John Spencer Yantiss - Education

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Parents do have an obligation to pay for their children's college. If able, absolutely! Bringing a child into this world is a heavy responsibility, and should not be done, or even considered, heedlessly. Once "the deed has been done," as it were, doing the absolute best for one's progeny is indeed an obligation. Though such may be disdained, that does not lessen or do away with the responsibility.

K through 12 education should not be separated by gender. @Nick put it well on this. Historically, traditionally, education has always been about much more than assembling a massive array of facts. Information, knowledge, without the perspective from and with which to use it, is often more perilous than straight-up ignorance. Regardless of one's view of gender relationships, this is a world made up of men and women, boys and girls, and the better we understand and can deal with that basic reality, the better.

Public schools should require students to wear uniforms. In private schools it has been demonstrated, beyond dispute, that requiring uniforms, to wit, clothing that reflects respect, both self- and for others, creates a sense of--3 guesses!--self-respect and respect for others! What a concept! Does this mean that boys would not be allowed to wear their pants in such a was as to publically display, "strut," their buts? God forbid! Does this mean that girls would not be allowed to wear pants and tops that display anything from one to four inches of upper hip, and belly, even when the pants are so tight that it creates a really unattractive bulge and belly-roll? God forbid! Would it mean that kids had to dress in such a way as to present an image of growing maturity and dignity? God forbid! Notwithstanding those who dismiss outward demonstration of responsibility, and disdain the real responsibility which the demonstration represents, the greatest threat to freedom itself is in fact that very disdain. Freedom is the privilege of exercising responsibility. To the degree that we, individually and, therefore, collectively, are irresponsible, to that very degree are we captives of the ever-growing body of laws to protect the individual from his fellows. As an example, I offer this reality: Quite a few years ago I dated the daughter of the Chairman of the Physics Department at Vanderbuilt University, in Nashville, TN. He and his wife told me of how, on their wedding night they fell asleep in Central Park (New York City, where they both lived at the time--1950s), and awoke to the Sunrise. They had no slightest fear of being mugged, or otherwise molested or attacked. That is because, to an enormous degree people were far more responsibly behaved prior to the mid- and late 60s. O, there were gross inequities in our society, for women, and between what we erroneously call different "races." However, INDIVIDUALLY people behaved with greater respect for others. Our increased disrespect, for ourselves and others, and the collateral irresponsibility in society, only continues to increasingly restrict the very freedoms for which so many claim lewd and slovenly clothing is an expression. Of course, it is also those same people who, rather than actually argue intelligently for a position or opinion, prefer to resort to name-calling and mean, little ravings.

Race should not be a factor when assigning students to public schools.

Meditation should not be incorporated into education. Whose version/interpretation/basis for meditation is going to be used? No, very bad idea.

Higher education is a privilege.

A college degree should be the minimum requirement for public school teachers.

Schools should punish students for not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This should be true for schools in ANY nation. Students should be taught allegiance to their country. If they are "visiting" students, they still need to be taught what it means to be a citizen of the host nation.

Computers in the classroom do significantly enhance student learning.

Universal preschool should not be free in America.

The No Child Left Behind Act should be reauthorized.

The government should not offer cash incentives for better student performance.

The classroom is not an appropriate venue for teachers to express their political opinions.

It is acceptable for courses on the Bible to be taught in public schools.

The No Child Left Behind Act has been effective.

The U.S. military should be allowed to recruit in public high schools.

American schools should not offer bilingual classes for native Spanish-speakers.

Abstinence-only sex education should be taught in schools.

Teachers should receive performance-based merit pay.

Reading should be taught through the whole language approach.

The government should issue vouchers for private school tuition.

Race should not be a factor in the university admission process.

The federal government should increase higher education subsidies for low-income students.

There is political bias in academia.

The public school systems in America would not be improved if they were federalized.

Standardized tests are an effective tool for measuring student learning.

I rate America's education system "Unsatisfactory."

Private school is the most effective method of education.

Prayer should be permitted in public schools.

Private schools should not receive public funding.

The classroom is not an appropriate venue for teachers to express their political opinions.

UNKNOWN: Should states be forced to fund the federally mandated No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act?

UNKNOWN: Should school districts give parents a choice of schools?

UNKNOWN: Should schools practice social promotion?

UNKNOWN: Are arts programs an essential part of education?

UNKNOWN: Should a school have the right to require that a student take Ritalin or similar drugs?

UNKNOWN: Should all-day kindergarten be mandatory?

UNKNOWN: When should schools begin teaching sex education?

UNKNOWN: Should there be a foreign language requirement in public schools?