Teachers: Instill good values.

The future of our country is dependent upon the quality of our citizens, solid citizens with high integrity.  Teachers can guide and coach them to develop good habits that can carry them through the years. A good and balanced education will lead to a more responsible adult, one who will  take active participation to improve the world.  …  One who takes voting as a sacred duty.

What can be more important to our future!

TEACH THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH VOTE

It is essential to achieve an 80% turnout!

Communication and social skills must be improved among children. The common use of profanity may fade away if children were taught a better vocabulary and how to use it. This includes showing proper respect for each individual regardless of race, color, or creed. Use proven ways to stop schoolyard bullies. We have come a long way, but improvements are  not yet universal.

K -12 education must evolve to include more than just the academic subjects. Students need to follow their own pathways to adulthood. Why must every child be required take math subjects such as Geometry and Algebra? Give them a choice of subjects of their own personal interests. This approach will keep them interested in school and greatly reduce dropouts. A more balanced education can result in a better society where all graduates are filled with hope and promise and thus prepared to better face future situations.

One such school system has been established in San Jose, CA. It is Rocketship Education. What future schools will be. Details are at http://www.rsed.org/.

A modern school would have a study course for each individual, designed for success for each person. Allow students to learn in ways not involving “sitting in a classroom behind a desk”. Not all high school graduates need to go to college nor aspire to advanced degrees. The jobs available for these “cookie cutter” graduates are too few for the future demand. More resources need to be directed to the just average student. They are the one’s whose needs have been most neglected. The bright and motivated student will do just fine.

A successful school system should enable each child to succeed, not to be forced into only one or two study courses. Provide a larger selection to chose from. A student will always learn best when he likes the subject matter. Yes, this will require more teachers and maybe smaller class size in some cases. If we want quality it may cost a bit more, but it is better than spending funds on failed “Correctional Programs”. All of the needed funds can come from shaving less than 5% from our Military Budget!

Think of  the best way to resolve our nation’s many conflicts.

Our better educated children will become the voters and leaders of tomorrow.

They will leap-frog over their elders.

Their freedom and maturity will solve all conflicts much faster.

Our children will rescue us from these challenging times.

For more classroom ideas, go to:

www.grassaction.org/culture-of-the-classroom/

FURTHER READING: http://www.rsed.org/ … ROCKETSHIP EDUCATION system of San Jose, CA.

Rocketship Education is a network of public K through 5 charter schools serving primarily K-5 students in all neighborhoods where parents get involved. Using a blend of traditional instruction, adaptive technology and targeted tutoring, Rocketship strives to meet the unique needs of each and every student. But we believe that truly transformative schools do more than educate students; they empower teachers, engage parents and inspire communities. Together, we can eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime.

http://markmanson.net/taught-in-school … (The concepts behind his blunt language have some real value for educational reform).

And, above all, Vote, Vote, and Vote. … No excuses!