OPINION


 * || What subjects should our schools emphasize? ||
 * Dr. Fiegen || How about PE? Gov says our kids are too fat, so more PE? ||
 * Blaha, Patricia R. ||  ||
 * Breit, Darin R. || Our schools systems should definately emphasize more on PE! ||
 * Busser, Jacob L. || I think that they should emphasize technology, PE, and Health. Technology should be stressed because of our ever changing world and how technology is becoming more and more important in day to day life. PE should be stressed because of the growing waistline of Americans today. Health would go hand in hand with PE, we should be teaching kids the importance of healthy living. ||
 * || Should we be primarily concerned about preparing academically proficient individuals for higher education? ||
 * Erckfritz, Amanda R. ||  ||
 * Gartamaker, Kimberly K || I think that when a student is labeled as difficult that label followes them through school, and some of the teachers now days just try to push them through the classes and get them out of their hair. I think that we should be concerned about preparing them. As more schools are getting difficult to get into and worse yet to make it through. Without preparing them this would make it very difficult or impossable to make it through a higher education. ||
 * Grassel, Tyler J. ||  ||
 * || Should we be producing individuals with marketable vocational skills? ||
 * Hanisch, Alicia T. || Yes. It is not realistic to think that all students will be graduating from college with a degree, many jobs in our workforce do not require a degree so we should prepare individuals with those interests to fill the positions. ||
 * Helling, Jason T. || Yes. Every student should have the same opportunity to better themselves in the career field they are interested in, whether it is something a that you use vocational skills in or not. If someone decides to not attend college, or they do not have the financial stability to go to college, having vocational skills will make finding employment much easier. ||
 * Hudelson, Devin T. || Yes. Children should be learning skills to survive in life, these skills will also be helpful for students to go to college. Whether students choose to continue on to college or choose to attain a job, they will need to be prepared for the things that life throws at them. So not only do I think vocational skills are important, I think we should teach students how to think critically and react to unexpected situations with clear and concise judgment, they should know how to anticipate possible outcomes and make the decision that they think is most beneficial instead of reacting the first way that comes to mind. Being able to do this would help in their work and school life, as well as outside of either. ||
 * || Should schools be addressing social justice issues? ||
 * Jurgens, Melissa M. ||  ||
 * Kerkvliet, Chalsea A. ||  ||
 * McClanahan, Clarissa J. || Yes, I think that if schools focused more on how people are the same rather then how they are different or informed students of the different types of cultures and religions, perhaps there would be a better understanding of different cultures in our society and less racism. ||
 * || To what extent should schools address persistent social problems such as substance abuse and healthy living? ||
 * Olesen, Heather M. || I think schools schould introduce social problems such as substance abuse and healthy living in our school system today. Due to the environments that our children are living in today. So, many of the children today may not come from homes where these subjects are ever introduced. If schools do not introduce the dangers of doing drugs or not leading healthy lives and educating them on how to do this, they may not know the dangers of these things and may not be able to make an informed and correct decision on weather or not to chose this lifestyle if they do not know what it can do to their bodies. Taking care of yourself and learning how to healthy I think is vital in today's fast pace society where fast food is so easily available and we often times are running from one activity to another. I think our educational system is a safe place to learn about these subjects and kids can feel free to ask questions if they have them. ||
 * Ollerich, Julie E. || I think schools should initially address social problems such as substance abuse and healthy living in each student's health class. Here, teachers will be able to explain to students what these problems are and alternatives to them. Since each student must take some sort of health class, the teachers and schools will be able to inform all students of how their decisions will affect them. Then, as they continue on in their schooling, school districts could do assemblies about substance abuse and healthy living, and they could also pass out pamphlets. Once the students are initially informed, reminders will help keep students on the right track. ||
 * O'Neill, Amanda M. || Sometimes over emphasizing the importance of something such as avoiding substances and the promotion of healthy living, the more students want to try them out. I think it is important to teach students about these things and make them aware of the negative consequences for their health but it should not be overdone or students will want to experiment even more. Letting students actively participate in the learning process on these social problems is also beneficial in helping to prevent it. ||
 * || Should there be standardized expectations for all learners, or should there be a focus on the development of the unique potential of individuals? ||
 * Ordal, Jennifer K. ||  ||
 * Poncelet, Susan M. || I feel it is important to do both to some degree. There needs to be a base point that students need to be pushed to achieve, however students learn so differently that it may take some longer to get to that point and they may need more assistance to do so. In this process others should not be held back if they feel they can learn more. The math in the school I work in uses a system that has certain objectives students need to accomplish per grade level. While there is instruction on each objective, students work at their own pace. They are required to submit practices and test on material at a regular schedule, but are not held back if they are ahead of their peers. One student in 6th grade actually began 7th grade level math before Christmas this year. ||
 * || To what extent should schools be developing moral and ethical character? ||
 * Rensch, Cera || I believe that in order for today's students to be prominent parts of society after finishing their schooling, it is important for schools to develop a certain amount of moral and ethical character. ||
 * Rosberg, Brittany D. || I feel that in every class teacher's should strive to help every student develop better moral and ethical character. To create well rounded students who will be able to fair well in the real world these are two very important characteristics that all students and people in general should always try and improve upon. ||
 * || What should the schools do to prepare individuals for their citizenship responsibilities? ||
 * Sober, Miranda L. || Schools should help students to prepare for their citizenship responsibilities by providing more knowledge, guidance, and interaction within the subject. I feel that the school system should allow more classes that can give information on real life scenarios. The earlier students are aware of the responsibilities they may have in their future, and the earlier they begin to learn how to prepare, the better off they will be. ||
 * Thompson, Colleen A. || As I look back upon my education it has been centered around me. My parents, the school system, my teachers all pointed out education as something that would help "me" to become more and to take my place in society. Seems to me our nation as a whole is full of "me's" instead of "us" working together to solve issues. Although there is great truth and value in helping an individual succeed we tend to forget that the individual is, like it or not, part of a much larger group of people. In that thought line, I particularly liked the multiple intelligence perspective because it aimed at helping students strive for the best, not just for themselves but as a whole group, by working in and through the group they were assigned to in class. Even though I tend to prefer to work on my own, if I want to make solid and beneficial change for myself and my fellow man, it generally needs to be done with the help of many people and not just a one woman show. So along with the guidance of those wiser than us, we need to make team building a daily reality in some form along with helping the individual find their right "fit" in society - which makes us part of the team but also contributing individuals with much needed qualities and skills to share. ||
 * || Should we have to pay for extra curricula activities? ||
 * Thompson, Patrice R. || I believe there are reasons for paying for extra curricula activities. The schools budgets are generally not sufficient enough to include paying for everything involved in the extras. My husband and I had to pay for a trombone to rent for my son to be in the 5th grade band. What about those that can't afford anything but really want to participate! There generally are exceptions and ways around things but choosing to be in an extra curricula activity is that, a choice, and because of our choice we have to help pay for it. There are always options though so we must be diligent in finding the help we may need. ||
 * Trapp, Jeffrey L. || I think that the school should pay for part of the acivities. They should pay for the traveling costs the basic needs for it. Also, the school should have like a system to figure out who they should pay for. Some families that can afford it should pay for their childrens extra curricula activities. If they can't afford it the school should help them so they can participate. ||
 * || Should all students be required to pass a state test to get diploma? ||
 * Vander Brink, Alisha J. || No I do not think so. I believe that they should pass the minimum required classes to recieve their diploma. ||
 * Willson, Todd R. || No, students should pass all the minimum required classes to obtain a diploma. I do believe that all students should be able to speak at least English before obtaining their diploma. ||
 * Wilson, Alisha N. || I don't think all students should have to take a test to get a diploma unless each test is set up for each individual. Some students do not speak english and are expected to complete the same test as an english speaking student. The foreign students chances of passing such a test are slim which would hinder them from ever graduating. ||