My AP Psychology teacher had my class watch

a Jon Stossel special on education reform. I had to sit through thirty-nine minutes of the usual criticisms of teachers, teacher unions, and public schools. The video absolutely ruined my day but what's worse is that I'm afraid some of my classmates have fallen for Stossel's crap. I'm making sure that my friends know the truth but I won't be able to reach my other classmates. I suppose showing such videos would be alright if my teacher followed it up with a discussion about the realities of charter schools, but he only made a few short comments.

I won't write a long piece about why the special was wrong, because I know that many intelligent people on here have already taken the time to expose the charter school b.s., but I must point out that I find it quite sad that one of our most basic rights is being challenged so openly. This isn't a case of fighting to achieve a universal right, e.g. a single-payer healthcare system, but a case of having to protect a right that we've had for a long time now. I encourage those who are on the fence to really consider the ramifications of these currently popular reforms. Do you really understand what America would be like without a strong public education system?

To the teachers on this forum, I'd like to say thanks for all the hard work you do. I am aware of how hard it is to be a teacher and I want you to know that you have a friend and supporter in this high school student.

I think it's important we see all sides of an issue. If the teacher should be doing that, especially in an AP class.

There are some good charter schools but the key words when discussing them are "FOR PROFIT." Those need extra scrutiny.

Thanks from a retired teacher.

Btw, I can't sit thru Stossel discussing anything. I find him consistently offensive. Hope your next class is better.

...I've seen on DU.

Thank you for your kind words to the teachers...as I am one...but thank you also for being an inspiration. The goal of most teachers I know is to support students to be critical thinkers. That you have developed such insight at your age makes me hopeful. :)

...useing their beliefs as fodder for his rightist tirades. Dipshit.

PEACE!

When he started out, he was pretty bad. But now, more and more Talking Heads have been Stossel-ized.

The destruction of our public education system is a source of absolute horror for me. We became a great nation in LARGE part because of universal access to basic secondary education, starting in the 1800s. Now we are abandoning that under the weight of a bunch of absolute lies about so many things, including how their proposed "reforms" would make things better. Again, I'm just horrified.

One thing that I like to tell everyone who will listen is that there is a REASON that Republicans are trying to destroy education (with Obama's help, alas), and that is NOT just to enrich their corporate friends via privitization, but to dumb down the population. Again and again we see in polls of all kinds that it's the more educated who vote Democratic. The ignorant and uneducated are easier to lead, easier to manipulate, easier to con, and easier to get to vote Republican.

Keep up the good work, just being who you are. :D