Aug. 21, 2005 - 20:45 MDT

OF THE STONE

Over the years there has been much discussion about having a longer school year for young folks, primary through 12th grade. I ran onto an article in the Sunday Denver Post today by Ruben Navarrette Jr. of the San Diego Union-Tribune which deals with that same thing. Among other things is that in some states school nowadays does start earlier. But no outfit seems to agree on when to start school. Here in our area some schools have been in session for a time.

So, here is some of the nitty and a bit of the gritty -- In Part:

Headed: LONG SCHOOL YEAR ? HURRAY !

"Parents aren't arguing that extending summer vacation actually improves a child's education -- only that it would make their own lives easier or more convenient, perhaps giving them a chance to catch their breath between school years."

"Too bad. There are bigger issues involved. Whenever there is a survey of how well students in the United States are doing in math, science or reading compared to those in other countries, we learn that our kids are trailing the pack. It's no wonder that companies in the high-tech industry are increasinly looking abroad for job applicants, turning to countries such as China or India to fill jobs that once went to Americans."

"People in this country complain about that, and they cling to slogans like: "American jobs for Americans." They tell themselves that the only reason that foreigners are creaming them in the job market is that people from other countries will work for lower salaries. Their pride won't let them confront the possibility that the real reason may have to do with difference in competence and qualifications."

"And where does this come from ? It starts with education. In China, the school year is 270 days. In india, it's 220 days. And in the United States, it's only 180days.

"Americans are already falling behind in relation to those in other parts of the world. Preserving the length of a traditional summer vacation won't help them catch up."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Much as I hate to admit to some of my wrong-headedness on this score -- they have a good point I think.

I remember long years ago in high school one of our teachers telling us that we in America spent less time in school than those in most European countries. That was before World War Two.

I also remember some (SOME) of the people I worked with who spent many hours attending some educational facility to improve their skills, while many of us kept on keeping on.

Of course there is the factor of corporational mistreatment of employees and all that that should be considered. But if one spends their money and some of their time educating themselves further, they will not have to do any jail time for that activity.

I also think that most of us continue to educate ourselves to a certain extent 'til death do us part -- only, we study some of the damndest things imaginable.

So to me this shows me another facet OF THE STONE . . . . . . . . .

Blog