An Apple for Jamie Lee Curtis

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Jamie Lee Curtis caught my eye in away she'd never done before earlier this year. As a fellow parent who cares about all children everywhere.
I am as well a fellow parent who cares. I gave up two successful businesses that I built from the ground up with my own hard earned, saved money by myself to raise my children right on all levels. As a mother of three sons my job is taken seriously. After all, my intent is to raise them into real men of tomorrow. It's the only way I can see to change our today. I call this "the big picture".
After reading both comments on this site, I heard finger pointing from a school teacher, and a man proclaiming poverty, and hardships. I view these comments as both negative. So I have to say where I know many everyday heros that are my children's school teachers, the office managment is unkind to our children in emtionally damaging ways instead of lifting them. So, the Administration is abusive as well as not every parent is kind to their own. I truly feel in my heart that it's our responsiblity as loving, caring parents, and faculty to insure all children are being treated well at school. To provide an enviornment of well being so they can grow on many levels and know from somewhere if they can't get it at home what is right. This gives all children a fighting chance. This is accountablity to me.
As far as money and tuff neighborhoods. Well, welcome to mine. I don't have a credit card to my name, and nor do I want one. I rarely have more than $20.00 in my pocket at a time since I choose not to put a price tag on my precious children. And yet I teach my children National Standards at home; on top of any unfinished class work; on top of their State Standard homework. My sons know how much I love and care about them, and yet I still feel I'm not doing enough. I was always told "can't never did anything" and "where there is a will, there is a way".
In closing, Martin Luther King Jr. has left me with inspiration of change what is injust that's being served on your plate. When you fight for the rights of innocent children you can never go wrong. Rally the people.

Kara of CO 8:49PM February 01, 2009

While I do believe that a child first benefits from learning the basics at home, educators must be held somewhat accountable in the education process. If a teacher doesn't have the time in the classroom to notice a child having a problem the child is not always going to address the teacher and say, "I need help". I actually confronted my childs fourth grade teacher who during a conference told me how much the state requires them to cover. When I suggested she go to the Teachers Union to try and change it, she laughed and said it was just not possible. I believe she didn't want to make waves and possibly lose her job. But when no one will stand up and do what is right, we all lose. So we continue to expect our children to learn everything that is thrown at them,no matter how fast or how complicated. Well even computers have been known to crash when too much info is thrown at them. Maybe we should slow down just a little and remember to breathe.

louise of NY 8:50PM October 24, 2008

What is the population of the statistics that the numbers are based on? Other countries do not educate everyone. The United States educates everyone. Please come into the classroom, substitute, get your license, volunteer. Educate yourself about the UNITED STATES classroom settings and environment that influence today's youth. I am deeply offended by the ad campaign set forth by Jamie Lee Curtis.

Teacher of US students of NM 12:56PM October 23, 2008

Whoever conceived these ads is a "guilt trip" expert. I was blown away. I am very curious about the ad-writers and developers. Who did they think their audience was? Are they writing this for parents? Teachers? Students? Voters? I'd love to know what "they" planned to accomplish.

Cathie of OH 7:39AM September 12, 2008

Our schools have not "slipped" behind they have been behind for at least 50 years. While stationned in France in the late 50's I dated several europeen girls and was received in their families. Without exception their schools were teaching a serviceable second language and they were way ahead in math, geography, science and were considerably more aware of world wide socio/economics as well as political facts. I was fresh out of high school and the girls I dated were usually one to two years younger

Harold Haas of OH 6:27PM August 31, 2008

As a middle school educator, I wish more parents shared your concerns with the negative impact of the NCLB mandates. While the concept of accountability for teachers and ensuring an education for every student are both very important, the means of reaching the goal are way off. First and foremost is the fact that NCLB is underfunded by several billions of dollars that was originally promised. I agree with you about the sad, failed state of the K.C.MO school district. Many people who live in the K.C. suburbs don't realize that this has a trickle affect on them. Struggling inter-city families are forced to lie and cheat on the paper work to get their children enrolled in a suburban district. This causes over crowding and increased class sizes along with a variety of social issues. Our urban core should be supported and protected to make sure the schools are the best they can be.
I urge any parent concerned about their child's education to pay attention to the NCLB mandates and become active in making positive reforms. This law has changed education drastically. We need to get back the local and state control of our school districts. The federal government cannot affectively control this, especially when there was NOT ONE EDUCATOR on the committee that wrote the 200 page law. We are now leaving our middle and high achieving students behind as we "dumb down" the curriculum so every student can pass the state test. Students are being cheated by not getting a well-rounded education. Creativity and critical thinking skills have just about disappeared. The students are BORED with the excessive preparation for the state assessments.

of KS 12:45PM August 16, 2008

As someone with 40 years experience working in public schools as an educational technology specialist, let me ask Mr. Gates one question:
If you are so committed to improving the technology available to our students, and the most efficient use of same, why not promote the use of the most effective, easiest to use, most economical, and most trouble-free computer systems, especially in our elementary schools where the kids usually get their first chance to really become familiar with them, and urge school supporters to get rid of the old, virus impacted, Vista-frustrated Windows systems and get more Apple computers in those schools? Hmmm? And if you've got a few hours I'll acquaint you with some "real world" testimony as to the actual real life advantages of a Mac(which will run at least 3 different operating systems), at all grade levels, over a Windows-trapped computer. Remember, "MS Office", and its documents, will run just fine in ANY computer system(and I sincerely thank you for that!). Or are you really trying to get more schools trapped in the corporate-world-driven motivation that'll simply give your company MORE BUSINESS? You're not going to tell me you don't give a damn about Microsoft anymore, are you?
Oh, sorry, but I've one more question: Did you really bemoan "the explosion" of physical education instructors in our schools? OH my GOD! You mean there are schools that are concerned with parts of their students' well-being that are centered below their shoulders? Darn! I thought the second half of "WALL-E" was really gonna be our future! Looked like fun...have our bloated selves run by computer-driven technology...ohh yeah!
And, one question to the organizers of this website: have any of you heard of the word "demographics"?
- Jim Mathews, computer services supervisor for Baywood School in San Mateo, CA, a recently awarded California Distinguished School (or should I consider that award a load of c___?)

Jim Mathews of CA 1:43PM August 08, 2008

"No Child Left Behind" has been a nightmare for everyone. Our teachers have no time for anything but "the test".
You can't test for innovation, creativity and the love of learning/teaching. Our most creative teachers are being stiffled by this useless testing. Children in the USA are being trained to pass a test. A wonderful educator for FedEx Freight in Harrison, Ar said, "We don't have a training department.
You train dogs....Not people!"
Kansas City has one of the worst school systems I have ever seen. They turned over school buildings to the Independence school district this summer. These building were in miserable shape. Meanwhile Kansas City boasts about the new Sprint Arena and Power and Light District downtown. These venues received major TIFs. The Super of the school district makes an extremely high salary as do other administrators. The teachers and facilities suffer in order to pay those salaries.
Teacher are also forced to work off duty hours. They have a contract that includes some extra hours but not even close to the hours they actually spend on school business.. unless.. they are coaches. Athletic coaches are paid for all hours worked away from the classroom! Academic coaches are NOT!
How do we expect children to feel education is important when we constantly prove otherwise? We live in a country where too many decision makers have grown stupid with wealth. How do you spend thousands on a disposable handbag when children are being educated in a school facility that is crumbling to the point of danger five blocks away?

Mom of MO 12:46PM August 08, 2008

As a teacher in a struggling urban school district I am exhausted by how hard my colleagues and I have to work to have children pass a worthless state test that in no ways shows how much the child knows. When you literally arrived in the country 3 years ago (that's how long non-English speaking children are exempt from the test) and are now supposed to be performing on grade level with students who speak, read, and write English with the ease of a native, how can you possibly pass the test? I am also frustrated by how many important people only worry about getting children ready for.....college. As if college is the be all end all for success in life. What if I hate school with a passion or know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I cannot afford college? Why are trades and industry being allowed to disappear overseas when the reality is we are leaving ourselves vulnerable and limiting the options for our young people? Also, as long as I am ranting, when did teachers stop being trustworthy? I haven't changed, I still run myself ragged trying to reach each and ever kid but now I have STACKS of nonsensical forms to fill out to prove that I am actually doing this job that is my life's work.

C. Smith of MO 1:21PM July 30, 2008

Many of the kids who you say come from "disengaged" environments and who lack a parent who has high expectations has not had a conversation with these families. I work in a school with the enrollment primarily being "low socio-economic". I do not know of a single family who sends there child to school with the thought, "OK little _______, go out there and do your absolute worst today." Many parents do not know what to tell their kids, much less how to prepare them for school. However, they are hopeful that the educators in the building can help. These parents want to have a relationship with the educators in the building. Self esteem issues and the need to work at low paying jobs during hours when they cannot get to school for conferences are the crux of the problem. There are many problems with antiquated school structures, the politics in current education reform, and too many opinions on who is responsible for educating children. I am including myself in here. We are all responsible. I don't know the answer, but blaming a particular group makes the problem worse.

Passionate Educator of NM 11:52PM July 21, 2008