The Observation Deck

Most of the reporting on schools has the look of what would come out of the Ministry of Information or the Ministry of Truth in the novel 1984. A 15% raise is reported as a 3% raise, testing students becomes an intrusion on the educational process and teaching your child to read becomes a crime.

In the Orwellian world of public education it seems that just as freedom is slavery, slavery is volunteerism:

http://www.newsnet5.com/education/15765751/detail.html

Communities like Lakewood are spending record amounts on education and still it’s not enough. Next I suppose they too will resort to slave labor. It’s a brave new world.

Isnt a misleading topic title also a form of misiformation?
The bill proposed has nothing to do with Lakewood schools. Its a triial balllon put up by a legislator from Cleveland, probably just to get some publicity,and the Cleveland principal quoted for the story didnt like the idea.

Absolutely crazy. I want to know how many teachers and school administrators volunteer at their kids schools?? Volunteering is a wonderful thing, but now we're going to be forced to do it? I know private schools tack on extra tuition when you don't volunteer, and that's crazy too, with the high cost of tuition, but now in the public schools??

I guess what bothers me the most is the $100 fine and the minimum hour requirement. If anything, there should be perks for volunteering...like Lakewood has for the sports programs. You can earn credits toward your child's pay to play fees. You don't volunteer, you pay the whole fee.

I am happy to say that even though my six year old begs me to go on her field trips, there are enough volunteers in her class that your name has to be picked out of a bag so you might only get to go on one. Being at your kids' school to help out with anything sends such a powerful message to them! And although I can only do it a little now, once I am working full time I won't really be able to do it during the day.

However, the PTO, of which I am not a part, does tremendous amount of work so that all children can have a positive school experience. They put on all dances/events, etc. and do all the grunt work for Market Day to raise money, and at Hayes are organizing staff lunches for staff appreciation week (much deserved by that staff). Basically a small number of parents do the majority of the work at most schools. Legislations and fines would never work and should never happen, but it would be nice to find some incentives for parents to do even a couple hours a years, even helping to clean up after an event that their child goes to.

And Bill, volunteering at your child's school is the furthest thing from slavery. That hurt my brain to read!!!! AT home, my kids seem to take me for granted, but when I show up at their school, their eyes light up, like they like me again! Now if I showed up at the high school, that one would pretend not to know me and has threatened me against chaperoning a dance!

Justine Cooper wrote: Now if I showed up at the high school, that one would pretend not to know me and has threatened me against chaperoning a dance!

LOL...funny how things change when they get older doesn't it?? You have to cherish the moments they love to be around you when you have them because unfortunately it disappears when they're teenagers!

I agree with you Justine. I used to volunteer all the time. I was a room parent. Then I started working full time. My schedule just doesn't allow it anymore, but I do what I can when I can.....like make a pot of chili for the Teacher Appreciation luncheon. I can't be there physically, but I still help out.

I feel bad that teacher's have to go into their own pockets for supplies. I wish more parents that buy needless gifts for teachers at the holidays (which the school asks parents not to do anyway) would help with those things. I know Lincoln has a wish list board in which they have items that teachers would like for their classroom, but still teachers are bombarded with junk or high calorie treats that they don't need. Again, this shouldn't be mandatory, but if you're going to do something anyway, be a little more practical. I think the teachers would appreciate it a lot more.

As far as Bill's slavery reference....forcing someone to volunteer kinda takes away from the meaning of the act doesn't it??

1. a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking.
2. a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.

I hope this is a simple case of political grandstanding.

Richard Cole wrote:I hope this is a simple case of political grandstanding.

That phrase is somewhat redundant.

Well how funny is it that they would fine families in the poorest district, many of whom receive free lunches and such, for not volunteering? Lakewood is lucky they don't need to threaten that really.

Richard Cole wrote:I hope this is a simple case of political grandstanding.

Of course it is. Whoever this rep is wanted her 15 minutes in the spotlight and Channel 5 gave it to her. If she had the sense she was born with shed be working on the seious issue of financing reform rather than trying to grab a headline with a bill that hasnt a snowballs chance of getting out of committee.

The schools have failed the children, so why not fine the parents for not being there. They can't even get proper books or toilet paper in some of those schools. And don't get started on the Special Education and the laws that aren't followed in Cleveland.

sorry hit twice

Bill Call wrote:Most of the reporting on schools has the look of what would come out of the Ministry of Information or the Ministry of Truth in the novel 1984. A 15% raise is reported as a 3% raise, testing students becomes an intrusion on the educational process and teaching your child to read becomes a crime.

1. There is no 15% raise.
2. State testing is not much of a problem in Lakewood. As a matter of fact, check out the High School's achievement in this area. We do EXTREMELY well.
3. Our literacy rates are astounding, our reading teachers do a great job, and we are dedicated professionals.

Hyperbole and misinformation, while great for bolstering one's stagnant arguments, are poor conversation starters. Why not just post this ridiculous proposal under the banner of "Ridiculous Legislation" rather than impuning the integrity of a school system that provides an excellent education? Your repeated attacks on our district, my profession, and the students of this city do not hold up well when the ranting stops and reality sets in.

Richard Cole wrote:I hope this is a simple case of political grandstanding.

I assume you are referring to Mr. Call's repeated attacks on public education. Please stop trying to drag the good name of Lakewood through the mud. It's become predictable and tiresome.

Sean Wheeler wrote:1. There is no 15% raise.

Your repeated attacks on our district, my profession, and the students of this city do not hold up well when the ranting stops and reality sets in.

There is a 7% raise this year and a 7% raise next year. That is a lot closer to 15% raise over a one year period than the 3% raise reported in the newspapers.

When I question $100,000 salaries or 7% raises I am not "attacking" your profession. I am questioning the spending priorities of the district.

If the Lakewood Board of Education needs a $15 million a year tax increase to pay for raises they should just admit it. There is no need to engage in a disinformation campaign.

This post was orginally going to have a different title and be placed in the Global area. I was going to add something about Thought Crimes (aka hate crimes) and T shirts as a threat to the social order. Then I realized the Lakewood connection and how irritating it is to have an undending series of 7% raises reported in the press as a "3% cost of living raise".

The teachers unions and their allies in the media would have you believe that the problems with poor education outcomes are caused by a shortage of funds. (See Fingerhuts Folly) The reality is that districts that spend far less achieve far more.

Dee Martinez wrote:Isnt a misleading topic title also a form of
misiformation?

The title is the hook. Also, the districts attempt (so far successful) to have a series of 7% raises reported as 3% raise is a classic disinformation campaign that would make Big Brother proud.

Richard Cole wrote:I hope this is a simple case of political grandstanding.

Today's act of political grandstanding is tomorrows law.

Bill

As you have been lauded by suzanne as the fountain of integrity. I think we both have to admit, that 14% is not 15% so where did that number come from, or were you grandstanding as you accuse the politicians of?

You might also explain that the 4% is part of the stairs, and the 3% is part of the new package. So that people do not think it was a sudden 7% increase in the effort of saving your integrity.

Which brings us to the title, which I would agree with Dee does mislead, but for pyros like you and me, it is nothing more than kindling. To start the perfect fire, before running off.


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