…and there are no private schools in this University town. But the standards are so high that the complaint is just the opposite…what about kids who don’t want to go to college…where are the programs for THEM.

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