Did you spend 13 years (K to 12) in public education? What did you get from it?

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 02 May 2016 09:57:19 -0400

Sadly, Leftist indoctrination replaced education in public schools ever since the establishment of the U.S. Department of Education. However, it wasn't a really new concept. Some form of indoctrination has prevailed in public schools even before then. Those of us who served received our first practical education after enlisting. For many, it comes after getting that first job.

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Public schools? More like indoctrination camps...H/t: StormCloudsGatheringThe Free Thought Project.com (y)

Response by Alan K. made May 2 at 2016 10:00 AM

Alan K. — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:00:29 -0400

I actually got a well rounded education from one of the top school districts in the Country....Brookline Mass. Not like today, that's for sure. Yes K-12

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 10:08 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:08:17 -0400

No kindergarten for us. Just 1 to 12.

But, they were good years.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made May 2 at 2016 10:20 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:20:11 -0400

Nope, not this foul mouth kid. Capt Jack, I spent 12 years in Parochial School with those freaking Nuns. Shit, the Military was nothing compared to them and their smart ass tactics. Believe me, I was going to hell every week. Well that's what they told me anyways.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 10:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:24:54 -0400

I spent only my high school years in public school. I didn't notice the "leftist" indoctrination as it was a small rural school in the early 90's. My daughter has been in private school for the last three years K-2 and can write cursive and read at a 5th grade level. The class sizes are smaller and the teachers are evaluated on performance and not tenured educators.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made May 2 at 2016 10:31 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:31:28 -0400

I got a diploma from it.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 2 at 2016 10:31 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:31:53 -0400

A basic education that provided a foundation to learn what was really important. Most of my in-depth education was from military technology schools, research and many, many correspondence courses. Glad you didn't add in the Pre-K boondoggle. It has been proven by a number of studies that at grade three, all students were at the same level. I would be surprised if the primary education has more than three days per day devoted to the three Rs, which is so important to our children in life. Most of them could not function without an electronic device. Give them a pencil, paper and their own minds and they are lost.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made May 2 at 2016 10:36 AM

LTC Joseph Gross — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:36:15 -0400

I attended great schools but for all that I still got about six years of education forced into 12.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 10:40 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:40:54 -0400

I got a diploma... I had to teach myself taxes, investing, getting a loan, CPR, working in my car, working a computer... You know, the basics... But I needed to regurgitate Shakespeare's haikus....

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 10:46 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:46:42 -0400

Maybe not the answer your were looking for, but I spent from K to 12 in France at Public Schools. I would not change it for nothing in the world, especially how our final examination is done (the Baccalaureat). Focus is on self-development and critical thinking, tests are essays not multiple choice answers and no you cannot curve or makeup, because if you fail, well it's on you, no one else. Our teachers often told us "I don't care whether you pass or fail, it will not change my life, I have my diploma, now you have to get yours".
My parents told me there was a time when a French HS graduate accepted in College in the United States would skip "freshman year", having lots of credits transferred from the Baccalaureat, and starts off as a Sophomore.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made May 2 at 2016 10:59 AM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:59:24 -0400

I was in public schools the whole way through, and I came out of it just fine. Of course, I did a lot of learning outside the schools on my own initiative, I wasn't afraid to stand up for my own beliefs and opinions on various subjects, and I wasn't stuck with less-than-stellar teachers for all those years. Once my kids are old enough to go to school my plan is to take them wherever they will get the best education. In some places that means public school, in other places it's private school, and in other places homeschooling is the way to go. In an effort to put them ahead of where I was once I got my high school diploma I do intend for them to know the basics in some sort of technical skill. They don't have to pursue a job or career in it, but I want them to know it as a backup in case their dream job/higher education falls through.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made May 2 at 2016 11:13 AM

SGT Edward Wilcox — Mon, 02 May 2016 11:13:36 -0400

I wonder, can anyone ever ask a question without injecting partisan politics into the discussion?

Having said that, I watched the video on the Facebook page, and was struck by the contradiction inherent in the group. I came from a very conservative upbringing. One that taught me to accept without questioning. I was required to accept whatever my elders told me. That applied to church, discussions at the dinner table about politics, life lessons, everything. I didn't meet true questioners until I started surrounding myself with more liberal and progressive minded people. Don't get me wrong, there are those within the liberal ranks that also require "blind obedience", but they are far more tolerant of questioning than their conservative counterparts.

The whole concept of public education was opposed by the conservatives of the time. The original concept was that everyone received the basics, and came out of school able to read, write, and perform basic mathematics. Through the years, public education expanded to include much more, such as instruction in the physical and life sciences, more advanced mathematics, and reading at a higher level than what was needed to read a menu or a job application. What was lost in this transition was a focus on vocational subjects. When I attended high school, we were given classes in basic drafting, woodworking, metal working, welding, and, yes, even car repair. We even had the option to attend a vocational school during our last 2 years. These days, all vocational subjects are taught outside of the high school, at these specialized centers that teach only vocational subjects.

I received a great deal from my public education, but not just from the classroom. I learned how to socialize with other people. I learned the importance of physical activity through sports. I learned that to get ahead of others required more discipline. There was no "indoctrination" in my high school, liberal or conservative. I see none in my daughter's school, where she attends the 6th grade. I saw none in my son's school that he graduated from in 2010.

The current educational standards, and the subsequent "teaching to the test", were instituted by a conservative President, and have done more harm to our public education system than anything any liberal President has ever suggested. Indoctrination is a conservative tool to control the masses, not a liberal tool. For evidence of that, simply look at the most conservative institutions in existence, organized religion.

To answer the question more succinctly, one gets out of there education what one puts into it. If you simply marked time through your K-13 years, then you came out with nothing to show for it, if you put real effort and time into those years, then you came out with a real education, ready to hit the streets running.

I think the correct question should be "Did you spend 13 years (K to 12) in public education? What did you put into it?"

***End of Rant***

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 11:19 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 11:19:59 -0400

CPT Jack Durish I received a good education in public schools. The Marine Corps and College rounded out what I needed to know.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 2 at 2016 11:46 AM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 02 May 2016 11:46:19 -0400

I graduated in 78. I think I was served well. I had the misfortune of thinking I was smarter than my teachers, and having a mother who encouraged my over-inflated opinion of myself. I wasn't a bad kid, but I'm sure that teachers were not glad to have me walk into their classroom. I considered the teacher student relationship an adversarial relationship. Thank God I had a Dad that put the clamps on me. His advice to the teachers was to bury me in extra assignments when I got out of line, and he vowed to make me do them. I wasn't smarter, I had a chip the size of an elephant on my shoulder and I would die before I let them beat me academically. By the 2nd semester of my junior year I was attending high school half days and taking classes at the University of Arizona the other half.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made May 2 at 2016 12:08 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Mon, 02 May 2016 12:08:47 -0400

I DID serve 13 years time in the Public school system. Like anything else in life, one gets out of something, proportional to the effort one puts into it. I understood it wasn't the teachers job to "teach" me everything I needed to know, but rather to guide me in obtaining the basic knowledge I needed to be a critical thinker. It probably helped that I grew up in a largely Jewish community that tended to place a high value on such learning processes.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made May 2 at 2016 12:09 PM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Mon, 02 May 2016 12:09:52 -0400

I'm fairly certain I got more out of my K-12 education than the kids today do. As a USAF Recruiter in the late 1970s, I observed issues with high school graduates in California that were not able to pass the ASVAB tests. In the past 20 years as an employer, I could see clearly the lack of what used to be basic knowledge for a HS grad during interviews and on-the-job.

A few years ago, I stumbled across an interesting book by Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt whose premise is the 'dumbing down' of American kids was a deliberate scheme. A free, unabridged copy of this book is available here: http://www.deliberatedumbingdown.com/

the deliberate dumbing down of america

Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt, former Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education, blew the whistle on government activities. Her inside knowledge will help you protect your children from controversial methods and programs.

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made May 2 at 2016 12:44 PM

SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT — Mon, 02 May 2016 12:44:40 -0400

CPT Jack Durish Nope K-8 was spent in Parochial schools

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made May 2 at 2016 12:45 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Mon, 02 May 2016 12:45:36 -0400

There was no public kindergarten when I was in school. However many church groups had private kindergartens which were open to anyone. I could read, spell, print and do simple arithmetic before I started the first grade as could most of the kids that I knew. Growing up in an almost totally middleclass small town it was just considered normal for kids to go to college and most did. There was a college almost across the street from the high school. Most of our teachers were middle aged women who started teaching when their own children were grown. Unlike today there was only one kind of diploma which was what is now called the college track or college prep diploma. There was no general diploma or certificate of attendance like many schools have now. Everyone took English, math, sciences, history, civics, a foreign language etc. Normally you could take one elective each semester. I took typing two years and a couple of shop classes. There was also no such thing as "social promotions". If you failed you failed and that was frowned upon by both adults and your peers. P.E. was also required for all students. If any of our teachers had any kind of political agenda I am not aware of it. That didn't start until the late sixties. Another interesting thing from those days is that everyone had to take 9 weeks of driver's education which was taught by the P.E. teachers in the 9th grade even if you already had a license which could be obtained at age 14 if you could convince a judge that you had a need. I had one.
In general we got a pretty good education in those days.

Response by SPC Alexander Brandt made May 2 at 2016 1:09 PM

SPC Alexander Brandt — Mon, 02 May 2016 13:09:06 -0400

"Leftist indoctrination"?

Really?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 2 at 2016 1:57 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 02 May 2016 13:57:57 -0400

I personally went to private (Catholic school), but many of my close friends went to public school. From what they told me, they have learned basic education, and much common knowledge. They say they have also picked up a lot of street smarts in public school.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made May 2 at 2016 2:32 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Mon, 02 May 2016 14:32:24 -0400

Going on 19 years in education. Bupkis

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 2 at 2016 3:03 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:03:28 -0400

I think if you can read well enough to answer the question, the answer is self explanatory...

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made May 2 at 2016 3:16 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:16:34 -0400

I learned about diversity before diversity was a buzz word. I learned to accept people on their merits and work ethic vice the color of their skin, where they went to church, or their gender. I learned that not everyone makes the team and at some sports you just suck and it ain't your thing....suck it up buttercup. I learned through sports that it was always better to stay in shape than to try to get back in shape because if you let yourself go, my football coaches ensured you got back where you belonged...drill sergeants had nothing on them...it wasn't regulated for pansies back then like it is now where you can only practice for so long and have to take so many breaks. Take you pads off get doused with water to cool down, throw up if you had to and get back at it...perseverance until the job got done...that's why we won...never give up attitude. Drill sergeants had nothing on my coaches, so boot camp and ROTC summer training were too easy. Back then you were educated and "schooled" and there is a difference. Teachers could teach the books and also how to live...and their hands weren't tied like they are today.
With all that being said, my daughter goes to private school because the education she would be getting in the private schools here is substandard at best and I am being generous. Her school is not exclusive. If you can pay the tuition, you can come on in. But I don't want her to be common core, I want her to stand out at college. By placing her where she is, she is getting a lot of the same lessons I learned growing up.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 2 at 2016 3:56 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:56:10 -0400

This leftist socialist (me) got a free K-12 education in Missouri, a patriotic desire to serve from my Dad, a free ride to the MEPS St. Louis in 1987, an enlistment into the US Army, the Army College Fund, an ROTC / SMP slot, 1991 Jump School, a Commission, an Appointment as a GS13 Criminal Investigator after going to the USAR, a deployment to KFOR 3A and OEF 7, a Bronze Star, a Command, a wife, 2 healthy kids, a 3000pt USAR retirement, a FERS Disability Retirement, 70% Disability, a 2nd Bachelors courtesy of VA Voc Rehab. Get bent.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made May 2 at 2016 4:02 PM

Capt Michael Greene — Mon, 02 May 2016 16:02:01 -0400

Leftist indoctrination? Sadly, Right Wing Conservatives have successfully influenced textbooks, placing imaginary creationist ideas on par with peer reviewed, logic-based science. The Republican dominated Texas School Board, being the largest single buyer of textbooks, used its power and influence to successfully replace the word "slave" with "immigrant worker" in textbooks nationwide! McCarthyism still thrives in a system where the day begins with a nationalist pledge that effectively requires students to acknowledge an ancient sky god. So much for "Leftist indoctrination."

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 12:11 AM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 00:11:19 -0400

My education was "Rightist" - not "leftist" indoc. I was taught that the races need to be kept separated lest we be "sullied" by bad blood. I was taught that ONLY White history was to be taught and NOTHING of note was ever invented by anyone of color. I was taught that homosexuality was a crime of nature, a mental condition, and that all gays were pedophiles. I was taught that all the dirty N-bombs, Spics, Jews, and Bow-benders (Native Americans) were lesser human beings. I was taught that women are to be subservient and submissive. I was taught that all drugs were bad, but it was not only acceptable, but ENCOURAGED to get shit-faced drunk as frequently as possible.

Yeah, I was indoctrinated, all right. It took YEARS to break that mindset.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 3:22 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:22:00 -0400

learned the basics: reading, writing, 'rithmetics!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 3:14 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 15:14:33 -0400

I was lucky and had a good JROTC instructor that came to my high school the year I started my freshman year. He was adamant that we learn skills that would help us in the real world whether we joined the military or not. He taught us financial aid for two months out of the year (every year), public speaking, and encouraged us to challenge ourselves with AP classes. It was because of that one instructor that I learned my work ethic and discipline.