You bring up some valid points. While I agree with the issues you bring up, I'm not sure I agree with the solutions. Right now, it seems the goal of Public education is to prepare the students for college. For many of the children you speak of, I feel that this is not something that interests them. However, if the system were changed to give these kids some options that are realistic to them ( i.e. training them to enter the work force), then they might become active participants b/c they can take something from it.

I was never hit in school. But I still remember my elementary principal hung paddles on the wall behind his desk. It intimidated the hell out of alot of kids. Sometimes fear can be a good motivator.

-Demosthenes

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"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower