RTS, I have to agree with Aces and Camel on this. I have seen it, too. The best, most inspiring teachers can't save them all, but for every one that you do, you see the effect in the people that they become and the families that they start. This causes me to smile when I think back to some of the success stories that I have been able to be involved with.

 

You are correct that the lack of parental support (or caring of any nature) puts some kids at a HUGE disadvantage.

TB&G, I know that perhaps a few can be reached by teachers such as yourself. But by and large, it's merely a band-aide for the problem. I very glad that a handful can be reached, but it's not enough. The solution lies with the parents IMO. I'm afraid that the only thing that will change this and give these kids a chance is to take them from these poor excuse of parents and give them a chance. Just my opinion on the problem.

TB&G, I know that perhaps a few can be reached by teachers such as yourself. But by and large, it's merely a band-aide for the problem. I very glad that a handful can be reached, but it's not enough. The solution lies with the parents IMO. I'm afraid that the only thing that will change this and give these kids a chance is to take them from these poor excuse of parents and give them a chance. Just my opinion on the problem.

 

:scared::scared: OKAY, RTS - I AGREE There are some cases where that would be the best solution. Try as I might to disagree, and I really want to, I have sat in court on many a day where the Public Defender, Judge, and everyone else was trying to figure out what to do to/for a kid when the best solution would be to simply get them out of the environment they were living in. However, that was VERY RARELY an option. On the other hand, I have seen a number of these kids thrive in the proper academic environment.

Some do need to be removed from the homes. I have seen that, too.

 

Mostly, I see kids that grow up with parents that struggle, mostly from lack of education, and thus lack of opportunities. I had a kid this year who found out during my Advanced Physics class that he was accepted into the University of Kentucky. The guidance counselor called my room and told him during my class. He burst into tears and threw his arms around me and cried. He will be the second person in his family that will graduate from high school. His older brother graduated and joined the military (God keep you safe in Iraq, Tom). This young man was one that would be part of our Angel Tree program when he was younger and whose parents wanted the best for their child, but had no idea how to provide it. They can't fathom what needs to be accomplished to get your child into college. Thanks to our guidance counselor and this kids innate tenacity, he will head to UK in the fall. Guess what he wants to do with his life? Be a teacher then a guidance counselor.

 

This kid is but one example. Most of their parents care and do want the best for their kids. They just don't know what "the best" is. That's where we as teachers, counselors and principals can help. I know that acemona makes a difference in the lives of kids every day.

 

Just so everyone knows, this post in no way implies that college is the only means of success or way out for kids. Mostly it's about inspiring them to do something better (hopefully the best) with their lives than their parents did or were able to do.

Some do need to be removed from the homes. I have seen that, too.

 

Mostly, I see kids that grow up with parents that struggle, mostly from lack of education, and thus lack of opportunities. I had a kid this year who found out during my Advanced Physics class that he was accepted into the University of Kentucky. The guidance counselor called my room and told him during my class. He burst into tears and threw his arms around me and cried. He will be the second person in his family that will graduate from high school. His older brother graduated and joined the military (God keep you safe in Iraq, Tom). This young man was one that would be part of our Angel Tree program when he was younger and whose parents wanted the best for their child, but had no idea how to provide it. They can't fathom what needs to be accomplished to get your child into college. Thanks to our guidance counselor and this kids innate tenacity, he will head to UK in the fall. Guess what he wants to do with his life? Be a teacher then a guidance counselor.

 

This kid is but one example. Most of their parents care and do want the best for their kids. They just don't know what "the best" is. That's where we as teachers, counselors and principals can help. I know that acemona makes a difference in the lives of kids every day.

 

Just so everyone knows, this post in no way implies that college is the only means of success or way out for kids. Mostly it's about inspiring them to do something better (hopefully the best) with their lives than their parents did or were able to do.

 

Great post

Yep, take their kids from them and give them a chance at life. They're stuck in a vicious cycle staying with uncaring parents.

 

I thought you were for limited government? Sounds fascist in some ways doesn't it?

I thought you were for limited government? Sounds fascist in some ways doesn't it?

They need help, don't you care about them getting out of the vicious cycle they're in? I'm sorry, I just don't see a better chance for these kids. Now, if you have a better plan, then by all means...

They need help, don't you care about them getting out of the vicious cycle they're in? I'm sorry, I just don't see a better chance for these kids. Now, if you have a better plan, then by all means...

I have heard abortion supporters say that maybe it is better that abortion exists because often times the kid will be born into a broken household, in poverty, etc. However, we respond that it is better to live in squalor than it is to never live.

 

Similiarly, it is better to live in poverty than for the government to swoop in and take kids from their parents. You of all people know the value of family. That is wrong on so many levels.

They need help, don't you care about them getting out of the vicious cycle they're in? I'm sorry, I just don't see a better chance for these kids. Now, if you have a better plan, then by all means...

 

In my experience sometimes a child needs to be rescued because of abuse and neglect. I think it would be tough to decide when a child should be taken from a family because they are what you or I would deem to be a bad parent. The psychological harm is greater than just trying to put them in a better environment. Few children make that transition under the best of circumstances.

 

As to a better plan, I'm as stumped as you RTS. I think you have to try to impact lives one at a time in each individual's sphere of experience. I don't see a better solution, just a patient one that will take generations but can maybe work someday.

Some do need to be removed from the homes. I have seen that, too.

 

Mostly, I see kids that grow up with parents that struggle, mostly from lack of education, and thus lack of opportunities. I had a kid this year who found out during my Advanced Physics class that he was accepted into the University of Kentucky. The guidance counselor called my room and told him during my class. He burst into tears and threw his arms around me and cried. He will be the second person in his family that will graduate from high school. His older brother graduated and joined the military (God keep you safe in Iraq, Tom). This young man was one that would be part of our Angel Tree program when he was younger and whose parents wanted the best for their child, but had no idea how to provide it. They can't fathom what needs to be accomplished to get your child into college. Thanks to our guidance counselor and this kids innate tenacity, he will head to UK in the fall. Guess what he wants to do with his life? Be a teacher then a guidance counselor.

 

This kid is but one example. Most of their parents care and do want the best for their kids. They just don't know what "the best" is. That's where we as teachers, counselors and principals can help. I know that acemona makes a difference in the lives of kids every day.

 

Just so everyone knows, this post in no way implies that college is the only means of success or way out for kids. Mostly it's about inspiring them to do something better (hopefully the best) with their lives than their parents did or were able to do.

 

Preach on sister.:clap:

I have heard abortion supporters say that maybe it is better that abortion exists because often times the kid will be born into a broken household, in poverty, etc. However, we respond that it is better to live in squalor than it is to never live.

 

Similiarly, it is better to live in poverty than for the government to swoop in and take kids from their parents. You of all people know the value of family. That is wrong on so many levels.

Not really, I believe in giving these kids a chance, they will never see one living with the so-called parents they're stuck with. You mention the value of family. These kids have neither value or family in their lives. They seriously need help, I see no other way.

In my experience sometimes a child needs to be rescued because of abuse and neglect. I think it would be tough to decide when a child should be taken from a family because they are what you or I would deem to be a bad parent. The psychological harm is greater than just trying to put them in a better environment. Few children make that transition under the best of circumstances.

 

As to a better plan, I'm as stumped as you RTS. I think you have to try to impact lives one at a time in each individual's sphere of experience. I don't see a better solution, just a patient one that will take generations but can maybe work someday.

I can appreciate the approach you'd rather take, I just don't think it's ever going to break the cycle. I hope I'm wrong.

Money does not make a better school. Withrow HS in Cincinnati is one of the lowest funded schools in the city school system, yet is ranked as one of the top schools in the nation.

Money does not make a better school. Withrow HS in Cincinnati is one of the lowest funded schools in the city school system, yet is ranked as one of the top schools in the nation.

:thumb:

Money does not make a better school. Withrow HS in Cincinnati is one of the lowest funded schools in the city school system, yet is ranked as one of the top schools in the nation.

 

Put the word "always" in front of "make" in your first sentence and I will agree with you.

I agree with so many points here, even though some appear to be in contrast with others, I am not going to attempt to quote them.

 

Investing in Education is a positive idea for the future. I agree however, that the money is generally best spent on improving the qualifications of the teacher. Whether that is through better pay to draw stronger applicants into the field, or more stringent qualifications, or a combination of both.

 

I also agree that this doesnt account for one of the biggest problems in education, of a large contingent that just doesnt care.

 

I also agree that this money however spent on education, will not give an immediate boost to the economy.

 

The problem it seems, is to be able to make a part of society thas has been somewhat apathetic to the rest thus far, become beneficial to society as a whole, and raise their standard of living at the same time. The first step is to give them hope, and a realistic belief that true effort will make things better.

 

I have no answers on how to accomplish this. Just compiling the ideas and identifying the major problem.