Star-spangled distraction: Educators need more than flags (FL)

[teach1st]

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/8059681.htm

Tallahassee Democrat, 3/1

Florida Senate Bill 612, requiring all classrooms in Florida, including colleges and universities, to display an American flag may be viewed by some as a worthy attempt to promote patriotism.

I believe that it is a distraction from more pressing issues, and another example of Florida's failure to make sound educational policy decisions.

Over the last decade, I have seen a declining emphasis on civic education in this state. No longer is it simply a matter of students graduating high school not knowing the names of their representatives and elected officials. Today, many students graduating from Florida high schools lack even a basic understanding of their government. We are graduating high school students who do not have an understanding of what it means to be liberal or conservative.

Many Florida high school graduates coming into my college classroom do not know what rights they have, or more importantly, don't have, under the law. Some do not even understand that the United States has both federal and state governments, and that they have representatives in both.

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[ClintonTyree]

1. It's Florida.................

a state which bases it's pecking order on the number of flag decals, patriotic bumper stickers and options on one's pick up truck. This state and it's educational system is a complete joke, all thanks to the presence of one, Jeb Bush.
I've lived in many different parts of the U.S. and Florida, without exception, is the most insanely run state I've ever lived in. Important things such as education, conservation and aid to the poor take a back seat every time to the special interests.
Florida has a long history of seedy government practices and it's only been intensified by Jeb's presence. Why they keep voting this man in is beyond me. I guess it just supports my opinion of the state and most of it's people. They are truly morons.
I'm giving Florida 7 more months (until my lease expires), after that I'm seriously considering moving back to the northeast (winter and all) just for the sake of my peace of mind. The ONLY thing Florida has going for it is weather. I hate winter, but I'm now thinking I can overlook it as a necessary impediment to sound mental health.

[Racenut20]

2. Or You could stay here and:

Register voters

Vote

Support more reasonable candidates with time and money

Find a forum to express your views

Start a PAC on issues important to the state

etc

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Go into the schools and teach civics

If you go in as a member of the League of Women Voters or the DAR, you can get in under the radar. Go to a grade or middle school. Tell the kids the names of their reps. Tell them that the reps are there to listen to and solve problems of society. Have the kids write letters to them right away. A kid who gets an answer to a letter is more likely to remember that and write again. This is a fairly safe way of starting to get kids politically involved.

[DarkSim]

4. My lil' brothers Science teacher is from Florida

and she is one of the most incompetent teachers in the world. Sure, she is incredibly funny but she honestly can't teach science.

How an international IB diploma school hired someone like her is beyond me.