tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395477629258665306.post7149963758217798628..comments2023-10-04T06:24:03.734-04:00Comments on Education and Its Discontents - Observations from A Retired High School Teacher: School Dropouts and Pathways to EducationLornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15741324981120408977noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395477629258665306.post-37196129204302997102007-07-28T09:47:00.000-04:002007-07-28T09:47:00.000-04:00Woodland, the program you describe sounds quite in...Woodland, the program you describe sounds quite interesting. I think it makes all the difference in the world when people realize that getting an education is a necessity in today's world. I suspect the girls involved in your program are as highly motivated as those in Pathways to Education.<BR/><BR/>I am curious as to whether the funding for yours is based solely on private contirbutions, or if there is any government assistance as well. Apparently the Pathways program has reeived some funding from the Ontario government, but it has not indicated that there will be any regular assistance. Therefore, a good deal of the cost are born by priivate contributions.Lornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15741324981120408977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395477629258665306.post-64126774074197534962007-07-27T21:25:00.000-04:002007-07-27T21:25:00.000-04:00Anonymous makes several excellent points here. I ...Anonymous makes several excellent points here. I think that only by consistently holding those in authority responsible for what they do and say can they can be reminded that respect has to be earned; by taking it for granted, as they often do, they demean both their positions and society as a whole.<BR/><BR/>With regard to school boards initiating 'character education,' I too am dubious as to how teachers are supposed to achieve the marvellous results promised. I think most educators realize that their impact on students, especially in areas such as this, is small compared to the influences of family, peers, and society.Lornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15741324981120408977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395477629258665306.post-50250122744050461732007-07-26T15:17:00.000-04:002007-07-26T15:17:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Woodlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05579944903192670697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395477629258665306.post-27268105614017842562007-07-26T15:16:00.000-04:002007-07-26T15:16:00.000-04:00I actually saw a reference to this program on anot...I actually saw a reference to this program on another blog just yesterday. What incredible results! I too work with an organization that helps youth with their education. Our organization is called Intense Mentoring, and we reach out to young women agens 16 and up who have dropped out school so that they can complete their secondary education and go on to college or a vocational school. Through bi-weekly like skills training, adult mentors, and connections with alternative education providers, we have been able to retain an 80% success rate, nearly twice better than the city of Detroit, Michigan where we operate. After having read about this organization in several places, I know now that we can even do more - what an inspirational organization!Woodlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05579944903192670697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395477629258665306.post-39285798355413479682007-07-26T14:37:00.000-04:002007-07-26T14:37:00.000-04:00I agree with most of what you have said. We have b...I agree with most of what you have said. We have become accepting of so many things. Most, including myself, may pause for a moment, question something and let the issue go because we feel "busy." However, I have realized that, as you have said, the media, government etc. do need to be questioned and held accountable. I was raised to question little and to be respectful of those in power or those older than me and I find that now as an adult I resent being so passive. I do want to raise my own children to be critical thinkers and yet also be respectful. I have now realized that raising questions does not necessarily mean you are being disrespectful. Teachers and parents therefore are responsible for raising youth to understand how to be mindful and respectful without being too passive (or conversely too aggressive).<BR/>Also, I have recently read that a number of school boards are making and effort to teach children about some common "traits" such as being trustworthy, kind... lessons that at one point or another would have been taught at home. While this seems like a noble move, the boards also fail to mention HOW these will be taught. Teachers, and parents need to ask the questions "how? and why?" more often. Let's not blindly accept the blurb in the newspaper about wonderful curriculum initiatives as being "wonderful" just because so was written in the local paper. <BR/><BR/>Lorne, have you thought about writing curriculum???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com