[trishguard]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

It was tightened up. Sometimes i sort of wish it hadn't been tightened. A simple task of checking out at grocery/department stores has become progressively more frustating over the years due to "welfare" hires.

What burns my biscuits even more, is that we still subsidize them(Husky,WIC,Section8) anyway.

That doesn't bother me. I don't believe children should suffer for their parents sins.

[KH02]

I must agree on that. Husky and WIC are programs that mostly benefit children and they should not lack health coverage or healthy food simply due to their parents situations.

I'd much rather subsidize children..they deserve it after all.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining about providing aid to children. What i am complaining about is providing welfare to people who are employed. If the employer can't provide a living wage and medical coverage, then perhaps we should put some of the social service money toward providing these people with a skill of some sort(i.e.: CNA, Lab Tech,etc.) so that they can obtain a job with a living wage/benefits.

[weesy68]

Interesting point.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining about providing aid to children. What i am complaining about is providing welfare to people who are employed. If the employer can't provide a living wage and medical coverage, then perhaps we should put some of the social service money toward providing these people with a skill of some sort(i.e.: CNA, Lab Tech,etc.) so that they can obtain a job with a living wage/benefits.

This is a very timely comment. Yesterday, I read that our national high school drop-out rate is 25 percent! South Carolina, whose drop-out rate is 27 percent, has set a goal to lower it to 12 percent.

I can't imagine how anyone will be able to survive without a high school diploma. What are these young people thinking?

[trishguard]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining about providing aid to children. What i am complaining about is providing welfare to people who are employed. If the employer can't provide a living wage and medical coverage, then perhaps we should put some of the social service money toward providing these people with a skill of some sort(i.e.: CNA, Lab Tech,etc.) so that they can obtain a job with a living wage/benefits.

I think you need to accept that there will never be full employment. I'd be surprised if there ever has been since civilization.

[trishguard]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

This is a very timely comment. Yesterday, I read that our national high school drop-out rate is 25 percent! South Carolina, whose drop-out rate is 27 percent, has set a goal to lower it to 12 percent.

I can't imagine how anyone will be able to survive without a high school diploma. What are these young people thinking?

They are not thinking, and unfortunately for them neither are their parents. I think there comes a point when parents need to evaluate their children (grades, language skills) and determine if they are going to be successful going to a traditional high school or if it's time for another path, like learning a trade. But most parents have washed their hands of their children's future, leaving the public school with full responsibility which they haven't asked for nor accept (as it should be).

This evaluation should be happening around 7th and 8th grades, right before high school.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by trishguard

They are not thinking, and unfortunately for them neither are their parents. I think there comes a point when parents need to evaluate their children (grades, language skills) and determine if they are going to be successful going to a traditional high school or if it's time for another path, like learning a trade. But most parents have washed their hands of their children's future, leaving the public school with full responsibility which they haven't asked for nor accept (as it should be).

This evaluation should be happening around 7th and 8th grades, right before high school.

In most of Europe, children's aptitude and ability is monitored early on. By (our equivalent of) junior high school (basically as you described), the path is already set: vocational/trade school or university. There is no stigma assessed to either.

The upper grade levels start to prepare the students accordingly. This early determination often instills in students and their parents that if the students are class clowns, troublemakers, or not performing, their assessment might be skewed.

[brasscitybluenwhite]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

This is a very timely comment. Yesterday, I read that our national high school drop-out rate is 25 percent! South Carolina, whose drop-out rate is 27 percent, has set a goal to lower it to 12 percent.

I can't imagine how anyone will be able to survive without a high school diploma. What are these young people thinking?

In waterbury, most drop out of school when they're poor and realize that they can make more money selling drugs

[trishguard]

Originally Posted by Rich Lee

In most of Europe, children's aptitude and ability is monitored early on. By (our equivalent of) junior high school (basically as you described), the path is already set: vocational/trade school or university. There is no stigma assessed to either.

The upper grade levels start to prepare the students accordingly. This early determination often instills in students and their parents that if the students are class clowns, troublemakers, or not performing, their assessment might be skewed.

I don't think the state should dictate. The parents should make the final decision.