RAVITCH: corporate ed "reformers" want ONLINE KINDERGARTEN?

[yurbud]

There are times when online ed is appropriate like for a bedridden kid, or a college student who is highly motivated and interested in the subject matter.

I doubt that kindergarteners have that kind of internal motivation.

Florida law requires schools to offer online courses to children in every grade, even as young as kindergarten.

There is no evidence or research to support this mandate.

None.

Wonder if this has anything to do with the political power of Jeb Bush, now the nation's leading enthusiast for online learning? Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that his Foundation for Excellence in Education is heavily funded by technology corporations?

Remember how he and his lobbyist facilitated the introduction of virtual schooling into Maine? If you forgot, please read the link. It was a heckuva job.

http://wp.me/p2odLa-2ML

[notadmblnd]

1. I'm sure it has something to do with Jeb.

It's either him or his brother and mother that own an educational software company.

[Angry Dragon]

4. brother ..... post #3

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't kindergarten as important for introducing

kids to the classroom experience as it is for the academics?

[kestrel91316]

5. They intend to get rid of that whole "classroom experience" thing.

Actually, they intend to get rid of the whole education thing except for private schools for the 1%ers. The 99% doesn't need an education at all. We are just worker bees.

[yurbud]

8. you'll be homeschooling your kids online. It will save a lot of cost, so the rich can pay less

taxes AND since kids won't learn any social skills, it will be harder for them to organize and rebel as adults.

[yurbud]

7. yes.

[amandabeech]

9. Where else do children learn not to run with scissors in a room of people? nt/

[Angry Dragon]

3. his brother is also involved with education business

jeb and babs have pushed it

[joesdaughter]

6. The Veldt

Maybe Wendy and Peter need to invite Jeb into the room.

[Doctor_J]

10. this started as a way for Neil Bush to get tax money

He spent all of the cash he stole from the Silverado S&L on hookers, alimony, and STD medicine. So The Family came up with another way for him to get tax money, and of course with Hate Radio and Big Media working for them, it turned into a national debacle.