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Heartlander · 80-89, M
Clear plastic student lockers.
Dress codes that make it difficult to carry concealed weapons.
Subjective written assignments (to give staff a glimpse at what students are thinking)
Small classrooms 20 or less. desks in circles so students can't hide
Diverse activities where everyone can find a niche
Devote as much attention to underachievers as overachievers
Frequent interaction between teachers and parents
Student honor code
Dress codes that make it difficult to carry concealed weapons.
Subjective written assignments (to give staff a glimpse at what students are thinking)
Small classrooms 20 or less. desks in circles so students can't hide
Diverse activities where everyone can find a niche
Devote as much attention to underachievers as overachievers
Frequent interaction between teachers and parents
Student honor code
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Heartlander You have come up with some attractive ideas, but the common denominator seems to be spending a lot more public money on education and child welfare . . and by implication expanding the reach of the government into communities.
thrash · 31-35, M
@Heartlander orrr you can just idk ban guns
22Michelle · 61-69, T
@Heartlander Or just get rid of the guns?
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Heartlander · 80-89, M
@SunshineGirl
Except maybe the last part :)
I'm a dedicates fan of Maria Montessori and our children started their education via Montessori and a gradual transition to the more traditional systems. And I think of that as one of the best decisions I/we have ever made.
in a good Montessori program the staff-student ration is closer to five or six to one, with with a head teacher and a few assistants. This is to accommodate the different social and physical levels of development. Our public school systems (in the US) tends to stand firm against Montessori because of what they think of as a need to measure all students with the same standards.
While it may take more money in the K through 3rd or 4th years, some of that can be balanced with a wider ratio in the high school and senior high schools years. That's partly because the Montessori process leads to better social interaction and focus as the kids grow older. A part of the Montessori method involves social interaction. Getting along with one another is teachable.
One way to put more money into public education would be to make private school cost tax deductible. As it is now, about 17% of US kids attend private or non-public schools. Making private tuitions tax deductible would ideal raise that level to closer to 30 percent, leaving more money for public schools on a $$ per student measure.
but the common denominator seems to be spending a lot more public money on education and child welfare . . and by implication expanding the reach of the government into communities.
Except maybe the last part :)
I'm a dedicates fan of Maria Montessori and our children started their education via Montessori and a gradual transition to the more traditional systems. And I think of that as one of the best decisions I/we have ever made.
in a good Montessori program the staff-student ration is closer to five or six to one, with with a head teacher and a few assistants. This is to accommodate the different social and physical levels of development. Our public school systems (in the US) tends to stand firm against Montessori because of what they think of as a need to measure all students with the same standards.
While it may take more money in the K through 3rd or 4th years, some of that can be balanced with a wider ratio in the high school and senior high schools years. That's partly because the Montessori process leads to better social interaction and focus as the kids grow older. A part of the Montessori method involves social interaction. Getting along with one another is teachable.
One way to put more money into public education would be to make private school cost tax deductible. As it is now, about 17% of US kids attend private or non-public schools. Making private tuitions tax deductible would ideal raise that level to closer to 30 percent, leaving more money for public schools on a $$ per student measure.
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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Heartlander We are going through the same process in reverse in the UK in that the government has ended the VAT exemption that has for years inexplicably been applied to private education on the assumption that private schools are somehow charitable institutions. When this was first announced back in October there were widespread predictions that the state sector would be overwhelmed with additional demand . . this has not happened . . which is somewhat of a pity because one of the objectives was to break down social barriers between children.
I like diversity and innovation in education. However, at the end of the day all that is needed for a child to thrive at school is to know that she is safe and valued (and a well stocked library).
I like diversity and innovation in education. However, at the end of the day all that is needed for a child to thrive at school is to know that she is safe and valued (and a well stocked library).
Heartlander · 80-89, M
@SunshineGirl It's always been a contested issue here. Contributions to both churches and (not for profit) private schools are tax deductible, but private schools can't use the donation to offset an individual tuition. Churches parishes, on the other hand, often have no tuition and provide the education free of charges ... but with the unspoken and general understanding that contributions to the church have to be sufficient to operate the schools. There is an occasional "that's not fair" voice raised, but the volume of church parishes that operate schools makes it an issue that the government would be cautious about confronting. Practically every Catholic parish in the US operates a school to cover grades through 7th or 8th. As do many Episcopal, Jewish and other religions congregations.