Student Seeks To End Summertime Mental Enslavement [Archive]

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FMeekins

02-10-2005, 04:32 PM

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While the <A HREF="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/21/national/main668428.shtml">case of a student</A> suing his school on the grounds that summer homework ruined his vacation might not be the best use of the nation's overly burdened court system, the lad does have a bit of a point.

On what grounds, exactly, do schools have the right to compel students to complete assignments during those times of the year when students are not under the school's legal authority?

The school claims these requirements are not an undue imposition since they only apply to honors courses in which the plaintiff volunteered to participate.

While that might apply to this particular Wisconsin jurisdiction in question, it does not settle the matter on a broader philosophical level as some schools such as those in Prince William County, Virginia I wrote about way back in the mid 90’s do not make it an honor's only requirement but rather mandate that all students do book reports and such over the summer.

In the same spirit as that motivating Bill Clinton when he said he opposed tax cuts on the grounds Americans would not know how to spend their own money properly, educrats claim students not given assignments to do over the break would otherwise allow their brains to whither. What of it?

Since the brains belong to the students and under the custodianship of their parents, aren’t they free to do with them as they see fit when school is not in session? Besides, other than basic reading, who uses most of what they learned in school anyway?

Maybe if schools did not devote so many resources to intellectually dubious pursuits such as diversity appreciation, environmental awareness, and indoctrination in evolution, schools would have more than enough time to teach those essentials education propagandists insist there isn’t enough hours in the day (and hence the year) to teach.

For students still ensnared for whatever reasons in the clutches of the public education leviathan, these institutions serve as centers of indoctrination in the ideology of total state control. For what other lesson do students learn from summertime homework than that, even when not on duty, their lives belong to those running the New World Order?

Copyright 2005 by Frederick Meekins
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HomeschoolrsRUs

02-10-2005, 09:18 PM

Maybe if schools did not devote so many resources to intellectually dubious pursuits such as diversity appreciation, environmental awareness, and indoctrination in evolution, schools would have more than enough time to teach those essentials education propagandists insist there isn’t enough hours in the day (and hence the year) to teach.

For students still ensnared for whatever reasons in the clutches of the public education leviathan, these institutions serve as centers of indoctrination in the ideology of total state control. For what other lesson do students learn from summertime homework than that, even when not on duty, their lives belong to those running the New World Order?

Copyright 2005 by Frederick Meekins

:claps: :claps: :claps:

DesertFox

02-11-2005, 09:48 PM

HomeschoolrsRUs

02-11-2005, 10:42 PM

I think Fred has seriously overstated a minor problem. Most kids need MORE -- a whole LOT more -- homework, not less. If I had my way the whole country would go to three-week breaks between semesters and year-around school.

DF,
My first thought when I began reading this was exactly what you expressed. Kids need to spend MORE time academically not less, however, I think the thing that struck me the most was the reference to all the extra "garbage" that is lumped into an academic education these days, taking up valuable teaching and learning time.

From the piece,
"Maybe if schools did not devote so many resources to intellectually dubious pursuits such as diversity appreciation, environmental awareness, and indoctrination in evolution, schools would have more than enough time to teach those essentials education propagandists insist there isn’t enough hours in the day (and hence the year) to teach."

nene

02-12-2005, 04:09 PM

IMO, one of the major problems with public school is that they teach subjects in isolation. As a result, you can have a History text book with a readability rating of 12th grade, issued to an 8th grade student body that on average reads at a 5th grade level. Not to mention attempting to teach history to a student body not versed in principles of government and economics. What good is it to know calculus, if a student cannot determine, given certain budget constraints, what type/style and quantity of a given material would be needed to cover the floor of their home?

kate

02-13-2005, 10:09 AM

PrezLeefun

02-13-2005, 11:11 AM

That kid is a god!!! Nah im just joking but as a student i agree

whipple

02-15-2005, 10:25 AM

As an ex-student I would have to agree with Prez, no homework during the holidays would have been great. However I don't agree with the article and infact am much more inclined to agree with Desertfox. In fact where I grew up (South Africa) that was how we were educated. There was no long break. just short breaks between terms.

From the piece,
"Maybe if schools did not devote so many resources to intellectually dubious pursuits such as diversity appreciation, environmental awareness, and indoctrination in evolution, schools would have more than enough time to teach those essentials education propagandists insist there isn’t enough hours in the day (and hence the year) to teach."

What would you teach instead?

Faithful_Servant

02-15-2005, 11:03 AM

I think Fred has seriously overstated a minor problem. Most kids need MORE -- a whole LOT more -- homework, not less. If I had my way the whole country would go to three-week breaks between semesters and year-around school.
If schools were run in the same way as a private enterprise, with compensation based on results, you would see these kind of things happening:
What DF said. Year round schooling allows kids to start when they are ready instead of when the school tells them to.
A school day that starts at 6:00 AM and goes until 6:00 PM with flexible scheduling to maximize the use of the physical plant and give kids the opportunity to learn on a schedule that best fits their make up.
Actually paying teachers to maintain their own academic requirements. In every other professional field, as technology changes, your employer pays you to maintain your skills.
Cut overhead. Again, if schools were a private enterprise, the percentage of overhead to value-added personnel maintained in schools would be totally unacceptable.

HomeschoolrsRUs

02-15-2005, 04:56 PM

What would you teach instead?

What I am teaching now:
Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, Literature, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, History, and Science. We call it academics.

I have also included a foreign language study, Bible studies, and physical education -- but those could just as easily be electives.

For_My_Canada

02-15-2005, 10:54 PM

I don't think its such a good thing to force someone to do something over the summer holidays. Summer holidays are the perfect chance to look at those subjects that you werent so good at during the past schoolyear and try to get more into it with help of your parents&brothers&sisters or friends. You should still have a choice though.

As to summer school. I think it's not such a bad thing. Then you at least have a chance to get back on the track. Then again, forcing is not the way it should go. No child will ever learn something for its life under pressure. Especially if it doesn't want to.

Summer school doesn't exist over here though.
Summer school here works that way, and also allows a child to take a sorta summer school where they don't learn old subjects to pass them, but rather do courses so that they can graduate earlier and with more credits.
Kids here aren't forced into summer school either, it's pure choice. If you failed a course though, it is in your best interest to take summer school, but again, it's voluntary, lol.
Tell me Kate, how are the Hauptschules there? I hope I spelt that right, lol.

For_My_Canada

02-15-2005, 10:55 PM

I think Fred has seriously overstated a minor problem. Most kids need MORE -- a whole LOT more -- homework, not less. If I had my way the whole country would go to three-week breaks between semesters and year-around school.
Hm, from what I remember back in Houston, I had plenty enough homework. More homework won't do anything to help a child, for they won't do it. Many teens such as myself like to have a lil time to do stuff we actually want to do. I think 1-2 hours of homework is reasonable, more if it is a project, but swamping kids with homework only wastes their energy, and makes us hate school more.

whipple

02-16-2005, 02:31 AM

What I am teaching now:
Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, Literature, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, History, and Science. We call it academics.

I have also included a foreign language study, Bible studies, and physical education -- but those could just as easily be electives.

I'd be very suprised if schools weren't teaching these subjects. Basically you teach English, elementary math, history and science. Do you teach Geography? More releveant to the topic, do you give homework?

HomeschoolrsRUs

02-16-2005, 09:58 AM

I'd be very suprised if schools weren't teaching these subjects.

But they also take up precious time teaching those OTHER things which are not relative to academics.

From the piece,
"Maybe if schools did not devote so many resources to intellectually dubious pursuits such as diversity appreciation, environmental awareness, and indoctrination in evolution, schools would have more than enough time to teach those essentials education propagandists insist there isn’t enough hours in the day (and hence the year) to teach."

Basically you teach English, elementary math, history and science.

I did not give a breakdown of the different sub-topics of each of those core classes, but yes -- however we are doing more than elementary math, my son is learning Algebra, and will continue on. I teach 7th Grade (my daughter), and 10th Grade (my son).

Do you teach Geography?

Yes, as part of History -- He is currently taking a geography course.

More releveant to the topic, do you give homework?

Forgive me if this sounds like I am making assumptions, but the wording of this sentence gives the appearance that since I homeschool my children, I should not be voicing my opinion of the way the government (public) school system is run, or more relevant to the topic, responding to this editorial.

So, if I have read that question wrong, I will answer it as it is written. Yes, I give homework -- ALL my children's schoolwork is HOMEwork. If you are asking do they have work to do independently of my "teaching time," yes they have independent work as well.

whipple

02-16-2005, 10:02 AM

So, if I have read that question wrong, I will answer it as it is written. Yes, I give homework -- ALL my children's schoolwork is HOMEwork. If you are asking do they have work to do independently of my "teaching time," yes they have independent work as well.

Are they likely to sue you for making them work outside of school hours?

HomeschoolrsRUs

02-16-2005, 11:20 AM

Are they likely to sue you for making them work outside of school hours?

Considering that any and all hours at our (home)school are school hours (depending upon the discretion of the administration), quite unlikely.

whipple

02-16-2005, 11:50 AM

Yes, as part of History -- He is currently taking a geography course.

Out of interest why would geography fall under history?

Considering that any and all hours at our (home)school are school hours (depending upon the discretion of the administration), quite unlikely.
LOL, fair enough.

HomeschoolrsRUs

02-16-2005, 12:51 PM

Out of interest why would geography fall under history?

World History is most definitely easier to understand if one also has a working knowledge of WHERE the world history is taking place, wouldn't you say?

Or were you speaking of this:

<DIR>ge•og•ra•phy \jÈ-"ä-gr€-fÈ\ n, pl -phies 1 : a science that deals with the natural features of the earth and the climate, products, and inhabitants 2 : the natural features of a region</DIR><DIR>(c)2000 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. All rights reserved. </DIR>Or perhaps, a definition found here:

Google Search: define:geography (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oi=defmore&q=define:geography)

If so, it is still my humble opinion "geography" (physical, scientific, social, and cultural) can be best learned and understood in association with its historical context.

whipple

02-17-2005, 02:31 AM

If so, it is still my humble opinion "geography" (physical, scientific, social, and cultural) can be best learned and understood in association with its historical context.

That makes sense I suppose. Especially on the social and cultural level.

Kathy29

03-07-2005, 12:17 PM

This kid comes from a perfect little liberal home doesn't he?

Enslavement is becoming more prevalent. There are wage slaves, tax slaves and now mental slaves. This is a cry for help, help me be more of a socialist!

This is a direct result of removing the consequences of one's own actions from the social equasion. A person that works to make a living would not scream about being a wage slave if the alternative was to starve in the street. A kid would not scream about mental enslavement if the alternative was removal from the program and failure.

Bring back consquences and this nonsense will stop.

DoctorDoom

03-07-2005, 07:34 PM

The poor baby! He's a charter member of the next generation of the dependency class.

DesertFox

03-07-2005, 09:53 PM

Well, you remember the old song:

Whine on! Whine on harvest moon
up in the sky!

whipple

03-08-2005, 02:08 AM

Yep, school homework is like death and taxes. It's just a fact of life. Everyone who has been through school and college has had to do it so I have no sympathy for this chap.

ConservativeYouthMovement

04-04-2005, 10:23 PM

I think Fred has seriously overstated a minor problem. Most kids need MORE -- a whole LOT more -- homework, not less. If I had my way the whole country would go to three-week breaks between semesters and year-around school.

The three week breaks cost schools more money because in the summer they have to pay more for air conditioning.

And also, it is 100% true people would just not do it. Most teachers dont even assign a lot of homework (nothing that would ever take more than half an hour for me to do) because only a few people commonly do it.

IE: Teacher will ask who did the homework. Three people raise their hands. More homework would result in fewer people doing it, meaning it would never be the solution. Long school days will result in more people not going, but I really like the idea of having school from 6am-6pm so that you can go when you want to.

Just impossible to keep a school staffed with real teachers with only 1 shift, so I doubt itd work with 1.5 shifts.

PrezLeefun

04-05-2005, 12:32 PM

The kid has a point. Look at it this way it is not the students fault if a teacher cannot complete or assign the required amount of class work during the course of the 10 month school year. Summer work should only apply to elective and AP courses.

CzechPrince

04-05-2005, 12:55 PM

Prez, at least in VA, all summerwork that is done prior to the school year is AP, Dual Enrollment, and other college level classes. Summer before sophmore year, I had summer work for AP US History and AP Psychology. But the real bitch was the summer before senior year. I was in AP Government, AP European History, and AP Calculus, and Dual Enrollment English :flame:

--but it paid off, I got various credits for certain AP Exams and I got into the college I wanted. Plus, it was not all too bad looking back, I am pretty good in history and government, that's why I am majoring in political science. Did you have anything similar to that Prez? I am not familiar with New York's system.

Teenager

04-05-2005, 12:59 PM

Maybe if schools did not devote so many resources to intellectually dubious pursuits such as diversity appreciation, environmental awareness, and indoctrination in evolution, schools would have more than enough time to teach those essentials education propagandists insist there isn’t enough hours in the day (and hence the year) to teach.

This is one of the reasons why my parents homeschool us kids(six of us).
Indeed, what 7th grader needs to know about how sex works? Or death education? Or Aids ed? What good does all that info do to help that kid succeed in life?
My answer is nothing.

Let's put the trash in where it belongs, in the trash.

FMeekins

04-05-2005, 01:26 PM

Glad to see this topic still stirring people up. :)