Ideas for America Discussion Guide

IDEAS FOR AMERICA DISCUSSION GUIDE

Although the book contains hundreds of ideas, all of them are united under one front; to improve quality of life for all living things. How to study these goals is up to you, but one thing is for sure; we’re going to need many, many different voices to be heard for this work to have a chance to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

You might ask what’s the most important idea or principle of the book? Above all, we need to love and respect one other. The ideas in this book are great, but they mean little without our commitment to treating each other and those who can’t defend themselves well.

What do we need; new authors, participation in college classrooms and Local Papers. It will take hundreds of writers to explore the relatively unexplored themes in this book. I believe there are easily enough themes here for hundreds of full books, if only folks take the time to find and develop them. College classrooms can contribute to the productive debate by doing problem solving and policy analysis in the classroom. The hearts and minds of college students can contribute to elevate the quality and spirit of analysis. Local newspapers can reestablish a new role for themselves by engaging in greater analysis; by helping readers understand how a rapidly changing world affects them. To achieve this, journalists will need a system to continue to develop their knowledge. 

What did you think about the 7 key concerns in the Discussion Guide from the book? What did you think were the biggest points of the book were? Did you disagree with anything I covered? What would be a better approach? Let us know, this is your forum!

Join the Conversation on Education in Our Communities

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
‘Cause there’s a million things to be
You know that there are

- Cat Stevens, Harold and Maude

Chapter One Questions: Here are some things to ponder

You don't have to answer them all, but answer the ones you care about most or add in your own sentiments.

 

1. What are five core areas to be looked at to maximize the role of education?
2. What do you think of doing a combination of traditional and vocational studies? Is this feasible in your hometown school system? Why or why not?
3. Do you agree with the idea of minimum standard tests? How is their role different from subject assessment tests?
4. I once had a professor who flat out didn’t believe in testing; what’s your reaction to that?
5. Do you agree that physical education should be a daily requirement? What are the laws in your state regarding this? How are they enforced? Are there any loopholes?
6. Did the section on Special Education give you any feeling of hope or optimism? Was there any particular point you found useful?
7. Which idea for maximizing physical programs would best be integrated into the schools?
8. Was there any point or idea in the section on Adult Education that you liked?
9. What did you think about the idea of “Language Houses” at our state universities?
10. In your opinion, how should adjunct professors go about improving their situation? 

Tell us how you feel about these thoughts. Share them with your friends and family and get your community involved in the solutions to our world.