Guest columnist Roland D. Blanchet: Improving public education

(Editor's note: This is the first of several installments on how to improve our education system.)

The life vocabulary forms a core of common knowledge, understanding, skills creating an intrinsic, personal learning philosophy of education beginning in pre-school and building throughout grades 1-12.

In essence, forming a positive cultural value and an affection for learning resulting in a social habit that is universally accepted and defined as a cultural custom. Consequently, to improve public schools, or any school, the intrinsic approach is required and feasible by refining, reinforcing students' ways of thinking, talking, writing and acting essentially forming a cultural communication standard universally accepted by the majority of public and private school personnel and residents of that culture.

It doesn't matter whether the residents live in the city, rural or suburban areas. By repetition this language becomes an internally confirmed standard of civil obedience which includes the acceptance of a basic, solid education presenting the opportunity to earn one's keep as a concerned citizen. It provides a censored way of living -- a custom. It is acquired by knowing and using the established language of the culture -- the language of life. The simplest, most efficient and economical way to improve education is defining, refining and expanding a basic language of life.


Alphabetically defined words will follow describing the customary language of life forming an ingrained language - a cultural tradition. This language of life or cultural standard begins at home with the right attitude. All students attending school will be polite, appreciate and be ready, willing and able to learn to improve their well-being and lifestyle. The mentally and socially challenged are the exception, yet they can be assisted by teacher aides. Academically or socially advanced students would be assigned the basic life vocabulary as well. These students will be offered extra credit for words added to the list.

All students in school maintain an expected behavior by listening, cooperating and positively communicating with teachers and other school personnel.

Also, students need to know that bullying others is unacceptable in school or elsewhere. Students need to know that a positive standard of behavior builds character that is a pattern of behavior or moral conscience, a personal constitution, the willingness and politeness to communicate with others and being committed to caring about and respecting other points of view, especially parents, peers, grandparents, teachers and other school personnel. It is well known that common courtesy toward others is the accepted and genuine response in our culture. The thought comes to mind who is culpable for how one acts toward others. In other words, you get back what you give out. Being decent to others is contagious and infectious. This pattern of behavior requires self-discipline, self-control, ethical and orderly conduct.

All students, especially pre-teens, need to know certain drugs, namely alcohol, destroy body and brain cells, affect judgement, hand, eye and feet coordination, reaction time especially when playing a sport or driving.

Also, without exception, ingesting, sniffing, smoking marijuana and cocaine, using any non-prescribed, unidentified drugs is a cultural misconduct. Such action is indeed illegal and most importantly it is dangerous. Its use is known to cause controlled behavior. Continued use could be deadly due to toxic poisoning.

(Next installment: The basis for a solid education begins at home)