The educational system in American is a joke.

"How many millions in a trillion?" I thought this question was ridiculously easy, and I was never a math whiz.

Only 21% of respondents could answer it correctly!

"Um...3, because 'tri'?"  
Most people responded with, "1,000"

Hello? How about NO! Have you ever heard of a BILLION?

Go back to elementary school.

No matter how much education, money, time or ability parents have, they would be hard pressed to turn out kids worse-off than public school kids! I'm firmly convinced of that.

I'm convinced that public school is DESIGNED to create good worker bees who can't think and who are poorly educated -- so they'll be good slaves for the nєω ωσrℓ∂ σr∂єr.



Got Homeschool?

Good decision to homeschool, Matthew. The government schools are a joke.

I am pathetic in Math, but I just need to throw myself at the mercy of Our Lord for the sake of our children.

Last night we did "Super Science" which was a real gross-out-

you mix Borax glue and water to make some disgusting slimy stuff -this has a certain appeal to boys but is horrible for mothers in 100-degree heat and smog alert mode.

We are on an academic crawl around here.

Interesting read and another reason to homeschool:

THE NEW WORLD DISORDER

They're doing it: U.N. makes its move into your school
Program already operating in hundreds of U.S. locations

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: August 10, 2010
9:10 pm Eastern


By Michael Carl
© 2010 WorldNetDaily



The Brown Academy of Chattanooga, Tenn., the 3,000th International Baccalaureate World School
The agenda of the United-Nations-funded and -run International Baccalaureate Curriculum is making massive inroads into America's public schools, with operations already established in more than 1,000 locations.

Worldview Weekend President and Founder Brannon Howse says the program is trying to train American students to embrace an anti-Christian worldview.

"This U.N. curriculum is extremely hostile to Christians. It's hostile to American values and ideas and very big on humanism, redistribution of wealth, and very big on pluralism and that all religions are equal," Howse told WND.

Howse says one of his radio program's listeners is frustrated that there is no outcry from the public.

Here's the instruction manual on an alternative to public schools, in "You've Decided to Homeschool, Now What?"

"The man wrote me an e-mail, and he said, 'It's crazy how we're not informed and how so many parents, Christian parents, are shuffling their kids into these programs thinking it's a good thing, a positive thing," Howse said.

Listen to with Brannon Howse:
 


Howse points to the program's objectives that say the entire curriculum is shaped by the U.N.

According to a report at EdNews.org, the program should overrule any "parochial" values or beliefs, with a heavy focus on a social agenda throughout classes.

"Math Studies curriculum explores problems concerning the weather, environmental protection, conservation and energy. … The statistics unit will examine a variety of problems from a global perspective, such as the disparity of wealth distribution between first- and third-world countries."

The report says Latin students "will examine the ancient world as a sounding board to measure and compare the global issues in a modern world. Students will discuss the impact on the Roman world, as well as their own, of such topics as women's rights, slavery and national imperialism."

The report is highly critical of the International Baccalaureate.

The organization "not only teaches its own worldview, it simultaneously undermines the beliefs and values of the United States (also called the 'American creed')," the report said. It cites an International Baccalaureate teaching page, which says, "Both Democrats and the Republicans supported a more or less unrestrained capitalist system. They believed that it offered unique incentives to hard work and opportunities for all even though there was plenty of evidence that it left many people very poor and a few grotesquely rich."

(Story continues below)

     


A teacher who asked not to be identified believes the standards in Massachusetts, one of the states where the International Baccalaureate has been expanding, are fine the way they are.

"One thing that greatly troubles me is we have an excellent curriculum in Massachusetts public schools. Our frameworks are second to none. Our [standard] is the envy of the nation," the teacher said.

The teacher is also pleased that the current state standards allow for openness to the Bible.

"Did you know we are not only allowed to use the Bible in public schools – it is encouraged as recommended literature?" the teacher asked.

She added that further interference from the federal government will compromise this freedom.

"This past month I believe the liberal legislators on Beacon Hill took Obama's bait (involving financial incentives) and are adopting the federal standards 'Common Core Curriculum.' I very much doubt that the federal standards exalt the Scriptures as quality literature. In our social-studies frameworks, it includes what salvation means, in the life of a Christian. Doubtful the federal common core standards do that," the teacher said.

The Massachusetts teacher's concern for her own state would appear to be justified because the Massachusetts Department of Education website discusses Massachusetts school systems that are introducing the International Baccalaureate Curriculum.

One link is to the Sturgis, Mass., Charter School that lists its International Baccalaureate program among its best practices.

The Sturgis site says, "To foster international awareness and understanding and ensure world-class standards of academic achievement, Sturgis will maintain for membership in the International Baccalaureate."

Later, on the same page, the site boasts, "Ensuring College Readiness: International Baccalaureate for All. Sturgis Charter Public School offers a nonselective International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for students who are admitted to the school by lottery. The school has been successful at ensuring college readiness for all students at the school through the program."

Who is behind the advocacy of the International Baccalaureate program?

Recent evidence of federal involvement is seen in a 2008 position paper issued by the Obama-Biden campaign that openly promoted the International Baccalaureate program.

The statement begins with campaign slogans and speaks of a vision for a "21st Century Education."

Then the statement continues.

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden will create a national 'Make College a Reality' initiative, based on the successful efforts underway in many states to increase the percentage of students taking rigorous courses and assessments, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses."

While not specifically mentioning the International Baccalaureate program by name, the president's website continues to echo the "global" theme.

"At this defining moment in our history, preparing our children to compete in the global economy is one of the most urgent challenges we face," Obama's education issues page said.

A search for references to the International Baccalaureate program leads to the National Education Association website. A 2008 NEA policy brief openly promotes introduction of the International Baccalaureate Curriculum.

"In a revamped high school, the concept of rigor is broadened to include mastery not only of core academic subjects but of the higher-order cognitive skills that the global economy demands. A rigorous high-school program aligns curriculum, instruction and assessment with high standards and high expectations. It focuses on the integration of skills and knowledge. It is coherent and sequential and encourages students to tackle challenging Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and honors courses," the statement recommended.

The NEA further listed an advocacy letter from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisc.

"Researchers and other experts have recommended that these indicators could include graduation rates; postsecondary and career-placement rates; attendance rates; student mobility or transfer rates; the number and percentage of students participating in rigorous coursework (including honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment, early college)," Moore's letter read.

The NEA declined comment on this story.

Support for the program also comes from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. In a May 2010 Council on Foreign Relations forum, Duncan advocated more international integration for U.S. schools.

"I really appreciate the chance to have this conversation. I want to begin by discussing two important trends that inform our drive to transform education here in America. The first is increased international competition and the second is increased international collaboration," Duncan stated.

The reference is to international collaboration, but while he was superintendent of the Chicago Public Schools, Duncan promoted the International Baccalaureate Curriculum.

The Chicago Public Schools website features two pages that discuss the implementation of the International Baccalaureate program in the Chicago schools.

Both pages say one of the goals of the International Baccalaureate Curriculum in Chicago is encouraging students to be globalists. The "Diploma Programme" page lists the goals.

"Goals: Teach students how to learn. Provide an opportunity for each student to strengthen their communication skills. Enable students to become global citizens by encouraging their understanding of people from other countries and cultures," the "Diploma Programme" site said.

President Obama's support for the International Baccalaureate program goes back to his connections with unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers. While the two worked together at the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, the Walter-Annenberg-funded program gave money to Chicago-area schools.

In a docuмent posted on the Truth About the International Baccalaureate website, the Chicago Annenberg Challenge is reported to have given money to the Beverly–Morgan Park Middle School to fund the "Middle Years" International Baccalaureate program.

Further funding for the International Baccalaureate Curriculum comes from such diverse organizations as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation website reports that the group gave over $2 million to the Irving, Texas, public schools.

Other groups that have contributed large sums of money for the adoption of the International Baccalaureate program include former International Baccalaureate Board Chairman Carol Bellamy's Star Network.

The Star Network's World Learning site also lists the George-Soros-connected Tides Foundation, Zonta International, the United States Agency for International Development and Soros' new organization, the Open Society Institute, as donors to the cause.

Worldview Weekend's Howse adds that America's biggest problem is that parents and schools are working against their own interests.

"Here we have 1,095 schools across the country adopting a U.N. curriculum and you have conservatives, whether it's conservative parents, thinking it's great for their kids to be in there, and conservative educators who if you asked them would say they are conservatives. Then you have conservative school-board members who have bought the lie that they can rewrite the curriculum," Howse observed.

"So much for Washington. If Washington waits around, we'll destroy ourselves," Howse said.

WND previously has reported on a growing move in the U.N. that would impact significantly Americans' rights regarding their children's education.

Its programs are being opposed by ParentalRights.org, which was created in response, advocating for a simple addition to the U.S. Constitution. The proposed change would state: "The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right. Neither the United States nor any state shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served."

It also would specify, "No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article."

We decided this year to pull our 3 school age children from the public school system.  We can't afford Catholic school and even if we could afford it, I'm not certain we would do that either.  We began our curriculum in part this summer.  Our younger children age 9 and 6 have taken to it like bees to flowers.  I've already seen a change in their attitudes toward learning and their siblings.  Our 15 year old is a much different story--it's a battle.  Sadly, he is corrupted already by the culture and the school systems approach to learning.  He doesn't really even know how to write a complex sentence and hasn't written in cursive in years.  Whenever we have discussions on historical topics or literature pieces, he sees every thing subjectively.  Words have no meanings or context.  He'd rather spend time with people of his own age and could care less about how his actions affect other people.  I'm embarrassed and saddened by it, but that is what it is.  Public education is science and math heavy, which is all simple regurgitation of facts.  That's all.  See, it's better for young people not to really think or question.  Reading in completely limited to a few selections in Shakespeare and a Pulitzer prize or two.  But even then it's subjective--did you know that Romeo and Juliet weren't ill fated lovers, doomed from the beginning by their own selfishness and passion?  No they were victims of their parents hatred for each other's families and their rigidness.  More time is spent at public school on socialization and dating rituals than education.  This is especially true in High School.  Last year, our senior went to 4 organized dances, played in 2 sports, and traveled on 4 or 5 school sponsored long distance/week long trips.  Our 9th grader lost a design class that he so desperately wanted to take because he had to take an extra math skills class.  The education system is a joke and you are right, it's designed to create good worker bees to work and not ask questions.  We quit...Our kids will be educated completely by us.  

E. Michael Jones said homeschooling is the ultimate counter-revolutionary act. I'd say throwing out the TV is a close second.

E. Michael Jones said homeschooling is the ultimate counter-revolutionary act. I'd say throwing out the TV is a close second.

I am truly grateful that my parents forbade the TV !  What little of it I saw, old movies while babysitting, was pretty fun, I thought.  Joan Crawford! :scared2:

Now it is hideous beyond belief--the commercials are all repulsive ads for perversion or disgusting illness.

My Dad taught Shakespeare for some years, and he always advised watching the movie first, FWIW.  

(not some insulting Romeo and Juliet knock-off, but there are many excellent educational movies faithful to the Classics.)

Yes.

It's easy, really --

1,000,000 = million
1,000,000,000 = billion
1,000,000,000,000 = trillion

Each one is 1000 of the one before it.
Million, billion, trillion -- it's good to know those at least. They DO get thrown around a LOT these days.

For example, if you won "a million dollars" in the lottery, should you quit your job?

Probably not. You'd probably only keep 400,000 of it after taxes, and that wouldn't carry you more than 5 or 10 years, especially if you "treat yourself" to a few nice things for having won. If you paid off the average US mortgage with it, you'd only have 100,000 left, which would only last a year or two, even if you were careful with money.

Matthew