Big Think

Tyler Pewarski on January 10, 2008, 9:03 PM

I like how his ideas create an environment for success without just handing out success. He wants to implement policies that teach us how to fish and not jus giving us the fish. This is why i personally believe he should be our next president

Tyler Pewarski on January 11, 2008, 2:03 AM

I like how his ideas create an environment for success without just handing out success. He wants to implement policies that teach us how to fish and not jus giving us the fish. This is why i personally believe he should be our next president

Omar Sapayeen on January 17, 2008, 11:27 AM

Sorry to say, but this is a dumb answer.

In India, almost all students are bilingual, many are trilingual. Being able to observe the world and experience it in two language is a huge advantage. This "english only" jazz has nothing to do with the quality of education, it's to do with ethnic arrogance.

The average parent doesn't have the knowledge to know what's the best education system for his or her child. This is even true for the educated professional, who might know the ins and out of his trade and his specialization, but not about education and academia itself.

We elect government to govern, and handling the school system is precisely the kind of thing they need to be able to do. Compare America's "k-12" schools to that of England or Japan, and consider where we've fallen behind. Adjust ours so that the American student can compete against their graduates.

The attitudes towards education adopted by the Republicans will only throw America further back. Their feeble penny-pinching on an investment as important as education is downright dangerous for the American people.

Omar Sapayeen on January 17, 2008, 4:27 PM

Sorry to say, but this is a dumb answer.

In India, almost all students are bilingual, many are trilingual. Being able to observe the world and experience it in two language is a huge advantage. This “english only” jazz has nothing to do with the quality of education, it’s to do with ethnic arrogance.

The average parent doesn’t have the knowledge to know what’s the best education system for his or her child. This is even true for the educated professional, who might know the ins and out of his trade and his specialization, but not about education and academia itself.

We elect government to govern, and handling the school system is precisely the kind of thing they need to be able to do. Compare America’s “k-12” schools to that of England or Japan, and consider where we’ve fallen behind. Adjust ours so that the American student can compete against their graduates.

The attitudes towards education adopted by the Republicans will only throw America further back. Their feeble penny-pinching on an investment as important as education is downright dangerous for the American people.

Cheri Whitehead on January 21, 2008, 11:59 AM

I would like to respond to OmarS: First, what a tremendous gift to those who are in command of more than one language—I wish that the United States would embrace this idea—and I agree that English is the key to success in this nation, however, in a global society, Americans need to have more skills that go far beyond their own language in order to be truly productive and educated. I agree with you that the "English-Only" jazz is nothing more than ethnic arrogance.

I also wanted you to know that I also concur with your statement, "The average parent doesn't have the knowledge to know what's the best education system for his or her child." Unfortunately, in the United States it is often the politics that render policy as opposed to critical research and educators themselves. I also believe that a society must be involved with creating educational enterprise systems that serve their populous. I must tell you, however, that in spite of the political winds, most educators in this country are hell-bent on providing their students with the knowledge and skills they will need to achieve their life dreams.

Cheri Whitehead on January 21, 2008, 4:59 PM

I would like to respond to OmarS: First, what a tremendous gift to those who are in command of more than one language—I wish that the United States would embrace this idea—and I agree that English is the key to success in this nation, however, in a global society, Americans need to have more skills that go far beyond their own language in order to be truly productive and educated. I agree with you that the “English-Only” jazz is nothing more than ethnic arrogance.

I also wanted you to know that I also concur with your statement, “The average parent doesn’t have the knowledge to know what’s the best education system for his or her child.” Unfortunately, in the United States it is often the politics that render policy as opposed to critical research and educators themselves. I also believe that a society must be involved with creating educational enterprise systems that serve their populous. I must tell you, however, that in spite of the political winds, most educators in this country are hell-bent on providing their students with the knowledge and skills they will need to achieve their life dreams.