http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/president-obama-has-it-right-america-needs-education/
In this opinion piece, Melanie Maxwell focuses on Obama's recent goals in education during his State of the Union address. He aspires to reduce college tuition and to raise the legal high school dropout age. College debts are daunting for students, either putting them in severe financial situations or discouraging them from even going to college. The current drop out age similarly reflects on America's "stupidity" that allows for a 16 year old to prematurely dictate his career (or lack of it). With these questions in mind, Obama suggested an incentive programs for colleges that would only give them federal funds if their tuition rates are "responsible." He also wants to raise the drop out rate to 18 or until graduation.
While educational reforms scare some Americans of the economic crises it can place on our already struggling economy, investing in our future can also be the solution to a stronger, smarter, America.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
EDUCATION: Finland and the U.S.
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2012/january/finnish-schools-reform-012012.html
Stephen Tung writes about the idealized Finnish school system that is so culturally different from
America's. For one, Finland is ranked approximately 20 levels higher than America in math, science, and reading out of 65 countries tested. Their system obviously works, due to its different emphasis on education than in America. Funding is not dependent on merit (like in America), but rather, it's based on the number of students. Standardized tests are not used, and teaching jobs hold a heavier weight there. They are considered to be at the same level, if not higher, as that of doctors, lawyers, etc. While adopting a foreign system blindly is not wise, it still raises questions as to how America should operate to reflect more successful countries: whether we should emulate a rigid educational structure like that of Southeast Asia, or use Finland's more liberal method.
Stephen Tung writes about the idealized Finnish school system that is so culturally different from
America's. For one, Finland is ranked approximately 20 levels higher than America in math, science, and reading out of 65 countries tested. Their system obviously works, due to its different emphasis on education than in America. Funding is not dependent on merit (like in America), but rather, it's based on the number of students. Standardized tests are not used, and teaching jobs hold a heavier weight there. They are considered to be at the same level, if not higher, as that of doctors, lawyers, etc. While adopting a foreign system blindly is not wise, it still raises questions as to how America should operate to reflect more successful countries: whether we should emulate a rigid educational structure like that of Southeast Asia, or use Finland's more liberal method.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Kristof Synthesis
This columnist has a strong affinity to write about humanitarian issues, particularly in third world countries. A lot of his articles also focus on government issues, such as corruption.
The 4 articles I read by Kristof all suggest his passion for honestly trying to improve the world. It's obvious he cares about these issues because he travels internationally and tries to call attention to various injustices (even being arrested on some occasions). Kristof probably accepts a realistic view of society; that a lot of it is suffering and nowhere near as progressive as fortunate places like America. However, there is also an element of hopefulness in his writings because he actively tries to counteract this injustice by appealing to readers to donate money or attend charity events.
Even though Kristof chooses to write about depressing and cynical aspects of the international society, he is urging for change and presses Americans to do something about it.
The 4 articles I read by Kristof all suggest his passion for honestly trying to improve the world. It's obvious he cares about these issues because he travels internationally and tries to call attention to various injustices (even being arrested on some occasions). Kristof probably accepts a realistic view of society; that a lot of it is suffering and nowhere near as progressive as fortunate places like America. However, there is also an element of hopefulness in his writings because he actively tries to counteract this injustice by appealing to readers to donate money or attend charity events.
Even though Kristof chooses to write about depressing and cynical aspects of the international society, he is urging for change and presses Americans to do something about it.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Repressing Democracy, With American Arms
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/opinion/sunday/kristof-repressing-democracy-with-american-arms.html?_r=1
Kristof focuses on the proposed $53 million arms sale with Bahrain that Obama must decide whether to approve. He concedes the fact that Bahrain does serve as a useful buffer state between Iran and America, and U.S. naval bases are stationed in Bahrain. Kristof then raises doubts whether America should support the Kingdom of Bahrain since it supports "systematic, violent oppression." By providing arms to tyranny, America is ruining its own reputation to uphold democracy. Kristof enforces this opinion by writing about two victims of the Bahrain regime which emphasize the Bahrain government's evils.
Kristof focuses on the proposed $53 million arms sale with Bahrain that Obama must decide whether to approve. He concedes the fact that Bahrain does serve as a useful buffer state between Iran and America, and U.S. naval bases are stationed in Bahrain. Kristof then raises doubts whether America should support the Kingdom of Bahrain since it supports "systematic, violent oppression." By providing arms to tyranny, America is ruining its own reputation to uphold democracy. Kristof enforces this opinion by writing about two victims of the Bahrain regime which emphasize the Bahrain government's evils.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
"Congo Elections"
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/notes-from-a-young-american-in-congo-the-election/#more-10301
In the Congo, presidential elections are radically different than ones in America because choosing a president is much more complex. Congolese people must consider the possibilities of war and violence when choosing their president since they have a history of crises. Other factors also affect the election process, such as tribal biases, ballot corruption, and lack of media attention. Congolese voters are generally impoverished and illiterate, so important political issues either don't reach them, or have no effect on them. With all these problems, hope for a fair and prospering Congo is slim.
In the Congo, presidential elections are radically different than ones in America because choosing a president is much more complex. Congolese people must consider the possibilities of war and violence when choosing their president since they have a history of crises. Other factors also affect the election process, such as tribal biases, ballot corruption, and lack of media attention. Congolese voters are generally impoverished and illiterate, so important political issues either don't reach them, or have no effect on them. With all these problems, hope for a fair and prospering Congo is slim.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
"Bombing Continues in Sudan"
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/bombing-continues-in-sudan-creating-a-crisis/#more-10223
Kristof calls attention to the crisis in Sudan that terrorizes Sudanese civilians. After the end of a 22-year war, Sudanese people are exiling from the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions. However, the Sudanese government is preventing any humanitarian aid from reaching these people in an effort to not widely publicize this event. Along with random airstrikes, the government is leaving refugees devoid of bare necessities. Kristof calls for immediate assistance and awareness of this conflict.
He is obviously against this situation and tries to remedy it by calling for action. By explicitly stating his opinion that the "United Nations must prevent this crisis from getting any worse...to avert a long-term humanitarian crisis," Kristof portrays to his audience a sense of urgency and forcefulness. His most effective means of communicating to his audiences is the personal aspect of his piece, more so than his other columns. Early on, Kristof emotionally informs the reader that he "witnessed the misery and suffering" of Sudan. He further personalizes his message by describing the physical contact he had with these refugees, particularly during bombing raids, and ends his piece with sympathetic stories and statistics.
Kristof calls attention to the crisis in Sudan that terrorizes Sudanese civilians. After the end of a 22-year war, Sudanese people are exiling from the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions. However, the Sudanese government is preventing any humanitarian aid from reaching these people in an effort to not widely publicize this event. Along with random airstrikes, the government is leaving refugees devoid of bare necessities. Kristof calls for immediate assistance and awareness of this conflict.
He is obviously against this situation and tries to remedy it by calling for action. By explicitly stating his opinion that the "United Nations must prevent this crisis from getting any worse...to avert a long-term humanitarian crisis," Kristof portrays to his audience a sense of urgency and forcefulness. His most effective means of communicating to his audiences is the personal aspect of his piece, more so than his other columns. Early on, Kristof emotionally informs the reader that he "witnessed the misery and suffering" of Sudan. He further personalizes his message by describing the physical contact he had with these refugees, particularly during bombing raids, and ends his piece with sympathetic stories and statistics.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
"Girls Just Want to Go to School"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/opinion/kristof-girls-just-want-to-go-to-school.html?_r=1
Columnist, Kristof, talks about an unfortunate Vietnamese family whose mother died, father works away from home, and is thus led by a 14 year old student/sister. He does not try to advertise poverty, rather, he applauds this girl, Phung, on her diligence to her schooling. To Kristof, Phung is one "dazzling" example of what "work ethic and gritty faith" can bring to an impoverished individual, family, or country. Yet, America has lost this virtue. As a result, our educational stock has decreased in the global market. Therefore, we must readjust the education system to "build human capital."
Kristof is critical of America's laziness and inability to educate students that share a passion similar to Phung. By comparing our educational system to an impoverished country, he creates a shocking contrast that forces the reader to assess America's values of society. Kristof stresses the need to fix our nation's problem by starting at the roots: invest in the "robustness of our kindergartens" when looking towards the future.
Columnist, Kristof, talks about an unfortunate Vietnamese family whose mother died, father works away from home, and is thus led by a 14 year old student/sister. He does not try to advertise poverty, rather, he applauds this girl, Phung, on her diligence to her schooling. To Kristof, Phung is one "dazzling" example of what "work ethic and gritty faith" can bring to an impoverished individual, family, or country. Yet, America has lost this virtue. As a result, our educational stock has decreased in the global market. Therefore, we must readjust the education system to "build human capital."
Kristof is critical of America's laziness and inability to educate students that share a passion similar to Phung. By comparing our educational system to an impoverished country, he creates a shocking contrast that forces the reader to assess America's values of society. Kristof stresses the need to fix our nation's problem by starting at the roots: invest in the "robustness of our kindergartens" when looking towards the future.
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