Comments on: Open Letter to First Pro-HB2144 Email Received http://www.offthemarble.com/2009/03/14/open-letter-to-first-pro-hb2144-email-received/ Arkansas Policy & Politics from the Capitol Floors Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:09:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Heather Johnson http://www.offthemarble.com/2009/03/14/open-letter-to-first-pro-hb2144-email-received/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Heather Johnson Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:18:02 +0000 http://www.offthemarble.com/?p=291#comment-53 Well, well, written. If only this kind of logic would prevail. Well, well, written. If only this kind of logic would prevail.

]]> By: Lisa Nunley http://www.offthemarble.com/2009/03/14/open-letter-to-first-pro-hb2144-email-received/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Lisa Nunley Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:05:25 +0000 http://www.offthemarble.com/?p=291#comment-45 Excellent article Mark!!! Excellent article Mark!!!

]]> By: Proud Home School Father http://www.offthemarble.com/2009/03/14/open-letter-to-first-pro-hb2144-email-received/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Proud Home School Father Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:07:30 +0000 http://www.offthemarble.com/?p=291#comment-44 It is very heartening to know that we have at least one elected official who will have this bill before them that "gets it." Public school teachers, even the great ones, do not have the time or the resources to break out of the mold laid before them by the many to help the few that may be struggling in their classrooms. Not all students learn at the same rate and those who learn faster are punished by having to wait for the middle ground learners. Sadly, the slowest students have historically been left out of the loop. When we first moved to the area we gave the public schools a chance. It did not take long to realize that both of our children were suffering in those classrooms. My oldest was failing in several subjects and her worst grade was in 3rd grade reading. When we decided to pull them out was after we gave both of them placement testing that conflicted with what the school was telling us. Our oldest, who was "failing" in 3rd grade reading scored a 95% in 7th grade reading on the placement. It was soon confirmed that all of her failing grades were due to boredom with the material covered in the one size fits all classroom. Add to the fact that she was constantly being punished indirectly when she needed to have her blood glucose levels checked and missed out on other activities. It was a simple choice that has made us a very happy family. Our two youngest have also been paying attention to the "class time" and our 4 year old can read at least at 1st grade level and perform 2nd grade math problems. How can the public school system even compete with that kind of head start? It is very heartening to know that we have at least one elected official who will have this bill before them that “gets it.”

Public school teachers, even the great ones, do not have the time or the resources to break out of the mold laid before them by the many to help the few that may be struggling in their classrooms. Not all students learn at the same rate and those who learn faster are punished by having to wait for the middle ground learners. Sadly, the slowest students have historically been left out of the loop.

When we first moved to the area we gave the public schools a chance. It did not take long to realize that both of our children were suffering in those classrooms. My oldest was failing in several subjects and her worst grade was in 3rd grade reading. When we decided to pull them out was after we gave both of them placement testing that conflicted with what the school was telling us. Our oldest, who was “failing” in 3rd grade reading scored a 95% in 7th grade reading on the placement. It was soon confirmed that all of her failing grades were due to boredom with the material covered in the one size fits all classroom. Add to the fact that she was constantly being punished indirectly when she needed to have her blood glucose levels checked and missed out on other activities. It was a simple choice that has made us a very happy family.

Our two youngest have also been paying attention to the “class time” and our 4 year old can read at least at 1st grade level and perform 2nd grade math problems. How can the public school system even compete with that kind of head start?

]]> By: The Statesman http://www.offthemarble.com/2009/03/14/open-letter-to-first-pro-hb2144-email-received/comment-page-1/#comment-43 The Statesman Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:36:24 +0000 http://www.offthemarble.com/?p=291#comment-43 During my years in the classroom I saw quite a few DOSPICs (that would be drop outs still present in class). "While every child can learn" they can't all learn the same amount and some of them don't care to learn much. While it is not the choice I would make for my own family, some parents may realize that their children are not going to Stanford. Formal education may not be their strong suit. If that is the case, the state should quit trying to take hostages. The world needs trash pick up and janitorial services and a lot of other jobs that don't require much formal education. They are turning down subsidized education. If it happens too much, then maybe the state needs to look at its product. If Burger King gave out "free" whoppers, it would gain market share, but there are always going to be some vegetarians out there who are not interested in what is being given away. If the parents are not on drugs or showing signs of insanity in other areas of life, then I for one say they know their children and know whether they have the aptitude and initiative to make public schooling worthwhile. The bottom line is "whose child is it"? During my years in the classroom I saw quite a few DOSPICs (that would be drop outs still present in class). “While every child can learn” they can’t all learn the same amount and some of them don’t care to learn much. While it is not the choice I would make for my own family, some parents may realize that their children are not going to Stanford.

Formal education may not be their strong suit. If that is the case, the state should quit trying to take hostages. The world needs trash pick up and janitorial services and a lot of other jobs that don’t require much formal education.

They are turning down subsidized education. If it happens too much, then maybe the state needs to look at its product. If Burger King gave out “free” whoppers, it would gain market share, but there are always going to be some vegetarians out there who are not interested in what is being given away.

If the parents are not on drugs or showing signs of insanity in other areas of life, then I for one say they know their children and know whether they have the aptitude and initiative to make public schooling worthwhile. The bottom line is “whose child is it”?

]]> By: menapotstirrer http://www.offthemarble.com/2009/03/14/open-letter-to-first-pro-hb2144-email-received/comment-page-1/#comment-42 menapotstirrer Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:27:21 +0000 http://www.offthemarble.com/?p=291#comment-42 She's the MPS Superintendent and I know her well. She's a bright lady working hard to reform a school system with a lot of fiscal issues. I understand why she would support this bill, it's in her financial interest to do so. When students begin homeschooling midterm the school system loses funding. I completely disagree with her characterization of homeschooling as a substandard form of education. I have two daughters who are currently students in the Mena Public School system. One is a junior and at the top of her class, 30+ ACT, NHS,involved in every available leadership role, and plays varsity sports. The other is a straight A student with a 22 ACT as seventh grader before she came to MPS. Both girls were homeschool students for several years, then were enrolled in the ARVA through completion of seventh grade. My point is this: MS. ????? knows both of these girls and their prior methods of schooling. There are numerous other examples of homeschooled students in our local community who excel in all facets of life. To imply that parents who take the time to educate their children at their own expense (both in time and money) are somehow depriving the child or are guilty of borderline abuse is definitely ignoring the facts. Mark, your response is well written and appropriate. Parents who remove their children from school as an excuse for truancy are bad parents. We cannot remove the rights of the masses because of the sins of a few. Good job! She’s the MPS Superintendent and I know her well. She’s a bright lady working hard to reform a school system with a lot of fiscal issues. I understand why she would support this bill, it’s in her financial interest to do so. When students begin homeschooling midterm the school system loses funding. I completely disagree with her characterization of homeschooling as a substandard form of education.
I have two daughters who are currently students in the Mena Public School system. One is a junior and at the top of her class, 30+ ACT, NHS,involved in every available leadership role, and plays varsity sports. The other is a straight A student with a 22 ACT as seventh grader before she came to MPS. Both girls were homeschool students for several years, then were enrolled in the ARVA through completion of seventh grade.
My point is this: MS. ????? knows both of these girls and their prior methods of schooling. There are numerous other examples of homeschooled students in our local community who excel in all facets of life. To imply that parents who take the time to educate their children at their own expense (both in time and money) are somehow depriving the child or are guilty of borderline abuse is definitely ignoring the facts.
Mark, your response is well written and appropriate. Parents who remove their children from school as an excuse for truancy are bad parents. We cannot remove the rights of the masses because of the sins of a few. Good job!

]]> By: Renee http://www.offthemarble.com/2009/03/14/open-letter-to-first-pro-hb2144-email-received/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Renee Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:03:43 +0000 http://www.offthemarble.com/?p=291#comment-40 This is the most amazing reply that you give. Honestly, I sat and wept! Oh, for more of our leaders who will stand on principles! I printed this off and shared it with friends. I wish you could see the responses on their faces! It makes us proud to be Americans. Thank you!!! This is the most amazing reply that you give. Honestly, I sat and wept! Oh, for more of our leaders who will stand on principles!

I printed this off and shared it with friends. I wish you could see the responses on their faces! It makes us proud to be Americans.

Thank you!!!

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