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Show East Edition Citizens Wednesday, February 12, 1997 Competition to be shaped with an externally imposed curriculum. Teachers needs of managers — politicians and business executives — whose desires are conveyed as curriculumand enforced with standardized achievement tests. These tests are the only way managers know how to hold work- ers accountable. It is a system whereinstudents serve the needs ofteachers. who serve the needs of administrators, who obediently carry out the wishesof electedof ficials. while parents watch with frustration fromthesidelines. In our public education systemstu: dents compete for nearly everything. including grades, honors. scholarships, athletics, and starEditor's Note: Tireless in the quest for recently cornereda few reg folks downtown ter Mall, pointed a came ens nions, we at the ZCMI Cen hem, and asked What are some good ideas to inspire romance on Valentine’s Day? Shortly after World War Il. J Edwards Deming tried to convinee America’s business leaders that it would be beneficial to reworkers in the factories. Unfortu- Valentine's Day we went out to dinner, which was very nice, This time we'll probably go out again. and just promise eachother to be life-long good friends and to love each other more than ever ‘andita Dsouze an to producethe best auto- What I was going to do for my fiance was to get this Polo bag that she wanted. I was going to buy the bag and fill it with roses that way. you got something she wanted, and you've got your tra Brad Watt Salt Lake City Nandita Dsouze A dozen red roses as a sur prise would be really nice, Or Or surprise tickets for a trip or something. A nice Jennifer Stephens Salt Lake City warmer, something outside wouldbe good. Oth er than that, oils, lotions, feath. ers. Actually a lot of things can work pretty well Do Salt Lake City noonlit My point is this: Thereis much more to be gained through cooperationthan through competition A political/corporate, competitive model for education is wrong who carry out the demands of managers. They are professionals who need our respect and sup- port. Learners are more like consumers who go shopping for knowledge and carefully select what they buy. Students are people, not products: a product is shaped or assembled externally. by human or mechanical means. while a person builds himself or herself. If we were to viewlearners as creative consumers who are looking for the raw material with which to build themselves, we would treat them much differently than we do in our traditional system of education We now have research on the brain to confirm what Plato said hundreds of years ago: “Knowledge acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.” We know that personal inquiry is the primary modeof humanlearning and that exter hike where in the foothills, fol b an intimate dinner and lowedby then sitting in front of afireplace with my husband mposed cur- riculumresults in shallow, temporary knowledge. The competition for grades in traditional schools results in students memorizing material to pass tests and forget- ting it soon thereafter. Unless a studentis really seeking the infor- tool for achieving quality and excellence.” Thepoliticians and business leaders do not have a clear vision of what education is supposed to accomplish, but feel that. if there is enough competi tion within the system. the jobwill somehow get done A changein the basic character of our public system from auto- cratie to democratic, from competition to cooperationis needed. A fewyears agoI wasinvolved in a project in which parents. teachers and students worked democrati- cally to create a different vision of education. In two schools, Hill Field Ele- mentary in Clearfield and E.M Whitesides in Layton. the teach- ers and PTAorganized series of one-on-one meetings between parents and teachers to establish commongoals and developa cooperative working relationship. They agreed on an overriding educational purpose: To develop great humanbeings whoare valu- focus on the needs of individual students. They also required a shift fromparentsas spectators to parents as full partners. We found the major purpose and goals for education to be the responsibility of both home and school Thethree dimensions of human greatness called for a shift in the way curriculum was used. Instead of it being the main purpose ofeducation, curriculum became the meansof helping students ac- complish their goals. In other words, curriculum shifted from the role of boss to the role of servant Onenotablestrategycreated at E.M. Whitesides Elementary School was the Great Brain Project, in whichstudents wereinvited to become “specialists. x masterminds’ or perts geniuses” in topics of their own choice with parents acting as research partners. This project openedthefloodgatesof personal inquiry. We watched many stu- learners grow in three major di- dents who previously had been apatheticlearners with discipline problems become eager seekers mensions of humangreatne: of knowledge able contributors to society. They also agreed on a goal: To help © Identity — cultivate individ- ual gifts, talents. interests, and abilities. Developself-worth, and After watching students, teach- ers, and parents engagein a coop- mation that is being taught, it will not be integrated into his or her life. It is ironic that the political/corporate model of education in a vision of one’s unique ways of erative endeavor, there is no question in my mind as to whether contributing cooperation is better than compe- democratic. It is autocratic vores and through, with a hierof management that pros competition as its major powers of love, kindness. respect this great land of freedom is not @ Inquiry — magnify curiosity and help learners develop their personal learning styles @ Interaction — develop the communication and cooperation These’ goals required a shift fram a focus on curriculum to a tition. If we want to touch hearts and change lives, democratic co- operationis the way to go. In the meantime, I support the proposal to allowa refundable income tax credit to parents who choose to educate their children outside of the publicschool system Credit Continued from Page 1 learning style, interests, and special needs. But it is also aceurate to point out that onl) Tuition tax credits would allow families who cannot presently select an independent school romantic surprise John tion, but through cooperation. becauselearners arenot products ditional Valentine's Day gift coming home to a surprise candlelight dinner is very romantic. nately, the business leaders were so ingrained in authoritarianism that they rejected Deming and his ideas. You know the rest of the story pee went to Japan where busine xecutive mn braced his ideas aa the factories mobiles (and other products) in the world. not through competi- Northbergen, N.J. Proba productions spect and listen to the ideas of I'ma married lady, and we're two years into married life. Last Well, if ring roles in plays and musical should notbe treated as workers to do so, and would encourage the growth of percent of Utah students read at the “profi cient level or above and o: y 22 percent score at or above the mai These figures are children As families consider which choice of schooling best meets their needs and budget Week report card published this month The Utah scores are bothersome even though they may be above thenational average It should also be kept in mind that pri school offerings and services, both in the pub- con! more independent schools, creating a greater number of choices and opportunities for our there would be a natural improvement in lie systemand inthe private system. This improvement wo ld undoubtedly comeabout because improved products and services always results from consumer choice and competition among providers Our public schools are not the best in the world, Some parents look at the information published about the performanceof our Utah public schools and see onlythe positive side Educational choice would also motivate parents by empowering themto enroll their childrenin schools that demonstrate effectiveness and are responsiv e to th ir concerns. Educational choice would also motivate teachand administrators in both public and private schools by exposing them to competition at provide innovative apfrom schools proache and effe jive programs Empowering parents to choose among public andprivate edu ationproviders is the best waytostre gthenall our schools Tuition tax cre its are one way toput parent backinthe driver's seat as r as their children’s education is concern d. Public schools, private schools and taxp vers would all benefit, and low- and middle income kids would have the unities presently available choices and opp: proficient” level in from the Education vate, parochial, and home-educated students stently showhighertest results than pubic school students onnationally standardized tests The k to succ ssful school reformis al lowing parents to choose, without financial the schools their children attend pena Edueatic 1 choice would motivate students by giving them a stakein the school selection pr ss and by making it more ely that a only totherich school wil] be a good match for each student's Salt Lake Ci .| Community Calendar ; Continued from Page 1 It depends on the woman. Basically — and youshould do this ‘ound — on Valentine's hould trea ueen. You should do evwan And if she what she wants, then Matt oy City I think that r pmanti ideas are somethingthat from the doesn't nece: ift aningful gift — it should have some gift; classes, weekend seminars, morning, afternoon and evening proneeds of busy families. Several offerings in subjects hundr 4 is good out of the ordinar Jewelry should probably be alit | tle different from a traditional y holiday Short workshops, quarter long that’s cheesy r than the traditional flow think of a candlelight dinner with ft background mu | think ¢ more inf rmation, call 973-6654 @ Salt wake Community Education: grams are scheduled to me t the But something from the heart shows that somebody really cares for you sic. rington will share a glimpse into the life of Alice Merrill Horne. an e layettes are provided tion of the course. For special, say ust somethin; words or something heart mean to 20. Fr on comp g fromprofessional devel- opment to recreation to foreign language. Brochures containing complete course listings are avail able at the Salt Lake Community Education main office at 440 E 100 South, rm. 21 . Questions/in. form ation call 578-8236 or 578. American Lung Associa. tion is holding their next Hypnosi Clinic Feb. 20, 6-8 p.m. Cost requires a $15 pre-registra with remainder able eve ning of cla Information call {inner would be good the be think that's be romantic flowers in through the mine, | it, then mail to have some of sending it riend of a tho Lick rate t woul 1 would write ¢ note of a home-made alen yr something like th Just to get out of the city Maybe go up one of the ¢ away from society and be alone © Learn to Speak French: L’Alliance Francaise is spon soring 10-week French classes for all agesand levels (including chil dren). Classes, which are taught y native Preach speakers, are held at local libraries, and will start the first week of March. Cost is $130 for adults, $100 for chil- dren. Pre-registration required Information, 582-6019 registration call Council Meetings: Community Councils (ACC) is South Salt Lake is composed of representatives from Burton Place, Center of Industry, Central Park, Madison, Millstream Southgate and Wandamere com: munity councils. If you would like Linda Lee Foster will be on dis play at the Kimball Art Center 9603 for meeting dates tions. March 4. C.0.P. Building Information call 649 5 Alive Mature Driver Program from AARP AARP’s 55 Alive mature driv ng classes are being offered to drivers over 50. It is a classroom refresher course with updates on id emergency situations ance upon completion. Cost $8 Call AARP at 561-1037 for more information © Host an Exchange Student cape nis from the former Sovi om, France, Denmark, Bra Bulgsria Japan, Spain, Alba nia, Germany, Poland, and many ther countric are currently seeking caring host families for the 97-98 school year. These stu dent ome bring their c Information at 250-230) fully insured and spending money all Rick or La Nae © Sesquicentennial Brown Bug Lecture Harriet Horne Ar to attend a meeting for one of the [ACC day of every including separated or divorced couples who want to try again. The process consists of a weekend and six follow-upsessions over a three-month period. Next pro gramis Feb -Mar Informa: tion, registration call Jim or Lauren Aumann, 262-8023, © Stop Procrastinating: Thetopic of tonight's “Evening withthe Experts” lecture at the L of U Neuropsychiatric Institute will be ‘Procrastination and Problem-Solving: Getting Un stuck.” All ofthe free, public pre sentations are held Wednesday nights, 7:30 p.m. at 501 Chipeta Way, in the U of 1 Research Park. A complete scheduleof pre sentations is available by @ South Salt Lake Community councils or the 55 and over may be for reduced auto insur ve the tradi For me with-flowers gift tional how and then ge out and have @ can dielight dinn for twe Because men don't like givin, anyroré ture Feb, 20, noon at the White Memorial Chapel ) E. 300 North, SLC. Informationcall 53 3545 484-4456 © Linda Li ¢ Foster Exhibit: The watercolor paintings of 638 Park Ave., Park City, through ing a manila folder and putting islator in a brown bag lunch lec- The Independent Associationof . Stop Smoking: The art promoter and early Utah leg IAC( meets the firs 8 month, 7 p.m. at the Street, SLC @ Young Adult 5 South Main Arthritis Sup: port Group The Young Adult Arthritis Education and Support Group. designed for adults 20-40, will meet on Feb. 19, 7 p.m. at the Salt e County Complex, 2001 S. State, rm. 5-2019 (south building Free. Information cal) the Arthri tis Foundation at 536-0990 © “Newly Diagnosed” Seminar for Multiple Selerosix Free seminar for anyone who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the past two year Speakers will discuss MS, treat ment options, services available search on Feb, 2, 9 aml at the Veteran's Administra tion Hospital, 550 Foothill Blvd center, bldg ¢ Multi-pury RSVP by Feb. 19. Information RSVP, call Suzanne at 575-8500 or toll-free 1-800-527-811¢ © Help for Hurting Maria Retrouvaille 4 a program for troubled and hurting marriages calling 2500, ext. 453 © Near-Death Experience The Feb. 12 meeting of IANDS will feature Howard Storm, a man who went from being an atheistic head of the art department at a Midwestern ersity to a ing will beginat 7 p.m. at 2001 S State. north building, in the Salt Lake County Commission Cham bers. Information call Bill English © Utah Homemakers TheSouthValley chapter of the Utah Homemakers meets thesec. ond Monday of each month, 1 p.m. at the Copperview Communi ty Center. Guest speaker cover a wide range of topics, all focusing on strengthe the home and Nurse available for a nominal fee for children age 2 andolder. Information cal] Karen at 302 or Teri at 9 91 @ Women's Health Issues — Hearts, Bones & Hormones: al experts offer ir menopause: hormone re ment therapy, heart disease steoporosis. The co rence first in geared toward seri health care welcome. rs, but publie is M 815 am-5 pm. at the University ter of religion becz vath experience. The free me of Utah Continued on Pag Citizens Published as a supplementto 7 he Salt Lake lribune-and Deseret News by the Newspaper-Agency Corporation, 135 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 The opinions expressed by the writers in Citizens do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of The Salt Lake Tribune or Deseret News Your submissions to Citizens (columns, cartoons letters or calendar announcements) are wel ome. Tx contact Citizens, phone (801) 237-2716, fax to (801) 23 2519, mail your c omments to the address above or send an E-mail to citizens@NACorp com Columns on computer disk are preferred, but not required A free writer's guideis available on request Managing Editor: Kent Condor Editor Deborah Moeller To subscribe to The Tribune or News, phone 237-290 cor information on advertising, phone (801) 237-2815 |