Xref: utzoo comp.edu:1567 sci.math:5126 sci.physics:5165
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!pdn!reggie
From: reggie@pdn.UUCP (George W. Leach)
Newsgroups: comp.edu,sci.math,sci.physics
Subject: Re: Student and Course Integrity  (was Rising cost of textbooks)
Message-ID: <5102@pdn.UUCP>
Date: 13 Dec 88 11:39:18 GMT
References: <15748@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu>
Reply-To: reggie@pdn.UUCP (George W. Leach)
Organization: Paradyne Corporation,   Largo FL
Lines: 49

In article <15748@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu> bobmon@iuvax.UUCP (RAMontante) writes:

>..............our entire culture sees education as something to do
>with the kids until they're old enough to leave the house.  If the
>parents don't care, their children won't either.

     Bingo!  It is not enough for a parent to CARE about education.
Parents must be an integral part of the education process.  From the
moment a child is born they are absorbing everything around them.  If
children are put into an environment where learning is encouraged,
then they will react appropriately.  I have read in many places that
the preschool years are where a child's future may be shaped.  It is
here where they will discover just how important education is.


      Do parents expect the children to keep busy watching TV or
playing with toys, ALL THE TIME.  Or do parents take the time to
talk to children or perhaps read books to them or take them to a
museum.  There are many fantastic hands-on or technology centered
museums around these days.  If you ever go to one, just look at
how the kids react.  Children are naturally inquisitive.  But they
need direction from parents.


      Another thing to consider is just how important education
appears to a child will have an awful lot to do with how a parent
spends their free time.  Many adults become couch potatoes and do
little but watch TV every night.  My feeling is that education is
an ongoing process.  There is so much in this world that we do not
know about.  If we can show our children that even adults need to
continue to learn, then perhaps the idea that education is important
will sink in.  The motto: "do as I say, not as I do" will not be
enough!

>American parents who _do_ want good education for the children must
>either find a "good neighborhood" to live in, with an adequate school,
>or pay for private schooling.  

     Well, maybe.  There are many children who are sent to private
schools who still lack motivation.  Money is not the answer to 
everything.



-- 
George W. Leach					Paradyne Corporation
..!uunet!pdn!reggie				Mail stop LG-129
Phone: (813) 530-2376				P.O. Box 2826
						Largo, FL  USA  34649-2826