Author Topic: school vouchers (Read 4168 times)

AKIron · « **Reply #105 on:** September 09, 2003, 09:28:54 AM »

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Originally posted by Kieran
You regular education parents need to decide on your agenda and stick with it. Write your congressmen, apply some pressure to your school boards, and become the advocates the special interest parents have successfully become. Do that, and it won't matter where you go to school. Don't do that and things will never get better- public or private.

What about those of us with grown kids or without kids? We don't have the close contact with the system needed to determine if it is being managed effectively. Of course we still pay our taxes and have a vested interest in future generations. I'm with Lazs on this, time to give those that have demonstrated the ability to succeed more power.

Kieran · « **Reply #106 on:** September 09, 2003, 09:48:02 AM »

I say go ahead, but I do so with the warning you are going to wind up in the same situation you are now, if not worse.

Frogm4n · « **Reply #107 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:00:08 AM »

My bet is that within 30 years of the privatization of the public school system it will be so corrupt , and disgusting we will give up on it.
I can imagine it now, US history brought to you by Pepsi! 80 percent of private schools owned and opperated by Rupert Murdoch.( the buyouts and the mergers will be rampant and hilarious, GO NABISCO HIGH !). The idea of choice of private schools to chose from will be gone pretty quick. Education lobbyists will fight the oil and big tobacco for who gets the most free handouts. Oh man the comedy that will insue is almost worth it!

AKIron · « **Reply #108 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:03:47 AM »

Free enterprise hasn't failed us yet. Of course everything is subject to mishandling and corruption.

Frogm4n · « **Reply #109 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:06:21 AM »

akiron, free enterprise is just as corrupt and idiotic as our public stuff. Northeast blackouts due to deregulations! noway!

The whole point of a business is to make profit. Employees and the public are something they dont give a flying **** about unless it affects profit. And they shouldnt. their goal is to make as much cash as possible. Maximum profit, and more power to them i say.

I dont want someone with that mentallity running the school systems though.

AKIron · « **Reply #110 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:19:04 AM »

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Originally posted by Frogm4n
akiron, free enterprise is just as corrupt and idiotic as our public stuff. Northeast blackouts due to deregulations! noway!

Free enterprise cannot be corrupted except by regulation. People, on the other hand, are very susceptible to corruption.

Confucius say: "Change is usually painful and not always better, at least immediately. A system designed to prevent pain by limiting change will become stagnant. Great reward requires risk."

Well, maybe it wasn't Confucius.

Wanker · « **Reply #111 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:33:41 AM »

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the teachers n this board tell us that we are the buerocracy and that we should fix public schools and that they would love to see em "fixed" but.... I don't ever see any suggestion from any union teacher that is pointed toward improving teaching.... only toward getting even more money while working even less hours. Hving the facility open 12 months a year would cut costs and improve education but I don't see any teachers suggesting that. or accademic standards.

Then you must never have read any of my posts about education. Even when I was a teacher, I always felt that school should be held year round, with teachers earning vacation time like any other business. Beginning teachers would start with a couple weeks of vacation, and earn more as they gain experience. Teachers should be allowed to use that vacation whenever they want to, instead of having their vacation times dictated to them by the school district as it is now.

We are not the agrarian society that we once were. There's no compelling reason to keep school a Sept.- June operation. It should be year-round.

Lazs, your underlying belief that all teachers are lazy, and are only in teaching for the great money, low stress, and cushy work environment is so ignorant and naiive, it belies explanation.

Either you are trolling again, or you had some experiences in your youth that has permanently embittered you towards teachers.

I left the teaching profession 8 years ago because the pay was lousy, the stress enormous, and respect for teachers and desire to learn were almost non-existent. What is amazing to me is that there are still any dedicated teachers out there.

I work in the technology field now, and my stress level is nearly zero, my pay is good, and I feel that my skills are respected and appreciated by my employer. How many teachers can say that?

I know this would create anarchy, but I hope all you teacher haters get your wish. I would love to see all public school teachers resign en-mass, and tell the country they can "take this job and shove it". Believe me, it would be the best thing the teachers could do for their lives.

After that happens, all the teacher haters would then have the opportunity to put up, or shut up.

AKIron · « **Reply #112 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:42:10 AM »

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Originally posted by banana
I know this would create anarchy, but I hope all you teacher haters get your wish. I would love to see all public school teachers resign en-mass, and tell the country they can "take this job and shove it". Believe me, it would be the best thing the teachers could do for their lives.

After that happens, all the teacher haters would then have the opportunity to put up, or shut up.

Pretty big chip you have there.

Wanker · « **Reply #113 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:52:12 AM »

Yes, I do have a big chip on my shoulder. I spent my whole youth dedicated to becoming a good teacher. And after spending five years pouring my whole heart and soul into that profession, I was near suicide by the time I decided to get out.

a career as a teacher in the public schools in this day and age is, IMO, for masochists and saints, only.

I am not ashamed to admit I have a chip on my shoulder. I have talked the talk and walked the walk. Have you, AKIron?

AKIron · « **Reply #114 on:** September 09, 2003, 11:01:06 AM »

I have walked my walk banana and I won't bore you with the details.

I don't think anyone here is advocating getting rid of our teachers (well, except maybe you

.) We'll always need teachers whether in private schools or public. I for one will appreciate them more when they can do their jobs better without being so heavily chained by bureaucracy.

For one with a zero stress job you seem to be pretty stressed.

Wanker · « **Reply #115 on:** September 09, 2003, 11:14:06 AM »

No, I'm not stressed. But whenever I discuss education, I get these, if you'll excuse the analogy, "Vietnam-like" flashbacks.

I'm get all riled up when discussing education because I'm passionate about it. I think there is nothing more important to a society than quality education. It's the only real ticket out for those born into poverty.

You've got to admit, pouring your whole being into a profession for the sake of others, and then realizing that you are underappreciated and undervalued by society as whole, can break even the strongest of wills. I simply got tired of being a crusader, battling apathy and beaurocracy day in and day out.

Life in the big, coporate world is great compared to teaching. It has it's stressful moments, too. But nothing like teaching in the public schools.

AKIron · « **Reply #116 on:** September 09, 2003, 11:22:00 AM »

Understood.

Trell · « **Reply #117 on:** September 09, 2003, 12:09:47 PM »

awww I think everyone needs a group hug:D

AKIron · « **Reply #118 on:** September 09, 2003, 12:39:40 PM »

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Originally posted by Trell
awww I think everyone needs a group hug:D

Maybe if you'd apply some deodorant.

Gadfly · « **Reply #119 on:** September 09, 2003, 12:51:26 PM »

banana, S! for you and all the teachers, you have a hard row to hoe.