I don't agree with every thing that Joel Shatzky wrote in his piece for the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joel-shatzky/educating-for-democracy-d_2_b_832069.html). However, I do agree with the following items WHOLE-HEARTEDLY:
"1. That all schools in the United States be equally funded.
2. That all young learners be given exposure on a regular basis to museums, musical events in and outside of school, presentations by artists, musicians, philosophers, sports figures, other celebrities and educators.
3. That all young learners be provided with after-school activities that would make their schools a recreational and social center and not the streets.
4. That all schools offer a complete array of arts programs including music lessons with instruments provided by the school, abundant art lessons and supplies, theatre and dance programs from kindergarten up, and lots of basic educational materials so that teachers don't have to pay for them out of pocket.
5. That all young learners be provided with safe neighborhoods, supportive, caring families, good nutrition which might include all meals in school, reliable public services, and a realistic hope that they are part of a thriving economy in which they can get a good-paying job with a reasonable amount of security.
6. That all teachers in public schools be given classroom autonomy and that they and parents be treated with consideration, respect and regard for their opinions. Those teachers who are not adequate to the job -- which under the above circumstances would be far less difficult to do well -- should be given a fair and full hearing and opportunity to improve their practices with good, positive mentoring before they are considered unfit for teaching."
From EDUCATING FOR DEMOCRACY by Joel Shatzky for The Huffington Post:
"1. That all schools in the United States be equally funded.
2. That all young learners be given exposure on a regular basis to museums, musical events in and outside of school, presentations by artists, musicians, philosophers, sports figures, other celebrities and educators.
3. That all young learners be provided with after-school activities that would make their schools a recreational and social center and not the streets.
4. That all schools offer a complete array of arts programs including music lessons with instruments provided by the school, abundant art lessons and supplies, theatre and dance programs from kindergarten up, and lots of basic educational materials so that teachers don't have to pay for them out of pocket.
5. That all young learners be provided with safe neighborhoods, supportive, caring families, good nutrition which might include all meals in school, reliable public services, and a realistic hope that they are part of a thriving economy in which they can get a good-paying job with a reasonable amount of security.
6. That all teachers in public schools be given classroom autonomy and that they and parents be treated with consideration, respect and regard for their opinions. Those teachers who are not adequate to the job -- which under the above circumstances would be far less difficult to do well -- should be given a fair and full hearing and opportunity to improve their practices with good, positive mentoring before they are considered unfit for teaching."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joel-shatzky/educating-for-democracy-d_2_b_832069.html
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