NCLB: How does this sound to you?

[liberalitch]

Most of y'all know I'm a teacher. (High School social studies)
Well I have 6 classes. 3 average and 3 advanced placement US Hist....
Today the administration came and got all of the African American boys and white boys where (shall we say) different and took them downstairs to a "speaker" who according to the boys was a private military recruiting contractor.... Who told them that America was changing and that if they didn't join the military then there'd be no future for people "like them".
Most of my kids are college bound and even if they aren't I don't want 'em pulled from history class to be railroaded.... note that they didn't pull ANY of the strait and narrow white kids or athletic black kids.

PS.... I told them all to tell their parents/guardians what happened today.

[rkc3]

1. Who needs a draft when counselors can brow beat students into

conscription?

[9119495]

2. I teach SS too

and I think that it is well within your range to teach this as a lesson. Ask the class members pulled to summarize the talk for the class. Ask them how they felt about it. Discuss whether or not it should have happened. Tie it into other eras where recriuting for the army was successful/unsuccessful (there are great WWI propaganda posters easily available). Then discuss what other options they might have and have them rank all of the options including the army. If these kids can be manipulated like that, surley you can take an academic approach to it. When the army ranks 8th (after rapper, NBA star, business owner, etc.) you'll know they've at least given it some thought.

Good luck.

[EC]

3. Just what I was going to say, except I don't teach SS

but I was wondering what the guys said when they got back, did it make them feel like losers? This is bad pshycology...(well good for the military, because it is breaking their confidence and making sure they'll feel like losers and sign up) I hope it pissed them off, and gave them the attitude of "I'll show them" and buckle down and get into college. I wonder if there is a discrimination case here for the ACLU to file, or some action?

[liberalitch]

7. Two levels of reaction....

the US History students said.... "Man I'm going to college.... I don't know what thier thinking."

One of the AP History students said Gee, When are they gonna start knocking people in the head and impressing them into the military... cause that's next."

[liberalitch]

6. I started Nazi Germany today.... so the lesson was obvious.

Some of us are expedible.... who is and who gets to decide who?

[BigBearJohn]

4. I'm glad you told them to tell parents. This is an OUTRAGE

Don't tell your kids about condoms -- but let them sign up to be killed... that's ok.

[MountainLaurel]

5. A friendly, anonymous call

To your local TV station or newspaper might be in order. Just saying. . .

:evilgrin:

[liberalitch]

8. I think the Honors German teacher has that one... her husband works...

behind the scene at a local TV station