From: Mati Palm-Leis (mpalm@merr.com)
Date: Thu Aug 25 2005 - 01:23:20 BST
Ham, Platt and others,
Ham, Thanks for the correction.
Ham asked: What is your personal reaction to Platt's statement?
Mati: Well I was hoping to perhaps bow out quietly. But I will respond to
yours and Platt's comments and questions from his post of 8/23.
With all due respect, Platt thinking reminds me of my father in many ways.
It has taken me over eight years to have my father acknowledge that perhaps
some his strong conservative views about education tend to short sighted and
do little to advance quality education. I really don't feel in going around
with Platt as it would be much of the same stuff.
Platt wrote: I have no problem accepting the rules for school vouchers that
you suggest, but at the same time would want to take a look at the laws
public schools must live by, particularly those having to do with
restricting discipline.
Mati: Not to be cutting up on Platt, but this statement makes clear to me
that he has had no real contact with education or its students for over two
generations. Restricting discipline is the least of our worries and focusing
on it does virtually nothing in address the multitude of other issues that
are knocking. Yes discipline is important but so to is the planning of
curriculum, developing positive relationship with parents and community,
addressing a never ending fiscal crisis, teacher training, school facilities
maintenance, growing special education population, growing at risk
population, State and Federal laws, etc..... etc..... etc....
Platt next stated:
I can't speak for all conservatives, but a "back to basics" approach
appeals to me with less emphasis on the little darlings' self-esteem and
more on learning the skills of reading, writing and mathematics using
good, old fashion repetitive drills.
Mati: We already have it, it is called elementary education. Next bright
idea? I appreciate that there is less emphasis, "on the little darlings'
self-esteem and more on learning the skills of reading, writing and
mathematics using good, old fashion repetitive drills" but the little
darlings come to us with more "real" needs than ever before. Platt what
about the little darling who's mother got beat up by the boy friend last
night and this darling feels powerless to do anything about it, hmmm quick
what is 6x3? Education is charged with leaving no child left behind. Why
don't we make the same charge with our community and dare say families. The
fact is many schools are working harder than before with greater
expectations. They should and our kids deserve it. Platt I challenge you as
a retiree to the following. Offer to tutor a kid in your local school twice
a week for a semester. Find a way to make a real connection with a kid. Put
all and I mean all your political views behind you as you do this and make
sure that this one kid is not left behind. When you are done then I can
converse with you on the topic. Sadly my father rejected the challenge for
the comforts of retirement I suspect you will do the same (It would be nice
if you proved me wrong).
Ham: I take it you're not a Republican but, as you've admitted to an
association with the Wisconsin school system,...
Mati: I am a middle of the road type of guy. Liberals think I am too cold
hearted and Conservatives think I am a passive liberal puppet. This makes me
feel pretty well centered as an individual. ;-)
Ham:
I'd be interested in how you feel about the Multicultural
Program and the changes it has imposed on the standard curriculum. For
example, is it your view that school administrators have been pressured into
making these reforms at the expense of basic education? Do you see this as
a move toward "social justice" and the elimination of "oppression" in the
school system or in society at large? Has there been a lessening of this
emphasis since 9/11? Also, how do you view the quality of education in our
institutions of higher learning, particularly in view of the preponderance
of liberal Professors?
Mati: Yikes, I just finished my doctorate and am not ready for my next one.
All the issues you shared are wonderful discussion pieces but I would
suggest all these ideas of social justice, multiculturalism and liberal
educators become less relevant as we look at the cutting edge of reality
when you close the door and the class starts. What is important is that our
teachers find a way to make connections and reach out to the learning styles
and needs of every student. They need to focus on how important learning
progress is being made and how you are going to reach out and find a way to
get those kids that aren't making it. How are you going invite parents and
community become more involved academically, and socially in such a way to
further support and push these kids. Yes social justice and multiculturalism
are important and you find ways to teach these lessons as well. We do it
all.
Ham:
You can provide some valuable insight on these matters for this erudite,
academically-oriented group. I, for one, would like to be more informed as
to the amount of "brainwashing" going on at all levels of academia, and its
influence on journalists and philosophers in particular.
Mati: Sorry I am not that smart, and as for "brainwashing" I don't know much
about it, hmmm, maybe I have been brainwashed myself and don't know it. :-)
Let me think about it.
But my concern is this, what does all of what I have mentioned about
education up this point have to do with the MOQ. HMMMM. Nothing and
everything. The MOQ is a tool in which we are afforded a richer
philosophical understanding about the world around us. What we do with that
understanding is a different ball of wax. The problem I see is that we love
on MD to point and counter point different aspects of our opinions and
understanding about the MOQ. It can be fun but it doesn't really do much to
take us to the next step.
Take care,
Mati
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