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Education

by: Katemck

Fri Jan 21, 2011 at 11:46:40 AM EST
Another "fun" story in this morning's Monitor was the bill to change the definition of "adequate education," which would trim the state's definition of an adequate education to include only English, math, science, social studies and physical education. "State Rep. Ralph Boehm says it's fine with him if schools want to teach art, technology, health or world languages. But they can foot the bill." What's even better, he states, "Given its limited resources, the state should focus on skills needed in today's world." We don't need no foreign languages, technology or health. And them art lessons is for sissies. This from someone purported to be a software engineer!
I think I'd better check my supply of blood pressure meds!
Katemck :: Education
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Education | 3 comments
Conservatives seem to believe that governments are (4.00 / 1)
organized to make unruly humans behave in a socially acceptable manner and schools is where that process starts.
Liberals, on the other hand, believe that the purpose of governments (public corporations) is to address the vagaries of man and nature and deal with what might be called disutilities:

inundation
incineration
infestation
injury
insult (including invasion)
ignorance

It's the last which liberals aim for education to address.  They want it to be an infusion of information and a development of skills, rather than an instrument of restraint.  It's the emphasis on the latter, IMHO, which causes public education to fail in the eyes of liberals and conservatives alike, mostly because humans resist being restrained.
Though, apparently, sitting like a bump on a log can become a habit.

Follow the bills (4.00 / 4)
I have been unpleasantly surprised by how many people in education did not know about HB 39 until the last couple of weeks. Now people do know, because the alarm was sounded, particularly in the arts community. The moral of that story is, we all need to make use of the tools at the legislative web site to read bills and find out what this reckless legislature is up to. Don't assume that an advocacy organization is taking care of the issues you care about, they are overwhelmed by the volume of legislation. As I think I saw Harrell say in the paper today, this is just the tip of the iceberg. And New Hampshire is the Titanic.

Also there is a tendency to think bills filed by legislators formerly considered backbenchers won't go anywhere. Not so - the former GOP backbench is now running the show.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

desperate cost-cutting, no idea too dumb (0.00 / 0)
It is idiotic, but once Republicans fully understand the challenge of reducing the budget AND cutting taxes, they will face the choice of nutty ideas or recognizing reality.

Which will it be?

whp

Education | 3 comments

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