Public Education

It's My Opinion...

Public education seems to be missing the boat when it comes to educating our children. We are so consumed with the idea of SAT scores, reading levels, and math skills that we have failed to see the purpose in all this.

The real purpose in education is two-fold: to impart knowledge to the mind and train in the practical use of a particular skill in order to make a living.

Education is more than attending twelve, fourteen or more years and graduating with a diploma or a degree. At the end of those years, what can one do with a high school diploma? What can one do with a BA degree?

One of the main reasons young people get into trouble is that they have nothing to do. Many of the inmates in prison are there because they have no skills with which to make a living. Many prisons are now making it mandatory that the prisoner have some skill, some way to make a living, before being released to the public.

One of the reasons many students are bored, uninterested and become a drop-out, is that they see no connection or meaning between learning and making a living.
What is the purpose with all this math when little of it is used in practical life? What is the purpose of learning grammar when you don't plan to do any writing? Why learn geography if you don't plan to travel? Who cares about what happened two hundred years ago if you are having trouble getting along with your friends today? This is not to say that these subjects are unimportant. They are very important. But they should lead to a purpose in life. When a student links courses of study to a purpose in life, he becomes motivated to learn.

Every student should have a skill upon graduating from high school. The last two years of high school should be used to teach some skill that will prepare him or her for a job. Our society, and most societies, need carpenters, plumbers, auto mechanics, electricians, electronic repairmen, landscaper, service people, business managers and on and on we could go. When you try to get your car repaired or get a plumber, you usually get the answer, "maybe tomorrow." Yet we hear again and again, "there are no jobs." There are plenty of jobs, just unskilled workers.

For all high school graduates, let's place an emphasis upon training for a job, as well as imparting information to the mind.
(To be continued)

Crime and Punishment

My Thoughts:

It is axiomatic that crime is very much a part of our society and is becoming more and more violent and gruesome with each succeeding generation. Crime, its prevention and control, cannot be ignored, nor can it be dealt with, on the basis of emotion or spurious arguments. Crime is the result of undisciplined minds, weak character, low moral values, and a lack of respect for the lives and property of others. No society can long maintain law and order without moral education. Immoral people commit immoral acts. The consequences of a crime must outweigh the pleasure of committing it. The penalty must match the crime. Victim(s) must be compensated. A man's house is his castle. A life is worth a life. Every society must have a standard, or set of rules, by which a person's conduct is to be measured and consequences determined. That standard must be accepted, and supported, by a majority of the people to be effective. Every society has some set of standards for the control of its members, usually based upon some concept of a God and what He expects of them. Those expectations may be codified, verbalized, or built into the traditions of that culture. The kind of God that culture worships will determine the character and moral level of that society. Evil's purpose is to triumph over righteousness. It is not bound by rules, regulations, boundaries, or restrictions, and will triumph unless those who are of strong moral character and convictions stand up against it. When evil triumphs, the results will be judgment and destruction. The Christian society has accepted the Bible as its standard for faith and practice.

Terri Schiavo

The condition of Terri Schiavo has been in the news now for several years, and in particular, the last several weeks. It appears that all legal steps have been taken and the family is not allowed to reinsert the feeding tube. One can understand the depths of depression, discouragements, and heartache that the family is going through. One can also understand the frustation of the husband who has not had a wife for the past fifteen years. I do understand he has a common law wife.
How is this to be decided? I have advised my wife and family that if I should ever become permanently incompacitated to the point that I am no longer productive and must be supported either mechanically or electronically, or any other means, to let me die. I am not talking about euthanasia, nor assisted suicide. I am just saying, when my time comes for me to die, let me die.
There is one way in which this Schiavo situation could be solved, it seems to me. The husband could renounce his power of attorney overTerri, get a divorce, and turn the responsibilities over to her family. They , then, would have the responsibility of taking care of her and deciding when the feeding tube shold be removed.
There is no easy moral or legal solution to this situation where both or at odds. And no one knows the mind of Terri. All medial opinions say that Terri has no hope of recovery. Medical science does not have all the answers. Miracles have happened. However, the husband and family have apparently not approached this from a spiritual, moral and scriputral standpoint. At least, I have not heard them say so. Only God can give the family a solution to this situation.

Beginnings

Well, I just got my first opportunity to write on a blog. I am not sure where this is going, but will be getting some experience with it. I will be sharing my thoughts on everything: religion, philosophy, psychology, politics, education, crime and punishment, the war and all the rest. These will be MY opinions. Let's see where this goes.... Mannon