Public Schools - RushOnline.com
Thought you might like this heart-tugger!
Julie
The Real Teachers
Her name was Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front
of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the
children a lie.Like most teachers, she looked at her students and
said that she loved them all the same.
But that was impossible, because there in the front
row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs.
Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't
play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and
that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It
got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in
marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and the F's
on his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was
required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off
until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a
surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright
child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he
is a joy to be around"
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an
excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled
because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be
a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's
death had been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father
doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him
if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is
withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have
many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she
was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought
her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper,except
for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown
paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs.Thompson took pains to open
it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started
to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones
missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she
stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the
bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her
wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just
long enough to say,"Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like
my Mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an
hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and
arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid
particular attention toTeddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed
to come alive.The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year,Teddy had become one of the smartest children
in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children
the same,Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from
Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had
in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from
Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his
class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole
life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying
that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school,
had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest
of honors. He assured Mrs.Thompson that she was still the best and
favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter
came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree,
he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was
still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name
was a little longer the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet
another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was
going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple
of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to
sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the
mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what?
She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing.
And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered
his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each
other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear,"Thank
you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you somuch for making
me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs.Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back.
She said,"Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who
taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach
until I met you."
* * *
Why do Liberals and Teachers Unions keep telling
us that vouchers will suck money out of the Public Schools? If it
costs $6500 a year to educate a child in the public school system,
and you give them a $2500 voucher to leave the public school system,
aren't you $4000 ahead?
Sincerely
John
* * *
I'm a senior citizen who is taking classes at the
local Salt Lake Community college. In my Business and Society class,
all I've heard is negatives about capitalism. The emphasis is on large
corporations being the bad guys, polution is destroying us, and the
worker is being exploited!
I love this country. The problems are big, but the
people are needing to hear the truth about how wonderful it is to
be free and to have the opportunity to make our own choices.
I need information (from the conservative viewpoint)
on defending big business, dealing with rational management of pollution,
and promoting capitalism. Our freedoms are at risk, and my school
isn't helping teach students the truth!!
Nancy
* * *
Public (Government) Schools
I presently work in an Area Education Agency. The
top dog here makes close to $90,000. It's hard telling just how much
total wages of the administration are. Mind boggling, I am sure. It
appears that all they do is have meetings on how to spend more tax
dollars. The way the wage scale works here is that you are either
salaried, classified, or contracted. There is an incredible waste
of money. I've heard of people frantically trying to spend $120,000
so that they would not be cut that amount from their fund next year.
My children attend a private school compromised of
the children of the church we attend. We have 35 students this year.
I pay $3200 a year to put three children through school as well as
the tax money I pay for my neighbors children. We don't teach their
polluted ideas about sex and alternative life styles. These 35 kids
don't have fancy computer labs by a long shot. As a matter of fact
we had a government school donate eight old lunch tables and our kids
were thrilled.
I tell you all that to say this. Education is big
business. Shame on these people if they think they are fooling anybody.
Trouble is they are. I thank God they will answer one day. Sad thing
is how many children will be influenced down the wrong path because
they needed to drive a new car every year and live in the most upscale
development.
Everybody has one god or another. I'm glad education
isn't my god. The only answer is to raise your kids in the nuture
and admonition of the Lord. I'm fortunate enough to have a school
that does just that. My kids are fortunate enough to have a mom and
dad that raise them in the nuture and admonition of the Lord also.
With full time lobbyists employed by AEAs the game
just goes on. They say they are concerned with the future of the children.
You're an idiot if you believe that. If we spent more time raising
our children than making the almighty dollar we'd see what is going
on. It might pacify your guilty conscience by saying its alright to
spend all this money on education, daycares etc. for the children.
Believe me its not for the children. Its for BIG BUSINESS.
TRead
* * *
I have been watching things in the government for
some time now. I have grown more and more concerned about the things
taught in the school and found many times that they condradict my
own convictions. I can give a brief example of a recent situation
that happen to a gentleman my husband talked to on the phone.
The gentleman said that a teacher had called him
telling him how his son disrupts the class at school and he needed
to do something about it. The gentleman asked if the boy was not doing
his school work and just causing trouble. The teacher said that he
finishes his work too fast and therefore has idle time to bother other
students. The gentleman said then give my son more work he obviously
is not challenged enough and needs more to do. The teach refused to
give him more work because that would make him smarter than the other
students and that wasn't fair to the rest of the class. Needless to
say the gentleman was furious.
My convictions are that each human being is different
and learns differently and at different paces. I think it very alarming
that the schools think they are being fair to all by keeping everyone
back. It says to me there is a great "dumbing" down of America.
On a wider scale that can say a lot about what can happen in our society.
I am disappointed that our school system is turning out a bunch of
children who can barely read or take care of themselves. But I don't
think that it is done in ignorance or because the government officials
really believe they are doing the children justice. They know what
they are doing and they know why they are doing it. Unfortunately
the children are the ones that are cheated and will suffer horribly
for this later.
I pray that more parents will shut off the TV Come
home from the bars and clubs and take an active interest in there
children. The reward from doing so can not be measured. In the end
the parents will be the ones to suffer eternally for their neglect
at not doing something when they had the chance.
Sincerely,
Carry-Tech Support
* * *
"Don't Support School Vouchers: Keep Education
UNIFORMLY Bad for all"
Because the biggest fear liberals have is that poor
kids will not be able to afford good education, and one thing that
gives all americans UNIFORMITY is public school education!
Bye!
Mumtaz!
* * *
Debate Topic: Education & Goverment
There is obviously somthing wrong with the Goverment
getting invovled with the education system. Now it is Goverment that
is telling them what the world is all about instead of the local people.
It's looking like the Goverment is becoming more & more powerful.
I think the goverment has no business were they are treading at. They
are start to pass rulings on business & also the schools of America.
When I was in High School it was too easy for me.
Alls I had to do is memorize some definitions & then forget them
after the test was over. I was being put down on somone elses leevel
instead I could not progress.
It's like the Pres. Clinton putting more Officers
in each town. The only thing that is wrong with that is some city
of a population of 750 recive 10 officers. What are the officers going
to do. Just sit on their butts & gun motorits with a radar gun
all day. WASTE OF TAX $$$$$
TO ME!
I think the Goverment should step down & let
the States & Local Goverments take care of their own mess. I think
the Goverment is trying to be a too big of a "BIG BROTHER"
to us (communism). "Protecting us from life itself."
I sadly feel that I haft to take my kids (when I
have kids) out of the public School till the GOVERMENT shapes up.
One thing that I hate about the public schools & the Goverments
is that that they are teaching things that I believe to be wrong.
I believe that the goverment should remain nutral when it comes to
values of family. For example, they teach teens to have safe sex with
condumns. Well how bout you don't have sex at all till marriage. That
way it will solve the problems with safe sex & people wouldn't
haft to worry about AIDS. Hey they would also save a few dollars in
the proccess.
I believe the goverment has gone too far with there
hungry urge for POWER.
Sincerely,
Bruce
* * *
Education and Ethics
Mega dittos from a public educator and homeschool
mom in Southeast Texas. Yes, I know that's odd. My husband and I both
teach Band in the public school, but our oldest child is being homeschooled
by me also. I do lesson plans on the weekends. She has a schedule
and assignments that she does during the day. I check on her at least
once during the day. She and my two younger children are watched by
a babysitter in my home. At night, I grade her work and go over anything
she did not understand. This causes some very late hours. However,
I am quitting work in about three weeks to have more time with the
children.
We chose homeschooling because of a lot of what you
talk about on your show. We have a real problem with the lack of morals,
the low standards that are set, and the overall liberal view of things.
In homeschooling we select the standard not the state. We study the
Bible and pray. We do subjects, projects, and visit places she would
never do in school. She is doing the work right now that some of the
kids in our Jr. High are attempting but she is only in fourth grade.
We want our children to have high morals and ethics.
We are teaching them that to be successful in life you must earn it.
Nothing will be given to you and if it is, it's not worth it. Hopefully,
with the help of God, we are raising kids who will really make a difference
in this world. They will just never fit the Clinton Liberal Democratic
mold.
Rush, keep up the good work. NEVER, NEVER give up
or give in.
There are those of us out here who will fight to
the end. We have to.
God bless you!!!!
Timothy
* * *
As a libertarian, I am for private schools. Government
schools are a source of propaganda. It seems like a conflict of interest
to let the government teach our children and then have those same
children later vote on the government. This leads the government to
brainwash the children into thinking tha individuality is wrong and
bad. It teaches them of two political parties and idealogies and ignores
the rest. This is convienent and works well for the government but
not for anyone else. Often people will say that if we got rid of public
schools then the poor would be left with the cheapest private schools.
Well Let me ask you this, would you rather be in a cheap private school
or a horrible government school? Right now they have no choice and
are stuck in the worst schools in the country. If they had a choice,
they would be able to get better schools. If there is a crappy school
then the parents would take them to a better school and the crappy
school either shapes up or goes out of business.
The Democrats don't want any private schools. The
republicans want some so they can teach religion in it. Yet they want
vouchers so that the government can still have control over the private
schools. I would suggest for truely FREE schools, vote for the libertarians,
more conservative than conservatives and more liberal than liberals.
They believe in FREEDOM. Don't you???
Travis
* * *
Education Liability-
Should the NEA be liable for the illiterate kids
graduating from our public high school? They are more liable than
tobacco companies for people dying of cancer.It may not be a good
idea to try to start a class action suit, but it sure would give us
a club to fight the battle to improve our educational system.
Gary R. Marsh
Pasco, WA
* * *
Hello. I'm a trapped 15 year old conservative in
the liberal school system. Most of my teachers are good about staying
away from political topics (they know me), but my language arts teacher
doesn't. Everyone talks about liberal brainwashing in schools, and
it's even harder for me to listen to that because it literally happens
right before my eyes. My teacher is slick, too. He questions your
opinions, which he calls "making you think", and phrases
his questions to steer your opinion in his liberal direction. He's
tried it with me, and I've let him know that he just wasting his time
trying it. It's very upsetting to see my classmates, the people I
hang out with every day get sucked into these very simple, very clever
traps. It gives me a very strange feeling in that room because you
look at everyone and think they're supposed to know better, but they
don't. Please warn every parent and every student about this type
of thing. It's very hard to detect unless you question everything
your teacher does. It's these type of things that just make me sick,
and what makes me hate being in a liberal school.
Sincerely,
Devon
* * *
RE: Public education
I am writing from experience. I am currently a senior
in high school. I made a 1490 on the SAT's and am a National Merit
Scholar Finalist. In addition, I have spent my entire life in the
public education system.
There is only one problem, as I see it, with the
public school system: Lack of parental and community support. The
reason schools seem so far gone these days is not because of any statistical
information, teacher's unions, liberals, or conservatives for that
matter. It is due to negative media and uninformed public speakers.
Education is perhaps the only government program that does not have
an advertising budget.
People who don't have children in the system complain
the loudest about how poor it is. It has been found that 65% of adults
with students in the public school system give schools honor marks
while only 20% of adults without students in the system do the same.
Meanwhile the Secretary of Education makes claims that schools are
failing the country. He is in essence telling parents not to believe
what they themselves experience.
And by the way, the public school system is not putting
out 'dumb' children. The International Math Olympiad was won by an
all public school cast. Fourth grade readers recently outperformed
every country in the world except Finland. The reason some reports
are misleading is that they present the average scores on standardized
tests to compare countries. What they don't mention is that very few
countries in the world educate their entire populations. Many countries
simply exclude their low performers from the education system making
their average scores appear higher. Anyone may take the SAT if they
so choose, including people who have never made above a C in any class
in their lives. Our smart kids are as smart or smarter than those
in other countries, but this fact is never merited as 'news worthy'.
It is simply ignored.
You want to take a shot at teachers? Try being one,
even for a week. Try getting to school at 7am, seeing over 200 different
kids a day, taking a thirty minute lunch, using your break to write
tests, copy homework sheets, and listen to all the reasons why, even
though he skipped 28 days out of a 30 day grading period Bubba needs
to pass so he can play football. Add to that not seeing a single soul
over the age of 17 for 8 and a half hours. No talking over the cubicle
wall to Judy, no having a business lunch with Jim, no taking cocktails
with the new client. Take into account that the average teacher spends
an hour a day, five days a week, supporting after school programs
like french club, drama productions, band practice, ROTC training,
SAT prep classes, etc. Think that most teachers buy supplies for these
activities with their own money. Think that the AVERAGE teacher works
as many hours in nine months as it takes a 40-hour worker 11 1/2 months
to do. In short, most teachers put up with a job that would turn most
prison guards into a crying pile of mush, and smile the whole way.
Don't use the public school system as a target because
other people do. Find out for yourself. There is a wonderful document
called "The Condition of Education" that the government
puts out yearly. If you think we're doing badly, read the thing. It
might open your eyes. Also, don't treat information you read on the
internet as the Bible, including this thing you just read. Find out
from reliable (read non-biased) sources what's true and what's not.
An opinion is not a fact, isn't that something everyone should know,
whether they went to public school or not?
Sincerely,
Kris
* * *
New Social Studies Books
Some time age I had someone send you this information
since I didn't have a PC. I now have my own. I haven't had time to
listen lately sinceI have been substiting and haven't had a chance
to see if you discussed this letter.
A few weeks ago I listened to the segment where you
discussed what the students learn in school about American History.
The professor from West Virginia was absolutely right. I am a substitute
teacher and I am dismayed at the text books used to teach history.
I am sending you the name of a text used in our county schools. This
text is about as politically correct as you can achieve. It would
be beneficial if you could obtain a c, you would have plenty of material
for discussion. The text book is:
ONE NATION MANY PEOPLE - US SINCE 1876
Globe Fearon Education Publishers, Paramus, New Jersey
Writers: Juan Garcia, Sharon Harley, John Howard
I wonder where these writers received their education.
This might be interesting also.
Paul
Alexandria, KY 41001
* * *
Public School System
The Saline, MI schools are supposed to be one of
the best in the state. Our son is 13 now, but while he was in the
3rd grade his teacher wanted him and many, ( I think it was 10-12),
children, (mostly boys), tested for ADD. When we said no, (he is a
very normal child), she seemed to be angry with him and treated him
badly.
We finally pulled him from public school and home-schooled
him.This was a very enjoyable time for his dad and myself. Our son
enjoyed it also, but missed the interaction of the other kids. So,
in the 5th grade, he went back. Our schools are experimenting on the
kids with a new way of teaching. The classroom had 58 children, one
teacher, and one support teacher. I wanted him out of that program.
The system would not let him out and into a more traditional classroom
setting. Our son wanted to stay in public school and so we allowed
it.
These teachers also have given up spelling. They
gave the children 100 words for the entire year. Words they call"
basic words". Such as I, am, they, there, etc., when I spoke
to them about the spelling words a normal 5th grade class should have,
I was told " They don't need spelling that is what spell check
and dictionarys are for." Well, I just flipped! I wanted to pull
him out of the system again, but he really wanted to stay, so he went
to school and then came home and was home-schooled in spelling and
reading. He has had to do this ever since. Next year he will be in
the ninth grade. Our high school is worse. So we will enroll him in
a private program, run by the Hillsdale Academy, a conservitive school
here in Michigan. He will home school 9th and 10th grade and commute
1 hour each way for the 11th and 12th grade.
When we have teachers who feel spelling and reading
are unimportant our children will cont. to fall behind the rest of
the world. By the way Hillsdale College and Hillsdale Academy do not
take Federal funds, so they are allowed to teach a traditional, back
to basic curriculum. Thank God for Governer Engler and the Rush's
of the world. My husband, son and I all enjoy your radio program.
Thank you, Rush, for your time.
Pat Kosmalski
* * *
Student Essay Read on 11/3/99
I am a middle school teacher home today with a sick
child. As my child is resting, I am using my time wisely planning
better ways to teach my students to write properly. In the midst of
this your voice came over the radio reading and discussing a student's
essay. Did I hear correctly that it was given a 100% grade?! I nearly
screamed in extreme frustration! What was that teacher thinking? Was
that teacher thinking at all? It really burns me that I work so hard
to do the very best I can for the students and my profession is tarnished
so terribly by such as this! There is NO way I would have given that
essay an A! My students know that the content of one's writing is
only part of communication. Spelling and other rules of the English
language COUNT!
If a reader is distracted by grammatical errors the
content will not be appreciated! By the way, free speech aside, writing
about the violent deaths of classmates has no place in the classroom.
I say that both as a teacher and as a parent.
* * *
A Teacher's Lament
Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to
go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking
moment with a love for learning. Not only that, I'm to instill a sense
of pride in their ethnicity, behaviorally modify disruptive behavior,
and observe them for signs of abuse, drugs, and T-shirt messages.
I am to fight the war on drugs and sexually transmitted
diseases, check their backpacks for guns and raise their self-esteem.
I'm to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship and
fair play, how and where to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook
and how to apply for a job, but I am never to ask if they are in this
country illegally.
I am to check their heads occasionally for lice,
maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of potential antisocial
behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student
employment and scholarships, encourage respect for the cultural diversity
of others, and oh yeah, teach, always making sure that I give the
girls in my class fifty percent of my attention.
I'm required by my contract to be working, on my
own time, summer and evenings and at my own expense towards additional
certification, advance certification and a master's degree, to sponsor
the cheerleaders or the sophomore class and after school I am to attend
committee and faculty meetings and participate in staff development
training to maintain my current certification and employment status.
I am to collect data and maintain all records to
support and document our building's progress in the selected state
mandated program to "assess and upgrade educational excellence
in the public schools."
I am to be a paragon of virtue larger than life,
such that my very presence will awe my students into being obedient
and respectful of authority. I am to pledge allegiance to supporting
family values, a return to the basics, and my current administration.
I am to incorporate technology into the learning, but monitor all
web sites for appropriateness while providing a personal one-on-one
relationship with each student. I am to decide who might be potentially
dangerous and/or liable to commit crimes in school or who is possibly
being abused and I can be sent to jail for not mentioning these suspicions
to those in authority.
I am to make sure ALL students pass the state and
federally mandated testing and all classes, whether or not they attend
school on a regular basis, or complete any of the work assigned. I
am to communicate frequently with each student's parent by letter,
phone, newsletter, and grade card.
I'm to do all of this with just a piece of chalk,
a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a 45 minutes or less plan
time, and a big smile ona starting salary that qualifies my family
for food stamps in many states.
Is that all? And you want me to do all of this and
expect me to do it without praying?
Author Unknown
* * *
Fortune Cookie
I am an elementary school teacher, yesterday I happened
to hear the story of a young boy turning in a fortune cookie that
said "You will die with honor". I believe he was disciplined
for this.
I would just like to say that I would love for one
of my students to have done this. I am hoping that this assignment
went along with some sort of unit on Chinese or Asian cultures. Personally,
I would have taken the moment to discuss what "honor" meant,
and what the difference was between dying "with honor" and
dying "without honor". What a great opportunity to put in
young minds the idea of being honorable and living by moral beliefs!
I feel sorry for the teacher who missed this opportunity!
This young man probably could have shared a great deal with his classmates
on the concepts of honor and discipline.
I know I would have rather gotten that fortune cookie
than the five that said something about your fondest wish will come
true; (from past assignments I have given I would be willing to bet
that there were at least five turned in that had something to do with
wishes coming true).
Jane
* * *
California And Education
OK, I'm hoping this is headed to the right place...
In our wonderful state of California, the Judiciary
Committee has just passed a bil called AB 804, it's on its way to
other committees now. The point of this lovely bill?
It would, in effect, make homeschooling your children
a form of child neglect, to be lumped in with physical and sexual
abuse.
It would empower CPS to enter your home and remove
your children and wouldput the decision of whether your homeschool
was "adequate education" in the hands of a family court
judge.
Needless to say, I think this bill is a bunch of
hogwash, not to mention an infringement on multiple rights.The interesting
thing is, most homeschooling parents are unaware of the bill. Unless
you really stay current on the events, you miss things.
Thanks for the opportunity to speak my mind.
Rochelle
* * *
I FLUNKED!!!! TOM
Subject: 8th Grade Education???
Remember when our grandparents, great-grandparents,
and such stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check
this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895? This
is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, KS. USA. It was
taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical
Society and Library in Salina, KS and reprinted by the Salina Journal.
Salina, Kansas, 1895 8th Grade Final Exam:
Grammar (Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of Capital Letters.
2. Name the Parts of Speech and define those that
have no modifications.
3. Define Verse, Stanza and Paragraph.
4. What are the Principal Parts of a verb? Give
Principal Parts of do, lie, lay and run.
5. Define Case, Illustrate each Case.
6. What is Punctuation? Give rules for principal
marks of Punctuation. 7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words
and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules
of grammar.
Arithmetic (Time, 1.25 hours)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and
3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is
it worth at 50 cts./bushel, deducting 1050 lbs. for tare?
4. District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000.
What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at
$50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find cost of 6720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and
18 days at 7percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide
and 16 ft. long at $20 per meter?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace)
at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per
acre, the distance around which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and
a Receipt.
U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)
1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.
2. Give an account of the discovery of America
by Columbus.
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary
War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States.
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas.
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles
of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton,
Bell, Lincoln, Penn, and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates:
1607 1620
1800 1849 1865
Orthography (Time, one hour)
1. What is meant by the following: Alphabet,phonetic,orthography
etymology, syllabication?
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of
each: Trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals?
4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u'.
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final
'e'. Name two exceptions
under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling.
Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection
with a word: Bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables
the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: Card,
ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences, cite,
site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane, vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and
indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.
Geography (Time, one hour)
1. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate
in Kansas?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America.
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa,
Denver,Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall
and Orinoco.
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of
the U.S.
7. Name all the republics of Europe and give capital
of each.
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific
in the same latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the
ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give inclination
of the earth. (Gives the saying of an early 20th century person that
"she/he only had an 8th grade education" a whole new meaning.)
* * *
Love you show, but you're wrong on class size not
making a difference. I'm a teacher (and a republican), and it makes
a big difference to only have 16 or 17 students as opposed to 21.
I teach in a lower economic school, and what some of these parents
send to school is pathetic. They send children that are not disciplined,
and have little (if any) background knowledge and life experiences
that make learning easier. I need a smaller class size to help with
classroom management, which in turn gives me more time with an individual
child.
Sincerely,
Conni -Abilene, Texas
* * *
The Advantages of Home Schooling
I am writing in response to the recent tension and
uncertainty placed on the new Administration's proposals aimed at
instilling accountability back into our schools. By no means, Mr.
Limbaugh, do I acclaim to be an expert that promises an easy cure
for the ailments that have weakened and crippled our current educational
system. My wife and I have only through trial and error, and tough
choices, reached our own method of nurturing the young minds endowed
to us.
My bride of 14 years and I made the choice 6 years
ago to home school our 7 children, now ranging from 2 years of age
through 13, all single births, and from one marriage (with our 8th
baby due in April!). We are confident that God has endowed parents
with the supreme responsibility and accountability of educating our
children. He has given parents all the necessary tools and fortitude
to lead their children straight and true. In essence, parents are
the first and most important teachers of our children.
However, prior to this important decision, we followed
the path taken by the majority of middle-class, college-educated Catholic
parents. We had to make a choice of which school, Parochial or Public,
to send our children. Due to the fact that the Public Schools lacked
accountability, discipline, allegiance to God, prayer, and control
in the classrooms, our choice was simple. We faithfully entered our
children into the Parochial School, even though we knew our limited
one-income budget would get even tighter, as we paid for tuition and
supplies. We still supported our local Public Schools through increased
taxes and donations. We happily survived on our meager budget by our
hard work, belief in God, and cutting wants in half.
Over the course of a few years, and a change in jobs,
we left our childhood home and moved 1000+ miles away. The new community
did not have Parochial School, so our children entered the Public
School System. The school sought people to assist them with special
projects, tutors, bakers, lunchroom assistants, etc. Although my wife
was busy with her own duties of a Home Mom, she selflessly and faithfully
volunteered her services as a Teachers' Aid, accumulating to several
hours per week.
Through the course of several months, we witnessed
our young children, once happy, creative, and unafraid to think or
try things "outside of the box" being slowly transformed
before our eyes. They no longer looked at my wife and I as the "real
authority". The teacher became "god-like" to them.
The children began to mimic the almost robot-like behaviors of the
teachers. We felt as if they were being herded like animals into an
arena where everyone does the same thing, the same way, at the same
time, and conformity is instilled, and never to be unshackled again.
They were being conditioned to "fall-in-line", not seeking
the individual talent or gift, given them from God. and only comfortable
when they are doing what everyone else is doing.
During conferences, my wife and I eagerly attended
each child's designated teacher, and listened for the report that
would help us to see how wonderful our children are challenged and
taught. Instead we heard robot-like responses from most teachers,
as if they had rehearsed with each other the items to be discussed,
not to step out of bounds according to their statutes, entrusted by
their Union. Compassion, Civility, Creativity, Courage, and Character,
so touted by our founding Fathers', were not to be witnessed as we
watched our children's young minds begin to close. The realization
that we needed to take action occurred after several such conferences,
where teachers were pointing out that "Johnny is having problems
staying in lines when coloring"; or "your daughter is too
shy"; or "we have noticed your son daydreaming while looking
out the windows, and cannot keep his papers (all 64 of them) in order
in his tickler file"; or "we have a school policy that your
1st grader cannot play with his 2nd grade sibling, all classes must
stay together with no cross-playing". Homework assignments that
began after school, and lasting up till 10 p.m. became a ritual. There
was no more fun or family time, with the homework load, fit for a
college graduate. Frustrations grew, as the children, and I couldn't
understand, why most of this work couldn't be done while at school.
The biggest hit came when they informed us that our 3rd grade son
needed to be tested for Attention Deficit Disorder. Being gullible
and trusting of the system, we agreed to meet with the teacher and
a round table of school, and district counselors and Psychiatrists
(7 in all). They desperately pleaded their case quoting famous animal
psychiatrists, and studies. There were fear tactics and "what-ifs"
of ADD, and what will happen to your child if not brought in for special
sessions, screenings and tutorials. .I have often wondered since,
why do they not streamline their energy and efforts at making the
school more creative! After ensuing, and having them tell me what
was wrong with my young child, I knew we had to make a choice, or
watch the system devour our entire family.
None in our small community had ever considered that
there were alternatives to the present school system. When the news
spread that our plans might include Home Educating our children, the
typical parroting was, "What about their socialization?"
"What will people think of you?" "That's odd!"
Or the best, " How can you ever teach them what they need to
know?" The attitude that the present school system was "never
to be challenged", precipitated from much fear, resistance and
ignorance.
Our lifestyle is by choice, as we continue to strive
at instilling the true morals, ethics and principles that God has
gifted to us. Our home is an unfettered, 4 bedroom, 2 car garage where
one car and 8 bikes and assorted children's' toys take up space. My
wife has stayed at home with the children since our first-born, and
I am forever indebted to her selflessness. My income is enough to
put food on the table, clothes on everyone, and pay the bills of a
typical household. From my earnings we pay for our own school curriculums,
and support the local school district as well. There are no lunch
programs in our home, just the typical 'three-square-meals-a-day'
program. After all is paid for there is not much left over. However,
we find contentment with each other, nature, our church and the community.
Discipline is administered as needed, and incrementally depending
on the severity of the misdeed. We do not abuse our children, and
have never supported such. My wife and I, our church, and the lifestyles
of others we invite into our home instill moral teachings, such as
abstinence, into our children's' lives.
I realize that when I pass away, there will be no
news on T.V. or the radio of my plain, unassuming, and ordinary life.
My obituary will simply cover those preceding me in death, and those
I have left behind, along with a short paragraph of what was important
in my short life. The only legacy I will leave, Mr. Limbaugh, is that
through many hard choices and struggles, we built a family, which
built a neighborhood, which built a town, which built a country, which
built a nation.
Respectfully and sincerely indebted to your goodness,
Gregory
* * *
Students Today - Date: Thu, May 16 03:23 AM
I could not help but respond to one of the sections
I heard today on the radio, reference the fact that high school students
today are getting away without having to do essay questions on college
entrance tests. I am a 35 year old man, I guess I am entering my second
childhood. I am attending a firefighter academy in Arizona. The majority
of the class is made up of people eighteen to twenty years old. I
and one other are the only ones over the age of Twenty-five. What
really surprises me is that out of this academy I and the other man
my age are the only ones in the ninety percentile range for our GPA.
Even worse I am the most physically fit of the group. Having been
out of school and away from the study environment for quite some time
I would not have guessed I would be the top grade in a class of young
men and women fresh out of high school and attending college. I believe
that this all stems from the "Give me and You owe me" mentality
of society today. Thank you for letting me air my gripe.
Sincerely,
Christopher
* * *
Interactive Televsion and Educational Reform - Date:
Thu, May 16 03:23 AM
The recent news from New York to Oregon is that school
budgets will shrink dramatically within the next fiscal year. In the
state of Oregon, their education budget will dropped 846 million dollars
(The Bakersfield Californian). {Oregon receives much of its taxed
revenue from forestry and the environmental extremists actually think
that they are bettering the lives of their citizens.However this is
another story.} States are panicked because this may mean some school
closings.
I will not dwell or comment on the monolithic liberal
political ideology that has caused much to the demise of modern public
education. I am a loyal listener and I will develop my solution for
American Educational Reform with my " Talent on loan from God".
I am unlike many current educators who came directly out of college
never experiencing corporate America or investing their own capitol
to become a business owner. I see these circumstances before us as
a nation, as an excellent opportunity to change an American educational
paradigm.
I recently attended a California Science Teachers
Convention in which their was a NASA astronaut speaking. After his
presentation, I asked him if he could e-mail messages and observe
a digital visual information at the same time. He said "Yes no
problem". Interactive television is the next real prospect of
helping prevent academic decay in America. You could have hundreds
maybe thousands of kids listening to the experts in their fields or
just great teachers talking in real
time to students. Then at the end of the program students would submit
their essay and answer questions and so on. Everything a real teacher
can do in the classroom.
Modern education has had the hick-ups way too long
and it is time that our society take a large teaspoon of sugar. Interactive
television will help improve our national academic endeavors. It allows
our students to be successful no matter where they live, teachers
that are engaging will be rewarded, and in the long run be cost effective.
Now more than ever America must lead the world in innovations. Knowledge
is peace. The more educated the world is I believe the more civilized
it
will be. One of the reasons that world seems so messed up is that
many of world's population can't read and write in their own language.
Ignorance leads to perceived injustice, injustice leads to violence.
Interactive television can work for our academic and cultural betterment.
Sincerely,
Jeff
* * *
Education - Date: Thu, May 16 03:23 AM
I am a retired Educator with 37 years in Education.
I was a teacher and Coach as well as a High School Principal. I was
a High School Principal for 14 years. I would like to tell you that
the NEA is an advocate, not of education, but of political persuasion.
I would like to go on record that I believe that
some form of Voucher system is the only thing that can save education
in America- other than private educational institutions.
Hugh
* * *
Homework
I agree with the teacher that said we are dumbing
down America. I do not agree with the teacher that commented on the
amount of homework assignments.
The reason I don't agree totally with her is that kids do need some
sort of recreation..... not necessarily so many that they can't get
to them, but time to unwind after school before they start their 4
hours of homework after 8 hours of school. In the same token, the
teachers need wind down time.
This is why I am not only for school vouchers to make the public schools
perform better, I am also for school year round. Being part of the
military has taken us overseas where schools do go year round with
2 week breaks throughout the year. They also have 5 1/2 days of school.
The current system in the US of 3 months off in the summer is not
good for anyone. It takes approximately the first month at the start
of a new school year to review what they have forgotten. I've met
US teachers that were on trial tests of year round school and even
they liked it better. Comments included that just as the kids were
starting to burn out, there was a break and everyone came back refreshed.
* * *
Vouchers
Why do we have such a problem with the voucher systems
for schools? Aren't the parents the ones responsible to say where
their children go to school? This is not a socialist form of government.
Parents' rights have been stripped almost to the point of them not
being able to handle their own children's lives. No more! We need
to remember who is raising the children. Parents not the government.
* * *
Vouchers
The lady speaking 12:50 pm central time is mistaken
that vouchers will "automatically" cause the destruction
of Christian and other private school standards due to federal government
interferrence.
Vouchers go back to parents, not to schools. Vouchers
need not have restrictions concerning religion and morals in the school
selected by parents for their children. This is simply a move toward
"free" education--Not monetarily free, but people will be
free to send their children where they wish and not be punished financially
for doing so as they are now (We have to pay school taxes and tuition
for private school if we will not settle for the lower standards of
the public schools). Further, most credible Christian and private
schools do indeed subscribe to academic and other standards. Why?
Because if they are inferior and people are directly paying for their
services and are not living up to parental expectations then parents
will take their precious children elsewhere!
She is also confused concerning the law. Christian
private and parochial schools are in the area of contract law. Parents
sign a contract with the school to perform education and in so doing
agree to that school's standards of behavior regarding their children.
If children and parents refuse to submit to the school's behavior,
academic, or other standards they break the contract and private schools
on the basis of contract law may dismiss such students to pursue their
studies elsewhere. Unlike the state schools which are required to
educate and accomodate all no matter academics, behaviour, sexual
preference, etc., private schools are not required to do this if their
"contracts" do not say so.
My wife is finishing her PhD in Educational Administration
and is Administrator of a Christian School.
Scott
* * *
I am a public educator and I am very concerned with
the tactics used by the NEA to recruit teachers. I am also concerned
about the influence of the NEA in the public schools and I'm trying
to decrease this influence. In some school districts joining the NEA
is not presented as a choice. NEA members come to new teacher orientations
and promote their organization. They tell the new teachers about all
the existing members including administrators. Then they pass our
a form for the new teachers to sign. This form has all of the new
teacher's information already filled out, all they have to do is sign.
They don't tell you this is an option. As a result, many new teachers
give away over $300 of their salary not realizing they don't have
to. I would really appreciate it if you would just mention to your
listeners that this is an option. They don't have to be a member of
any organization.
Thank you for your help.
Thank you,
Stephanie
* * *
Apr 24 2003
I have watched the school for many years raised four
children, having some problems with administration, having to move
to another school once, but the problem is certainly not the teachers,
we have all known that, it is what we give and pay administration.
If one of the coaches or principals retire we make a job for him in
administration, new job, nobody ever heard of it before.
This is a little town of less than 3000 in the county and we know
the ones that run for the board, I have asked the ones running for
the board would they decrease salaries in that administrative office
and would they vote againt the superintendant? They would say,"Yes,
that is why we are running!" It didn't happen and then they would
try to make excuses.
A small Christian School was opened here about 6-8
years ago and a lot of the parents said O.K. With in two years the
number of children in the public school had gone down a lot, So! what
do we do we decide to build a bigger cafeteria, a new library and
a new gym. I could tell you how they primed the parents for all this
by sending the kids to lunch early (they said they didn't have room.),
the parents bought into every bit of it, but we always had plenty
of room when we wanted to feed 300 at one time. Now we have a Small
University for 600 children. I doubt we even have 600 children anymore,
I think it is going down every year. Many times more room than needed.
I think the Superintendent got the feeling he was fixing to get busted
so he resigned, but he was alright in the retirement department, I
don't know how many roofs he had put on the building that is flat
topped, but he did it every summer and that was the major part of
the school. If you would get appraisals on all the school buildings,
golf courses, football fields, gyms(we need them, don't take that
wrong) and just places for the administration to spend money, you
would find out where the taxes we are paying go. Not a one of those
superintendants, principals, coaches, and counselors come out without
being over paid. Wish we could have thrown him out, but we couldn't
, now they all know that it is wide open for them, just give it to
the board and they will give it to you. Sorry about you teachers.
I would like to show you some of the things they
are doing to the ranchers and farmers,it won't be long until we are
begging for food as we are gas. We do have gas, but food won't store
like oil will, where are we going? Mr. Gore guaranteed one young man
to change his major (Agriculture) because there was going to be no
more Agriculter in the United States, it would all be in Third World
Countries.! Smart thinking Gore!
Jane
* * *
I just wanted to write to you about a small school
system known as Jim Ned. It has two elementary schools (Buffalo Gap,TX
and Lawn, TX and has one middle school and high school (Tuscola, TX).
In Abilene, Texas, we cannot keep students or teachers. However, they
are bustin at the seems in the Jim Ned schools. People (like ourselves)
move from Abilene to have our children go to these schools.
Here, we say the Pledge of Alligence. We have special Vetrans day
celebrations. We proudly display our American flag and the kids are
encouraged to wear American flag clothing, bandana's etc. Here, we
still pray at school functions and our principals led the prayes!
Here the teachers actually tell you that they are praying for you.
Here, the kids get paddled for appropriate offenses (and 98% of the
students only need this attitude adjustment ONCE and it does the trick).
Our kids and teachers TOGETHER clean up their room. Before their Christmas
break, our daughters teacher had herself and her class clean up the
classroom using bleach, etc. because they had an outbreak of Chickenpox.
Our school is always in the top 10% of Texas schools. Our teachers
are RESPECTED. Our community SUPPORT our teachers. The teachers welcome
parents into their classroom just to visit - a scheduled conference
time not needed! We always manage to have enough money to keep these
top rate schools going and the teacher never complain.
A proud parent of the Jim Ned Schools.
* * *
Home Invasion;COURTESY YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL -
Parents Must Be Aware - May 21st, 2003
Is your son a homosexual? Do you have a Bible in
the house? What television shows and movies do you allow your children
to watch? The State of California wants to know. They want to ask
your children. And they don’t want you to know they are doing
it. Assembly Bill 661 sets out to allow such questions, especially
those inquiring about sexual experiences and identity, to be posed
to public school children without parental knowledge or permission.
Under the guise of school safety and prevention of violence and discrimination,
this legislation would eliminate current requirements that parents
be notified and give permission for their children to participate.
“We are shocked that public schools are asking
such invasive and divisive questions, with or without parental permission,”
said Karen England, Legislative Liaison for Capitol Resource Institute
“But we are especially outraged by this attempt to push parents
out of the process. What is it that they want to discuss with 7 year
old Johnny that is too controversial to be discussed with Johnny’s
30 year old mom?”
Current law requires parents to be notified and give
permission for their child to take part in such quizzes, discussions
and writing assignments. AB 661 would, in some cases, notify parents
and require that they request that their child not be involved in
such activities. In other cases, the bills sponsors believe that there
is too much risk in even notifying the parent.
In vowing to push for the defeat of AB 661, England
continued, “This legislation highlights two major disagreements
in California. The first disagreement is over the use of public schools
as a laboratory for social experimentation and propaganda. The other
disagreement is over the role of parents. CRI believes that public
school children should not be subjected to such value laden discussions
when so many parents disagree with the values that are being communicated.
It is not the place of the public school to question parental teaching
or home life. Not only is this inappropriate material for our children,
the desire to hide this from parents who might object is appalling.
The role of the parent should not be transferred to the public school.”
Karen England
