There is a new system called S.T.W (school-to-work) introduced by Marc Tucker, the president of the National Center of Education and the economy. This scheme however, is not totally valid or at least this is the case for Phyllis Schlafly, the president of the eagle forum and the publisher of the monthly Education Reporter since 1986. The two ideas will be introduced clearly later. Tucker wants to put a new master “restructuring” plan for more than 50% of public school children. The plan is to train children in specific jobs to serve the work force and the global economy. The job matching process is supervised by labor market boards and computer assistance.
Moreover, STW regulations and laws prefer to start training children at the earlier possible age, but beginning no later than middle school grades. In the STW scheme, there is no individual grades or honors, instead the idea of “team work” is used for group grading, cooperative learning, job shadowing, mentoring, job sites visits. After they complete their vocational training, they will receive a certificate of mastery. Without it they will not be able to get jobs. Big businesses support STW because thy think that vocational training will help American students to compete in the global economy. “A Seamless web that literally extends from cradle-to-grave and is the same system for every one” are the words said by Phyllis attacking Tucker’s idea.
She thinks that the personal choice in Tucker’s program is absent. For the students have no option in choosing their life time career. It is even too early for them to make a choice any way. Further more, the concept of ” team work ” will eliminate academic competition and personal achievements. Phyllis said that there is a big difference between educating a child and training him. Education is to develop the faculties and powers of a person while training means to make a person or an animal capable of performing a task. And if we are to train our children it will be like training your dog. If it were for me, I would take both ideas into consideration relaying on the fact that learning involves both training and teaching.
Children with Paid Work
Nowadays, more and more children work for money. To some extent, paid work can help children to learn, to take responsibilities and have some extra money. However, it is also controversial to discuss whether or not children should get involved in money pursuit. To my mind, this really has some advantages and disadvantages. Paid work can bring children some income. Children are supposed to get ...
Tucker’s scheme is not totally valid because of the lack of personal and individual achievement, which will cancel the competition between individuals. On the other hand Phyllis is exaggerating about how unsuitable this scheme is. Practical work at an early age is also essential, as it could broaden the child’s view and make him more capable of adapting to real life conditions. Finally a system including both ideas with special arrangement would bring the educational system to a higher and more conceivable level.
