tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15133926.post866989323904130371..comments2023-10-10T06:51:06.526-04:00Comments on Ryan's Take: English MCAS TipsRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523572927796479670noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15133926.post-40245979645845361462007-03-22T00:18:00.000-04:002007-03-22T00:18:00.000-04:00That's why I suggest something radically different...That's why I suggest something radically different than daylong school... to me, "school" should refer more to the time than the place. <BR/><BR/>I don't think it would be intelligent to force kids to learn math, science, history, english, etc. from 9-5 like parents... even if they'd be brighter, they'd be miserable. What is a good idea is to use these buildings that cost tens of millions of dollars throughout the day for many purposes - from art classes meant for students to have fun to homework clubs, something everyone should be encouraged to go to, or even athletic clubs - like intermural teams. I would hope that through these efforts kids would a) get most of their work done in school and b) school wouldn't feel like a prison at all, but a place where you had fun at too.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04523572927796479670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15133926.post-30402603601682661942007-03-21T18:24:00.000-04:002007-03-21T18:24:00.000-04:00Personally, my devotion to learning got a big boos...Personally, my devotion to learning got a big boost when I discovered as a kid that reading chess books (i.e. knowledge) actually helped me win more chess games. For me, that was a useful kind of experience. Can something like it be replicated in other lives?<BR/><BR/>*<BR/><BR/>Every parent I know seems to try to help his or her child with homework, but it would seem to me that that gives the already affluent a huge advantage. Day long school would seem to even out the playing field, though you certainly don't want kids feeling imprisoned. <BR/><BR/>-KBuschAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15133926.post-80035492994920905442007-03-21T16:09:00.000-04:002007-03-21T16:09:00.000-04:00How do the other countries that always do so much ...How do the other countries that always do so much better than us when test scores are compared do it? They seem to get so much more bang for their buck. We're always way down on the list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15133926.post-74759285240333414522007-03-21T14:58:00.000-04:002007-03-21T14:58:00.000-04:00I absolutely think there are ways for the governme...I absolutely think there are ways for the government to help. For starters, getting more teacher-parent, students-parents interaction. Meetings with teachers and parents, that could be a way to offer suggestions, encouragement, etc. would be a big help. Perhaps we could legislate a day off for parents to come into the class, maybe as part of a field trip or something. <BR/><BR/>Beyond that, we could change the way the system works so that kids with parents that have been to college or who have the money to get tutors, etc. aren't necessarily as advantageous anymore. For example, we could make schools more of a day-long enterprise - but not solely a source of learning. After school, kids could have access to tutors, homework help - and any other academic help they need - but also extracurricular activities (art, creative writing, sports & activities, etc.), to both foster a stronger individual and make being in school something people actually enjoy. It's a good carrot/stick approach that could really level the playing field.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04523572927796479670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15133926.post-24020579856177316202007-03-21T09:23:00.000-04:002007-03-21T09:23:00.000-04:00Or, maybe because I was lucky enough to come from ...<I>Or, maybe because I was lucky enough to come from a strong middle-class background, in a town with a top-notch public education system... and with parents who always taught me to value education and supported me in whatever way I needed.</I><BR/><BR/>I guess we ultimately want to have a culture that values education so that the accident of good parents is less crucial. Aside from getting cranky at the TeeVee, is there a government role in creating such a culture, or does such a culture get created when it becomes clear that education holds big rewards?<BR/><BR/>-KBuschAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com