Slowly over the last 6 1/2 years Kyle has broadened my radio horizons to talk radio. When there's nothing on the radio, I switch to Kyle's preset AM stations to catch up on any obvious news I might be missing (I don't have to watch the news much since Kyle keeps me updated on pretty much everything). So this morning on the way home from the gym, I tuned into Glenn Beck. I caught the last part of his comments on the founding fathers and their reaction to the second amendment, when Glenn went off on a tangent about Benjamin Franklin and his incredible contribution to American history. He went on to relay his disgust in the portrayal of our founding fathers in our kids' schools due to the written progressive interpretations of history - also known as our kids' history textbooks. He then proceeded to say that if we want our kids to learn about history, we (as parents) have got to do it ourselves.
This statement really got me thinking.
I was raised with a pessimistic view of public education to begin with. Now don't just blame my parents...this opinion goes generations back. In my opinion, teachers are extremely underpaid, are put in charge of too many children per classroom, and are stuck in this "No Child Left Behind" rut having to focus solely on their students passing standardized tests rather than being able to exercise any creativity in education. I'm not blaming teachers by any means. If anything, I look up to them in admiration for putting up with the above mentioned things. Clearly a teacher chooses such a career because they are passionate about teaching, and not because of its perks.
We send our kids to school hoping they'll learn the things they're supposed to in order to be successful in their education. The idea is that our schools can teach our children the basics, and the involved parent is supposed to supplement what they are learning. That's my philosophy anyway. But too many times I'm hearing that school just isn't enough to even learn the basics. Why is it that it is becoming more and more obvious that the basics need to come from the parent and then the school can supplement that? Now I'm not thoroughly opposed to being the main source of education to my children's education. My mom home-schooled all five of her kids for 3 years each in order to set the correct foundations in our educations. Because of my mom's example that I have tried to follow, Janelle can read and do 1st grade math. And after Glenn Beck's comment I heard earlier this morning, I'm wondering if I should start her on the basics of American history.
Now I'm not saying that all public education is worthless. Most kids make it through public elementary, middle, and high school just fine. I think it's just in my roots that I'm so avid in ensuring a successful education - making sure Janelle is as prepared for kindergarten as she can possibly be by the fall.
You are welcome to agree or disagree with me, but that is my tangent of the day.
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13 comments:
I agree the government has thrown our educational system under the bus. It is amazing that teachers pay and their jobs are tied to the childrens performance of tests. My mom is a school teacher and feels like there are more and more requirements and they cannot customize material to the children's needs.
Good show, L! As an avid KLIF'er, and an official Glenn Beck sick twisted freak, I applaud you. In this dangerous PC society I fear that many kids today in public school will be left solely to the indoctrination of a permissive, progressive message. Luckily we know through the Gospel that the founding fathers were inspired. My heart goes out to all the scores of children who will never know agenda-free truth. You CAN make a difference.
We love Glenn Beck!
I think it all comes back to teachers being underpaid. Sadly. I grew up living under a teachers salary, I know!
I think it's great to supplement your childs education. We had a great talk about the founding fathers as we walked the freedom trail in Boston, and made our way around DC. We have some great storybooks about George Washington and Benjamin Franklin that frequently get pulled out. We love talking history!
Hey Laura, are you joining the PTA next year?
I have a niece and nephew (8 and 6) who can tell you every American president in order. They know which president is featured on which monies. I can't tell you either.
They were home schooled until last year.
first off, i agree that teachers are overwork and underpaid. second, getting janelle started early on basic american history isn't going to give her an edge on kindergarten. you'll eventually realize that the reason they push the students they way they do is to have good test scores and to look good for the state. a lot of a district's funding is dependent on how good those state test scores are. and it isn't fair to put that kind of pressure on an elementary student. mine isn't even to the grade level that they give this testing and already he is anxious about it. so are you truly concerned?
Laura, I agree. I have thought seriously about homeschooling my kids, at least for awhile. My biggest reason for this is that I feel like you can get so much more accomplished in one day. You can get the same amount of academics done in half the time, and then still have the rest of the day for your kids to be involved in extra-curricular activities that help them develop talents, as well as learn to interact with other kids socailly. Anyway, like you, I'm not anti-public school. I'd like to do what I can to help support the system and make it better, but I am also feel that it really is up to us parents to be really involved in our children's educations, and I hope more parents learn that.
Dear Anonymous- Thank you for your comment. It's not that I care so much about Janelle having an edge in kindergarten or even the standardized testing for that matter. Actually I don't care about those things at all. I just want to make sure she has a firm grasp on the basics so that she doesn't have to struggle through them her whole life. There are adults out there that aren't very good readers or spellers, and it's because they didn't get it down as a kid. And again, it's not that I think Janelle needs to learn American history before she heads off to kindergarten to be ahead. I'm more concerned of the historical (and scientific) content schools present. I truly believe they don't emphasize some of the most important parts of history. For example, was it not brought up in your high school history class that Benjamin Franklin was a womanizer? Or that Thomas Jefferson impregnated one of his slaves? I'm sure I could come up with more. Regardless of whether those things are true, they don't MATTER. So why is it that I can remember those things and not recite the presidents of the United States or tell you more of how the White House works?
So in sum, yes I am very concerned about Janelle getting a firm grasp on the basics - reading, writing, and math. And yes, I think it's going to be important for me to make sure she's getting the right information in her other subjects like history and science.
I completely agree with you that the funding schools get is dependent on 8 and 9-year-olds standardized tests. Kids are sent to school to learn, not to make money. And yes, the pressure they put on these kids is frightening. They're kids for heavens sake!
I hope that long-winded response made sense!
whatever.
What is up!
Looks like Anonymous found your blog too.
I'm about ready to take anonymous comments completely off of my blog. What about you?
I'm curious why Anonymous is questioning L's sincerity on the matter, as if L has a sinister, underlying motive.
Since blogs are designed for the exchange of ideas and information enlighten us, please. In my opinion anonymity only cloaks fools.
Yeah, i was a little stymied by the "whatever" comment. I couldn't figure out what they were getting at with it.
But, I have to say that we weren't taught about Benjamin Franklin's womanizing or Jefferson's slave impregnation in my American History class. My dad was my American History teacher in High School, though, so I guess I got the best of both worlds.
Thanks everyone for your comments! It was fun to post such a lively entry. Don't worry, I'm not phased by the "whatever" comment. I'm all for freedom of speech. :)
Shay- I couldn't agree with you more. That is exactly the way I feel about public vs. home school.
Celia- That's really cool that your dad was your American History teacher. I know there are definitely great teachers out there who put their hearts into what they are teaching. Mine was a coach and not the best teacher ever...and I was in AP history too!!!
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