tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18548387.post1055585057050804949..comments2023-11-03T00:30:07.872-07:00Comments on NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL AUTISM ACCEPTANCE PROJECT- SCRANTON-WILKES BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA: HOW OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM DRIVE OUR CHILDREN 'MAD'DR. DAN L. EDMUNDS, Ed.D./INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR HUMANE PSYCHIATRYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02533583613751602017noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18548387.post-14943041169598769972007-12-15T11:19:00.000-08:002007-12-15T11:19:00.000-08:00Having had bad experiences in public schools mysel...Having had bad experiences in public schools myself, I must whole heartedly agree with your post. At the risk of sounding a bit ludicrous, it is interesting to note that in history certain dictatorships used "educational systems" to indoctrinate conquered peoples. These systems were strikingly similiar to what the public school system is today.<BR/><BR/>The public school system works on a bell curve of mediocrity. Both those who are falling behind and those who are flying ahead are at risk. Those who fall behind are charged as having something so wrong with them that medication or expulsion is neccessary. (Nevermind the fact that public schools provide an environment of self-stifiling, contradicting social norms.) Those who fly ahead are often alienated by peers or misunderstood. (You've gotten straight A's but you want to be home-schooled? You must need a psychiatrist, it can't be that something is wrong with the school!) <BR/><BR/>It is a sad system that yanks everyone toward what is considered to be a safe-mediocre middle. I am bold enough to believe that public schools are just institutions ensuring that the future of America remains oblivious to its inherent freedoms and powers as individuals. What better way for the federal reserve to ensure its next string of workers? <BR/><BR/>Even more sadly, those who run this bell-curve system of mediocrity seem to be nothing more than a handful of selfish, self-righteous educators and teachers; Ones more concerned that they will be getting raise than actually having to put forth the effort of being a community that encourages real education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com