Comments for Where We Stand

Comment on Globalization: Finland: What’s the Secret to Its Success? by Terry Smith

Terry Smith — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:09:23 +0000

Hi- I am a public school teacher. The education system in Finland is superior, and I think it works so well largely because of the high importance your society places on learning, and also because Finland does not the many widespread problems we have in the United States. It is interesting that Finland does not waste so much time testing testing testing its students – they concentrate on quality learning time.

Comment on Globalization: Segment One from Full Episode by Cherisse Peterson

Cherisse Peterson — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:52:48 +0000

This video maded me realize how behind America really is. Its amazing to think that some people come here and learn the english language so quickly and are top in all of their classes. To answer the question they ask in the clip, Is America ready to compete with other countries? I am pretty positve we are no where near competing with any of them. Pretty sure everyone needs to step there game up and get to studying if you ever want to be as advanced as the other counties.

Comment on Teachers: TAP: Teacher Advancement Program by Antonio

Antonio — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:05:31 +0000

TAP is a remedial teacher PD program (It assumes that teachers in its program possess critical knowledge and skill deficits). It’s incentives are too small. Also, it’s career paths are limited. Basically, it’s an outsourcing of instructional leadership. Schools who apply to become a part of it deserve what they get.

Comment on Testing: No Child Left Behind: Segment Four from Full Episode by Meagan Cluff

Meagan Cluff — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:57:16 +0000

As a member of a family that comes from a long line of teachers, I believe No Child Left Behind has somewhat hindered children’s desire to participate in the process of learning. As stated in the video this law requires all the children to be proficient in Reading and Math. While this is a good goal the overall affect it has had on both kids and teachers hasn’t been all that great. Teachers feel the need to have to teach to the test and become stressed and have anxiety with the idea that if their students don’t do well their job is on the line. Children also have more stress that is heaped upon them. Not only do they need to do well, but if they don’t they will be held back or perhaps not graduate. While I think that testing can help teachers asses what they need to teach better and gives the kids the opportunity to show what they have learned ultimately I believe that there are better ways to monitor progress. Tests should not determine whether a teacher gets a bonus or not or if a student graduates. Tests are good check points not future predictors.

Comment on Globalization: Finland: What’s the Secret to Its Success? by Anna Lahtinen

Anna Lahtinen — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:04:23 +0000

I am finishing my 12th year of education in Finland. I have to agree that the Finnish education system is very effective. It also offers the same possibilities to everyone. Our teachers are, indeed, highly educated and they always push us to do even better with our school work.

Comment on Globalization: Finland: What’s the Secret to Its Success? by Elisa Halonen

Elisa Halonen — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:03:24 +0000

I’m a 16-year-old student from Finland. I think Finnish children and young people learn better, because the teaching isn’t forced and it’s enjoyable. The teachers don’t put too much pressure on us and they help us to understand new things thoroughly. At school, all students feel equal and appreciated.

Comment on Testing: No Child Left Behind: Segment Four from Full Episode by Nancy Skocik

Nancy Skocik — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:13:04 +0000

Last night– as I was making up a test (ironically)– my husband turned on the PBS show. I am teaching a class called Assessment in Math for secondary ed majors and wonder if I could purchase the DVD. Many of these future teachers are in the dark as to what is expected of them. I am sure this would be very helpful for them.

Nancy Skocik

Comment on Testing: No Child Left Behind: Segment Four from Full Episode by Geraffi

Geraffi — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:26:02 +0000

I know that I am posting this way after the release date, but I feel obligated to respond to Patricia’s comment:

“teacher’s are not doing their jobs. What other job lets you get away with not performing to your fullest and do wrong to your clients (in this case the kids & families) and still get paid.”

Patricia, name one other job that has absolutely no quality control over the raw resource they receive. In education, we must educate ALL American children. We cannot refuse any of these raw resources no matter how poor, or sick, or tired, or hungry. No mater what language they speak as their “first language”; no matter what disability they might have, be it a learning disability, autism, mental retardation, or emotional disturbance; no matter what their family life is like, whether they live with both parents, or only one, or are fostered…this list can go on and on.

I am tired of hearing that teachers are not doing their jobs. Teachers are more qualified than ever, and are working harder than ever. As mentioned in this documentary, the failing education system is a social problem, not a “teaching” problem. I won’t stand by and blindly defend all teachers, but the American people need to wake up and realize that we, as a nation, have created this problem.

Comment on Statistics – Did you know? by Mark Dunk’s Blog » Where We Stand: America’s Schools in the 21st Century

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:06:10 +0000

[...] http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/blog/statistics-did-you-know/310/ Posted on February 3, 2009 in Unklar’s World by Mark Dunk [...]

Comment on Finance: Segment Five from Full Episode by Jon

Jon — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:39:07 +0000

There are some very good ideas out there, some of them are being voiced right here. However, the major problem with it all is that education isn’t written into the Constitution, in fact public funding of it was ruled VERY liberally to be covered by the Preamble. Thus, if any one citizen gets peeved enough, any forward movement we’ve made can and will be stricken down by the State and Federal Supreme Courts. Furthermore, people are more interested in flashier issues, like Iraq or gay rights, which is yet another reason for a lack of funding. The real solution to our woes is a constitutional amendment that sets up a federal right to education and amending the 16th amendment to allow for funding for public education, followed by a national curriculum and national testing standards. I also believe that the first two years of college should be covered by the federal government, the first year for an associate’s, and the first month to six months, depending on program, for vocational certificates. Education is one of the few places that Socialism has it over the US.

Comment on Testing: No Child Left Behind: NCLB: Its Origin, Impact & Future by Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:22:36 +0000

NCLB may have begun with well-meaning goals, but it’s narrow curriculum of pushing for higher test scores in only reading and math are limiting education for children in this country. The pressure for better test scores costs students the broader education they deserve, and I agree: teaching the test is ridiculous. I hope the new President and administration do something to throw out NCLB.

Comment on Globalization: Segment One from Full Episode by Lawrence Kelley

Lawrence Kelley — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:46:20 +0000

I suggest anyone concerned or interested in learning more about competition from the Chinese educational system should also see a documentary done in early 2008 by BBC World Television, “Chinese School”:

A video clip is posted at http://www.edigitalresearch.com/clients/bbcworld/best08,

And an official BBC web site is at http://www.open2.net/chineseschool