Another wood shop program bites the dust

[cwithboat]

Well, maybe some school board is voting, but the legislature adjourned on-time today as required by our state constitution so nothing on a statewide basis. Not a huge amount of education impact in this year's session. Some tweaks, and a small one time ~1% bonus to the per-pupil funding formula.

There have been districts particularly in the out-state areas that have gone to 4 longer days to cut down on bus trips by 20% and heating/cooling by some similar number. I haven't seen any recent stories about this, but it's one that's rolled out every time the price of gasoline or natural gas prices take a bump up.

Kristofor.

Here is the story
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.as...5&nav=menu36_2

[Mrs. Wallnut]

As far as I know our little community still has a home economics class and shop class here. When I was in Jr. High I took a wood class and made a book holder and the joinery on it was terrible but my mother proudly had it in the living room and told everyone I made it. I didn't take any mechanics classes because my father is a mechanic by trade and I learned how to change my oil and spark plugs and basic care of any vehicle I have ever owned.

In High School there was a shop class and they made storage units to sell and they got graded on it also. I thought this was great and I believe they still do things like that and I think a few years ago the shop class actually helped build a house along with some local contractors.

I also took a welding class when I was a senior in school and was the only girl in the class and loved it. I liked the welding and making things. Got to run a metal lathe also.

I believe that these programs in school were a great benefit to me and some others that I know. I am hoping that they will keep them around as I know that my kids will want to take at least a shop class I am sure because even though Mark has taught them a few things they want to take it in school.

[ssmith1627]

My dad was an aircraft mechanic so you'd think I would've learned some things from him but I really didn't. I moved away from home at 18 without knowing much of anything. I learned more about engines during my flying lessons than anything else. Wood working, carpentry, electrical and plumbing I've picked up on my own by watching TV shows, watching others work, magazines, books and talking to you guys ! I agree that most people out there don't know how to do a lot themselves. I think that's part of what spurred me to get in there and learn. I didn't want to have to call someone for every little thing.

As I've posted on here before, my wife and I just adopted a 2 year old back in January. He's all ours now and it's sad to think he might not have the chance to take these different shop classes. I don't know why I didn't in school but I didn't and I really feel like I missed out. My son wants to be right in the middle of anything that I try to fix now and I want to keep that seed growing in him. My father in law has him riding the tractor and even dump trucks and semi's with him and I think it's great. Spark that imagination and show him what's out there. You never know what he might grow up to be -- he should know all the options.

I really like what someone else said too though. It IS about knowing something of how the world works. I felt like I never knew anything when I was 25. My parents just didn't explain much to me or I wasn't interested, I don't know. You should just have it instilled in you to try to look at things and figure them out. Most people these days don't know anything about the weather or when to plant crops or what each kind of tree is. In a lot of ways we're smarter than people from 200 years ago but in many ways we have lost a lot of basic knowledge.

Steve

[gsmittle]

Speaking of "teaching to the test"...

California now has standardized testing, as do most states, AFAIK. I frequently see commentary from educators lamenting that all they do is teach to the test. Unfortunately, most of this commentary tends to run along the lines that the commentator, as a professional educator, knows way more than the lay person can, so no detailed discussion will be forthcoming. Sigh.

When these standardized tests were first proposed I was enthusiastic. I, like many others, was dismayed that young people couldn't make change, right a report, file alphabetically, or do other skills which are normal in the workplace. Standardized tests, in my mind, would solve that. It never occured to me that the curriculum would be limited to the three Rs, only that for sure those basics would be taught.

gsmittle, as an educator, can you tell the me the rational arguments against standardized testing and the impact "on the ground" of their having been implemented? Without those tests how do we assure our young people are at least getting the basics? Why do teachers feel hamstrung by this? Why does standardized testing inhibit teaching beyond the test?

JR

I'll be happy to, but in a new thread in a week or so when I'm done giving tests and finishing up the school year.

g.

[JR]

I'll be happy to, but in a new thread in a week or so when I'm done giving tests and finishing up the school year.

g.

Thanks, I look forward to it.

And thanks to the others who have commented as well. I've been starving for some insight to these issues. I just KNEW that my curmudgeonly perspective was inadequate - "Why can't they teach these kids to add, goldernit!?"

JR

[cabinetman]

When I was in junior high school (now called middle school, and have no knowledge why that was changed), I took a mechanical drawing class. I never took any shop classes. Fortunately, I took a typing class in high school. Now that my hands and fingers don't work so good, I can use two index fingers and don't have to hunt for the right keys.

I think they have phased out some of the shop classes here. They also have phased out driver's ed. That was a sham of a class anyway. With the youth driving today, that program should be reinstated and refocused, and be mandatory.

I must say that life's driving force wasn't taught to me in any school, Boy Scouts, college, or the Army. I was fortunate in having one unbelievable father who taught me how to think, and made me assured that I can do anything I set my mind to.
.

[BrazosJake]

Some gas stations around here are now charging 10 cents less per gallon if you pay cash.

I can remember when stations did charge a few cents extra per gallon to use a card. Now they pretty much require it.

Sorry to say, I haven't changed my own oil or plugs in years, it's just too time-consuming.