(This is a break for the B.I.S. series, which will continue in another week or so…)
Providence of the divine kind has played a part in my life so often, to disregard it would be sacrilegious. Such is the case in working up essays to publish on The Wordwright. The last three essays have been relating the workings of the Boys’ Industrial School that was closed in 1979. Anyone who observes our society knows or can make fair assumptions as to why changes are made; and sometimes such changes are not exactly necessary or an improvement. But that is another story.
Introducing this essay, TROUBLE AHEAD, which is a related story about our “changing society” and seems fitting to slip in between future essays about the B.I.S. I have been a member of the American Amateur Press Association for around twenty years and occasionally fellow members’ works have been shared in this website. Once more I want to give space to two different members whose journals told stories illustrating changes of our culture in regard to morals and integrity. Ken Davis, of Racine Wisconsin, relates an incidence when The American Profile newspaper (insert magazine section) did a series of articles entitled, “Will You Marry Me?” Ken had sent in his own engagement story and reading the final entries, the first story went like this:
”Way back in 1976, I was taking a bath at his apartment when he needed to come in to use the restroom. He told me that the level of comfort we both seemed to have in that moment prompted him to ask me to marry him. So he proposed to me while he was sitting on the toilet and I was in the bathtub.”
Right then and there Ken realized his “simple” story didn’t have a chance — Ken had written about the occasion where he had surreptitiously noticed his fiancé’s ring and, asking to see it closer, he cleverly (so he thought) exchanged an engagement diamond for her costume jewelry and when his fiancé started to put the ring on, she noticed what it was and he proposed to her — no, Ken’s story did not win the prize.
In our society today where unmarried male and female Seniors are sharing apartments in an attempt to survive the crunch of an economy gone mad and un-married “couples” having babies that may or may not have daddies once the novelty of their arrangements wears off, is it any wonder why we find institutions like the B.I.S. was put to its knees and completely brought down by limp reasoning and trumped up charges? The following essay by another fellow member of the AAPA, Harry Spence, of Norwood, Massachusetts puts the topping on this subject. Compare his conclusions with the incident above and draw your own conclusions.
TROUBLE AHEAD
There are a multitude of problems on the American table, including war, illegal immigration, frenzy about “global warming” and the education of our youth. Among these, I am most concerned with the last: Education.
Ever since the creation of the Department of Education, the education of our young people has declined. Is there a connection? I’m not smart enough to figure that one out, but as the man says, “There’s no such thing as coincidence!”
Another big factor is that our children are taught by persons who are members of a union. In my opinion, unions were established to improve the lot of the working person, through better wages and working conditions, both laudable objectives. Until rather recently, teachers were not members of unions; our schools were better and our kids received an excellent education. Again, coincidence?
A few years ago, I spent some time as a substitute teacher at Norwood High School. It was a sobering experience. I couldn’t believe the utter lack of discipline in the school generally, and in the classroom particularly. The really bright students were culled out of the mob and formed classes. It was a pleasure to have them as they showed interest and were not always trying to find ways to beat the system. Not so with the run-of-the-mill classes. Each student seemed to have one objective: to do the least while submitting the teacher to utter chaos.
I found the teaching community to be complacent relative to the lack of discipline. I can understand that their continuing exposure to chaos in the classroom caused them to channel the problem in order to keep their sanity. My experiences were some years ago; what can it be now. We have Federal funding through programs as “No child Left Behind,” the learning curve does not get better. Mandatory testing is required under this act. What is done is that the teachers teach to the parameters of the test; general education goes by the wayside.
The terrible irony is that the really smart kids give themselves an education. They almost do not need teachers; they will find a way to make it. What about all the others? They are the lost souls. And, their ranks are expanding.
Can you believe there is illiteracy in the United States? Many of the young people in the poorer neighborhoods cannot read or write. How can this happen, you say? Their parents did not support the kids in their schoolwork; they were too tired; they had their own lives to live; the schools were supposed to teach them they didn’t have enough time; they were working two (three) jobs; they didn’t realize.
How about the schools themselves? Push the kids along; graduate them, irrespective of grades; it’s an accomplishment to have them attend school; teacher quality. As noted above, teachers are supported by union philosophy. The leadership believes it’s their responsibility to keep their members employed at high salaries and expensive benefits. Teaching? A secondary responsibility.
Teachers of poor quality are retained because it is impossible to fire them. Kids receive less than inspired teaching. The good teachers lose heart after awhile or they attach themselves to the ‘smart’ kids because they get enjoyment from their enthusiasm. We have the worst of all situations: the ‘smart’ ones need less handholding, but they get extra attention; the ‘dodos’ are ignored — they disturb the equanimity of the teacher.
School budgets are at an all time high and go higher every year. Many towns are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to finance their schools. Much of this comes from the superstructure of a school; the psychologists, guidance counselors, education specialists, maintenance staffs, performing arts specialist, etc.
This is our “Trouble Ahead!”
Thanks, Harry Spence and Ken Davis for some fine tuning on the image of our changing society.
THE WORDWRIGHT