Category Archives: Problems of public education

Illiteracy is Now a Problem Here at Home

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We all know that we have problems in our nation. Few realize how bad our education problems are. Not just porn in schools — which is atrocious and surprisingly everywhere from red states to blue and from big cities to small. Even some little hamlets are finding dads in cowboy country coming in angry about their boys being depredated upon.

But I want to talk to you about the problems of basic education. Yes, in your town where the headlines say how great the schools are. Yes, in your town where there are plenty of private and Christian schools. Yes…. we have an illiteracy problem.

If someone could have schemed how to taken down our nation.. they would have done this. Well, sorry, they did do this.

It is hidden that people can not actually read well. But employers know it when they can’t find people to hire. (Well, lack of character such that prospective employees don’t want to actual work is another problem.) It is a problem when your Bank VP can’t read the bank’s advertisement. It is a problem when your school teacher can not pass the literacy test. Oh, right, that happened back in the 1990s in Texas. The powers that be spun it to make the population think the test was a competency test; it was not ideological; it was a literacy test. And boy, were there re-takes.

Let’s consider this problem and what we might do about it.

And let’s mention WHY it is so important.

The Necessity of Admitting, Acknowledging, Recognizing Problems — on the Way to Overcoming Them

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:30 — 24.3MB)

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Well, today I talk about the Necessity of admitting, acknowledging, recognizing problems  on the way to overcoming them. Indeed, the only way to solve problems is to know they exist. One must look squarely at the problem, if only for a short time. We do not idolize our problems. We do not deny our problems. We do not wallow in our problems. But we do acknowledge our problems — on the way to solution.

Unfortunately, rarely done. Societal problems often  exist precisely because this is not done. Many situation exist because someone whats them to exists. Other situations exist because people think nothing can be done.  However, nothing is impossible with God.

Of course, nothing is impossible to God, we know that. God has turned some thing over to us. Problems may be too big for us, so we work with God and God with us.

We acknowledge the problems. Then we ask for God’s help. Then we get it!

Today, let’s just admit we do have some problems.

Then, let’s see if we can hold on to that idea for just a couple of weeks. Then, yes, I will tell you a story of victory.

Overcoming Learning Problems

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:29 — 29.4MB)

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Here at the Great Shalom Broadcast, we don’t say “learning disabilities”; we say “learning problems” — because problems are to be solved. Disabilities sounds like something that must be resigned to; something that is permanent; something like a death knell.

Here, we like to solve problems. I believe in healing and I will take it any way it comes. Might be miraculous. Might be innovative. We like them all.

Now, I have been mocked — publicly — for saying “overcoming” in relation to learning disabilities. Come and here my heart, my experience, and the great overcoming of some others. I think you will be pleased — and encouraged.

So, yes, we really mean “overcoming” learning — problems. It is good news. And yes, we know the lay of the land. Come and find a way through, rather than be stuck with others in the slough of despond. 

Rescuing a Child by Stopping Labeling

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:22 — 17.9MB)

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“Labeling” is a well known concept in social-pyschology. Apparently not very well known in education. Or known in reverse.

Today, please consider one of my other victory stories. I saved a child. He was labelled as “bad.” I don’t know why. He was being hounded by his first grade teacher. What stories! And was being treated like he was recalcitrant and behind. He was not. He was acting normal, but he was bored — because he was extra bright.

I was Academic Dean. I was in the classroom helping a new to the school but experienced teacher. Thank God, I saw what as going on!

Let’s not leave it at one child rescued academically — and surely you know a bright 7 year old boy, labelled as bad would end up with behavior problems. The juvenile halls are filled with “learning disabled” boys! Let’s learn how to avoid these problems.

Let’s be sure our children, and our students are labeled. And let’s reform teaching all together — but that will be another book and another episode.

The power of words. No where more powerful than in the ears of a young child!