I love the concept of money bandied about as an excuse for how someone can provide input into how education works. It isn’t the debate over science vs religion in the argument. Your argument is about money and the power you feel as a parent/contributor in your school system.
Your tax dollars go into a general fund populated by the tax dollars of every constituent of your district. For every dollar you send in, there is the exact opposite view and dollar to your own on how a teacher should teach your child. Plus there are state and national objectives that must be taught. There is also the pressure and weight of the competing college and universities out there.
You want the school to teach what you want your kid to believe. I understand that. I think most people would want a school to teach their own values as well. Plus, you are paying for it so you would think your voice would be heard. Especially if you feel you pay more than others do.
This scientific debate is a good point to pick because it shows you how pressure adds on to the situation. Why not provide information about various points of view? Why not allow students to discuss ramifications of such points and share impact of those views? Instead, we hear from parents “I pay this much in tax dollars and I want my child to be trained this way”. Well…..its your kid. Teach your child your own theory and what you want them to believe if you want.
But do you want your kid to follow your beliefs all the time? Or do you want a child who will grow into an adult with the ability to make their own decisions? develop his/her own faith? make informed arguments? be able to re-search (not just search, copy, and paste). Would you want your child to be informed of various approaches to a concept? Would you want your child to be aware of the other points of view? Maybe not to buy into them all wholeheartedly but to be aware of those points?
Good arguments so far, everyone. This is the type of discussion I think our kids should be having on topics in schools. I wish there were more time…..
Any ideas on how to make more time for schools?
The summer concept is interesting except for high schools. This year in Texas, school calendars changed to start later in the year. Some districts don’t end in time for summer semesters at the university level. Some students in schools are having to take their final exams during their first week of summer classes at their colleges.
See the pressure?