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Education

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 How some of the “Greats” view Education:

 

 

There is, in fact, only one solution: the state, the government, the laws must not in any way concern themselves with schooling or education. Public funds must not be used for such purposes. The rearing and instruction of youth must be left entirely to parents and to private associations and institutions. -- Ludwig von Mises

 

It is time to admit that public education operates like a planned economy. It's a bureaucratic system where everybody's role is spelled out in advance, and there are few incentives for innovation and productivity. It's not a surprise when a school system doesn't improve. It more resembles a Communist economy than our own market economy. -- Albert Shanker

 

Scholarship is to be created not by compulsion, but by awakening a pure interest in knowledge. The wise instructor accomplishes this by opening to his pupils precisely the attractions the study has for himself. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

It would be a mistake to assume that the present-day educational system is unchanging. On the contrary, it is undergoing rapid change. But much of this change is no more than an attempt to refine the existent machinery, making it ever more efficient in pursuit of obsolete goals. -- Alvin Toffler

 

Give someone fish and they will eat for day.  Teach them how to fish and they will eat for a lifetime. -- Proverb

My goal is to ensure all New York State residents have an opportunity to “earn” free public education from pre-school through the first four years in college.  I use the term “earn” instead of “receive” because “receive” is perceived as an entitlement.  All residents can “receive” free education; however, if they are not meeting educational requirements, then they cannot “earn” a high school diploma or a college degree without working with educators and the individual educational plans they may have prepared for them to succeed.  Will it be expensive to offer the first four years of college at a public New York State institution for free?  Yes, but the benefits below will clearly outweigh the costs.  State Government will give each school district a set amount per student each year no matter if you are a private or public school.  The more students you have, then the more aid you will receive.  Parents can send their children to whatever school they choose because state aid follows the student and not the school district.  This will drive school districts in competing to offer the best education so they attract the most students and the most aid.  Look at the other benefits of this proposal:

Þ How can anyone get off Welfare if you don’t offer them the opportunity to better themselves through education?  What do you think will cost more?  Giving out Welfare dollars, or offering people an opportunity to get off Welfare and earn a free diploma or degree.

Þ Everywhere you turn, employers are looking for prospective candidates with at least a Bachelor’s degree.

Þ This can be the best solution for those who want to make a career change or have been laid off and need to make themselves marketable in the business world.

Þ An educated society is a civilized society.

Þ Education is the key to eliminating ignorance, poverty, hunger, illnesses, discrimination, etc.

In the end, we might actually attract people to move back to New York because of this new educational initiative.  Like the New York State Lottery says, “Hey, Never Know!”

 

 

 

 My Platform on improving Education:

 

 

· School Districts

Þ Determine curriculum and set standards with School Board

Þ Offer free universal Pre-K (every day for half days)

Þ Offer free full time kindergarten

Þ Offer free college education up to four years (must state requirements needed to be met by every student to continue to receive a free college education)

Þ Eliminate the Teacher’s Union and tenure

Þ Offer teachers the opportunity to make more money based on merit and years of service and not on a step system

Þ Maintain the most up-to-date technology all the time

Þ Make the schools safe!

Þ Do not accept mediocrity!

Þ Invest in your kids all the time!  Not just the smart ones.

Þ Teach your kids “How to think” and not ”What to think.”

Þ Keep an open mind.  Student’s opinions due count.  You never know.  Your kids may know more than you on certain topics.

Þ Understand where your kids are coming from and try to talk to them and not down to them.

Þ Make a goal of trying to go the extra mile each day for a different student

· Parents

Þ If you choose to send your child to a private school, then you must pay the difference between the state funding and the private school’s tuition out-of-pocket.  This applies to public and private schools from pre-K to colleges.

Þ Remember that you are the parent.  Teachers are not supposed to raise your kids.  You are!

Þ Keep track of children’s classes

Þ Know what is being taught to your children in all classes

Þ Attend Parent-Teacher conferences

Þ Make sure they get their homework done before the TV goes on!  If they need help, then help them.  If you don’t know how to help them, then find someone to help them and learn along side.

Þ If your child needs help or has special needs, then get them help.  Ignoring the issue is not helping them.  It’s not about you.  It’s about them!

Þ Mainstreaming a child with special needs is great only if it will truly help them in the long run.  If there is a program that prohibits them from being mainstreamed, but will truly benefit the child in the long run, then place them in that special program.  It’s not about you.  It’s about them!

Þ Get involved!

· Students

Þ Honor and respect all your teachers.

Þ Voice your opinion, but be respectful

Þ Work hard and never accept mediocrity

Þ Do your homework as soon as you get home

Þ If you need help, then ask.

Þ Plan on attending four years of college at a minimum

Þ Don’t cheat

Þ Dress for success.  If you dress like a tramp or a slob, you’ll never get a job. 

Þ Education is first and socialization is second.  It’s OK to make friends and build a socialization network; however, if you can’t have an intelligent conversation with your friends , then you’ll end up with no friends because they will view you as an idiot!

Everyone has a role to play to make this a success:

 

 

It will take all “three” parties (Schools, Parents, and Students) to turn the educational system around.  If one of these parties fail, then the system will fail.