Comments on: Bill Gates Urges Restructuring U.S. High Schools

By: Eric Tokerud

Eric Tokerud — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 18:16:26 +0000

I believe that what is transpiring is fantastic and very supportive for education. As you look into this scenario I have a couple of questions which are:

1. Analyzing each grade level - how many students drop out at each grade level?
2. At which grade level do students first experience the feeling of failure which leads to dropping out of that particular student?
3. Is it possible to rescue and resuscitate (are there plans) the students when they reach the high school when their skills and confidence are at a low level?
4. Would the money be better spent at an earlier age to make sure these problems don't continue?
5. Is it possible to create a better primary and secondary learning opportunities?

Prevent the problems and make sure the learners get an incredible start in their education.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:10:30 +0000

I'll just use the Animal House analogy. If Bluto (seven years of college down the drain) becomes a US Senator, then is he a role-model for education?

By: Rick DeMent

Rick DeMent — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 21:12:29 +0000

The proof of education isnât how smart you sound when youâre talking, itâs how right you turn out to be when youâre doing.

I thought it was based on how much money you make? Perhaps I'm being shallow.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 20:59:31 +0000

Is George W. Bush the best role model for education? Hm, let's see. Goes on to be gubnor of Texas, first Republican elected to that job twice. Goes on to be President of the United States. From the looks of what's happening in the Middle East this week he seems to have been closer to right than a lot of professional diplomats. The proof of education isn't how smart you sound when you're talking, it's how right you turn out to be when you're doing.

By: ATM

ATM — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 20:06:15 +0000

Well GWB did go on to get a post graduate degree.

As for Gate's money, I do think Gates should spend some of his fortune here in the US. He made most of that money because a lot of Americans invested their money in Microsoft, which was a good investment because lots of Americans bought their software. Wealthy monopolists of past eras returned some of the their fortunes to the communities from which they made their fortunes. Gates has not done so yet for the country as a whole.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:31:01 +0000

Okay Dave, I'll bite....

Is George W. Bush the best role model for education?

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:05:23 +0000

Is Bill Gates the best role-model for education?

By: mike

mike — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 17:32:55 +0000

I think Gates has some great points but before we pour a bunch of money into tech training and cpu's, it might be better to ensure kids can read and write. If you can't master the basics then a bunch of cpu classes will not help.

By: Dummocrats.com

Dummocrats.com — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 15:09:48 +0000

Bill Gates Urges Restructuring U.S. High Schools (otb)
Bill Gates Urges Restructuring U.S. High Schools (otb)

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 14:58:21 +0000

On a serious note, I think Gates is correct to point out this continuing problem. It's in Microsoft's interest to keep the talent pool in this country, and he needs a solid education system to provide the future employees to keep the company going. There's also the philanthropic bent to this, perhaps the Gates Foundation will put some of its money into innovative education programs in this country, adding to the good work it's doing with childhood vaccination in the third world.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 14:48:49 +0000

Bill Gates talking about our public schools. The comedic possibilities are endless.

Although, come to think of it, the schools already have way too many things in common with Windows...