🚀 go-pugleaf

ecwhitley@aol.com (ECWhitley) wrote:

>Well, if you go by test schools, Carroll County has some of the best

I assume you mean test "scores", as in standardized tests...
Standardized tests have yet to prove to me their relevance to how the
student will fare post-high school.

>More people should do this. I was told by one local home-schooling
>advocate that she wouldn't send her kids to the local schools since "they
>don't teach phonics." I was surprised to hear it, since I heard phonics
>being taught in every elementary class I helped out in.

They teach phonics, they're just not allowed to call it that anymore
(outside of the system).  Every leap year, policy changes with regards
to phonics.  This is the same school system that will not hold back or
"flunk" many students because it "embarrasses" the child.  Yeah, I'd
hate to be "embarrassed" by flunking out and being held back a year.
I'd much rather be "embarrassed" sitting in a classroom where I don't
have a clue about the subject matter, where my embarrassment keeps me
from asking for the help I need.  Even if I do muster the courage to
ask for help, I spend 1/3 of my day outside of regular classes in a
remedial-type setting.  Now I can be singled out as one of those
"idiots" who can't cut it at my grade level.  That's _much_ better.
 
>Last night I helped my 14 y.o. son learn a soliquy from MacBeth, which has
>to be memorized by Tuesday. I don't remember my high school being this
>tough and demanding. Granted, the schools aren't perfect, but I am happy
>with the education my older son is getting at FSK and my younger son is
>getting at Runnymede.--Eva Whitley

Your 14 y.o. is one the lucky ones, though I do not condone "rote"
training, except perhaps for vocabulary.  Unfortunately, not enough is
being done to convince students that knowledge outside of their
primary interest/career field is good.  At the high school level,
students should not simply have information spewed at them to be
regurgitated later; they should be eased into developing methods to
apply the knowledge they are receiving to life after high school.  The
teachers that encourage such measures, whether by relating their life
experiences as it pertains to the subject matter, or taking the time
to apply the subject matter to a relevant current issue, are few and
far between, and are looked upon as rebels by the already fat-laden
administration.  I know of one adminstrator in the C.C. system (I'm
sure there has to be at least a few more) that actually encourages
such methods.  He is an excellent adminstrator, and a better teacher.
Exception, not the rule. 

>Eva Whitley (ECWhitley@AOL.COM)