A Gates Foundation Education Initiative Fizzles 459
theodp writes "Three years ago, Sarah-Palin-bogeyman William Ayers published a paper questioning the direction the small school movement was taking (PDF) with the involvement of would-be education reformers like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. And now, after $2 billion in grants, Bill Gates concedes that in most cases his foundation's efforts in that area fell short. 'Many of the small schools that we invested in did not improve students' achievement in any significant way,' said Gates. Bill does cite High Tech High as one of the few success stories, but even there has to limit his atta-boys to the San Diego branch — the Gates-backed Silicon Valley High Tech High closed its doors abruptly due to financial woes (concerns about the sustainability of Gates-initiated small schools were voiced in 2005). Not surprisingly, some parents are upset about the capital that school districts wasted following Bill's lead."
Who thought it was a good idea... (Score:5, Funny)
Ofc.. (Score:1, Funny)
The money was spent by the schools on PCs and Windows Vista? Thats why they didnt improve! Its faster to write the document by hand.
Re:I could be sarcastic (Score:5, Funny)
Not that I have much experience with the subject; merely an uninformed opinion...
Don't feel bad. Most school boards have the same problem....
Re:I could be sarcastic (Score:5, Funny)
WTF?
I'm logged in, "Post Anonymously" is not checked, and my hilariously funny comment gets attributed to Anonymous Coward.
That's the second time that's happened to me.
ARRRRGGGH!!
Re:I could be sarcastic (Score:4, Funny)
Nonsense; I posted that comment.
Re:I could be sarcastic (Score:5, Funny)
Are you trying to say that setting school curriculum and teaching goals is not best done at the federal level? You are unpatriotic and anti-American. I'd call you more words too, if they had taught us more words at school. People like you shouldn't even be here. There is no room here for original thinking, or people who are taking responsibility for themselves. You need to get with the program or GTFO! It's people like you who abuse the gift of federally mandated high fructose corn syrup snacks for our children. If you don't stop spreading your filth and down-right sacrilege, our children (god's gift to us) will end up being free thinking hippie types who don't support our troops.
Re:I could be sarcastic (Score:5, Funny)
Well done sir. Wait why am I congratulating myself? How pretentious of us.
obviously (Score:5, Funny)
Obviously, Bill Gates is bringing the same skill and insight to his charitable efforts that made Windows what it is today.
Re:I stopped reading... (Score:2, Funny)
No. No. No. The weapons are just in case the government goes haywire and starts telling us what we can and cannot do.
Like, you know, with our bodies. Er, I mean with our sexuality. Um, nevermind.
Re:I could be sarcastic (Score:4, Funny)
Yet, I got modded funny, and you got modded flamebait.
Now aren't you glad the anonymous coward bug caused you to not post that by your own name? :)
Re:I could be sarcastic (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I stopped reading... (Score:1, Funny)
That is the point. I can't understand how any person, regardless of country, could disagree with that.
Commie handout socialist leftie commie taxes marxist!