I copied the subject article into my skegley.blogspot.com SamKat blog
this morning. It should give us all pause for concern in the future of
human societies. My immediate concern is especially for those school
administrators who might move along with a tide in education which can
remove help to those mainly wanting to better their employable
credentials.
I, SamKat, still tutor math, now in the
Developmental Education Department Math Lab at our local Columbus State
Community College (CSCC). Many of our DevEd students have
disabillities, in addition to a nearly universally shared fear of
necessarily more disciplined mathematical courses. Thusly, these
students don't qualify for college math courses by their placement test
scores. Most DevEd students share a desire to better their futures in
employment for the rest of their lives and, although some will complete
full college degree requirements, most will enhance their academic
credentials for better employment opportunities with community college
associate degrees. In my mind, God has richly blessed our community and
our country with those advancements by such credentialed employees.
Columbus
State has served an important "need" for such students and this
community, especially through Developmental Education. However, a
universal higher education movement has been ongoing for several decades
to force the DevEd type classes back into the high schools, or where
else I don't know.
I believe Artificial Intelligence courses
drive the academic movement that is, "only the very brightest should
succeed". It has not always been the academic intelligence people who
have made our country so wonderful.
I have witnessed struggling
student's burning desire for advancement, not necessarily to learn the
math material, but to get the passing grade to satisfy their
curriculum's requirement. Answering that "community need" has been such
an important service which CSCC has provided the Columbus Ohio
educational scene, which was recently touted in a national magazine
article. I enjoyed the article which gave to CSCC and to all Columbus
schools and residents in general, more pride in our terrific community.
I,
although in love with my metallurgy career, taught first at Columbus
Foreman's Club, then Columbus Technical Institute (CTI), and still at
CSCC. Most such part-time adjuncts such as I, needed no benefits, as
their careers provided such. Salaries, with no costs of benefits to
around eighty per cent adjuncts have converted many costs to profit
dollars throughout the existence of community colleges.
My
teaching income has helped me and my family some; however, my major
concern in this rant is that community colleges do not lose sight of
Developmental Education needs of many citizens of their communities.
Sam Kegley aka SamKAT
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