Elizabeth-03-16-12+Chapter+14

Educational policy is strongly influenced by politics and politicians not only in theUSAbut all over the world. I remember back inSyriain the 70s I used to watch my older sister study “Political directives” from a book mandated by the government. It was all about socialism and how the Ba’ath party was the best thing that ever happened toSyria. After reading chapter 14 about policy and adolescent literacy, it seems to me there’s nothing new under the sun. Whether you are in theUSA,Australia,Syria, orLebanonthe government and those in power are directing what our students learn. Whatever the world view of those in power is dictates what students study. Truly, there is no independence of thought anymore. The chapter talks about No Child Left Behind. I want to talk about it too. I worked for HeadStart when I first came to theUSA. My experience was terrible. It is the most wasteful institution I have ever seen. Most of the children had no manners and I think that their parents, if any are still around, are the ones who should be improved upon because Moms and Dads are the primary role models for the children. Family units are absent, Homes are temporary, ethics is gone, morality is gone, common courtesy is gone, and there is no respect for authority anymore. These basic things come before the alphabet, sand boxes, and water boxes. I feel that the American family concept is rotting. Where are the families? One just can’t simply breed and throw the children to the school system to raise! I even feel that elementary, middle and high school teachers train the children to obey commands like dogs and spend much time on classroom management but spend little time on teaching. I cannot work in K-12 although I want to. I feel that I am a different teacher that has so much to give, but I’ll stick to teaching adults because I refuse to treat children like animals to be tamed. I want to teach; I don’t want to discipline only.