The State of Education

Mar. 18, 2008 Posted in Education

Before we spend a whole bunch of money on educational do dads and administrative assistants via school bonds is there a way to measure how well the job being done now?

I mean what is the rank for NC schools compared to others schools in other states?  Are we last or top ten?
Are our problems such that no other state has experienced   them let alone solved them!  Do we even know the goal of NC education?

I generally like to know where I'm going.  Work with people who expect they can do the job.  If the plan fails it is our fault not everyone in the universe. 

So how much reading should Johnny be able to do.  How much math should Mary be able to do.  I would love to know if the students and teachers are doing their part of if the problem is money and expectations.

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Project Management

Jul. 31, 2007 Posted in Education

I understand the the Guilford Education system has a boatload of project planners and staff chomping at the bit to unleash even more educational programs upon our schools. Programs are more important than teachers!

Is it just me! I thought you planned programs to help and would have criteria that would answer the simple question, “Did the program succeed!” Thus far there are no such measurements on the programs implemented. Which means to me, that if you don't know where you're going then any destination is ok. It is like a vacation trip with kids asking, “Are we there yet!”

Speaking of are we there yet. Have the schools passed the “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND PROGRAMS?” Dr. Grier is doing an excellent job of shifting the blame for the lack of eduction in the system. It is not his fault that he has no money, that the school board gives no direction, that certain children are untouchable, that teachers have difficulty teaching in his school system.

A disservice is being done to students who want to and can learn. Greensboro's schools have be using educational fads for decades. The keywords being non-accountable, politically correct, unmeasurable results, and anti-parent. The saving grace or talent of the local education system is raising taxes. Money covers a lot of sins or lack of progress.

Perhaps the next fad will be:

• We really ought to able to teach and measure whether we are teaching!
• Turn loose some rabid CPA auditors loose on the Guilford County's school budget.
• Your child doesn't meet the minimum requirement for enrolling in the public school system.
• Teaching is a skill not an art form.
• College courses in education have not improved teachers.
• Throwing money at the problem hasn't helped either.
• If you have an effective teacher --- pay them!
• We don't need education unions just education know how.

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Transplanted Yankees

Jun. 26, 2007 Posted in Education

In an attempt to help newly transplanted Yankees adjust to southern living I offer the following bromides.

Under no circumstances should you believe that the south lost the civil war!

The Civil War was a dispute over a genteel civilized way of life and manner.

Grits are a necessary food group not a measure of one's intestinal fortitude.

The reason southerners drive slow is that they commune with nature and each other so slow down before you rear end someone.

Chitterlings are what ruffle steaks hid in the north.

You'all is a singular and plural word use it accordingly.

Pig picking is not playing with real live pigs but a North Carolina bar b que where the meat is pork.

Don't let your children swim in the hog lagoon!

In some parts of the south the mason jar is used for sipping alcoholic beverages not canning unless it's your liver.

Genteel ladies prefer an umbrella in the summer even when its not raining!

Every day above ground is a good day in the south.

A good ole boy is not necessarily old or a boy!

Once a Yankee always a northerner!

Friends discuss family --- strangers discuss the weather.

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