[MD] Value and the Individual

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Krimel]
I would say that my kids learned a portion of the values both of you 
mentioned. Each learned something different, each in her kind.

[Arlo]
Now don't you go getting all "thinking" on us. In Platt's dichotomous 
world, that's forbidden. Two options, "value of the individual" in 
private schools, "Marxist collectivism" in the public. If I start 
funnin' with that (as my granddaddy used to say), don't bring 
reasonable discourse into it.

[Krimel]
Public schools have a host of problems but lack of funding 
contributes to all of them.

[Arlo]
I think our biggest problem with education stems from an 
unarticulated philosophy... "why do we educate?"

Once we know why we do, we can start working on solutions. Until 
then, it's just ad hoc band-aids, a parade of fads, and the usually, 
boring cliches about "government" schools.  But yes, funding 
(particularly funding in "the arts") continues to be a big problem 
across the board. But its not all about funding. I'd say most of it 
derives from a lack of overall vision. It also stems from a 
dissolution of community integration, failure of parents to involve, 
and the "teach to the test" mentality of "No Child".

Some other gripes (in brief), adherence to "grade levels" (such as 
5th grade, 6th grade, etc), adherence to the clock, non-integration 
of subjects, lecture-based learning, splitting vocational students 
from "college prep" students, inability to discipline as needed, and 
overall grading policies.

But we've beaten that path. And still the cliches ring on and on and 
on and on...