Jonathan Kozol: Education in America (3 of 6)

[bizakis9]

I wish our system of education reflected the experience, research and wisdom of Jonathan Kozol

[jillkcannon]

@bizakis9

I could not have said it better than you have. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[ppvincent08]

I hear what he's saying and suggesting he's not 100% correct. How can any one person be? Take a moment to honestly reflect and consider there are two sides to every coin. Yes, he's got some great points and heart-felt passion, but is his the best solution? I just don't think so...

Not all children are at a disadvantage because of their school's budget. I would vehemently argue that some parents just don't care. What should the government do about those families? Send them more money?

[mwc1954]

When children fail, it's the schools fault, not the child's.

[AmericaisRIGHT]

@mwc1954 or maybe it's the parents?

[MattyTheMole]

@mwc1954 That thinking comes from the old Japanese saying "There is no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher."

[ppvincent08]

I didn't miss the point, I just don't agree with him 100%.

[jamesharrel]

@ppvincent08

Fair enough. Why do you disagree with him? On what research/expertise do you base your disagreement? What evidence do you have that refutes what he is saying? And don't rattle off your degrees; college is only preparatory, not an end in itself. And don't relate your narrow years of experience doing "X, Y, or Z."

All of that aside, agree with him or not, you did miss the point, utterly.

[ppvincent08]

Kozol talks about how kids who repeat grades have a less chance of graduating like it's the schools' fault... Maybe, just maybe, the kids who have to repeat grades just aren't good at school! HELLO!?!? Sometimes you need to point the finger at yourself and stop blaming everyone else for your problems.

[xjtbarnesx]

@ppvincent08 You completely missed the point. Well done.

[theRedPress]

@ppvincent08 Parents can be to blame as well, or overworked teacher who can't possibly give a kid the attention he/she needs in a class with too many kids. Young kids who are already in gangs, come to class and have to stand without a desk because they don't have room or they didn't have funds for buildings so they resort to small trailers. Our society has a ton of problems, there's no simple solution for any of it, but if we don't work together it will get worse, for us and our children too.

[ppvincent08]

@theRedPress - agreed. good words my friend.

[WILDBERRYSKITTLEFUL]

Statistics show that the vast majority of the poor communites are black. Who else is going to stand up and open the eyes to society?... we know very well that the communtites that Kozol speak of are the ones that need the help the most.

[freddiefernandez]

i like how i can see what the writers of books that i have are like. Kind of fills in a gap.

Check of Rafe Esquith

[VoiceTeacher101]

all the schools I went to spent only 8,000 dollars on each student and I believe I got a pretty good education.

[vinniecaruso]

@VoiceTeacher101 True but you also have to consider that the stats he is giving are based in the New York City area. New York cost of living is so much higher anywhere else to where 8,000 dollars has the same worth of about 4 or 5 anywhere else.

[VoiceTeacher101]

I don't know if the schools are segregated or if its just in that neighborhood there are more non-white people, than white. He doesn't look at communities that are primarely white and poor. Not all white communities are rich.

[lialia719]

If you read his book "shame of the nation", there are actually schools in predominantly white neighborhoods that bus in minority children. Because of this, the white parents put all their kids in private schools... sad. So even when the school is in a white neighborhood, its still filled with over 90% minorities. It is the PEOPLE that need to change their thinking.

[caracre]

What about communities establishing a 'black focused' school with government funding and support based on the Black community asking for it for their own benefit? (currriculum and teachers teaching based on positive role modeling and positive achievements and experiences) All to develop resilliency and self love - fostering the 'self'.

[lialia719]

He talks about this in his books as well. It is shown that equally integrated schools produce better results for all children involved. (no matter what culture, race, denomination) What happens after the kids are out of school? Do you think they will be prepared to integrate themselves into the working world? OR would they want to stick to "what they know"? Does this do a service to them or keep all of us from really knowing one another.

[janeleone]

This guy has a very Jack Nicholson energy. My bet is he's from Jersey.