Comments on: Jobs attack on teacher unions may upset some Mac fans

By: John

John — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:42:55 +0000

In response to first Dave,

My on the site council for my children’s school. The school get approximately $480,000 for 102 students or about 4,800 per student. We have 6 class rooms, about 15 – 18 students per class. Love to be in a district that can spend $10,000 per student. Where can I find this Utopia. Though 30 students per class, escpecially in the elementary schools is way to high in my opinion.

By: Luke

Luke — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:53:44 +0000

in response to zpf:
We’re talking about Grade school here. Creativity, problem solving, and higher order thinking is all great, but shouldn’t kids focus on reading, multiplication tables, long division, and historical facts and figures? Public education is to provide a solid basic education for everyone so we can function together on a reasonable, level field of merit. Go to college or a private school for a social experimment. maybe learning a basic set of knowledge is what public schools are supposed to be. (aka the “evil” test) And, when was the government a functioning, free market economy? unions don’t need to belong in goverment. it already functions like the most corrupt union ever imagined, it doesn’t need sub-unions.

By: Luke

Luke — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:39:19 +0000

Way to go Steve. Usually your politics are leftist, but you’re right on here. it’s About time we all realize throwing more money and tech doesn’t help kids. Private education spends way less per student, and sees much better results. Why? management from a real-world business-driven perspective. More people should be standing up against this bureaucracy, and the joke that our public education system is.

By: zpf

zpf — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:23:00 +0000

I just have to shake my head about all these people who learned economics from Fox “News” and Rush Dumbaugh. The “accountability” movement you morons have foisted on America has dumbed down our schools and caused good teachers to be labeled “bad.” Now the “good” teachers teach to the test, instead of teaching creativity, real-world problem solving, and higher-order thinking. Teachers are held more and more “accountable” for things beyond their control, which is logically counterproductive (not to mention abusive) just to satisfy politically motivated stupidity. Despite what you talk radio parrots espouse, Unions are an indispensible aspect of a functioning free-market economy. Without them we’d see a lot more gov. intervention necessary.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:38:20 +0000

It is a myth that bad teachers cannot be fired. Any bad teacher nationwide can be fired for incompetence. No state law or tenure policy applies. The principals just have to do their jobs and get in to observe them and then document their findings. Part of the problem, though, is that some parents will protest a teacher with very demanding standards and high expectations. Simply because Johnny Apple didnt get an A this time. SAD…

By: Albo

Albo — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:10:43 +0000

If the Mac crowd is really progressive, they would get behind Jobs’. His points actually go beyond being just “anti-union” — they speak to the heart of an education hierarchy that is removed from accountability toward its main clients — the kids ! And it goes beyond K-12, too… The cancer that is “tenure” extends well into universities as well. Jobs only sees what any parent sees, which is that public schools are a cruel joke on our kids. Remember, he didn’t criticize teachers, just the system that guarantees mediocrity.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:35:44 +0000

While I love my Mac, I don’t always agree (if ever) with Steve Job’s political viewpoints, but on this one I wholeheartedly agree.

By: nunja

nunja — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:05:50 +0000

He’s just a typical Liberal. Wants to use other people’s money instead of reaching into his own pockets. At least Union members have higher wages and therefore pay higher taxes.

By: Sebhelyesfarku

Sebhelyesfarku — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 17:40:41 +0000

Jobs can say anything, Maczealots will kiss his ass anyways.

By: Manuel Rivas

Manuel Rivas — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 17:30:55 +0000

I think job is way out his field on this one. This issue is more complex than blaming the unions. Teachers in the past where big time supporters of macs in the schools so I don´t understand his attack on one of the most loyal segments that supported Apple through its worse times.

I think Steve Jobs is full of himself. He kids do not go to public schools. He does not know what he is talking about. So he is tech visionary, granted. But that does not make him an education expert. Does Jobs believe in schooling? Last time I checked he is one our famous college dropouts.