ASU economists say we'll grow when our leaders stop looking stupid" (landlord, college)

[john3232]

Originally Posted by phetaroi

Again, I agree that in many cases the root problem is a family environment not being conducive to learning, while also acknowledging that some schools are lousy.

Yes, some schools/teachers are lousy but this isn't anything new and doesn't explain the massive poor test scores/drop out rate in some areas of the country.

It's the family environment which needs to be seriously addressed. Unfortunately, it's often a taboo subject matter but something I had hoped the Obama administration would have addressed.

Originally Posted by grmi66

... But what about the parents that do not value education beyond elementary school?

Good question with no easy answers.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by john3232

Yes, some schools/teachers are lousy but this isn't anything new and doesn't explain the massive poor test scores/drop out rate in some areas of the country.

It's the family environment which needs to be seriously addressed. Unfortunately, it's often a taboo subject matter but something I had hoped the Obama administration would have addressed....

Yes, I agree completely. I don't even know how you would address it. But I'm open to suggestions!

[john3232]

Originally Posted by phetaroi

Yes, I agree completely. I don't even know how you would address it. But I'm open to suggestions!

Given that race is probably the touchiest subject to deal with in the US it will likely have to come from within the community. A Malcolm X type figure who stresses the importance of education in the home.

[Potential_Landlord]

The most important question for our education debate here is now: what was different in Arizona 50 years ago when social mobility and income equality was much higher (apart from then completely excluded and segregated minorities)? There must be a difference explaining why today we cannot seem to produce the same by a magnitude of difference. Maybe this way we can find some root cause.

[cacto]

That's cool that ASU economists are catching up with what everybody's been saying for the last 5 years.

[john3232]

Originally Posted by Potential_Landlord

The most important question for our education debate here is now: what was different in Arizona 50 years ago when social mobility and income equality was much higher (apart from then completely excluded and segregated minorities)? There must be a difference explaining why today we cannot seem to produce the same by a magnitude of difference. Maybe this way we can find some root cause.

Breakdown of the family structure is a good start.

[Potential_Landlord]

Originally Posted by cacto

That's cool that ASU economists are catching up with what everybody's been saying for the last 5 years.

I think the most important thing is that they dare speak up now. The Arizona Center for Policy is slowly losing the monopoly on truth and legislature here.

[cacto]

Wow, just read through the last 6 pages of posts and was struck by how many posters are completely oblivious to how AZ is perceived nationally. I assume it's the way Americans only get their news from sources that tell them what they want to hear.

Went to Boston last summer and was slightly surprised by how many "Boycott Arizona" bumper stickers I saw. My favorite was "Arizona; it's a dry hate". Saw a "End Juan Crow" shirt too with the outline of AZ. I had friends from Bozeman MT come down and stay with us for a few days. When the subject of all the immigration law buzz came up they told us how people up there had the impression that crime was rampant here and wasn't safe, and that AZ was turning into a police state, and that's Montana.

[Potential_Landlord]

Originally Posted by john3232

Breakdown of the family structure is a good start.

Certainly a factor. But let's not forget a lot of families were then kept together because women had no escape as they had no claims on wages and no real career options. Abuse was widespread but kept under the rug etc. Female suicide incidences fell with no-fault divorce, for example. Actually, one reason women could stay at home more and care for kids education was the fact that wages were higher and middle class families could actually live well on one wage alone. Try this with a median income wage today.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by john3232

Given that race is probably the touchiest subject to deal with in the US it will likely have to come from within the community. A Malcolm X type figure who stress the importance of education and the home.

Well, I know what you're saying, but I often saw education valued MORE in Black families than in lower and middle class white families.