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Thanksgiving; Time with Family. No Thanks

copyright © 2009 Betsy L. Angert.  BeThink.org As Americans ponder the Thanksgiving Day holiday expectations are high. Young children look forward to all the activities loved ones plan. School age individuals are told tales of the Pilgrims and the Indians that befriended early settlers.  Most imagine that on this November day, people come together peaceably.  That, for the little ones is a welcome thought.  Too often, tension exists in the parent child relationship.  Some say angst increases as the offspring age.  Whilst many wish to believe the strain occurs over time, as a child becomes more autonomous, indeed, recent research shows early interactions give rise to the relationship that will be. Toddlers and tots rarely have opportunities to quietly, calmly, and genuinely converse with parents or the caregivers they are fond of.   Hence, lads and lasses feel a sense of loss.  By the teen years, the thought of another Thanksgiving celebration with relatives evokes an almost automatic response, "No thanks."

Somewhere in America

copyright © 2009 Betsy L. Angert.  BeThink.org Somewhere in America, a man loses the job he has held for more than thirty years.  Somewhere in America, a woman cleans out the office she had occupied for close to a decade.  Elsewhere in the United States, a teen unsuccessfully tries to find work.  He knows he needs to help his Mom and Dad; each toiled in the factory that closed just down the street.  A young woman searches for a professional position, just as she has for the two years since she graduated form the University.  Each of these individuals is not startled by the headline, Economy Shed 598,000 Jobs in January.    All ask, where have the "experts," Economists, and elected officials been?

"Two Million Minutes" or Where There is a Will

Two Million Minutes

copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

The exceedingly successful Tennessee businessman may have shrieked with excitement when he realized all along he likely knew what would work well in American schools. "More is best." "Too much is never enough." For an Entrepreneur these adages are thought accurate. Bob Compton, founder and head of several technology and medical firms, a man with a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard knows how to tackle a problem and achieve results.

Exit Exams, High School Dropouts; Cause and Effect

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

In California, students are crushed by the weight of exit exams. Some feel defeated. After numerous failures on test after test, pupils presume, rather than make another attempt, it is best to just dropout. In 2006, 24,000 high school seniors dropped out, about 10,000 more than just four years earlier.

Please also peruse Dropout Nation; Communities Can Cure The Silent Student Epidemic. The causes and effects of "dropping out" are explored in greater detail in that treatise.

No Child Left Behind Leaves Children Behind

HEY YOU - help leave no child behind, really!

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

A parent profoundly effected by property taxes and academic programs that teach to tests, decided to speak about a societal dilemma that has long haunted Americans. A mother or father enlisted the help of their very bright son. He or she enrolled the child in the political process and submitted a question for state and national politicians. Perhaps, only a youngster can truly speak to the issues that effect our future. Perchance, the sweet face of child can melt hearts hardened by budgets, years of chasing the almighty dollar, and no sense [cents?] Leonard Hornbach says to Presidential hopefuls and the Governor of Florida, Hey you, help leave no child behind, really!

Historic Reversals, Accelerating Resegregation In City And Suburbs

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

The mantra may be "teach tolerance." Yet, we teach our children intolerance. In America, we see Historic Reversals, [and] Accelerating Resegregation, so says a report released in August 2007. This study, conducted by Gary Orfield and Chungmei Lee, of the Civil Rights Project, University of California, Los Angeles documents what is evident throughout the country; racism is alive and well in America. Indeed, racial discrimination grows stronger each and every day. The most recent Supreme Court decision, handed down in June 2007, endorsed further racial divides. Parents Involved in Community Schools versus Seattle School District Number 1 et al, sanctions school segregation. For the most part, parents and the population at-large embrace this ruling.

School Diversity Segregates Some. Divided Neighborhoods Isolate All

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Today, I was reminded of how deeply divided this nation is. I read School Diversity Based on Income Segregates Some. I discovered in an attempt to offer equal opportunities, indeed, schools discovered discrimination remained a dominant force. School Boards, Administrators, and the community-at-large concluded educational institutions would be more diverse if learners were assigned to schools based on family incomes. A plan was introduced and implemented. The outcome was mixed; however, the pupil populations were less so. Some races, colors, and creeds were abundant within a given institution; others were not well represented.

States Satisfy No Child Law; Proficiency Standards Are Lowered

Cafferty on All the children left behind

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Days ago the news reports were filled with images and icons. Illusions and delusions were delivered to an expectant public. Paris Hilton appeared on every screen. Cable, network, and local stations covered her body and her burgeoning tensions. She is in jail. She is legally out of prison. The hotel heiress is partying at home or piteous in court. America was fixated. People pondered; wresting with facts and figures all pertaining to Paris.

Most, mired in the misery of this young celebrity missed a discussion relating to another false impression, American students are achieving. Uniform standards are in place in our nation's schools. Pupils are performing. States and Districts accountable. Actually, according to The New York Times, "States Found to Vary Widely on Education.

Policymakers Applaud Marginal Gains on History Test

Sec. Spellings admits lacks of educational credentials. YouTube.com.

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Quick, answer these questions. You are being timed. However, do not feel pressured. Do the best that you can. Our school literally depends on you. Your performance on these examinations will determine whether our district or this facility receives Federal funding. Do not open your test booklet until I tell you to do so. When you are finished, close the pamphlet, put your pencil down, and sit quietly. You may begin.The voyages of Columbus changed life in Europe by . . .
A) introducing new foods and spices to Europe
B) showing Europeans a shorter route to Asia
C) introducing the horse to Spain
D) proving that the Earth was flat

Schools Serve Students; Corporations Cater to Customers

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Many deem the school system is broken. Improvement will come when elementary, middle, and high schools operate as businesses do. Educational institutions need a plan. Districts must select the best teachers and require these mentors to shape their students. It is just that simple.