<p>October 23, 2007 · Chicago Public Schools is allowing the United States military to run four of its schools. The decision is raising question about what involvement, if any, the armed forces should have in educating Chicago's children. The relative of a middle-schooler who currently attends one of the city's military education programs, is joined by a vocal critic of the concept. They share differing views.</p>
<p>Chicago stole my idea! This will work and I want to see it spread across the country! The discussion is balanced; the moderator did a good job and asked the right questions.</p>
<p>I think it's fabulous. If the test scores aren't where they should be yet, it's because there are many "at risk" kids attending.</p>
<p>Let's see. Respect for faculty, discipline, uniforms (meaning no really weird clothes and jewelry too), commitment from parents, kids who want more structure - and there are actually people out there who think this is a bad idea. I think highly of the kids and their parents and poorly of the people who want to lose the kids in the Chicago Public School system.</p>
<p>Anyway, sorry about starting the 2nd thread. I was away for awhile and not 100% up-to-date on every cc discussion. I'll try not to let it happen again. ;)</p>
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Respect for faculty, discipline, uniforms (meaning no really weird clothes and jewelry too), commitment from parents, kids who want more structure
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<p>Funny, but it seems to me that we had all this for almost 200 years without having to bring the military into it. But I guess that's what happens when teachers stop being teachers and become union members, and allow the kids to take over the schools.</p>
<p>If it works, I'm all for it. Maybe they can throw in some quality range time so these kids won't grow up thinking guns are icky, too.</p>
<p>^^^do you have permission to quote Rush word-for-word? Today's teachers are more highly qualified than at any time in the history in our country. Most of my colleagues have at least one masters degree plus 30 university credits in bilingual education (how to teach second language learners). Look at people like your friend usna69, he's a highly qualified teacher. I'd like to see you make progress in a classroom of 40 (five times a day=200 students for you buddy) high school/middle school students who are reading three to four years below grade level. I'm sure you could turn them around in a New York minute. </p>
<p>Many of the issues teachers' unions work for directly benefit students and families: reduced class size, clean safe schools, health care for poor students. </p>
<p>We're interested in original opinions and facts here; not AM talk radio propaganda.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^right -on......go visit a middle/high school and spend a day with a teacher. Eyes wide open. </p>
<p>My unsolicited two cents:</p>
<p>There is a segment of the student population that would really thrive on the focus, discipline and direction offered at these schools.
These kids come from all incomes, genders, races and parental backgrounds. They are mostly really smart kids who need that extra push - perhaps they aren't athletic or socially popular but for some reason lack direction and self discipline and tend to fall through the cracks. I think this type of school is perfect for these kids.
To me this isn't about recruiting but giving kids a chance to find direction in their life and education.</p>
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We're interested in original opinions and facts here; not AM talk radio propaganda.
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<p>Awwww..... Did I hit a nerve? Usually happens when you speak truth to a Lib. </p>
<p>BTW, do you have permission to quote NEA propaganda? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>If the teachers were doing such a bang-up job, we wouldn't be worried about graduating kids who can barely read or having to apply military discipline to schools when no such thing was needed in the past. </p>
<p>It's a shame, too, because if the bad teachers could actually be fired rather than coddled by the union, I think all kinds of good would come of it. </p>
<p>But hey, can't touch 'em! Union rules! (Unless, of course, they dare put a Bible on their desk.)</p>
<p>Facts are facts. Deal with them.</p>
<p>I now return you to your regularly-scheduled NPR echo chamber. :rolleyes:</p>
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go visit a middle/high school and spend a day with a teacher.
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<p>Did it for four years, then did it as a volunteer tutor in Virginia Beach, then taught at the Community College level (the students being largely those who came from urban public schools in Miami). I, too, have multiple Master's Degrees and am bilingual. I am quite qualified to have my opinions, whether some among the protected want to believe it or not.</p>
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Look at people like your friend usna69, he's a highly qualified teacher.
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<p>The same USNA69 that is derided here as being a throwback to the age of slaves for rowers and lashes for having your eyes out of the boat?</p>
<p>The same USNA69 who is told he doesn't know a damned thing about which he's talking?</p>
<p>The same USNA69 who is treated like a pariah here because he doesn't toe the same line as a bunch of nervous parents?</p>
<p>The same USNA69 who has forgotten more about life and service in the Navy than the rest of the alumni and midshipmen here combined are likely to know?</p>
<p>The same USNA69 whose 20+ years of honorable service to this nation was swept aside by one of the bigger blowhards on this site as nothing more than "peacetime button-pushing"?</p>
<p>THAT USNA69?</p>
<p>Where was this admiration when he was speaking the truth to people who weren't smart enough to shut up and listen to it? :mad:</p>
<p>Zaphod - you really need to stick to the topic. You want to debate teachers and teacher unions do that on another thread.</p>
<p>Virginia Beach huh? I am not impressed. at all. </p>
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If the teachers were doing such a bang-up job, we wouldn't be worried about graduating kids who can barely read or having to apply military discipline to schools when no such thing was needed in the past
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<p>we don't graduate kids who can barely read - they drop out. High school graduation requirements have in fact gotten much tougher over the last generation.
there has always been a segment of students who did/can benefit from a military type environment. we used to ship kids off to military schools - there aren't many left anymore and you have to be able to afford it. For these kids who come from an economically disadvangated background this - to me is a viable alternative.
If these schools help kids break the cycle of poverty and lack of education and allows them to become self sufficient, productive members of society then I am all for it.</p>
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Zaphod - you really need to stick to the topic. You want to debate teachers and teacher unions do that on another thread.
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<p>Conceded. I accept and appreciate your kind reminder.</p>
<p>I still think the military program idea is a good one, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to discover the political leanings of those who would oppose it.</p>
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Virginia Beach huh? I am not impressed. at all.
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<p><shrug></shrug></p>
<p>One does what one can, wherever they are.</p>
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we used to ship kids off to military schools
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<p>I know. I are one. :D</p>
<p>5th grade to 8th grade, but only because there was no one at home (NYC) to watch me during the afternoons. It was a mixed blessing, as it was also a boarding school.</p>
<p>How many of you realize that the main purpose of NJROTC is to address this very environment? My primary student load is kids who have failed the mandatory Algebra EOC test. Many of them are in NJROTC. It is a pleasure to watch them mature as compared to their exact contemporaries who do not have the benefit of this program. I spend more time daily with the Master Chief than I do with anyone else. The simple fact that the students finally realize we are talking to each other is worth its weight in gold. </p>
<p>From this perspective, the military environment is a total success.</p>