Elementary School Children with Heads Down on Desk During Rest Period in Classroom
I don’t get it. If something doesn’t work, why would you want more of it?
President Obama recently spoke about his goals for public schools*. He acknowledges that American students have fallen behind young people in much of the rest of the world, but his solutions include longer school days and a longer school year. He said this even though he also admitted that his mother had to augment his own education by making him get up to study at 4:30 a.m.
I’d go on about this but someone else has already done a fine job of it. Check out Judy Aron’s take comparing President Obama’s speech to hearing a real expert speak about what’s wrong with public education: your friend and mine, former public school teacher and homeschool advocate John Taylor Gatto.
* where he chose not to send his own children
Eye dont no wat your tawking about. eye went to publik skool and eye turned owt jest fine.
Thanks so much for mentioning my post.
Gatto’s talk was so inspiring and truthful and refreshing.
It was an honor and a pleasure to hear him speak again.
If anyone has a chance to hear him speak – please take advantage of it.
The man’s grasp of history and his ability to communicate common sense is astounding.
I haven’t read the other blog yet, but I had to say that I just think anyone pushing for MORE public school or time in it has got to be insane… Oh, no! We’ve got a crazy politician for a President. Hmmm… aren’t they all? *sigh* What to DO!?
Speaking as a public school teacher, I would say the last thing children need is more time IN school. I love my job and I love my students, but the way ‘the powers that be’ force the public school agenda is sickening.
Hey Barb,
I just had to share my news with you. My daughter got her acceptance letter, from the college that she really wants to go to, yesterday. She filled out the application and I sent her ACT scores and they accepted her right away. I haven’t even sent in the transcript yet!
I can’t help but feel that your encouragement to just trust in what I had done had something to do with it.
Thanks again!
Janet, lol.
Judy, I have an old Gatto cassette tape that I’ve listened to so many times. But it would be great to hear him in person.
Tori, it is discouraging, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by.
Iva, I’m glad you understand!
Michele, I’m so happy for you and your daughter. But not surprised 😉
Thank you so much for this article. This is my first year homeschooling, and today was a very hard homeschooling day. Most of the afternoon I continued thinking about allowing the kids to go to public school. This article reminded me of a few of the many reasons why I homeschool.
Thanks again!