It is time that we finally address the great crisis of our society--the obliteration of our education system.
Do we still not get it? Education is paramount to a thriving society and without it, chaos and anarchy reins. I am a Philadelphian who attended public school in what many call the “urban community.”
I was fortunate to be taught by “great educators.” What we have now are incompetent teachers, with their unions, principals and school administrations destroying what’s left of the education system.
To be fair, Dr. Ackerman, the new CEO of the Philadelphia Public Schools, has a track record of getting results such as increasing the number of students graduating from high school and test scores. Michelle Rhee, who is currently featured in TIME Magazine (“How To Fix America’s Schools” December 8, 2008) as Washington, D.C.’s new “no nonsense” school superintendent, and the one with the “prescription” to fixing America’s public schools, are cut from the same mold in their passion (bordering on zealot) that every child receives the very best education and “zero tolerance” for excuses on why this objective was not accomplished.
Since Dr. Ackerman’s hiring in 2008, she has met with some resistance from those (i.e. incompetent teachers, their unions, principals and school administration) who refuse to change for the better. Not only must we support Dr. Ackerman, we must also hold her accountable.
I’ll be candid! In the United States we are losing our children, youth, and adolescents to violence, incarceration, drugs, illiteracy, and sexual promiscuity. Are we now ready for drastic measures to be implemented to stop the “bleeding”?
In our current economic recession (I believe it’s an “economic depression”), the idealist in me believes that we will survive, rise, and overcome it. But what about the children, youth and adolescents who will become adults someday? If they are not prepared to be leaders and productive citizens in society, when another world crisis arises, how will they be prepared to address it? Without a major overhaul of the current education system in our city, our children of today who will be our adults of tomorrow will be ill equipped to face the challenges that this new decade has ushered in.
About Me
- ABAD
- I was an instructor of public policy (online) at the International University of Humanities and Social Sciences in San Jose, Costa Rica and I am currently an instructor at Orleans Technical Institute, a licensed and accredited post-secondary school which is a branch of JEVS Human Services. I am also the CEO of Dream Field Academy, a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth through education and mentoring. I am the author of the following: • We Can Be the Outcome: A Book of Essays on Politics, Social Justice and Injustice in the Great Republic and Beyond.” JAPSS Press, 2012, • “The Original Dive: The Life and Times of Catherine II the Great.” JAPSS Press, 2009, “The Miseducation of Nat Turner.” E.booktime.com, 2006, “A War On All Fronts.” E.booktime.com, 2005,
3 comments:
You state that our "Education is paramount to a thriving society and without it, chaos and anarchy reins. Dude where do you live have you been watching the news at all, can't you see that our country is in the worse economic crisis since the geat depression. We are right around the corner from chaos if we don't get the economy straight. People are getting let go we have over 500 million people unemployed and you still think the education system is "paramount" People are dying for food and money. People are losing jobs left and right. You write "What we have now are incompetent teachers, with their unions, principals and school\ administrations destroying what’s left of the education system. Okay so their aren't any good teachers and unions , principals and schools are destroying children. My freind its easy to blast teachers and unions. However there is a bigger crisis people like you who don't even understand that if we don't have a stable economy and get unemployment under control the school systems won't help anybody. And yes it will get worse because urban schools who already work with limited budgets will get chafted onnce again. I just have one more thing to say to you
"ITS THE ECONOMY STUPID"
I can understand why "Anonymous" is as such. The most dangerous individual walking around this earth, is one who is educated. The second most dangerous, is the one who is uneducated. I am not just talking about a degreed person, but one who pays attention and is willing to be open-minded to the thoughts and suggestions of others. Let us look at education in respect to our current economy. If all I ever learned in my life was one (1)skill, I have already set myself up for disaster. Nothing lasts forever....nothing; therefore it is always important to have something else that you can do when the storm of recession shows back up, because it will show back up. Look at the ridiculous salaries these executives earn. What sense does it make for a person who heads any corporation to earn this kind of money and America does nothing about it, yet they want to use it as a basis for "bailout, or no bailout". America is getting another lesson in its own arrogance with money. If each of us had taken the time to educate ourselves on what is happening in our economy as we were spending throughout the years, we may not be hurting as much, because we were smarter in our spending. I know I was not one who paid attention, but I have had a rude awakening and my undivided attention is now given. Greed, arrogance, and an attitude of intolerance toward the beliefs of others will continue to destroy us regardless of our educational foundation. Let this be a lesson for us all, that we should come to understand the economy for ourselves, so that we can continue to move forward with taking care of our families without resorting to illegal and/or unhealthy means to survival. Try offering knowledge to someone who does not have an understanding of how to manage through these tough times. Try looking at why our econonmy has fallen prey to the greed of those sitting in their easy chairs, looking down their noses at those of us who are not making six figure incomes. Restructuring of our educational curricula is important. I remember a time when I was in elementary school, that PSFS Bank would come in on a monthly basis and talk to the students about banking. We opened bank accounts during that time and learned the value of saving money. Had I continued that trend, I would be a millionaire today. There was a time when there was Driver's Education in school. Now we have staggering stats on teen deaths related to driving accidents. There was a time where we learned about our health.Now we are faced with a country where 9 year olds are suffering with obesity. Economics must be learned at an early age, because in a day and age where there are many illiterate, naive and ignorant parents, the child has the responsibility to take charge of his/her own life, as well as the lives of their siblings and even parent(s). I am my brother's keeper. Each one, teach one. Education is not only paramount, it is the key to our continued existence. Grrrr!
The most dangerous person walking around is a person who thinks they can't do anything to change their circumstances. It is when good men do nothing that evil prevails. I am talking about degreed and non-degreed persons
You state "Economics must be learned at an early age, because in a day and age where there are many illiterate, naive and ignorant parents, the child has the responsibility to take charge of his/her own life, as well as the lives of their siblings and even parent(s). I am my brother's keeper. Each one, teach one. Education is not only paramount, it is the key to our continued existence. Grrrr
The reason folk are in a boat full of trouble and our drowning in ignorance is precisely because people still think education will save them. First of all let us not assume that ignorant people don't have an education. I was raised by parents who were illiterate, and naive but had enough sense to teach me about morals and economics.
They taught me not to be open minded but to be focused and careful. Because there are people in this world who will never like you. So stay close to God and keep your common sense. They did not have an education but what they taught me was priceless. I can tell you I know many educated ignorant people who have PHD's. We continue to lie to our children and say get an education. What the hell does that mean! You state that If each of us had taken the time to educate ourselves on what is happening in our economy as we were spending throughout the years, we may not be hurting as much, because we were smarter in our spending. Don't you know you were programmed (educated) by either your lack of education or because somebody taught you that economics was not important. Either way you were educated! Did you know that when a Jewish family goes into business they allow their children to make the first sale. Why because Jewish people educate their children in ECONOMICS early because they realize that business, economics and money is paramount. I have a few friends from the islands and they all have business. One friend told me why do Americans make their children take out loans for their education. Why do they put their children in debt. What we don't understand is that education is relative to what you are learning. You state Greed, arrogance, and an attitude of intolerance toward the beliefs of others will continue to destroy us regardless of our educational foundation. For many people in this country GREED, ARROGANCE AND INTOLERANCE IS THIER FOUNDATION JUST ASK THE GOVERNOR OF ILLNOIS. These were educated people.
And I can tell you that many are making their money in a very legal way its called capitalism. And if you don't like the way it works then do something about it. Hey here is a novel ideal make some money and then help somebody else if you want to be your brothers keeper then make some money and teach them about economics.
If you think education is still paramount I dare you to visit the unemployment line. Oh yeah and the last time I checked ROME was the most powerful nation on earth. However they are no longer in existence. Ill give you one guess as to why they fell. Give up "ECONOMICS" and the other reasons were invasions and their inability to rule the entire empire.
I am my brother’s keeper is a bunch of bull and is outdated. And if people actually practiced that we wouldn't be in the trouble we are in now. We need to be more than just our brother’s keeper. We need to be fathers to our children and educate them at home (especially about economics) We need to be keepers of our communities so everybody can make money. The difficulty with that is if you are still ignorant about economics then they won't learn anything and nobody will be kept. What you need to do is fine somebody who can help educate concerning money/economics.
Its time to tell the truth about education and economics. When do you think anybody is going to restructure anything concerning education. (It Ain’t Gonna Happen)
We need to wake up excuse my English “ain't nobody gonna restructure anything”. Your best bet is to develop your children and prepare them for a global economical world that they are living in. And I hate to say this but there will be many and I do mean many that will perish due to either lack of education or because they think they have one. OH by the way mismydad 2004 if a person wants to be "Anonymous" it is her God given right to be and you and your friend ABAD need to know one thing
IT’S STILL THE ECONOMY STUPID
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