[MD] Value and the Individual

[Krimel]

[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.

[Krimel]
Certainly there are plenty of problems but it is possible to get a good
public education. The issue should be how to make that true for more
students. In general public education is locally controlled. Each school
district has its own elected officials and taxation authority. So the
success or failure of schools is largely a local concern strongly influenced
but not always determined by federal or state laws or policies.

While I think current federal policies do encourage teaching to tests and
some of the other evils you mention. I fear these kinds of problems will wax
and wane. Educators are always pursuing new and better teaching methods some
work, some don't, but hopefully local control allow lots of experiments and
best practices have a chance to immerge. Or one might say the most
successful memes reveal themselves and grow. If this is not happening that
is perhaps the biggest problem.