Re: Pelosi Task Force is a hoax

[Scott Hays <shays@ccwebster.net>]

On Jan 7, 2007, at 3:21 AM, Bussardre@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 1/6/2007 2:06:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> aburke5054@aol.com writes:
>
> Billee  ... I do not know why private schools are not open year- 
> round.  Nor
> do I  think that whether private schools are open year-round is  
> very relevant.
>  Most children are not in private schools, they are in public  
> schools ....
>
> ************
> Art:
>
> My point is that changing the calendar alone is not the solution,  
> as the
> proponents claim.  Those who need/want more instruction should have it
> available--and that includes throughout the year and after school  
> hours. What  works
> for one set of children doesn't work for another, whether that is   
> disciplining
> them, inspiring them or providing instructional time.

Billee ... Art is not particularly concerned about what works best  
for individual children (and neither is NCLB).  The pudding lies only  
in the sum total of average scores on tests and meeting some  
arbitrary performance goal each year.  If results of said scores are  
not universally proficient, then they can be improved only by using  
prescribed methods and materials (and, if the parents find it useful  
and choose such a course, stern discipline and focus on convergent  
thinking).  If those efforts are not sufficient, then we must do more  
of it and for longer periods of time (longer each day, longer each  
year).  If the privileged class (or those who want to work real  
hard ... or push their kids real hard ... in order to pretend that  
they are a part of the privileged class, or might be admitted to it  
if they work hard enough) can enjoy multiple approaches to  
instruction, rich classroom environments filled with the best (or at  
least high quality) materials, summers off and all the other  
advantages broad educational and learning research suggests is best  
for children ... well, they are a part of the privileged class, after  
all!

"Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been."
                                              - - Jimmy Buffett

Scott Hays
shays@ccwebster.net