Comments on: James Shuls: Why We Need School Choice

By: Victoria M. Young

Victoria M. Young — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:22:24 +0000

Sadly I read your essay last night.

Your story is J. Martin Rochester’s story (Class Warfare: Besieged Schools, Bewildered Parents, Betrayed Kids and the Attack on Excellence) is my story (The Crucial Voice of the People, Past and Present).

But I have come to a different solution, in a way. Unfortunately, my proposal doesn’t lend itself to a one word explanation like “choice.” It’s more like two words – another choice. We have another choice.

If we listened to each other, the answers become clear. On math curriculum, we split between two camps but the reality probably lies between – we need solid mastery of the basic number functions and a conceptual understanding. On reading curriculum – we need to have been taught phonetic strategies along with being encouraged to use the holistic concepts of word recognition. (Please excuse my lack of usage of proper ed terminology – I’m just a parent. Hope you get the point I’m trying to make.)

Again listening to one of your respondents, look to how teachers are taught. But I don’t go so far as to say eliminate schools of education, my choice is to see us strengthen and improve the existing system.

James, you did an excellent job diagnosing what is wrong with the system – it is frustrating and unresponsive – be we can fix that!

By: James Shuls

James Shuls — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:14:23 +0000

Thank you all for your comments. I wanted to make you aware that School Reform News read this story and found it very interesting. We recorded a podcast, released Jan. 27th, which you can find on itunes or at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/school-reform-news-podcast/id359373516

By: Rotten to the Core: Obama’s War on Academic Standards (Part 1) « Sally's Political Blog

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 06:17:05 +0000

[...] This must-read piece by James Shuls connects Common Core, math corruption, and the need for school choice. [...]

By: Rotten to the Core: Obama’s War on Academic Standards (Part 1) | Tony Johnson

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:43:27 +0000

[...] Phyllis Schlafly, as always, sounded the alarm here. This must-read piece by James Shuls connects Common Core, math corruption, and the need for school choice. Heritage resources on Common Core. Videos: APP’s full video series on Common Core here. [...]

By: Rotten to the Core: Obama’s War on Academic Standards (Part 1)

Rotten to the Core: Obama’s War on Academic Standards (Part 1) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:48:06 +0000

[...] This must-read piece by James Shuls connects Common Core, math corruption, and the need for school choice. [...]

By: InDefenseOfLiberty

InDefenseOfLiberty — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 05:40:05 +0000

Our children are deliberately being dumbed down. Please check out the videos on Common Core, Agenda 21, and the Miseducation of America by Charlotte Iserbyt at http://www.indefenseofliberty.tv/index.php/category/education-system/

By: Reader

Reader — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 16:30:32 +0000

I am an English teacher, but I have seen students at my high school struggle over math problems when the solution is obvious at a quick glance.
I can add that there are two categories of students who don’t need to “show understanding,” and this contributes to the counterproductive practices the author describes: The first category is students who understand and have the right answer, and the second category have the right answer but they got it some wrong way. Somehow the teacher needs to be able to sort this out, which used to be called “showing your work.” A similar issue is the requirement for “pre-writing” and thinking maps for students who don’t need them because they have the plans and maps in their heads. As for the algorithms, I was taught them and I recall my teachers demonstrating why they worked. I can “do math in my head” to the amazement of my students sometimes.

By: Parents fight for 2 + 2 = 4 — Joanne Jacobs

Parents fight for 2 + 2 = 4 — Joanne Jacobs — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 07:35:00 +0000

[...] and his wife, a Spanish teacher in the local school district, wanted their first-grade son to learn standard math algorithms, he writes on Education News. The teacher said the math program focused on “deep [...]

By: RetiredNEA

RetiredNEA — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:07:22 +0000

No, they never do ask. My kids are at least 6 years ahead of their age level…and do they ask?

Well, one Russian immigrant – but that is all!! Americans are hopeless and I don’t even talk about it anymore.

By: RetiredNEA

RetiredNEA — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:58:41 +0000

Oh yea, and by the way…when you are ready, we’ll be glad to explain the entire philosophy behind WHY they are doing this to our children.

But first you must publicly promise not to send us to the looney bin, because what we tell you will hurt, and will tear down a lot of (understandable) beliefs that you’ve had all your life.