Comments

• I enjoyed hearing the comments of this obviously very bright Finnish student, however there was not much content in the way of how and why her education obviously outstrips the American form of education....only that she was obviously 2 - 3 yrs ahead of her American counterparts. I would strongly suggest that it is time for our government to send educators to Finland and other countries to see how their education models are structured and work. I know in the busines world this is done quite regularly regarding successful business models so that the form you implement has already been proven to work. My question is 'Why hasn't this been done already?......Hello!" As a country we need to understand that it is our leaders, from the president, senate, congress et al who are failing us. Their solutions must be revolutionary in the sense that they make us realize that the fun times are over and it's back to working hard, applying oneself and having a real plan and goals for becoming a productive member of society. Isnt it scary to think that a lot of college students decide where to go based on the 'partying reputation' of the school instead of the quality of education the school will provide them with. America better wake up and make people assume responsibility for their actions and stop doling out to those who want society to take care of them. If our education system really worked, would our prisons be so over populated???
  in A Finnish Student's Take on American High School
  Tuesday April 06, 2010, 10:04 AM
• I think FB from California has it right on the nose, so to speak. Its a complex intertwined problem but one that can be solved pretty easily I think based on my experiences growing up. Also there is no need to add this to the list of law suits being filed in our courts and making the issue more complicated. Here is what I think: any child who is being bullied should go to the school officials and inform them that they are being harrassed. The school official then should interview the accused parties to get their side of the story. Once it has been established that bullying is going on, then the parents of the antagonists must be called in to school for a conference regarding the childs' behavior and to obviously insist this ends at once. If the bullying continues then the parents must be informed that their child will be expelled from school if another episode of bullying occurs. In a nutshell, you must get rid of the individuals who choose to cause pain and disruption in their environment. This was the rule of thumb when I went to school, long before PC became the mantra. Not to divest the school of these problem children only causes the majority of good kids to suffer, either in the classroom or in the school yard. Either way they dont belong with the rest of the class if they 'can't play nice' with the others. It worked in our time. We were not held back or made to endure the antics of the nay doers. As a result the vast majority of our class body went on to be successful and good citizens. Also this allows for a resolution that can be beneficial to the bullyer by pressuring them and making them change their ways so in the end they will appreciate that adults got involved at the right time to help them grow to fulfill their true potential.
  in Start the Conversation: Are Parents to Blame for Bullying?
  Tuesday April 06, 2010, 10:04 AM