and Speaking of Florida

[hensylee]

Last year we voted in several new state amendments we can't afford (well, some folks voted for them - not me) - one of them being smaller school class size. The legislature is twisting and turning the budget to figure out how to pay for the changes and here's the latest:

* * * *

After raiding dozens of state trust funds, the Florida House and Senate
believe they may have solved the dilemma of how to pay for the
implementation of the class-size amendment without raising taxes.
In the closing hours of the session, lawmakers came up with the idea of
shortening high school from four years down to three. The thinking is that
having less students would free up enough cash to get the program started.
Under the plan, graduation would require on 18 credits and not the
current 24, which also includes electives such as art and music. The 18
credits would be concentrate on the three R's and no electives would be
allowed.
Critics of the plan say that 16 and 17 year olds are not ready to face
the world and need the extra year of maturity.
Apparently, the idea is to leave it up to the parents. The impact of
this change on community colleges and universities is not yet known.


Now, aren't we the smart ones???????????

 

[Ross]

Critics of the plan say that 16 and 17 year olds are not ready to face the world and need the extra year of maturity.

I agree on this point. My youngest could've graduated at 17 and there wasn't any way in the world that he was ready for what's out there. Heck he's going on 19 and is just now starting to smell the roses.

 

[Jean]

You know this school financing mess is all over the country, and the ignorance of the legislatures continues to astound me. Michigan is proposing going to a longer school day, but only going 4 days a week as a means to save money?! Seems such a huge fortune will be saved on support people (buses, cooks, other hourly people) that the schools will benefit financially.

Now I teach high school kids which might even do ok under such a plan...more time to work etc., but can't you just see elementary and middle school age kids sitting in a classroom from 8 a.m. until 4 or 5 p.m. And whatever will the public do when their free babysitting is shut down on the 5th day?

I'm glad I only have 2 more years...I love the kids, but I'm becoming so politically incorrect it is pitiful....somebody is crazy nowadays and I don't think it is me...is that as bad as it sounds?

 

[Nancy]

This is indeed a tragedy. We don't need less educated people, we need to improve education.

Less educated people means less lifetime earnings, and some who could not support themselves or their families.

This society is based on everyone trying to pull their own weight, but we have to make sure that all have at least a chance to do that.

You need to have tools to do the job.

 

[Granbonny]

Jean

Jean

School may start at 8 a.m. for elementary schools but think about the little kindergarden children that have to be on bus by 7 a.m. I spent 6 weeks helping out with age 10 year old. Even tho I had him in bed by 9 P.M...they have so much after school activities..that wear them out..then homework and a bath.. I let him sleep until 7 a.m. and still had to drag him out of bed. Breakfast and traffic to school. Grandson's fifth grade teacher had twins 18 months old. She was as tired as the kids were at last few weeks of school..but she was at every evening affair ( play, graduation from elementery 5th grade, ect. I feel for you school teachers. Bonnie