User:Coleygross

At the time of this writing [July 2011] I am in my mid 50's.

I am lost for the words use to describe how much I like WIKIPEDIA! It's a wonderful resource for all across the globe.

Although one might perceive conflicting opinions, political issues or information that might appear biased, the website makes it abundantly clear that their content is provided by the people for the people.

This concept whereby the common man or brilliant scientists, scholars, doctors, professors and so on contribute nearly each and every article or definition.

Especially rare but high caliber-non widely used street or gang names and or words that need input from a qualified source related to some words often contribute the definitions. This concept is by far a great advantage over OTHER Encyclopedia's that I must admit that I have never read. I've never read a book in my life. Simply don't have the patience. Even sadly the Bible. Heck truth be told I bet far fewer people have read the bible than will admit.

Wikipedia is my number one source especially since they cover nearly every subject known to man and every subject that I have ever wondered about. Even the vulgar work Fuck is in a non offensive and brilliant way. Even slang or ghetto words are explained.

In many cases slang words that may be common in the western United States but not yet herd of in the eastern United States will have the name and their definitions already listed and defined before anyone in the east has even herd said word or words. The idea behind Wikipedia is very efficient. It's impressive to various definitions and their citations grow like a tree in the forest. Each branch growing deeper and deeper with wisdom. People with brilliant minds and laymen are willing to take their precious time and contribute to this ever growing tree of vast knowledge. We are so lucky to have this wonderful commercial free source at our fingertips. I for one hope that Wikipedia never changes its format or concept.

Some of todays generation is likely to take this source of knowledge for granted. Some simply don't realize the great advantage this site likely contributes to their education. This fountain of knowledge is readily available 24/7 unlike the Encyclopedia of ________ that our parents once bought paid a small fortune for, in many cases financed said books.

I look at earthquake ridden Haiti and observe a community that has pulled together with little to no funds and managed to build a small little school house. It reminded me of the little plank barn like schools that sprung up in the late 40's early 50's that my parents or their parents (again I'm in my mid 50's) In many cases the student may have helped to build their little school. These kids under dire circumstances are like sponges soaking ever so willing to soak up what knowledge their teacher offers.

This is not the case in the USA, the United States of America makes me ask myself what's gone wrong? WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MOST OF OF OUR WELL TO DO SOCIETY? USA kids have lost interest in the educational process on so many fronts. Consequently they are deprived of teacher that know how to teach or has a heart set on teaching. To many of this generation knows little to nothing educationally.

They don't eagerly "RUN" to school with an enthusiastic smile. They are not even looking forward to learning from their USA teachers. Kids of America consider school a CHORE, A PAIN IN THE ASS. Something that the "LAW" forces them to do AGAINST THEIR WILL. One only needs to stand in their shoes to understand their rebellion. We never had truancy cops with their guns walking the corridors of schools or schools ready to dispatch a tax paid truancy official to a parents home to punish and or fine said parent(s). I barely made it through high school but what little I learned causes me to declare that we run our schools similar to a communist society. Kids instincts are good despite their educational background. They sense this sick lopsided premise of our educational system. Can we realy blame them? They are being "FORCED" by our government to go to school, few teachers care for the students welfare and whether or not he or she passes to the next grade.

Some teachers have thrown in the towel. God knows what goes through their mind when they look at their degree(s) but one things for certain to many sit back and watch Johnny and the Susan's future go out the window! Sadly many show up with one goal and that is to collect their paychecks.

FMiami and or Fort Lauderdale (maybe all of Florida) has a new program by which a large percentage of each teachers pay is based on their students performance. If the student doesn't do well the teacher makes less money. You fix everything by legislating a new law on everything that fails to work as expected. Children must be in a special mindset to learn. Sadly children of America have lost that desire, that eagerness to learn. It reminds me of forcing a youngster to eat his spinach. Let the same child feel hunger a few days and watch how fast they eat their spinach! I'm not advocating starving anyone just using this as an example. The Haiti children were starving for knowledge and a routine. I never seen so many eager to learn smiling faces as when the camera panned over the "packed" students within a small little school that the Haitians managed to build. Again on such few resources.

America has handed everything to its youth on a silver plater. Many parents say that "I DON'T WANT MY KIDS TO GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH". I say why not? Said parent is likely a trusting productive citizen with most or all of the right intentions. Call it "The Jones Syndrome" if you wish but to many parents have the wrong idea of what creates an upstanding educated citizen.

Now days kids are so lost and starving for guidance and discipline. They find solace in the hight they get from bottle of spray paint or some solvent they find in their parents arena of chemicals to care for the yard or drugs that one of the parents is unknowingly or in some cases knowingly addicted to. How could we have failed as parents and created a generation of rebelling delinquents. Thats where many are headed. We must wake up and reevaluate our educational crisis and create an atmosphere where kids WANT to and look forward to going to school. Our government is and has mailed up miserably. They can make up a trillion laws and all the legislation in the world will not make a child learn. A child must want to learn.

I hate to use the old saying; You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

I guess I scored an F at introducing myself however you have a general idea about my view on our educational system in the US of A.