From: New York
Date sent: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 18:45:32 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Info: Sublime/Ridiculous

TO ALL:

Two items that should be noted: One is helpful for those who want to convince the rank-and-file taxpayer or parent to speak out against "more money for education." The other shows just how arrogant and wasteful-behind-the-scenes the educrats are.

The general public "generally" doesn't understand a thing about Goals 2000. They need easy-to-understand overall explanations of how destructive (STUPID!) this so-called education reform is in its applications in the classrooms. The first item is excellent for that:

The De Weese Report, February issue is titled: "It's Real Easy To Find Out WHY IS PUBLIC EDUCATION FAILING?" Four pages of specifics on actual "academic" diversions and surveys, one on the co-opting of PTA's by the NEA, and three on environmental marches across public lands and private rights. If you can't get a full year's subscription, ($29.95 yr.) at least send $3.00 for the February issue -- and show it to as many uninformed people as you can. (The De Weese Report, 13873 Park Center Rd. #316, Herndon, VA 20171. Ph: 703-925-0881) They are part of this educational loop, and appreciate any material sent along: apc@nicom.com

Second item shows the wasteful arrogance of the educrats. Another item from the Broome-Tioga BOCES web-page. It alerts educators to "Goals 2000: Celebrating Success" which Broome-Tioga BOCES is hosting for "educators across New York State" in Binghamton, March 18. (Tuesday, a school day) This is so that they can "learn from the school and curriculum improvement efforts made possible by nearly $50 Million in GOALS 2000 grant funding over the past three years. Teams from 16 of last year's funded projects will share their experiences with peers and colleagues in a series of concurrent, interactive, 90-minute presentations." 70 educators are to be there to "collaborate with conference participants on topics such as: Centers of Inquiry, Action Research, Alternative Scheduling, Technology Integration, Work Experience Programs, Academic Centers, Multiple Intelligences, Staff Development, Thematic Instruction Aligned with the Standards, Turn-Key Staff Development Models, Career Pathways, Teacher-to-Teacher Collaboration over the WWW. [It must have been a computer glitch -- nothing in the excitement of the party details about improving curriculum, changing the reading failures which had to be admitted in the recent Report Cards, etc. I did get a chuckle out of the last item on the agenda: 2:15 to 3:30 Birds of a Feather Sessions. Is this like a Hen Party Happy Hour??]