Standardized Testing

Yong Zhao, a professor at Michigan State University, said, “Education should focus on developing children’s strengths, not “fixing their deficiencies.”’ Children need to focus on what they’re passionate about. Zhao reinforced this concept throughout his speech. If students continue to be pushed to learn something that they don’t like, then they will lose passion. This will eliminate the diversity. Zhao said, “This would eliminate people like Michael Phelps because he can’t read.” In other words, Zhao wants to keep art and music classes because everyone is talented in something; not everyone is good at math—maybe they’re good at history. Zhao also mentioned that schools have mandatory national tests on two subjects, which are math and science. This ignores other classes like history and English. It’s basically telling everyone that only math and science are important. Lastly, Zhao exclaimed, “Education is not a business; it should be faith based like a church!” Zhao went on to say, “We need to preserve the dreams of a child.”

Which country has the best education system, and why?

The answer is Finland.

Here are the reasons why:
1) They have 3 teachers in the classroom at all times. This allows teachers to work one on one with their students and find out what they're having problems with.
2) It's a relaxed environment--kids can ask more questions.
3) They live in superb neighborhoods that value education--only 2 percent of students drop out. While 25 percent of Americans drop out of school.

Here is a list of things that I think they should change in their education system:
1) All teachers have a master's degree. This should be changed--just because you attended school for a longer time doesn't mean that you're more intelligent than someone else. School isn't an accurate measure of a person's intelligence level at all. A lot of well educated men & women didn't even attend college. Bill Gates is a perfect example of this.
2) Over there, they expect students to speak four languages. If they're not going to visit that particular country, then what's the point? I'm sure that most of those kids don't want to learn four languages. Schools should focus on their native language. I'm not saying that foreign languages should be offered. I'm just saying that they shouldn't be mandatory.

Are students memorizing material or learning it?

Most students just memorize useless information for the exam. Once it's over, they just forget everything. Teachers rush students into memorizing things that they will never need to know after they pass the class. When am I going to need to know the phonetic alphabet? I'm not going to be a linguistic's professor, so what's the point of learning it? All of the professors think that students should become "well rounded." All that means is that students should spend more time in the classroom "learning" more useless nonsense and spend more money--when they could be working at a job that they're specialized in. College shouldn't be four years!

Crazy Cruise Line

On “HLN”, they talked about a cruise line that had some passengers & furniture moving to the other side of the room due to a storm. They received many complaints from various passengers. Do you know what the cruise line offered them!?! They received a deal for their next cruise—twenty five percent off. If that happened to me, then I would never want to go on one again. That’s just a scam to get more money. They should have offered a refund, but they’re just too stingy. One of the journalists on “HLN” said, “I watch the whale watching t.v. shows, and even they can track down storms better than this. What are we going to do when we see an iceberg?” With all of the technology that we have, things like this shouldn’t have even occurred.

Man Gets Arrested For Climbing a Skyscraper

A gentleman who is in his late 50’s climbs a skyscraper and gets arrested after he got onto the balcony. It’s illegal because of liability reasons—he might damage the building or hurt himself or someone below. This is like saying a kid at a park might kill another kid at a park if they climbed a slide while the other kid was going down it. These are all what if questions; they’re not necessarily going to happen. That’s why it should be legal.

Absurd Dress Code

There was a ridiculous law that just got passed in New Orleans. If your pants are too low or your skirt is two hands above your knee, then you will be fined two hundred dollars. I really don’t get why you have to be fined at all. These people aren’t hurting or threatening anyone. This is considered racial discrimination. I believe this is just another scheme for the government to earn some money.

Politicians Finally Making Sense!

In Nevada, they just passed a new law. If you pay twenty five dollars, then you will be able to drive ninety miles per hour. I have some questions. How often do you have to pay twenty five dollars? Is it weekly, monthly, or yearly? How do the police know who paid for it?

Is America Headed Towards Communism?

We’re already losing our rights—freedom of: speech, religion, and various other things. Today’s society is forgetting our roots and what this country started on. Don’t forget the principles and morals that we once had. The government is trying to manage all of the businesses. For example, the government thought that McDonalds needed to get rid of the toys in the happy kids’ meals because they were causing childhood obesity. Well, that seems completely unfair. You shouldn’t be able to tell a company to do something. This is hurting their business—these toys aren’t hurting anyone. These toys aren’t making you fat; you’re making yourself and your children fat by going there in the first place. Don’t blame a company for your mistakes. You had the choice whether to stay home and eat an organic salad with dressing on the side or have: a big mac, large fries, and a coke

Absurd School Request

I was watching “Showbiz Tonight” earlier today and they were discussing how schools want some unique school supplies. Now, they want students to purchase: toilet paper, wipes—to disinfect things, and even light bulbs! Citizens are paying higher taxes to give teachers fatter salaries for sitting at their desk and handing the kids a worksheet when the money could be spent on school supplies.

Negative Reinforcement

Millions of people are losing jobs and the media is talking about: “Jersey Shore”, Steven Slater, Mel Gibson’s car accident, Bristol Palin & Levi Johnston, building a mosque near ground zero, and other useless garbage. People should concentrate more on what the government will be doing soon and in the years to come. Our society should be more aware of our surroundings and stop being so ignorant. We’re supporting this nonsense that if you act crazy, then you will get a reality t.v. show and make millions. While people all over the globe have to work at a real job for at least 16 hours a day. Those celebrities complain that they had to work so hard. Well, what did they do? *cough* “Jersey Shore” *cough*

Losing Persistence

Many couples give up on their relationship way too easily. Think before you get married. This is a lifetime commitment—not some party that you get to splurge for. Marriage will affect you & your kids, if you have any, forever.

Pressure for Physical Attraction

He or she is still the same person, so you should love them no matter what. I’ve read stories where their significant other has left them because they were too fat. It’s so tragic how couples remain together because of physical attraction. Both of them will look totally different in ten years, so what will they do then—stay together or break up? What kind of message is this sending for your kids? They will imitate you and think that looking a certain way is acceptable. It’s also sending a message that breaking up is alright—you shouldn’t try to make it last.

Another thought provoking poll!

If your significant other gained 10 pounds would you still love them?

Self Motivation

Do things like losing weight because you want to; not because you feel obligated to so. Don’t conform or do certain norms because your peers pressure you. Be yourself and be happy with who you are. Remember this quote, "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not." If you change for someone else, then they will still complain about you and will think you're a poser. You can't satisfy everyone.

What you can do!

Every person can be of assistance to make our society better. Purchase magazines where people are all shapes and sizes. Walk out the door without your hair and make-up done. This will inspire others to do the same. Also, compliment others when they look more natural; no fake tans, make-up, hair products, and etc.

Here are some questions that we have for you.

1) Is our society too concerned with appearance?
2) Does your job or your significant other pressure you to look a certain way that’s beneficial?
3) Tell us your story. Have you ever felt like you lost a job opportunity because of your looks?

Selfish Regrets

In my previous post, I mentioned how businesses are so: shallow, greedy, selfish, and materialistic. Not only are businesses this way, but people are too. Myriads of couples get married purely based on some of those negative traits that I listed above. Marriage should be about love—not lust. It shouldn’t be about how much money they have or their appearance. Remember this quote, “beauty fades, but dumb is forever.” These people can get married, but they will regret this decision. These companies will feel the same. Sooner they will realize that they need to hire who is going to improve the company more.

Discrimination at the Workplace

Numerous businesses are hiring people based on their appearance. The Today Show talked about this survey that was done to see how important your looks are when you’re looking for a job. According to the survey, “looks are more important than education.” This utterly stunned me. Just because someone is skinnier or has better hygiene doesn’t mean they’re more suitable for the position. The only thing that matters it that: they perform all of the tasks that they were given, do things on time, and are courteous to their coworkers. Who cares if they look better? Our society is so caught up in material things and the exterior of a person when we should be caring about the interior.

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