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Thursday, July 26, 2012

The World Has Changed - Have Schools?


I'm friends with a lot of cynics. You know the ones that know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Sometimes I fall into that category. They are the ones who are  asking why we have to have nurses and so many administrators - even suggesting that air conditioning is a luxury we can do without. After all, they, like me, went to school without most of those things.

Then there is the issue of discipline in school. It's much tougher on students today since most schools have taken a zero tolerance policy. One strike and you are out of school. Which sets up the email I got below which declares  "most of us would not make it today".  Some of the scenario's are a little extreme - but decide for yourself:

 You should know that by today's standards none of us was supposed to ever make it.

 HIGH SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2012

 Scenario 1:

Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack..

1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2012 - School goes into lock down,  Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

 Scenario 2:

Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

 2012 - Police called -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault

 Scenario 3:

Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2012 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD.  Jeffrey now has a disability.

Scenario 4:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.

1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman..

2012 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse, Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The  psychologist is told by 
Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. 

 Scenario 5:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock..

2012 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.
 

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