Thank you for the story. It appears to have provoked quite a bit of opinion and passion about the issue. Balanced news/reporting allows for this debate to occur.
I'm not an expert and don't purport to be one. There are several things that make me uneasy with global warming being scientific fact:
There have been mistakes or deliberate "gaming of data" in research completed by the two major universities supporting their hypothesis; and
There appears to be an agenda driven group pushing their thesis on global warming for other policy reasons.
The peer review process has not been 100% behind the research on global warming; and
Threre is research by other eminent climatologists disputing global warming.
As a result, I don't believe that the concept of global warming is settled science. Data more than 200 years old is not available for review. As scientists do not have more data points, how can one prove global warming? As far as I'm concerned, Einstein's theory of relativity is exactly that...a theory. To place global warming beyond a theory into fact is a major mistake.
I don't believe that any of the big three sports are self sustaining but depend on fundraising by outside sources (specifically earmarked for that specific team).. If you factor in equipment costs, transportation, multiple coaches salaries etc. the big three sports do not fund any of the other athletic teams at Pinecrest. Ticket proceeds alone do not cover costs. In other sports, parents personally kick in funding or rely upon local businesses to fund their sport. It's quite unfortunate and very unfair.
Mike,
Sorry for not organizing my thoughts better. You hit the nail on the head. Technology should not be a crutch or a substitute for learning the basics. Conversely, if you can apply technology in a way to learn the basics, it's a real winner. We should all remember that computers are not smart...they only know two numbers; 1 and 0. Employing a basic understanding of calculus, algorithms etc. create the magic that is behind most of our technology today. Technology in our education system has been a blessing and a curse.
You are absolutely correct. Children SHOULD have the benefit of a strong home situation. I believe test scores and the decline of the nuclear family are highly correlated. Additionally, children of college educated parents perform at a higher level than students who do not have college educated parents (after norming for income, gender and race). If we can find some way as a society to keep families together, we can help lift more children out of poverty. We can't count on the village, or government for that matter, to raise our children.
Best of luck. Individuals should be recognized for excellence no matter what field they participate. I hope this translates into better business for Ashten's. Couldn't quite get my head around a couple of posts above as I'm a comfort food sort of guy and a philistine when it comes to haute cuisine.
Your opinion that students have more complexity than the students of today. Let me give you some complex issues we had to deal with...
Doing mathematics on a slide rule or basic add/subtract/mutiply and divide calculator, not a scientific calculator;
Computer programing in Fortran and Cobol using punch cards as opposed to using high level computer languages (easier) writing code on a pc;
Writing term papers out long hand and then typing the paper on a typewriter, not on Microsof Word with spellcheck and software that can check fo syntax and other errors;
Completing research in the card catalogues and reference sections in the library as opposed to using Google; and
Completing a spreadsheet manually on an 8 columns spreadsheet which doesn't remind you when there is an error.
As technology wasn't available back when I was in university, my generation was required to know the basics in order to perform at a high level. You should also recognize that previous generations had to deal with the increasing pace of change. Remember, previous generations put a man on the moon, designed the first computer chips, were pioneers of the internet and on and on and on.
Knowing the basics has always served my generation well because we recognized that the application of that basic knowledge is an important foundation. Having a strong foundation from which to build is the singular most important factor in the formation of new and innovative ideas later. I believe we have lost our way in education as technology has allowed shortcuts for students.
Have been exposed to the HS classrooms at MCS as my child attended. Frankly, not too terribly impressed with the quality of instruction at the schools. Take it for what it's worth but don't diminish my opinion as I'm not a teacher in the system. As the old saying goes....Those who can; do, and those who can't; teach. JMO and not directed at anyone that is participating in this discussion.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Moore County Schools Preparing for 'Remodeling of Education'
John Lentz,
Thank you for the story. It appears to have provoked quite a bit of opinion and passion about the issue. Balanced news/reporting allows for this debate to occur.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
The Lessons Learned From Wisconsin
Great column!
A drop of conservative thought in an ocean of Pilot liberalism.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Great Season for Wolfpack Baseball
Ditto, a great performance. Over-achieving NCSt. was a pleasure to behold.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Wishful Thinking On Ocean Levels
I'm not an expert and don't purport to be one. There are several things that make me uneasy with global warming being scientific fact:
As a result, I don't believe that the concept of global warming is settled science. Data more than 200 years old is not available for review. As scientists do not have more data points, how can one prove global warming? As far as I'm concerned, Einstein's theory of relativity is exactly that...a theory. To place global warming beyond a theory into fact is a major mistake.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
member
Member,
I don't believe that any of the big three sports are self sustaining but depend on fundraising by outside sources (specifically earmarked for that specific team).. If you factor in equipment costs, transportation, multiple coaches salaries etc. the big three sports do not fund any of the other athletic teams at Pinecrest. Ticket proceeds alone do not cover costs. In other sports, parents personally kick in funding or rely upon local businesses to fund their sport. It's quite unfortunate and very unfair.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Moore County Schools Preparing for 'Remodeling of Education'
Mike, Sorry for not organizing my thoughts better. You hit the nail on the head. Technology should not be a crutch or a substitute for learning the basics. Conversely, if you can apply technology in a way to learn the basics, it's a real winner. We should all remember that computers are not smart...they only know two numbers; 1 and 0. Employing a basic understanding of calculus, algorithms etc. create the magic that is behind most of our technology today. Technology in our education system has been a blessing and a curse.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
From the Publisher: It Takes a Village...
CC,
You are absolutely correct. Children SHOULD have the benefit of a strong home situation. I believe test scores and the decline of the nuclear family are highly correlated. Additionally, children of college educated parents perform at a higher level than students who do not have college educated parents (after norming for income, gender and race). If we can find some way as a society to keep families together, we can help lift more children out of poverty. We can't count on the village, or government for that matter, to raise our children.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Ashten's Team Fired Up for Cooking Competition
Best of luck. Individuals should be recognized for excellence no matter what field they participate. I hope this translates into better business for Ashten's. Couldn't quite get my head around a couple of posts above as I'm a comfort food sort of guy and a philistine when it comes to haute cuisine.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Moore County Schools Preparing for 'Remodeling of Education'
David,
Your opinion that students have more complexity than the students of today. Let me give you some complex issues we had to deal with...
Knowing the basics has always served my generation well because we recognized that the application of that basic knowledge is an important foundation. Having a strong foundation from which to build is the singular most important factor in the formation of new and innovative ideas later. I believe we have lost our way in education as technology has allowed shortcuts for students.
Newton 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Moore County Schools Preparing for 'Remodeling of Education'
CMC,
Have been exposed to the HS classrooms at MCS as my child attended. Frankly, not too terribly impressed with the quality of instruction at the schools. Take it for what it's worth but don't diminish my opinion as I'm not a teacher in the system. As the old saying goes....Those who can; do, and those who can't; teach. JMO and not directed at anyone that is participating in this discussion.