[svandamme]

Originally posted by jluetjen
Svandamme; since your location is listed as Rotterdam -- have you ever spent any time in US schools?

Having two kids in public schools here in the very "Blue" state of Massachusetts, I can tell you that teachers just don't have time for stuff like this film. Now as the result of state and national education standards being set for each grade's performance, and quantitative testing to these standards (MCAS in the case of Massachusetts), teachers have a pretty laser sharp focus on what they need to teach their kids get them to pass the tests. It's pretty fundimental stuff like Math, hard-core science, literacy, critical thought, scientific analysis and stuff like that. To be honest, Gore's movie falls short on a number of those points. So even if they agree with the environmental sentiment of the film, they just don't have the time available after the basics.

As far as big companies funding the schools -- that's flat out inaccurate. It's my taxes (and the taxes of the other residents of my town, and to a lesser degree state) that fund the school. I know that for a fact, and I'm reminded of that fact quarterly. Any contributions from big companies tends to be "in-kind" contributions which are used in support of the standards supporting curriculum. If it doesn't line up with the curriculum, chances are you won't find it in the class room.

BTW - as a parent, I like the improvement that I've seen in the US education system since the implimentation of standards and standards testing. Each year each town's test results are published, and I can tell you that those school systems were progress is not being made to the standards generally feel considerable pressure and scrutiny from the parents and residents to get with the program.

haven't been to any schools, i never claimed i believe the article, just posted it to discuss and hear opinions about it.... i'm not taking any sides here, just trying to find out because some of the things strike me as very odd