The Root Problem

This past week, I was watching local news stories and reading in New York newspapers the growing number of children and families opting out of the New York Regents Standardized Tests for English and Math for Grades K-8.  These tests are more well known nationwide in different formats as The Common Core.  The Common Core, initiated in 2010 and advancing from the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2002, is a ongoing of series of tests given throughout the school year (September of one year through June the next year) that are used to give elementary, middle and high school students a leg up on using critical thinking and newer approaches to problem solving. 

It is designed to we hope have students in the United States be in close proximity with the achievements of students in most other countries.  For example, students in the US are 27th in mathematics development amongst so called first world nations; this is out of 34 countries.  They are one above Sweden and one below Slovakia.  Think about that.  In the likelihood that High School students will be going to university, and the certainty that at least one math course is required, the math classes will most assuredly Not involve simple arithmetic and algebra and calculus.  These will involve problem solving matters and statistical data that actually make a difference in one's life.  It was the approach I was given in my mathematics course at Hofstra University, including writing essays that involved mathematical approaches to determine the legitimacy of opinions.  If a student does not understand math at an early age, how will that student understand anything for problem solving in post high school life?

Put it another way, and this does tie in with English testing:  knowing only basic knowledge of a literary work such as plot, themes, statements and intent can be explained by any educator until they are blue in the face.  It usually does happen that way.  Once the tests come, and it has occurred in many cases, the questions in multiple choice and short answer form are more specific to the inner details of the literary work more so than in what was talked about in class.  Here is an example:

1.  Explain what the author was attempting to say on our current everyday lives with the shifts in character development towards the end of the novel.  This should be in essay form and will be worth 5% of the grade.

2.  What did the main character eat on page 159?  This will be worth 95% of the grade.

I note this is an extreme look, yet understand the purposes of the value of these questions.  The what did the character eat question is far more important, for one known reason.  It will determine whether the student actually read the novel!  Platitudes and meme knowledge of a novel is one thing; any person would know the answer.  It is more important to read the novel and know of what you write and speak.  If they cannot answer #2, it proves they did not even read the novel.  And since they did not read the novel, they have no idea what the fowl they are talking about. 

This is as if a division problem is solved by a calculator; it is needed, but you do not know how it needed to be divided.  The need to go deeper in thought and approach to anything is of such great importance in this ever changing world in which we live in.  Along with an approach to have students be committed to do what needs to be done in the tests and not just get by. 

It is rather upsetting to me that blame is being put on educators, administrators, parents, society at large, political leaders like Gov. Andrew Cuomo, etc. that are all in one form or another fighting like children.  There is really only one grouping of people that need to be held accountable for the success or lack thereof in tests and life advancement.  It is going to stun and shock many of you, yet these people are:

The Students Themselves!

Look, an educator, administrator, parent, political figure and other adult leader can pontificate, educate, enlighten, open minds and do whatever is necessary on their end.  Yet, it is not them that are taking these tests; it is not them that will be facing newer futures in a more technology driven world; it is not them that are now in a position where university enrollment is more active than even when I graduated from Hofstra 9 years ago.  It is the student that is causing the problem, or will cause the success. 

When I graduated from Farmingdale High School in 2001, there were some 80 or so seniors that were not going to graduate due to effectively being poor students, if not being ne'er do well people at the time.  One of my educators, who also happened to be an important figure with the Farmingdale Federation of teachers and is now retired, mentioned that the not graduating list that year was the largest he had seen in his then 35 odd years teaching.  I assume that list in years hence has only grown, though slightly.  In the end, those kids chose the path to a life without an education as opposed to a life with one.  I guess this is because, particularly when high school comes, students look at school as a social outing filled with cliques, love interests, sports, popularity and other like minded stuff we see in movies and TV shows.  I am here to you it is not; it is the time to learn before we are needed to gather together to get through this thing called life.  When one turns an advanced age, the world pretty much welcomes you with a middle finger if you are not careful.  Everything needs to be earned through knowledge. 

The Common Core is at least a start in the right direction for turning students into actually being ready for High School, University, and life afterwards.  It provides them to think about the correct answer, and not just state the answer.  And it is the indication that a student knew and read the literature and media provided, instead of by meme memory which usually gets twisted into simple parody easily.  And yes, the Common Core gives the true purpose of what a pre-University education should be; a learning apparatus for our younger ones.  It never was for me a social gathering petri dish; indeed while I have attended a 10 year reunion and still will go to future events, I did not go to the prom, and I am proud of it!  I will say that many of my fellow classmates thought otherwise, although they did passed their grades.  For me, the high point was getting out and going to Hofstra University. 

Now for a pop quiz:  here is a music video named amongst the oddest ever made.

Question 1:  Name the song referenced in this Daryl Hall and John Oates hit song from their lyrics.  It is worth 10 % of the grade.

Question 2:  Explain the video that Hall and Oates themselves have difficulty in explaining.  This will be worth 90% of the grade.

Talk to you all soon,

Robert

Bonus question:  I referenced two songs during this essay.  Please name the songs. 

Forensically Analyzing a Senator

Well, now it has been confirmed.  Today, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced, without any pretext, he is running for President Of The United States.  Let me point out that I have no intention of voting for Sen. Cruz.  I have for the past 15 years and continue to believe that New York Democratic Sen. and Sec. Of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is the eventual President we deserve.  When I say we, I also mean for those right wing sorts.  You may have forgotten; yet during Bill Clinton's Presidency, virtually most conservative economic agendas, along with tweaking a few social agendas, were initiated benefiting all.  Indeed, Tim Russert once said that the best thing to happen to Bill Clinton was then Rep. Newt Gingrich.  I did not always agree with the agenda, and have been proven right in the economic problems since.  Yet, it did work.

Sen. Cruz is, none the less, quite the intriguing political figure.  Like many of you, I had watched his speech today in Virginia and was not surprised at what was said.  What did surprise me was the immediacy of declaring a candidacy and effectively setting the agenda for the next year.  This is before many other political leaders, including Hillary Clinton, have announced their candidacy.  This is also before the unwritten campaign occurs; the behind the scenes discussions as to whether or not President Barack Obama decides to run for a third term. 

So what do I make of Sen. Ted Cruz?  In short, I think Sen. Cruz is one of the two Republicans to potentially get the nomination; the other person being Gov. Scott Walker (R-WS).  Yet, there is a lot more that needs to be discussed, and I still am attempting to parse my words and present my thoughts.  With that in mind, I will soon post another essay regarding this interesting character in Sen. Cruz; this one more thorough and analytical.  Here though is a parable by Dr. Seuss that I assume Sen. Ted Cruz has read and is familiar with. 

The highway in modern terms is, I think, organized religion, conglomerates, and multi-national leadership outside the US.  It will leave the uneducated in America standing in their tracks not budging if no one is aware.

By the way, Liberty University is in my opinion not a legitimate university.  It is as legitimate as For Profit Online University, only the latter is a clear joke.  Be aware if you have given personal information to Howard.

Talk to you by tomorrow,

Robert

The second part of my suggestions on ending bullying

Last post, I talked about how newer parents have brought an increase in tolerance, however obliquely, of child bullying.  As I mentioned before, the concern for me is the school kids themselves.  I, to be honest, have never been one to just consider children to be innocent of all doings.

This is especially true now given our overall access to social media.  None the less, social media can and is used responsibly.  Here is what I think could be done to alter these problems with these issues.

First and foremost, the schools need to begin educating students on how to properly use social networking at the schools and outside the schools.  I remember when it was customary for public service assemblies and/or films to be  shown to address social issues.  This provided at least a temporary sense of community when all of us needed to be together for something to learn about our lives.

Secondly, there was once a time when schools were allowed to use a "Scared Straight" sort of event that showed students the consequences of bad actions.  Although it is not akin to physical criminality yet; perhaps as part of potential settlements yet to come, students that were accused of bullying others need to be publically called out and be needed to answer for their actions.  I of course would not want to take this idea too far; that is to say, have the bullies be bullied.  Yet, I would think a public outing would suffice.

One other idea to be considered involves parents.  Since the school districts only are responsible for the well being of children to a certain point; the parents and extended family need to be involved in looking after their children in what they will doing any matter related to fellow students and people their age.  Of course, the level of degree to which these oversights on children will be needed depends on the child's behavior.  I think the more likely the kid becomes a bully; the more intense the monitoring of the child needs to be. 

It is difficult, admittedly, to have the answers be given that will please everyone.  In truth, it would be much simpler if many of these school kids would behave correctly at all times.  None the less, preventative measures must be taken in nearly all means to be certain bullying ends; and as well, to put an end to needing to settle accounts by means of law.  Feel free to comment on these ideas.  I will certainly respond.

Best wishes to all,

Robert

PS.  I plan on blogging at least one post a day.  What is on my mind, may well be on this page.

Preventing the next bullying lawsuit (Part 1)

Hello to all who read this blog and hopefully comment.

Last night, I mentioned what I think needs to be done in order to stop this rather growing trend of online and school bullying that has been a far more saddening problem in the 14 years since I graduated high school.  I know the title mainly refers to not having this go through another lawsuit.  Yet I think this goes beyond the courts and schools.  Eventually, we need to notice the differences of children and parents from a not too past era; and those of today. 

First, let me mention that this is not to claim that a past era of schooling like my 12 years in the Farmingdale School District (1989-2001) were halcyon days.  Clearly, they were not that rosy; and they were not "good old days".  Yet, I have often mentioned an interesting fact.  My High School Senior class was the last to graduate before 9/11/2001.  Thus, we seemingly were the last to be a bit more free around the premises.  On the flip side, I know Farmingdale did not increase its rate of successful graduates going off to prestigious universities (such as Hofstra for myself) until well recently. 

None the less, a lot has changed.  Initially I thought a lot of this was for security reasons.  I cannot, for instance, go into any of the schools to meet up with former educators; lest I or someone else become a real life Wooderson.  Little did we know there are issues to be addressed with the parents and students of today.

Many parents of grade school, middle school and high school students are from a post boomer generation.  It stretches from the latter 1960s up through people my age.  Now, most people are as individually different as can be.  Yet, many (and I include myself) are expecting gratification and what we want, but not really need, now.  With that in mind,  we get upset should things not go our way.  Sadly, with that sort of selfishness comes selfish behavior.  And yes, this reflects on the younger impressionable minds of school students. 

I'll give an example.  A fellow 2001 graduate that I keep in touch with on Facebook related a story from the past Christmas holidays.  Being a music teacher, he led about 600 school kids across Long Island for a NYSMMA concert.  The children were okay; yet some of the parents were not on their best behavior.  The night of the performance at Tillies Center, two parents got into a fist fight with each other!  One other parent yelled at his/her child for almost fainting.  Now again, I was not there.  Yet, I am not surprised that some behave this way. 

Now, one way to alter this behavior would be to have prospective parents of school children required before every school year to be taught behavioral issues and study obedience to others.  And to further the idea, have these parents pass an exam on what they learned from these courses.  This may seem a bit much; yet I would be willing to do it myself once the time comes.  Perhaps some visual aids on what not to do would be a welcoming idea.

That of course is regarding parents.  It is though the behavior of  the younger children that concerns me more.  I say this because while the parents are aware of the day to day activities of their children; it seems more and more as being a mere observer at times.  This though requires me to write another post as this might be too long! 

So, I will have more tomorrow for this conversation on ending the bullying epidemic.  Consider these posts a trilogy of sorts.  It has been a bit of a long night. 

Talk to you later,

Robert.

PS.  Any comments on how to spruce up the website and blog are more than welcome.

Hello Everyone.

I am Robert Kelly.  And welcome to another blog!  Yes, any one can post a blog these days; but perhaps you will find something interesting.  And just maybe, it will matter to many that read it.

I had wondered were I could start.  Well yesterday, I found a story on WABC Channel 7 in New York that I felt rather attached to.  You see, I am an alumni of the Farmingdale School District.  When I graduated High School in 2001, a lot of issues were different for us Dalers.  I can remember when the worst incident that occurred was a week before graduation when some seniors paint bombed then Principal Robert E. Lewis' office.  It as cleaned the next day, as if it never happened!

Now, how times have changed.  Last year, 4 students were killed in a drag race down on Conklin Street.  Just yesterday, something I think more shocking has occurred. 

A high school student had been mercilessly bullied for numerous reasons.  It had gotten so bad that he even attempted to kill himself.  Gratefully, he is alive today.  Yet, this young man and his family are now suing the Farmingdale School District.  Perhaps the video and report in the link below will explain more on this very troubling issue.


http://7online.com/education/bullied-teen-wins-settlement-against-farmingdale-school-district/485018/


My thoughts on this are rather sobering.  Like Austin, I had been accustomed throughout grade school, middle school (Weldon E. Howitt) and high school with getting picked on and chewed up by numerous other pupils.  They were mostly annoying people that at the time did not take their education seriously.  Of course at the ten year reunion we had at Mulcahy's after Thanksgiving 2011, Everyone acted nicer and more mature.

It is completely different today.  Perhaps it is due to a greater social media presence, and the ability to become more vicarious and short sighted has been enhanced greatly.  The problem then also lies with a school system that might not be willing to address these issues until it is too late. 

For Farmingdale Schools to have reached a settlement on these matters does, I think, admit culpability on their part.  Bullying should not be tolerated, from this point forward.  In later posts, I will mention what I think needs to happen to end this rather vicious cycle of bullying and its consequences.  Fortunately, I am not a puritan by any means, so do not think it involves attacking the outside world of pop culture. 

Also, I plan on discussing other topics, such as movies, politics, my life, and whatever else crosses my mind.  Feel free to comment and add some suggestions.  Also, I am thinking of doing some form of video or audio programs.  Do any of you think it would be a good idea?

Talk to you soon,

Robert

PS.  I should get better at linking and uploading files.  More to come in the days ahead!