tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705078887057341738.post1652163624254483364..comments2024-03-19T07:30:55.288-04:00Comments on Curmudgeon: SAT scores are linked to Family income. So what?Curmudgeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323026187622872114noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705078887057341738.post-12872131893180270132009-09-13T15:41:56.443-04:002009-09-13T15:41:56.443-04:00I know what let's do! Let's tax the rich,...I know what let's do! Let's <i>tax the rich</i>, and if that doesn't work, let's <i>tax them some more</i>! Then, when there's no rich left, there will be none of this gap between rich and poor!<br /><br />But then, about whom will you complain? Is low performance on the part of the poor *really* the fault of the rich? Because that's what I'm taking away from what you quote and what you write.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15730642770935985796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705078887057341738.post-80480308530440609642009-08-29T18:57:56.693-04:002009-08-29T18:57:56.693-04:00How about all the money rich parents spend on SAT ...How about all the money rich parents spend on SAT prep classes and private tutors? Lower income kids cannot get this extra help.Pissedoffteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07924089808582137198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705078887057341738.post-39562561599472488692009-08-29T16:20:46.004-04:002009-08-29T16:20:46.004-04:00Sometimes we really agree.
Not this time.
If I c...Sometimes we really agree.<br /><br />Not this time.<br /><br />If I can paraphrase:<br /><br />Smart adults --> high income<br />Smart adults --> smart kids<br /><br />If I have this right (and please correct me if I do not) I think it is bunk.<br /><br />Let me play loose with the phrase "intellectually enriched environment" and run with it just a bit.<br /><br />When people make a certain amount of money (love that "a certain amount" instead of saying "a lot") <br /><br />...they tend to live in more expensive towns. And the schools their kids go to are.... maybe not better, but at least better-funded. Property taxes and US education still go hand in hand. <br /><br />...they tend to have stimulating things around for the kids to play with<br /><br />...kids are more likely to be babysat by someone who is instructed to read to the kid<br /><br />...less likely to be babysat with TV<br /><br />...more likely to be exposed to culturally enriching stuff. Plays. Even opportunities to go to the library.<br /><br />...more likely to travel<br /><br />...less likely to be stressed by dangerous conditions in the house or the building (building!) or the neighborhood<br /><br />...less likely to be physically stressed with a fast-food or nutritionally deficient diet<br /><br />I won't go on. The point, whether I've really made it or not, is that most of this depends on the parents' wealth, not on the parents' smarts.<br /><br />So, me, I see improving nutrition, getting kids read to, making neighborhoods safer, increasing opportunities for intellectual stimulation, decent childcare, etc, -- I see those as in the long run more promising reforms.<br /><br />From the middle and high school teacher point of view, I agree with your conclusion. Let us do the best we can with those in front of us.<br /><br />JonathanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com