Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Students express opinions on education part II

"I think if students could come to school later in the day they would pay more attention and do their work instead of sleeping during class," Shelliea Buck.

"One of the reasons why Arkansas' Public Schools are receiving failing grades is that students don't take school serious. Students can just play around in high school and not do their best and graduate. When students attend college they don't finish because it was all fun and games in high school.

"The way to improve the public school system is to adopt the Japanese culture. If students don't do well they automatically go to the work place. That will set an example because students will get good grades to hopefully achieve their dreams," Norris Glenn.

"I believe prayer is what could be done to improve our public schools. When I was in Kindergarten we would pray everyday. I am not sure if it was wrong or right, but we did it. It seemed the times we could pray are the times everything went perfect, because we prayed and God took care of it. Now removing prayer from school is the biggest mistake the government ever made. If they would look back to when we prayed in school they would see a difference. Some still pray, but not as a whole. When you pray alone you only hear what is said between you and God. When two or more come together to pray they listen to others and what they might say just might be what you needed to hear to get you focused on school and may be an inspiration to make your learning ability increase. I believe if one woman can have prayer removed from public schools across our nation, we as praying Christians can put it back. I know there is more than just one of me who feels like this. Prayer is a major part in my life. Without it I would probably have given up a long time ago. I believe that prayer brings faith and faith gives you confidence not only in yourself but in others also. I believe prayer is our answer," Patricia Hammonds.

"One reason Arkansas' Public Schools are receiving failing grades, is because students are not paying attention in class, they don't do their work, and they can't make the grade at the end of the year, they fail their classes, and they have to do it again unless they drop out or get a G.E.D. If students paid more attention in class they would make better grades. The schools need to make the classes more interesting for the students, because the students might be bored in class," James Moseley.

"I can't tell you why Arkansas' Public Schools are receiving failing grades, but I can give you my opinion. I believe that all of the problems are starting in the grade schools, not high school. Children aren't learning their basic skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. That is why, when they get to high school they are not able to participate and accomplish a completed correct project with their work. It's when the children have gotten older that they (the teachers, parents, whatever) realize there is a problem.

"So what my solution to the problem would be, is to get on the teachers in the grade schools first," Skye Potter.

"I believe that if the parents and teachers would act concerned and try to encourage kids more that it would help them have a better self-esteem. They would want to try harder and the parents and the teachers should become more aware that if a child is failing they may be doing their best and they just need some encouragement," Katrina Simpson.

"To improve the school system, we could fire all the teachers and hire new ones. We could also have a punishment for grades that are not acceptable, or rewards for good grades. These are my ways to improve the schools systems," Jesse Haak.

"I feel that it is not my duty to try to figure out the problems of the public school system, but as a student I do have several opinions that I would like to express. My first opinion deals with the failing grade problem. Many people try to blame students for their immaturity and laziness, but perhaps it is not the student for once. I realize that some students are to blame but seeing as how this is a problem around the state maybe the blame needs to be directed towards the school districts and faculties. I am not an expert about fixing statewide problems, but I feel that if I was a teacher and I made the same salary as the trash man; I would have a slight bit of resentment toward my job and wouldn't exactly teach whole-heartedly. So perhaps the state needs to look at actions towards raising teacher's salaries. I am not trying to put blame on anyone but I do feel that this not to be blamed for all students who fail, the state needs to figure out these problems without harassing students or teachers at this point," Whitney Smith.

The opinions of these students were written in their entirety without corrections.

After the assignments were turned in, Beals read each one of them in class and held a discussion in order to receive feedback from the students on each others opinions.

Beals said it was a learning experience for she and her class to see where each stands on the educational issue.

Several students blame themselves for failing grades and said that they should try harder. Whereas others blames the teachers and felt more hands on teaching was the answer.

Beals said, "These kids want teachers to spend more time with them, one-on-one. However, they don't realize how much time that takes. If you divide the number of students to each class with the length of the class period, then that would leave two minutes apiece for each child. There is no way that would work."

Smaller class sizes are not in the picture for anytime soon due to the lack of funding in the public schools and the laying off of teachers due to lack of funding.

Beals said she was impressed by Patricia Hammonds' statement although she felt the problem was with prayer being taken out of the homes not just the schools.