Evidence of our current education system.

 A recent study showed that a large percentage of the US population would not be able to pass the test that is required for immigrants to become citizens. Many of those surveyed in the study did not know who the current vice president is. I bet they knew who Brent Farve is though.  

More irony

I heard that one of the “talking heads” that was commenting on the overpaid teachers who make $50,000 a year makes $4 million a year. If $50,000 is excessive pay, what is $4 million?

I thought that the following excerpt from Dear Abby had a lot to say about how all levels os our society seem to value sports above academics:

DEAR ABBY: I'm 14 and have a big problem. My teacher, "Mrs. Smith," adores me. She is always calling on me and telling the class about all the things I'm doing correctly. After she does it, the other kids glare at me and call me "Teacher's Pet." It makes me uncomfortable, but I can't help it if Mrs. Smith likes me. What should I do? -- DON'T WANT TO BE TEACHER'S PET

DEAR DON'T: When a student excels at athletics, music or drama, it usually makes the boy or girl a celebrity on campus. Sadly, the same is often not true when a student excels at academics, and it's a shame. Because being used as an example is making you a target, ask your teacher to tone it down. And if it doesn't happen, have your mother speak to the teacher and/or the principal, if necessary.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order "How to Be Popular." Send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

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COPYRIGHT 2011 UNIVERSAL UCLICK. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Universal UClick.

What other lessons are being taught?

While I support teachers, I must admit I am not a fan of all that the unions are having them do. What lesson are we teaching the children who’s teachers are not doing a job that they contracted to do in order to be in the state capital protesting? And it is being reported that some of the teachers who are well enough to protest are getting notes from doctors who are sympathetic to the cause. What can these teachers say the next time they hear “the dog ate my homework”? I’m glad that some doctors are sympathetic, but would it not be a better way to express sympathy to offer to treat the public employees (and others adversely affected by government budget cuts) for free or at a dramatically reduced rate? Is signing a face excuse note really the best way?

Isn't it ironic?

One of today's news items was about the pending labor dispute between NFL players union and the team owners. How is it that the billionaire owners and the players (see the first post for a discussion of player's salaries) both think they deserve more of the pie?

Making the change.

If we get many people to work together, we can change the course of what is happening in education. How? First, by making it more likely that a child will get their name in the news for academics as for athletics. We can do that by becoming more aware of what is happening in our schools. With enough phone calls to the administrators of schools or members of the school board, some of the administrators may decide to start contacting the news media directly. In the meantime, once you know what is going on in the schools; contact the assignment editors of your local news outlet. Be specific when you talk with these editors. You are more likely to get a positive response to “there is a district spelling bee the day after tomorrow at ___ O’clock at _______” than with a general “Please cover more academics”