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the grade corresponds with the work. That is not punishment, it is discipline with consequences. Projects, reports, and other assignments must be required, and graded according to the work, that is discipline.

Punishment is a consequence for rule violations. Punishment in the schools has all but disappeared. At best it is inconsistent. Students are not being held responsible for their negative behavior unless it is very serious behavior. Until we leap over that terrible mistake, schools will continue to be dysfunctional and get progressively worse.

It is time to stop pointing fingers, and open the hands so they can begin to do some of the work. When you are pointing fingers, you cannot join hands with your neighbors in an effort to make improvements.

Because there are so many serious questions regarding the American education system, and because the mistakes and problems are hurting our students, and harming their futures, action must be taken to reverse this trend.

If we will recognize that it all comes down to the fact that there are many symptoms, and really only a few causes, we can begin to take action toward creating a learning environment where our students will realize their full potential. The symptoms are many, but the causes can usually be identified in terms of opinion, political correctness, lack of discipline and punishment, and general apathy which is actually a symptom of another issue among educators, peer pressure or peer support, and of course a huge cause is finances.

Lets put our minds to work: "Minds are like doors, they work best when they are open."

Sweat and tears will bring shouts and cheers: "Every success grows from an idea that has been fertilized with thought, and nourished with hard work."

Get excited: "If you have the gift of imagination to visualize somethingdevelop enough enthusiasm to make it happen."

Student accountability: "Children now days seem to cover an awful lot of ground without cultivating any of it."

"Learning gives us wings, but wisdom shows us how to use them."

Learn more about this author, Ernest Smartt.
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