Pantagraph.com | News | Key to school diversity may be teacher training

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Concerned wrote on Aug 15, 2007 4:07 PM:

" Sorry if I sound paranoid but there are too many "diversity" programs that have an agenda. Stick to the basics of education not only for the sake of fundamentals for the work place but also to hold down on the cost of education that too often wastes money on pointless and sometime harmful programs. "

STP wrote on Aug 13, 2007 6:51 PM:

" I do not recall this being part of W's no child left behind act? "

George wrote on Aug 13, 2007 6:50 PM:

" Yes, teachers should get back to teaching their subjects. Far too often they are referees, police, nurses and caregivers. They are expected to teach the children morals, stop bullying and teach them morals? If they do all that, what is left for us parents to do? "

Inclusionist wrote on Aug 13, 2007 12:38 PM:

" It concerns me that a number of the people wrote here that they believe that including diversity training in the teacher education curriculum means that math and science are being excluded. It would appear that they have absolutely no information about university education curricula. What a surprise! "

To Right: wrote on Aug 12, 2007 10:58 PM:

" You are correct. Teachers should teach their courses. To waste money and time on this new age / false teaching is ridiculous. "

ISU wrote on Aug 12, 2007 4:59 PM:

" Needs to teach the teachers how to be compassionate. Students often reflect the vibes the teacher sends out about a particular student. If the teacher treats a student differently, the students will too. The teacher teaches by example. Actions speak as loud as words. "

Right... wrote on Aug 12, 2007 4:29 PM:

" Great. Focus teacher training and resources on "understanding" and "tolerance." Forget training about math and science. This is why the rest of the world thinks our education system is a joke, and they're right. "

A Math Teacher responds wrote on Aug 12, 2007 4:11 PM:

" If our students learn the subject of "gay" as poorly as they learn math, the homophobes in this area have nothing to worry about. "

confused wrote on Aug 12, 2007 2:34 PM:

" Why so we have to have diversity stuffed down our throats.It's like we have to accept everything or else. "

to: Sheffield wrote on Aug 12, 2007 11:28 AM:

" IT's GLBT and it means Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender. And "Concerned Parent", ISU is teaching the teachers how to cope with the stuff some of these students are picking up at home. Unfortunately, the schools are left as the last line of defense for raising your children to be tolerant of others. And it's a tough task when children have been hearing intolerant language at home and in intolerant churches. Read the headline story about teachers who don't get it and actually are harmful when bullying occurs. "

Irate Professor wrote on Aug 12, 2007 10:58 AM:

" I couldn't agree more with "Why Schools are Failing." Judging from Paula Ressler's ISU webpage, she has no interest in math or science education. It used to be that schools were a place where students learned how to use their minds, but people like Dr. Ressler have turned the educational system into something quite different. "

To Sheffield wrote on Aug 12, 2007 10:41 AM:

" gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. It should also include teachers, the GLBT teachers are the problem, seems like a math teacher teaches math, a gay teacher teaches gay. "

To Sheffield wrote on Aug 12, 2007 9:48 AM:

" GBLT means gay,bisexual,lesbian,transgender "

Stop blaming the schools! wrote on Aug 12, 2007 8:55 AM:

" I'll make the GLBT a deal...get rid of the word "retarded" which is an insult to MORE americans, and I'll do my best to promote the removal of the word "gay". Somehow I don't believe that either one of those words will be removed from the vocabulary of our youth any time soon. Let's face it...this "language" starts at home...take care of your own issues at home first! "

reader wrote on Aug 12, 2007 8:08 AM:

" Since everything is ok then there shouldn't be any laws.I mean, to be diverse is to accept everyone of every type no matter what they like,look like or want to do ,or the type of activity they want to participate in . "

Sheffield wrote on Aug 12, 2007 6:34 AM:

" Anyone want to share with us dummies what GBLT means? "

Archer wrote on Aug 12, 2007 6:22 AM:

" It would help if those involved would define for the public what the word, "diversity," means. It is not one aspect of society. It is ALL aspects of society. In the minds of the Alliance, does "diversity" include race, religion, national origin, political views, sexual orientation, education attainment, type of profession or job, speaking accent, age or any of the other characteristics which diffferent people might have and which might be open to discriminatory action? And anyone who thinks that any of the afore-mentioned cannot be used to offend another person just has not been on the receiving end. What diversity is not is a one or two-subject agenda "

Concerned Parent wrote on Aug 12, 2007 3:36 AM:

" Yet another reason not to send your kids to ISU! Preparing future teachers to fill their students' heads with nonsense . . . not to mention, preparing future teachers to violate the free speech rights of those students who speak out against immoral behavioral choices! Just more far left liberal radical feminist indoctrination! "

special needs mom wrote on Aug 11, 2007 11:00 PM:

" As a mother of a child with special needs, I am glad to see the issue of bullying being addressed. Our child has learning disabilities, and since hitting Jr. High, the bullying has been very difficult. When we've talked to the schools, we've been told that he needs to handle it himself, or he ends up getting moved to a different lunch table, or being the only one to get an assigned seat on the bus. What did he do? He was born different. The intolerant children are allowed to remain where they are.... I will be clipping this article and keeping handy when contacting Unit 5 if bullying happens again this year... "

Why Schools Are Failing wrote on Aug 11, 2007 10:20 PM:

" Who needs training and math or science when instead you can get trained in this. Wonderful........ "

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