From: bernie@binghamton.edu
Date sent: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 17:30:48 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: Business/Education Conference

[Response to previous unarchived message]

[Del.] must also be aware of the fact that the distinction between Socialism and Fascism is that with the former the govt owns the corporations, with the latter it controls them - a subtle distinction that explains much of what is going on.

Yesterday's local paper carried the headline IN SURVEY, TEENS SAY SCHOOL'S JUST TOO EASY. It reports the findings of the prestigious Public Agenda Foundation to the effect that "Most high school students believe their classes are too easy and want higher standards, tougher grade promotion requirements, and stricter homework policies." Half the teens felt that schools fail to challenge them to do their best and spoke of how little work they do to earn acceptable grades and how boring and meaningless their classes are. 71% of Hispanic students, 68% of black and 79% of white believe a "strong command" of the English language should be required for graduation. They feel that schools also need tougher homework policies. They report that schools practically hand you a diploma even though you copy most of your homework.

Meanwhile, the governors and the corporations continue to push STW as the solution. On February 26-27 in Syracuse, NY the State Ed Dept, the State Labor Dept, the NY Assoc. of Training and Employment Professionals(!), and the NY State School to Work Advisory Council are sponsoring a School To Work ACADEMY (Yes, you read right). The 2-day program is full of workshops that will cover such topics as HOW TO'S FOR TEACHERS, SUSTAINING SCHOOL-TO-WORK, SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND WELFARE-TO-WORK(!), CONNECTING ACTIVITIES: CREATING LINKAGES BETWEEN SCHOOL AND WORK, STW IN THE NEW WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM, THE FIT OF NYS CURRICULUM STANDARDS AND STW, AND MUCH MUCH MORE!! Registration fee is $125, exhibit tables go for $230.

As STW gathers speed, how many students will continue to feel that "school's just too easy."

Bernie