The Education Debate

The Presidential Debate was similar to a boxing match this round.  Both candidates jabbed and ducked, came close to a hit and backed off.  Then, finally at the end of the debate, the question finally turned to education, a subject near and dear to my heart.

But Obama's comment about parents getting involved and turning off the TV and helping the child with that desire to learn just about flipped me out!

Why is it always the parents fault when the child is failing?  How can a working parent's 3 hours a night with their children bring back the love of learning that 8 hours of supervision by a teaching system that has drilled the love of learning out of the children? 

The education in most public schools today is one of sharing everything and ownership of nothing; of taking tests in teams; where nobody can lose so nobody can win.  The incessant demand to draw inside the lines and cows are always brown attitude of the system keeps children's love of learning in check until it's so dead that we have to de-school kids who are homeschooled. 

It takes about 1 month for every year in public school to get the kids back to where they know who they really are, what they really love and for their sense of exploration to return.  During this time of de-schooling, parents are encouraged to allow their children to vege, to read what they want to read and to take kids on field trips to live activities in their communities. 

We have many stories of children who come alive again after their parents take FULL control of their education.  These are children who discover their love of learning again and turn their grades around, who go to college, or become great artists, engineers, debaters, or athletes.

 
So Senator Obama's pointing the blame at parents is just another form of the Democratic blame game. 

Reform education, stop sending billions of dollars into the failed system!  Get rid of the stronghold that unions have on the teachers.  Let innovative teachers and charter schools lead the way.  Then we will see children keep that love of learning that made past generations so great.