The Value of Education

I deal with a lot of people everyday. Young, old, you name it, I've probably worked with someone like that. I don't always come across the smartest people either. I often wonder what goes on in people's minds (or what doesn't for that matter), and why they say and do the things they do. My mother recently started working again for our local school system, and perhaps her daily accounts of working with the children, yes, our future, could provide a little more insight as to why the value of education is drastically dropping.

My mother substitutes for grades from K-8. She worked in the same school system for almost 15 years as a lunch monitor and suspension officer, as well as at times working with special needs children. When my grandmother became ill, she took a few years off to take care of her. In that small amount of time, it seems as though the kids are being taught less and less.

My favorite story is when mom first started back, and she was substituting for the grammar school computer teacher the first week school opened. She was left instructions, and she was working with the kids on their daily projects. One project asked them to begin by typing their names on the screen. A boy raised his hand and said he didn't know how to spell his own name. I'm sorry, but isn't there something wrong with this picture? One of the first things you learn in school is how to spell your name. In fact, any good parent would teach their kids how to spell their name before they get to school. Mine did, and if I remember correctly, all of my classmates knew how to spell their names.

Yesterday, my mother was reprimanded by the superintendent for saying the word "dead". How is a teacher supposed to teach about "dead" historical figures, if they can't say they're "dead"? Death happens. Yes, it's a touchy subject when it's someone you know, but it happens. George Washington isn't holed up somewhere being pumped full of chemicals and vitamins to keep him alive. Abe Lincoln doesn't actually live in the White house anymore. John F. Kennedy was shot in the head and isn't coming back. Elvis, now that's still a possibility. History can't be taught as history if the schools don't allow the teachers to talk about dead people. I take it our kids will never learn about the horrors of war because, oh my, people die in war. Give it up people!

If teachers are restricted in what they can teach because it may hurt little Johnny's feelings, then what's the point of even having an education system anymore. It's gone so far down the drain, there's hardly a chance to save it. Are test scores going up? Really? I can't see how it's helping society in general.

Another example: My husband and I worked a local university. He was the pub manager, so he was able to interact with the students more than I could (I was in administration). He used to come home and tell me how the math major student employee who worked for him couldn't make change for a $2.25 beer from $5.25. I remember one girl who could barely keep a thought in her brain for more than 3 seconds. Guess what her major was? Education, of course! Part of the downfall of the mental level of this country is the fact that colleges and universities are letting anyone graduate. As long as they get your money, you're good to go. I bet if you gave them four years tuition up front they'd just hand you a diploma.

Another problem is that students are being made to learn things that they can't always learn. For example, not every child is able to comprehend physics and calculus. Instead of trying to help these kids, teachers continue to cram the facts and formulas down their throats until they become so pressured that they start to take drugs, drink, smoke and become violent. Vocational schools are looked down on, because "nobody should have to be just a plumber; instead, everyone should aim to be a lawyer or a doctor." My mom always likes to say, if no one is allowed to become a plumber or a carpenter or an auto mechanic, who will fix the pipes, build the homes and repair the cars. We all know that lawyers and doctors don't do those things on their own.

And finally, let the kids have some guts. They can't be shielded from every little negative thing that happens in a day. If you're so concerned about them witnessing violence and drugs or guns, then take away their video games and don't let them watch horror movies. Studies have been done for years that claim violence on television and in video games will make a child become more violent in real life. I bet little Mikey didn't kick Jimmy in the head until you allowed him to have Mortal Combat for his PSP. Oh yeah, and Mommy and Daddy shouldn't curse so much at home. If you're that concerned, make the changes yourself. People die, and most people in history are dead. You can't change that and it's not going to help your kids learn anymore if you don't allow them to know Lincoln is already dead! He was shot in the head, brains spewing all over Fords Theatre and Mary Todd, his wife. How about that for historical violence and death?!?

Lesson for the day: Let your kids learn. Don't be so concerned that they'll become mental cases because people who lived hundreds of years ago are dead. Guide them through their education. Don't force them to learn something they can't. Find a strong point and go with it. Maybe it will be physics, but maybe it'll be shop class. Did you ever consider how much a Lamborghini mechanic actually makes?

And now for my violent tidbit of the day--

Pirate fact: "[Grainne O'Malley] ruthlessly avenged the murders of her husband and of her lover, divorced her second husband, gave birth to her youngest son on board her ship as it was being attacked by North African pirates. She kidnapped the grandson of an Earl when he refused her the hospitality of his castle. Her ransom was that he and his descendants would forever lay an extra place at his dinner table for the unexpected arrival, a demand that is still fulfilled to this day. " (Thanks to Anne Chambers for this bit of info. Argggggg!)