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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

LEARN THIS

Education is a lifelong process of learning
the attitudes, knowlege, skills and behaviors
essential to earn a living, be an informed
citizen and to find joy in life.

To Learn, one must want to learn, put forth
the effort and apply that which is learned.

As Mayor Jennings often observes, we need
a new template for education, particularly
urban education.

Race To The Top and No Child Left Behind
are examples of well intended, but misguided
government programs that focus on grades
as measures of learning.

Ask not what your students "got". Ask what
did they learn? Observe their behavior.

The true measure of an educated person is
their behavior.

Alan Chartock (WAMC) had an interesting
guest on this subject today. Unfortunately
Prof Simon had no answer for caller Brian
who asked how can  property taxpayers be
sure they get educational value for the support
they provide for public schools?

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain/article/657/0/1818846/Vox.Pop/Vox.Pop.Hour.1..Student.Evaluation.Methods.in.Education..062211....


The answer lies with property taxpayers
becoming informed and participating in
the educational process at the local level
particularly in school budget and board
elections.

The further answer is to be found in scaling
back the power and control over education
of the NYS and Federal Education Depts.

Lastly, let learners and teachers learn!

The Late, Great Tip O'Neill said that "all
politics are local." 

So, it is with education. All education begins
with parents and the home, cultivating a love
and respect for learning in themselves and
their children.

                                        Joe Sullivan

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