Comments for The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor Ph.D., Psychology, author, speaker, consultant Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:24:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on A School District Out of Control? by Paulette Jackson http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/11/12/a-school-district-out-of-control/#comment-2166 Paulette Jackson Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:24:08 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=347#comment-2166 Dr. Taylor, My name is Paulette Jackson and I am a friend of Leonard Isenberg. I am another teacher (Education Specialist) who has been with LAUSD since 1991. I complaint about a principal at Daniel Webster Middle School who had been brought in by the district through the Teach America Program. She insisted on making me violated not only district policy, but also state and federal policy relating to student IEPs and their parents right to be a viable part of the development of the IEP. She had no experience with special education and refused to read the policy manual. Long story short, she began to harass me; take away accommodations; move me around the campus to small classrooms that would not accommodate the three grade levels I taught; call students in her office to say things and when they would not right it down--she wrote the notes herself; would not allow me to work with my department teachers (English) in lesson planning; flooding my classroom and destroying hundreds of textbooks and it goes on and on until I finally filed a formal complaint-- she then began to write "Notices of Unsatisfactory Service" disciplinary forms and suspending 17 days without pay. This all began in 2006 and continued without stopping until May 5, 2010 when she pulled me from my class and said that the Board and voted to dismiss me without any hearing or anything. I had more than enough documentation to show what this principal had been engaging in for five years. I was first suspended for 30 days without pay and I have not been paid since May 5, 2010. Lenny testified at my hearing that he could not understand how it was that all the teachers removed was being paid and I had not been paid. Not only did Lenny testify to that, but also, Rene Diedrich also testified to the same thing. I would like to share the documentation I have to show you that the district continues to cover-up what they are doing to prove that the latest incident with Miromontes Elementary School is standard nelegence for the district. I am fighting for my job and name back. If you talk to me, you can find out even more about corruption in LAUSD from the top down including a department they call Staff Relations whose primary job is to protect bad principals and the destroy the teacher's who expose them. You would think that since I was trying to prevent the district from getting sued by parents with students in special education--who from time to time bring outside advocates to the IEP meetings, would be happy about me trying to minimize their liability. Instead, they turned against me. I have received commendations from a former LAUSD superintendent for my special education students testing proficient in district assessment. I have had good evaluations, no parent complaints ever, and no discipline ever until this principal who was unqualified to be a principal came the my school. The school went from approx. 1,300 students down to approximately 689 during her time there. If you go to Lenny's website on Perdaily.com and pull up the archive article date March, 2011 -- you will see what Lenny wrote. Hope to hear from you soon -- my email address is pjac492311@aol.com and my phone number is 323-937-1911 and my name is Paulette Jackson Dr. Taylor,
My name is Paulette Jackson and I am a friend of Leonard Isenberg. I am another teacher (Education Specialist) who has been with LAUSD since 1991. I complaint about a principal at Daniel Webster Middle School who had been brought in by the district through the Teach America Program. She insisted on making me violated not only district policy, but also state and federal policy relating to student IEPs and their parents right to be a viable part of the development of the IEP. She had no experience with special education and refused to read the policy manual. Long story short, she began to harass me; take away accommodations; move me around the campus to small classrooms that would not accommodate the three grade levels I taught; call students in her office to say things and when they would not right it down–she wrote the notes herself; would not allow me to work with my department teachers (English) in lesson planning; flooding my classroom and destroying hundreds of textbooks and it goes on and on until I finally filed a formal complaint– she then began to write “Notices of Unsatisfactory Service” disciplinary forms and suspending 17 days without pay. This all began in 2006 and continued without stopping until May 5, 2010 when she pulled me from my class and said that the Board and voted to dismiss me without any hearing or anything. I had more than enough documentation to show what this principal had been engaging in for five years. I was first suspended for 30 days without pay and I have not been paid since May 5, 2010. Lenny testified at my hearing that he could not understand how it was that all the teachers removed was being paid and I had not been paid. Not only did Lenny testify to that, but also, Rene Diedrich also testified to the same thing. I would like to share the documentation I have to show you that the district continues to cover-up what they are doing to prove that the latest incident with Miromontes Elementary School is standard nelegence for the district. I am fighting for my job and name back. If you talk to me, you can find out even more about corruption in LAUSD from the top down including a department they call Staff Relations whose primary job is to protect bad principals and the destroy the teacher’s who expose them. You would think that since I was trying to prevent the district from getting sued by parents with students in special education–who from time to time bring outside advocates to the IEP meetings, would be happy about me trying to minimize their liability. Instead, they turned against me. I have received commendations from a former LAUSD superintendent for my special education students testing proficient in district assessment. I have had good evaluations, no parent complaints ever, and no discipline ever until this principal who was unqualified to be a principal came the my school. The school went from approx. 1,300 students down to approximately 689 during her time there. If you go to Lenny’s website on Perdaily.com and pull up the archive article date March, 2011 — you will see what Lenny wrote. Hope to hear from you soon — my email address is pjac492311@aol.com and my phone number is 323-937-1911 and my name is Paulette Jackson

]]> Comment on Is This the Future of American Values? by laviera, photography and people lover http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2012/02/06/is-this-the-future-of-american-values/#comment-2164 laviera, photography and people lover Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:34:16 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=619#comment-2164 "none are so hopelessly enslaved as those who wrongfully believe they are free"- unknown. If the parents are consumed with media, altered by it and dont even know it, the children have no chance. The thing is, the parents will be the first to defend their mental independence from media, which ofcourse is a delusion. “none are so hopelessly enslaved as those who wrongfully believe they are free”- unknown.

If the parents are consumed with media, altered by it and dont even know it, the children have no chance. The thing is, the parents will be the first to defend their mental independence from media, which ofcourse is a delusion.

]]> Comment on I’m Terrified for My Daughters by Caty http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2011/09/28/im-terrified-for-my-daughters/#comment-2030 Caty Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:08:02 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=609#comment-2030 Wow - how will you keep your daughters in that bubble forever? I am raising three wonderful young people (2 boys and 1 girl) to be intelligent, perceptive and discerning. I do this by discussing what they see and hear on television, the Internet, in public and in school. Television and Internet are very limited, in our home, but not banned, because how is that realistic? As they grow, the selections and limitations change. We are open and honest with each other and have frequent deep discussions about everything. As a result, they understand and respect the values and morals that guide their lives and make them better people. The outcome, I am proud to say, is that I have two teenage sons who are amazing and outstanding gentlemen who value women and honor true love and marriage. I also have a teenage daughter who values and respects herself in spite of, (or maybe because of) the degrading females glorified in the media. In this particular case, my children WANT to be the 1% ! Wow – how will you keep your daughters in that bubble forever? I am raising three wonderful young people (2 boys and 1 girl) to be intelligent, perceptive and discerning. I do this by discussing what they see and hear on television, the Internet, in public and in school. Television and Internet are very limited, in our home, but not banned, because how is that realistic? As they grow, the selections and limitations change. We are open and honest with each other and have frequent deep discussions about everything. As a result, they understand and respect the values and morals that guide their lives and make them better people. The outcome, I am proud to say, is that I have two teenage sons who are amazing and outstanding gentlemen who value women and honor true love and marriage. I also have a teenage daughter who values and respects herself in spite of, (or maybe because of) the degrading females glorified in the media. In this particular case, my children WANT to be the 1% !

]]> Comment on The Greatest Phenom You’ve Never Heard of by abjsport http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2011/01/03/the-greatest-phenom-youve-never-heard-of/#comment-2014 abjsport Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:03:31 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=389#comment-2014 Select a local community that will enable one to best live your health. Lots of people select towns based on universities. Would you like use of shopping and public transit? Is usage of local services such as libraries and also galleries crucial that you a person? Or even would you prefer the tranquility of your rural community? Select a local community that will enable one to best live your health. Lots of people select towns based on universities. Would you like use of shopping and public transit? Is usage of local services such as libraries and also galleries crucial that you a person? Or even would you prefer the tranquility of your rural community?

]]> Comment on I’m Terrified for My Daughters by Mirna http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2011/09/28/im-terrified-for-my-daughters/#comment-1997 Mirna Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:29:13 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=609#comment-1997 You calling certain women in your article "ugly" or "unattractive" for not measuring up to you or societies' standards of acceptable beauty is part of the problem. This article was obviously written by a male and the fact you think you understand the problem, yet made those statements only demonstrates the depth of the real problem. As for the 1960's the most surprising thing I find flipping through magazines from that era is they actually used normal, average people in their ads and features. Wives were actually middle aged, with frumpy haircuts and modest clothes! Young women wore no make-up and proper clothes! Wives and women on sitcoms werent skinny, young super models but looked appropriate to their TV husbands or roles - mrs. Archie bunker, Aunt Bea, Maude, Goodtimes, etc...Don't be so quick to dump on past eras, for all their faults they shied away from the hyper sexualization demanded of all females appearing in the media today. You calling certain women in your article “ugly” or “unattractive” for not measuring up to you or societies’ standards of acceptable beauty is part of the problem. This article was obviously written by a male and the fact you think you understand the problem, yet made those statements only demonstrates the depth of the real problem.

As for the 1960′s the most surprising thing I find flipping through magazines from that era is they actually used normal, average people in their ads and features. Wives were actually middle aged, with frumpy haircuts and modest clothes! Young women wore no make-up and proper clothes! Wives and women on sitcoms werent skinny, young super models but looked appropriate to their TV husbands or roles – mrs. Archie bunker, Aunt Bea, Maude, Goodtimes, etc…Don’t be so quick to dump on past eras, for all their faults they shied away from the hyper sexualization demanded of all females appearing in the media today.

]]> Comment on Punish the Parents for Failing Students? by kids events in San Francisco http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2011/06/06/punish-the-parents-for-failing-students/#comment-1726 kids events in San Francisco Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:45:55 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=557#comment-1726 i think, it's not only the fault of parents at all. yes, some parents can't be much sharing with the education of their children. but again, parents have another few worlds too to maintain. for failing students, the reason is mainly the unavailability that results a lack of communication with children. now, if you use the word 'motivate', it's OK. but i don't think that punishing is effective at all. i think, it’s not only the fault of parents at all. yes, some parents can’t be much sharing with the education of their children. but again, parents have another few worlds too to maintain. for failing students, the reason is mainly the unavailability that results a lack of communication with children. now, if you use the word ‘motivate’, it’s OK. but i don’t think that punishing is effective at all.

]]> Comment on S.T.A.M.P.E.R. not S.T.E.M. For Public Education Reform by Tweets that mention S.T.A.M.P.E.R. not S.T.E.M. For Public Education Reform - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/10/25/s-t-a-m-p-e-r-not-s-t-e-m-for-public-education-reform/#comment-247 Tweets that mention S.T.A.M.P.E.R. not S.T.E.M. For Public Education Reform - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:34:50 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=319#comment-247 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Child Development , Classroom Supply. Classroom Supply said: S.T.A.M.P.E.R. not S.T.E.M. For Public Education Reform - The ... http://tinyurl.com/25j76c6 [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Child Development , Classroom Supply. Classroom Supply said: S.T.A.M.P.E.R. not S.T.E.M. For Public Education Reform – The … http://tinyurl.com/25j76c6 [...]

]]> Comment on Television — and America — on the Couch by Television — and America — on the Couch - The Cluttered Mind … | americantoday http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/10/18/television-and-america-on-the-couch/#comment-229 Television — and America — on the Couch - The Cluttered Mind … | americantoday Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:46:25 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=315#comment-229 [...] and dangerous world, many Americans need clarity and comfort in … View original here: Television — and America — on the Couch - The Cluttered Mind … Share and [...] [...] and dangerous world, many Americans need clarity and comfort in … View original here: Television — and America — on the Couch – The Cluttered Mind … Share and [...]

]]> Comment on Of What Value a High School Diploma? by Koloradokyd http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/26/of-what-value-a-high-school-diploma/#comment-228 Koloradokyd Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:35:15 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=105#comment-228 Just happened to catch this from a google. I teach High School math. I'm a career changer, having been in engineering and now I'm retired and teaching (for fun!). YOU ARE TOO RIGHT about shop class. Shop IS NOT anti-college. I took shop, metal, wood and mechanical drafting AND I went to a state University and took a BS in Applied Math. One of the areas where students struggle is number sense and estimation. Wood shop is the place to learn that! It's a crime that shop is being shut down in high schools. Give me a kid with trig and some hands on in the shop and I bet there's a better chance of college success than calc and no working with the hands!! Just happened to catch this from a google. I teach High School math. I’m a career changer, having been in engineering and now I’m retired and teaching (for fun!).

YOU ARE TOO RIGHT about shop class. Shop IS NOT anti-college. I took shop, metal, wood and mechanical drafting AND I went to a state University and took a BS in Applied Math.

One of the areas where students struggle is number sense and estimation. Wood shop is the place to learn that!

It’s a crime that shop is being shut down in high schools. Give me a kid with trig and some hands on in the shop and I bet there’s a better chance of college success than calc and no working with the hands!!

]]> Comment on Stanford Charter School Fails to Make the Grade by YouTube Instant? http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/09/24/stanford-charter-school-fails-to-make-the-grade/#comment-195 YouTube Instant? Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:48:25 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=289#comment-195 [...] Stanford Charter School Fails to Make the Grade – The Cluttered … [...] [...] Stanford Charter School Fails to Make the Grade – The Cluttered … [...]

]]> Comment on Stanford Charter School Fails to Make the Grade by Prospectus CHARTER FINANCIAL CORP – 9-24-2010 | Catadoc.com http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/09/24/stanford-charter-school-fails-to-make-the-grade/#comment-179 Prospectus CHARTER FINANCIAL CORP – 9-24-2010 | Catadoc.com Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:47:11 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=289#comment-179 [...] Stanford Charter School Fails to Make the Grade – The Cluttered … [...] [...] Stanford Charter School Fails to Make the Grade – The Cluttered … [...]

]]> Comment on I Don’t Care about LeBron James or Lindsay Lohan or… by Dr. Jim Taylor http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/09/20/i-dont-care-about-lebron-james-or-lindsay-lohan-or%e2%80%a6/#comment-164 Dr. Jim Taylor Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:10:54 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=285#comment-164 I welcome substantive feedback in which commenters might agree or disagree with my views. But your comment offered nothing of value because you don't tell me why I should lose my job (and which job are you referring to?). Please elaborate. I welcome substantive feedback in which commenters might agree or disagree with my views. But your comment offered nothing of value because you don’t tell me why I should lose my job (and which job are you referring to?).

Please elaborate.

]]> Comment on I Don’t Care about LeBron James or Lindsay Lohan or… by MEATBAG http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/09/20/i-dont-care-about-lebron-james-or-lindsay-lohan-or%e2%80%a6/#comment-161 MEATBAG Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:05:15 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=285#comment-161 You should lose your job. You should lose your job.

]]> Comment on Should Bad Parenting Be a Crime? by Electronics Awareness – with kids a full time job | Parenting help in Texas http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/09/03/should-bad-parenting-be-a-crime/#comment-122 Electronics Awareness – with kids a full time job | Parenting help in Texas Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:57:51 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=265#comment-122 [...] Should Bad Parenting Be a Crime? – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered … [...] [...] Should Bad Parenting Be a Crime? – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered … [...]

]]> Comment on Has America Lost its Self-respect? by Abc Coaching And Counselling Services. | hard drive recovery http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/08/23/has-america-lost-its-self-respect/#comment-109 Abc Coaching And Counselling Services. | hard drive recovery Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:37:26 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=255#comment-109 [...] Has America Lost its Self-respect? – The Cluttered Mind … [...] [...] Has America Lost its Self-respect? – The Cluttered Mind … [...]

]]> Comment on Has America Lost its Self-respect? by Has America Lost its Self-respect? - The Cluttered Mind … | americantoday http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/08/23/has-america-lost-its-self-respect/#comment-107 Has America Lost its Self-respect? - The Cluttered Mind … | americantoday Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:25:37 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=255#comment-107 [...] the original post: Has America Lost its Self-respect? - The Cluttered Mind … Share and [...] [...] the original post: Has America Lost its Self-respect? – The Cluttered Mind … Share and [...]

]]> Comment on Has America Lost its Self-respect? by Pull Him/her Down Syndrome And Attitudinal Change In Sierra Leone | business suit http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/08/23/has-america-lost-its-self-respect/#comment-106 Pull Him/her Down Syndrome And Attitudinal Change In Sierra Leone | business suit Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:21:49 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=255#comment-106 [...] Has America Lost its Self-respect? – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered – Connecticut News [...] [...] Has America Lost its Self-respect? – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered – Connecticut News [...]

]]> Comment on Seven Reasons I Really Dislike Public Education Reform by Phill Lombardo http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/08/16/seven-reasons-i-really-dislike-race-to-the-top/#comment-105 Phill Lombardo Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:21:18 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=245#comment-105 I agree with Dr. Taylor on all points except #4. While some educators will cheat, most will not. What teachers will do is quit. Teachers quit when they feel that they are doing more harm than good. I agree with Dr. Taylor on all points except #4. While some educators will cheat, most will not. What teachers will do is quit. Teachers quit when they feel that they are doing more harm than good.

]]> Comment on Am I a Technology Doomsayer? Or Ten Things I Love About Technology by Acase Flexible Portable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard For Apple Ipad … http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/08/20/am-i-a-technology-doomsayer-or-ten-things-i-love-about-technology/#comment-104 Acase Flexible Portable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard For Apple Ipad … Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:02:04 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=251#comment-104 [...] Am I a Technology Doomsayer? Or Ten Things I Love About Technology … [...] [...] Am I a Technology Doomsayer? Or Ten Things I Love About Technology … [...]

]]> Comment on Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume by pop culture: organic food or fast food? » MDIA1001 – Media Literacies http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/06/05/popular-culture-we-are-what-we-consume/#comment-98 pop culture: organic food or fast food? » MDIA1001 – Media Literacies Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:55:05 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=129#comment-98 [...] ‘Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume’, Connecticut Post, 5 June, viewed 6 August 2010, <http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/06/05/popular-culture-we-are-what-we-consume/> 0 Comments Filed in T09A, arts and entertainment, general observations, lifestyle: [...] [...] ‘Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume’, Connecticut Post, 5 June, viewed 6 August 2010, <http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/06/05/popular-culture-we-are-what-we-consume/> 0 Comments Filed in T09A, arts and entertainment, general observations, lifestyle: [...]

]]> Comment on Disconnectivity Anxiety by ivy on how to cure anxiety http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/07/26/disconnectivity-anxiety/#comment-90 ivy on how to cure anxiety Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:11:49 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=203#comment-90 Upon reading this article, I can say it's true for my case. But aside from the point discussed regarding why we are anxious is that we do not get the expected service for the value of money we pay to become connected. If the service is free and we become disconnected our reaction would not be as harsh as when we are paying. In any case, if we let DA and other forms of anxiety control us we will just be looser to ourselves. To cure anxiety, first and foremost is acceptance and attitude. And, don't take things too serious. Upon reading this article, I can say it’s true for my case. But aside from the point discussed regarding why we are anxious is that we do not get the expected service for the value of money we pay to become connected. If the service is free and we become disconnected our reaction would not be as harsh as when we are paying.
In any case, if we let DA and other forms of anxiety control us we will just be looser to ourselves.
To cure anxiety, first and foremost is acceptance and attitude.
And, don’t take things too serious.

]]> Comment on Disconnectivity Anxiety by Articles » Blog Archive » Anxiety and Agoraphobia http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/07/26/disconnectivity-anxiety/#comment-86 Articles » Blog Archive » Anxiety and Agoraphobia Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:13:31 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=203#comment-86 [...] Disconnectivity Anxiety – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered …Relaxation Techniques For Anxiety How to Deal With Stress …Help Stop Anxiety: Hypnosis To Overcome AnxietyThe Age of Anxiety. Buy cheap Xanax (Alprazolam) without …How to Recognise Anxiety in a Child | Milinda's Question "Are You …Buy Pills Now Blog Archive How much does xanax help with anxiety? [...] [...] Disconnectivity Anxiety – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered …Relaxation Techniques For Anxiety How to Deal With Stress …Help Stop Anxiety: Hypnosis To Overcome AnxietyThe Age of Anxiety. Buy cheap Xanax (Alprazolam) without …How to Recognise Anxiety in a Child | Milinda's Question "Are You …Buy Pills Now Blog Archive How much does xanax help with anxiety? [...]

]]> Comment on Disconnectivity Anxiety by Mental Disorders 101 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/07/26/disconnectivity-anxiety/#comment-83 Mental Disorders 101 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:46:07 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=203#comment-83 <strong>Disconnectivity Anxiety - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered ......</strong> I found your entry interesting do I've added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)... Disconnectivity Anxiety – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered ……

I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :) …

]]> Comment on Of What Value a High School Diploma? by Are You a Recent College Grad? | Why Self-Help Rarely Helps http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/26/of-what-value-a-high-school-diploma/#comment-72 Are You a Recent College Grad? | Why Self-Help Rarely Helps Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:46:34 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=105#comment-72 [...] less give you a seat on the team. Just FYI, check out What Value is a College Diploma?, and What’s the Use of Graduating High School? That should be food for thought for you, but it’s not what I’m getting at right now. Now I want [...] [...] less give you a seat on the team. Just FYI, check out What Value is a College Diploma?, and What’s the Use of Graduating High School? That should be food for thought for you, but it’s not what I’m getting at right now. Now I want [...]

]]> Comment on Failing Students, Not Failing Schools by Robert Weissberg http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/07/16/failing-students-not-failing-schools/#comment-71 Robert Weissberg Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:01:14 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=210#comment-71 Dear Jim: I can't believe that there is a second person out there who has reached this obvious conclusion. I thought I was the only one. My book, Bad Students, Not Bad Schools explains it all in tedious detail. It has a website: badstudentsnotbadschools.com. We should talk further. Bob Dear Jim:

I can’t believe that there is a second person out there who has reached this obvious conclusion. I thought I was the only one. My book, Bad Students, Not Bad Schools explains it all in tedious detail. It has a website: badstudentsnotbadschools.com.

We should talk further.

Bob

]]> Comment on iPhone: High-tech Child Abuse? by Tweets that mention iPhone: High-tech Child Abuse? - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/07/12/iphone-the-new-child-abuse/#comment-69 Tweets that mention iPhone: High-tech Child Abuse? - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:19:08 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=191#comment-69 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jim Duncan. Jim Duncan said: iPhone: High-tech Child Abuse? - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered ... http://bit.ly/cWBIp6 [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jim Duncan. Jim Duncan said: iPhone: High-tech Child Abuse? – The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered … http://bit.ly/cWBIp6 [...]

]]> Comment on The Dark Side of Youth Sports Superstardom by A parent in the sidelines http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/07/05/the-dark-side-of-youth-sports-superstardom/#comment-65 A parent in the sidelines Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:36:54 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=179#comment-65 Excellent article. The happiness and health of a child should be first and foremost. Excellent article. The happiness and health of a child should be first and foremost.

]]> Comment on Politics: Can We Find Common Ground? by Politics: Can We Find Common Ground? - The Cluttered Mind … | americantoday http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/06/30/politics-can-we-find-common-ground/#comment-59 Politics: Can We Find Common Ground? - The Cluttered Mind … | americantoday Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:11:33 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=175#comment-59 [...] is the original: Politics: Can We Find Common Ground? - The Cluttered Mind … Share and [...] [...] is the original: Politics: Can We Find Common Ground? – The Cluttered Mind … Share and [...]

]]> Comment on Obstacles to Public Education Reform by Tweets that mention Obstacles to Public Education Reform - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/06/18/obstacles-to-public-education-reform/#comment-47 Tweets that mention Obstacles to Public Education Reform - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:06:22 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=156#comment-47 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Zen Benefiel and Zen Benefiel, Classroom Supply. Classroom Supply said: Obstacles to Public Education Reform - The Cluttered Mind ... http://tinyurl.com/32l3pty [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Zen Benefiel and Zen Benefiel, Classroom Supply. Classroom Supply said: Obstacles to Public Education Reform – The Cluttered Mind … http://tinyurl.com/32l3pty [...]

]]> Comment on Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume by Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume - The Cluttered Mind … « Internet Cafe Solution http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/06/05/popular-culture-we-are-what-we-consume/#comment-43 Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume - The Cluttered Mind … « Internet Cafe Solution Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:13:43 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=129#comment-43 [...] More:  Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume - The Cluttered Mind … [...] [...] More:  Popular Culture: We Are What We Consume – The Cluttered Mind … [...]

]]> Comment on Of What Value a High School Diploma? by Dr. Jim Taylor http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/26/of-what-value-a-high-school-diploma/#comment-33 Dr. Jim Taylor Thu, 27 May 2010 17:20:34 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=105#comment-33 Thanks for the good words and perspective, VB. You might be interested in some of my other education posts (which I haven't posted on ctnews.com yet. http://drjimtaylor.com/blog/archives/education/ Thanks for the good words and perspective, VB.

You might be interested in some of my other education posts (which I haven’t posted on ctnews.com yet.

http://drjimtaylor.com/blog/archives/education/

]]> Comment on Of What Value a High School Diploma? by VB http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/26/of-what-value-a-high-school-diploma/#comment-32 VB Thu, 27 May 2010 17:10:46 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=105#comment-32 Dr. Taylor, I agree with you that there should be two tracks. I also agree with many of the reasons you cited for the poor performance of the students and the decreased amount of students who go on to college. As a "minority", when I was in highschool, I had a guidance counselor who discouraged me from attending college and who told me if I was lucky I would be accepted at a community college. He encouraged me to not even bother applying. I was first generation in this country and although I had a very intelligent single parent, she was not a college graduate, and so I did not have the benfit of her experience. I had a naive heart that actually liked and cared about my guidance counselor, but certainly was not going to listen to that advice. I applied to four universities, all of which offered me admission and I went on to graduate from the University. My minority peers, in the workplace and beyond, shared similar experiences of attempts by individuals to discourage them. The difference betweeen my peer and myself from others was that we did not listen to those people. Now I have a fourteen year old daughter in high school and I am shocked by several things. At least most of my teachers in my high school taught me well and cared if I learned.....I am finding this to largely not to be so. The expectations that the teachers have of today's students are much lower. Some teachers give students the answers to tests and the children are given opportunities to take the tests over if they do not pass it with a favorable grade, on a regular basis. What are most troubling are the control issues that are displayed by many of the teachers and the assumptions that all students are "bad." Teachers have a major responsibility in shaping lives. As a very involved parent, I know this because I make it my business to know what is going on. I encourage my child and assist her but I find that often I am also doing the teaching that the teachers are paid to do. Education is not what it used to be and the adults that work in the schools do not always have the guts to be the role models to these children that I believe they have a responsibility to be. I've been told that the parents are often worse than the students, but I see that as an excuse. I beleive that the school administrators have to step up and show a no tolerance policy for irresponsiblity, discrimination and incompetence on the part of the faculty as well as the students and that the oucome will shock the socks off of everyone. The students need to be led in the right direction and it starts with the parents, but role modeling by the teachers and school administrators will go a long way as the students spend an enormous amount of time in school. They need to guide and encourage each student to achieve his/her utmost potential. Every student has promise, we just need to help them discover what has been programed into them and them provide the resources that they need to perfect it. Finally, as one example, the Seniors or older students in a school, should be the role models for all of the rest of the students in not only how to achieve academic excellence, but in integrity and how to treat eachother with dignity and respect. This is a change of culture, but it can happen. I have seen it done, where on the first day of school the eighth graders give advise to the sevneth graders etc. and encourange the new comers to press on and not be afraid, and they give them tips on how to make it. It creates an environment where not only do the teachers care about the students success, but the children care about eachother's success. I BELIEVE THAT AS ADULTS WE CAN MAKE THE FUTURE BETTER, WE JUST HAVE TO SPEAK UP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE. I AGREE WITH THE TWO TRACKS AS EVERYONE'S UTMOST POTENTIAL IS DIFFERENT ADN EVERYONE HAS POTENTIAL. Thank you for the opportunity to share. Dr. Taylor, I agree with you that there should be two tracks. I also agree with many of the reasons you cited for the poor performance of the students and the decreased amount of students who go on to college. As a “minority”, when I was in highschool, I had a guidance counselor who discouraged me from attending college and who told me if I was lucky I would be accepted at a community college. He encouraged me to not even bother applying. I was first generation in this country and although I had a very intelligent single parent, she was not a college graduate, and so I did not have the benfit of her experience. I had a naive heart that actually liked and cared about my guidance counselor, but certainly was not going to listen to that advice. I applied to four universities, all of which offered me admission and I went on to graduate from the University. My minority peers, in the workplace and beyond, shared similar experiences of attempts by individuals to discourage them. The difference betweeen my peer and myself from others was that we did not listen to those people. Now I have a fourteen year old daughter in high school and I am shocked by several things. At least most of my teachers in my high school taught me well and cared if I learned…..I am finding this to largely not to be so. The expectations that the teachers have of today’s students are much lower. Some teachers give students the answers to tests and the children are given opportunities to take the tests over if they do not pass it with a favorable grade, on a regular basis. What are most troubling are the control issues that are displayed by many of the teachers and the assumptions that all students are “bad.” Teachers have a major responsibility in shaping lives. As a very involved parent, I know this because I make it my business to know what is going on. I encourage my child and assist her but I find that often I am also doing the teaching that the teachers are paid to do. Education is not what it used to be and the adults that work in the schools do not always have the guts to be the role models to these children that I believe they have a responsibility to be. I’ve been told that the parents are often worse than the students, but I see that as an excuse. I beleive that the school administrators have to step up and show a no tolerance policy for irresponsiblity, discrimination and incompetence on the part of the faculty as well as the students and that the oucome will shock the socks off of everyone. The students need to be led in the right direction and it starts with the parents, but role modeling by the teachers and school administrators will go a long way as the students spend an enormous amount of time in school. They need to guide and encourage each student to achieve his/her utmost potential. Every student has promise, we just need to help them discover what has been programed into them and them provide the resources that they need to perfect it. Finally, as one example, the Seniors or older students in a school, should be the role models for all of the rest of the students in not only how to achieve academic excellence, but in integrity and how to treat eachother with dignity and respect. This is a change of culture, but it can happen. I have seen it done, where on the first day of school the eighth graders give advise to the sevneth graders etc. and encourange the new comers to press on and not be afraid, and they give them tips on how to make it. It creates an environment where not only do the teachers care about the students success, but the children care about eachother’s success. I BELIEVE THAT AS ADULTS WE CAN MAKE THE FUTURE BETTER, WE JUST HAVE TO SPEAK UP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE. I AGREE WITH THE TWO TRACKS AS EVERYONE’S UTMOST POTENTIAL IS DIFFERENT ADN EVERYONE HAS POTENTIAL. Thank you for the opportunity to share.

]]> Comment on Academic Rat Race a Race to Nowhere by Christina Haskin http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/17/academic-rat-race-a-race-to-nowhere/#comment-7 Christina Haskin Thu, 20 May 2010 16:55:51 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=83#comment-7 Great post. Well said. Great post. Well said.

]]> Comment on Bristol Palin: Speaker for Hire by BingoBotti http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/18/bristol-palin-speaker-for-hire/#comment-5 BingoBotti Thu, 20 May 2010 02:51:30 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=87#comment-5 what is this world coming to? what is this world coming to?

]]> Comment on Bristol Palin: Speaker for Hire by elwood http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/18/bristol-palin-speaker-for-hire/#comment-4 elwood Wed, 19 May 2010 19:52:36 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=87#comment-4 I agree with you! I cannot believe anyone would pay her $30,000 to speak about abstinence or teen pregnancy when she doesn't seem to know much about abstaining, and she is no professional on teen pregnancy. Heck, they could get a teen mother from that MTV show for much less! I agree with you!
I cannot believe anyone would pay her $30,000 to speak about abstinence or teen pregnancy when she doesn’t seem to know much about abstaining, and she is no professional on teen pregnancy.
Heck, they could get a teen mother from that MTV show for much less!

]]> Comment on What Makes the Great Ones Great? by Tweets that mention What Makes the Great Ones Great? - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/2010/05/13/what-makes-the-great-ones-great/#comment-3 Tweets that mention What Makes the Great Ones Great? - The Cluttered Mind Uncluttered - Connecticut News -- Topsy.com Sat, 15 May 2010 21:54:31 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/taylor/?p=15#comment-3 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Connecticut Post. Connecticut Post said: So what do Tom Brady, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, and Lisa Leslie have that you don’t? http://bit.ly/bRiPkg [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Connecticut Post. Connecticut Post said: So what do Tom Brady, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, and Lisa Leslie have that you don’t? http://bit.ly/bRiPkg [...]

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