Klarinet Archive - Posting 001132.txt from 2004/03

From: "Steve White" <bass.clarinet@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] re: no one left behind
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 13:31:15 -0500


I certainly do not want to add logs to the fires on the list here lately.
That said I must mention that I believe that a certain amount of placement
is inevitable in our society. As an attempt to manage human conditions
there is always a better idea, but no escape from some 'system' to help us
cope with it. There are students that benefit from it and others that do
not.

My own personal experiences to relate are that I was considered "gifted"
(whatever they meant by that) and was usually bored in school. At the same
time, I tend to be under-motivated without a little feedback - as in a
classroom environment. Also, being considered 'bright' or whatever you want
to call it had it's drawbacks as well. Because I learned certain things
that others considered good measurements of
inteleggence/talent/tenasity/drive... other problems that I have in varying
degrees were never addressed. I have dyslexia, and were it not for spell
check many more people would know.:) I have attention problems and
motivation issues that were never addressed in school because I picked up
things quick, or I could always manage the last minute details well. My
memory is frightful at times.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not attacking my education or think that I didn't
receive what I needed. I got what I got and it was mostly the same for
everyone at most of the schools I attended. I am just trying illustrate
that while placement criteria are useful, they shouldn't be the only thing.
My parents were nearly completely uninvolved in my education as well as my
sister's. Beyond "wanting me to go to college" as my father would say,
there was no real interest beyond report card grades. I play clarinet
because someone gave me a clarinet. My parents would make me pester them to
go to the music store for reeds and supplies. Luckily, my band director
started offering supplies out of his office so all I had to do was save
lunch money.
I digress. I certainly don't want to start a "I had it harder than you"
thread...

I think Nancy makes an excellent case. It's not the system, its how you USE
it. How involved of a parent are you with your child's education? How well
do you understand the system and your child's needs? What does your child
really need to function in society? Are they getting these things? What
can you do about it?

As a parent I ask these questions to myself frequently - and I think good
parents should. (That is my opinion, and I don't mention it to evangelize
it, just to hope to inform)

Well, that said, I'll just fade away again.

Steve White
Whittier,CA

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