Education News Round Up
Apr. 10, 2006 at 10:13 AM
Homeschooling
This is definitely my kind of headline.
Exit Exam Revolt Urged. They may not be revolting for the same reasons I would but I'm glad some are willing to think beyond the test.
Bill and Melinda Gates talk education with Oprah
Another more quiet revolution is being lead by Bill Gates. In a two day special on education ...
Exit Exam Revolt Urged. They may not be revolting for the same reasons I would but I'm glad some are willing to think beyond the test.
Bill and Melinda Gates talk education with Oprah
Another more quiet revolution is being lead by Bill Gates. In a two day special on education ...
Bill and Melinda Gates tell Oprah that they are terrified about the disastrous consequences of American's failing high school education system. Bill Gates says, "I think it's fair to say the future of this country depends solely on renewing our commitment to education."
The Gates' have a commitment to revolutionizing education - the UN way. They have a partnered with UNESCO to design an international curriculum. You can read the agreement at www.eagleforum.org/links, but Microsoft has fixed it so you can't print it out. It is my earnest prayer that the "Gates of Seattle" shall not prevail against us. Oprah's special will air Tuesday and Wednesday.
Talking Points on Education
I wonder if Bill Gates will mention Sputnik when he talks about education. It's seems that's the latest analogy to describe what our attitutde should be in education. Mitt Romney in the Washington Times is just one of many politicians and educrats to invoke the space wars as a reason to radically reform education. That's the same analogy used in Thomas Friedman's book, The World is Flat. Seems that is the must read to understand and solve the education crisis. Or atleast talk about it. Funny Mr. Romney also mentions Bill Gates too. But to be fair he also metnions homeschooling. He says,
Talking Points on Education
I wonder if Bill Gates will mention Sputnik when he talks about education. It's seems that's the latest analogy to describe what our attitutde should be in education. Mitt Romney in the Washington Times is just one of many politicians and educrats to invoke the space wars as a reason to radically reform education. That's the same analogy used in Thomas Friedman's book, The World is Flat. Seems that is the must read to understand and solve the education crisis. Or atleast talk about it. Funny Mr. Romney also mentions Bill Gates too. But to be fair he also metnions homeschooling. He says,
4) Let freedom ring. When parents, teachers and kids are free to choose their school, everyone benefits. Charter schools free of union restraints and, yes, even home schools, teach lessons we can apply to improve standard public schools.
5) Pull in the parents. Teachers tell us that the best predictor of student success is parental involvement. For our lowest-performing schools, I've proposed mandatory parental preparation courses.
So on the one hand he says, "Let freedom ring" and in the same breath proposes mandatory parenting classes! I think there is a thinking gap in this counry. Mr. Romney if you want to learn a lesson from homeschoolers then get the government out of education all together. It's really quite simple.
This is what I was told when I wanted to go to college.
Pay up, kids: Mom and Dad don't have the cash. I paid my way through the University of Michigan. I missed my senior prom to save money. During college I often worked three jobs and didn't have a car. I only took out one loan my freshman year before I realized the stupidity of what I was doing. Sometimes in life you have to make a sacrifce for something greater. I'm going to be telling my children the same thing.
Speaking of the the prom
I am amazed when I tell people we homeschool our high school daughter how many will say, "But what about the prom?" It really isn't a big deal to us. But I understandt to some it is. In fact, homeschoolers in Illinois have decided to organize their own prom. One young man even admitted it was his mother who taught him how to dance! It's not our type of event but I appreciate the intitiative of the children and their parents.
This is what I was told when I wanted to go to college.
Pay up, kids: Mom and Dad don't have the cash. I paid my way through the University of Michigan. I missed my senior prom to save money. During college I often worked three jobs and didn't have a car. I only took out one loan my freshman year before I realized the stupidity of what I was doing. Sometimes in life you have to make a sacrifce for something greater. I'm going to be telling my children the same thing.
Speaking of the the prom
I am amazed when I tell people we homeschool our high school daughter how many will say, "But what about the prom?" It really isn't a big deal to us. But I understandt to some it is. In fact, homeschoolers in Illinois have decided to organize their own prom. One young man even admitted it was his mother who taught him how to dance! It's not our type of event but I appreciate the intitiative of the children and their parents.
(HT: Education News)
Related Tags: education, homeschooling, home school, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Oprah Winfrey, public schools, prom, high school, public school
Related Tags: education, homeschooling, home school, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Oprah Winfrey, public schools, prom, high school, public school
4 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by jacobsacademy on Apr. 10, 2006 at 2:40 PM
The proms are (or appear to be...) a really big thing here in Georgia - it is a common practice for some of the larger homeschool associations in the greater populaces of the state to organize a prom each Spring - I see the info come through on a number of email digest threads I subscribe to.
It would be interesting to know how many homeschoolers are asked to attend public/private school proms as a date, etc., just to know......don't care to revisit any of my prom skeletons........what cave man invented that to start with?
My jury is out on this topic - my sons have been told they can date and consider going to prom when they turn 40.
;-)
Harriette
posted by jacobsacademy on Apr. 10, 2006 at 2:49 PM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/content/education/chi-0604090069apr09,1,7816061.story?track=rss&ctrack=1&cset=true
After I posted my comment about proms - the above article's headline caught my eye on the Homeschool Buzz box on my own blog - the very thing I was posting about. Interesting read.
funny,
H~
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Apr. 10, 2006 at 3:07 PM
I'll keep your email handy Harriet. My daughters will be turning forty in about 20 plus years. We tell them the same thing! It's good to know there will still be availabe men around.
posted by Tami on Apr. 10, 2006 at 3:41 PM
One of our local homeschool groups has hosted a prom for several years. They have a dress code, and they have some sort of code on the type of music that is played. I don't know all the fine details, since we are not of the prom-going mind either. I just know that it is available.
Have a blessed day! Tami