Thinking about the text on page 91

1.       The argument and the point that Mr. Herbert is trying to make is one of more schooling and stricter guidelines for the teachers.  He puts some blame on the teachers and their lake of interest of the children being taught. He talks about how the teachers should be observed before being granted teenier.  He then talks about how children are doing better with longer school days and less days off.

2.       His tone is one of blame and finger pointing towards the teachers and students. He talks about teacher quality over academic prowess and how the students need to be geared towards today’s technological advances and not the archaic ones we have been teaching.

3.       He starts off with a personal story that affected him and could have affected others in the same way.  He states facts that report the status of the education in America and that even though we make a little head way in math and English we shouldn't celebrate because it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what’s really going on.

4.       The first passage that comes to kind is the very first one that opens up the argument about the status of teacher and students in public schools. The second passage is at the end when he points out how effective the KIPP program is and how its turning troubled youths into better students.

5.       I believe that you, Mr. Herbert are somewhat right and wrong. Your argument about the teachers is good but I feel somewhat unfair because after their trial period a teacher could be fired for no reason and then have to start from scratch with negative reviews. I do believe though those teachers should be screened to see if they are still an affective teaching and learning tool for the kids they are going to be helping along in life. I also feel that you have to look at the kids; sure we should gear those towards success but why not let them choose. I am pretty sure that everything would balance out rather than force kids to learn what they don’t like.

                Mr. Herbert’s argument is one of telling the teachers to care more or they will lose their jobs. He also argues the point that if we force the kids into longer school days and the duration of school, shorter summer brakes, and the upgrading of the teaching module so it can help better prepare the young youths of today for the technological advances of tomorrow.  The facts that he spits out are ones of truth but he doesn't mention how if we maybe gear the youths towards their interests rather the interests that society puts on them we would see a change in the way teachers and students do in school.