Save the economy: bail out our kids

I think it comes down to this: whether or not the big guys in charge are so blinded by their greed that they cannot see into the so-near future that is the next generation (we already know that they can't see two generations ahead).

The answer isn't Government schools, they fail all students at twice the price of some public schools. I know there is no way that the teachers union will allow that to happen, but at private schools there is the discipline that kids need. Too many of our teachers are afraid to discipline a student in fear of a parent or lawsuit. We as a country could save billions of tax dollars and Improve test scores immensely with school vouchers.

I'm really hoping with this new administration we can abolish this "No Child Left Behind" crap. It's truly a dumbing down of our nation. It is something else that we have not taken the time to address this. Even I am guilty with talks amongst my friends and colleagues about the environment, the economy, this insane election, and Britney (lol). How odd that I would have left education out.

I think if we make a big enough uproar about it and have more discussion about what our future generation are to face, something will be done. And this is a great place to start.

I didn't go to my top school because it was going to cost 40k a year... and state school isn't really that much better. I don't receive help from my parents so I will graduate 50k in debt.. what a depressing way to start off working life. No wonder so many people rather just not go to college.

The answer is in part to fund public schooling instead of cutting funds, and allow teachers to actually teach instead of always teaching to tests. Allow the child to express themselves and allow school to be fun and enjoyable. I have always thought (and know from experience) that children who enjoy going to school do better gradewise. Of course the problem goes much deeper than that as so many children live in poverty and are experiencing problems at home that lead to them dropping out of school. And those problems won't change with a school voucher. Education begins at home as well as in the school. Children have to want to learn, and that is just something we don't see much of anymore. It isn't as much about 'discipline' ( although that is important) as it is about inspiring a child to see the world in a way that will excite them to want to learn more about it. That is what our schools need. A good infusion of vision. And public education is the right of all and should neven be taken away as some of those who push these corporate sponsored schools want.

Visionary,,.. that is how I would like to describe our system of education in America, someday soon,,..
However today I would say ,,.. Tragic,.

Unfortunately, tragic is the case. However, I worked in a school for about two years as an aide to a teacher and know that when you give a child the chance to see the world in a new way that excites them, they want to come to school and learn. How I wish that were the education philosophy in this country instead of the same philosophy applied to everything else... just turn a profit and use our children as pawns to do it.

The biggest issue is not throwing more money at schools much of which never makes it down to the students.

In many places the cost per student instructional hour is very high and much of it is to pay for overhead rather than the teachers or materials.

There was a time when students in California schools need only show up and they were provided with all the materials needed including pencils paper and books.

Not to sell a product .. but there are many products that can be obtained to help childern aquire written language at the same time they are learning spoken language. That is to say two year olds have the capacity to learn to read.

Children should be taught to be multilingual from the very beginning.

We throw more money into prisons than we do at schools, we need to change priorities.

Hey Notfooled,

I am soooo tired of the school voucher BS. Study after study shows the single most important factor to academic success is the home environment. Several studies, after accounting for social and economic inequalities, indicate that public schools perform on par with private schools.

Finally, school vouchers do NOT promote competition. School vouchers do not magically create a competition rich market place out of an inherently geographically limited, resource limited, marginally consumer influenced selection based system.

Note, I am NOT saying that vouchers can’t be effectively used. What I am saying is that they are NOT a magic bullet. Anyone who says otherwise simply does not understand what they are talking about.

this is where socialism starts looking good .

True the home is where education starts. Ask your local teachers how many parents told the school not to send homework with their precious children because home is not for learnin, schoo is where they is posed to get edumacated. I know of many families is my area with that ignorant mentality. Never would I have believed we would become a nation who prides itself on being ignorant.