MM> VH> That's part of what we call the Cycle of Poverty.  In the counties I
MM> VH> speak of, the population is on welfare and they are the fourth or fifth
MM> VH> generation.  Education is not seen as "cool." 
Children who try to
MM> VH> learn are discouraged by their peers.

MM>Much the same problems here ... and being tackled by special
MM>schools being run by their people - jury is out on efficacy.

We do the same here -- so we have all-black schools.  No improvement
noted.

MM> VH> But we don't seem to have such teachers.

MM>Err ...  the junior high I'm on the Board of has got to the stage
MM>where all our teachers have first-class degrees  -  but then this
MM>is a top-income, top-income area (Ministry of Education here call
MM>is a `Decile 10' school).   Doesn't make them all literate or
MM>numerate, however, but it gets close.

That is what I call the Civil Rights Cause of the 21st Century -- the
disparity in quality between rich and poor districts.  Not until the
poorest districts reach the level where you are will we have equality in
education.

MM> VH> In fact, I was told by some teachers when I was running for
MM> VH> Congress in '04 that we have certified teachers who can't
MM> VH> read.  I didn't believe it, but so many told me that I
MM> VH> checked with the Federal agency that "helps" teachers.
MM> VH> Without any prompting, they told me their number one problem
MM> VH> was "teachers who can't read."

MM>I get to visit classrooms in 3 schools (mostly to keep myself up
MM>to date) and often find myself shaking with the need to take over
MM>and correct some numerical SNAFU perpetrated in front of me that I
MM>know will jeopardise the class's understanding at the next level.

MM>Here in NZ,  they're just introducing formal requirements for all
MM>teachers to demonstrate basic skills in maths and language before
MM>being allowed near a class - but the degree to which this will
MM>succeed is yet to seen.

If you have a powerful teacher's union - watch out!!

MM> VH> Same here -- student loans are a bad idea.  I'd frankly rather make
MM> VH> college free for those who qualify and keep up their grades.

MM>I'll vote for that any day !

It makes more sense -- IF we can enforce good grades and not let them
dumb down the colleges.

MM> MM>These politcians and economists ought to be re-drafted into
MM> MM>railway track maintenance....

MM> VH> Do you have any idea of the carnage that would ensue on the railways?

MM>Not on NZ Railways - these people sold it off to profiteers,  and
MM>are now trying to nationalise the shambolic remnants;  putting
MM>them to work straightening the wonky rails and rebuilding the
MM>stock would be only just....

And you think politicians would make things BETTER? :-)
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