I posted this on Dance's page.
y I think it is a travesty to not offer American Sign language in Baltimore County Public schools. (All , not just the favorite schools) Anyone coming to this country can learn English, but some one who is non verbal or a person who is deaf does not have that option. It's always people with Disabilities who are thought of last. BCPS schools don't even go out of their way to make sure that every entrance is Handicap accessible. I know this because my daughter went to Patapsco could not leave the building for Fire Drills if she was in the last few halls. She once was locked out for nearly 30 minutes by herself in the cold. There wasn't any intercoms on the doors. Her stupid teacher (English teacher who is still there) did not feel the need to open the door for her to get in. Finally a parent who pulled up in the drive way let her in.. So with this BCPS needs to get their act together. I can't see rewarding Principals who do nothing with a lucrative job. Do I sound bitter..You betcha..All this is common sense.

That's a great idea Dr. Dance. The World is shrinking. To remain competitive it's necessary to speak more than one language. It's gotten so easy when I travel abroad to spot the Ugly American. They are the ones that think that if they talk really loud and slow that somehow the person will automatically understand English.

This makes me sick to my stomach. Wonder how much we spent on this self-love fest.

I'll second the call for including ASL in the Baltimore County schools as a language option.

ASL stimulates students to learn (it's a very kinetic language, working the brain and the body). We have some amazing resources that are local to Baltimore with MSD (Frederick and Columbia campus) nearby, and our proximity to Gallaudet University, Perhaps we could expand the "casual" ASL that some teachers incorporate into class into treating it as a fully supported second language. The skills they learn will benefit them as people, and as students, and it's a lot of fun to sign!

More political edu-speak. I love the idea but the reality isthat We can't even find teachers to fill the foreign language positions that we have now. How are you going to fit another subject into elementary school? They dedicate the entire day to math and reading because they are the tested areas. They have no time to cover science, social studies or health now - another subject...doubt it unless the state starts testing it. Want to get kids ready ready for the global workplace, throw out the one size fits all curriculum, minimize testing, eliminate state mandates and BS initiatives like RTT, force higher ed to improve teacher prep programs and stop using acronyms like STEM, MAP, PARC, and MSA!

While traveling and working a lot in foreign countries and with people from all around the world, I constantly felt really inadequate (and stupid) that I could speak only one language. I marveled at how quickly they could switch between 3 or more languages. I struggled to learn "survival" German (meaning I can order a beer and ask where the toilet is). It's time that we insist that all students learn a second language before they graduate high school. It needs to start in kindergarten (a German word).

Dallas Dance will not answer any of my tweets about dealing with the REAL problems in education. This just shows how important it is to him to deal with fluff rather than substance. Let's make sure our kids can read and write (well) in English. There are many GT level Jr. and Sr. who cannot write a simple paragraph. Let's make sure that students are being held accountable for their work while not blaming teachers but the students and their parents. Gone are the days when students are accountable for their work and now teachers are being blamed for their teaching "style". The only thing that DD has accomplished is taking the focus off the real work which needs to be fulfilled - simple reading, writing and 'rithmetic. Get real DD and get into a classroom to see what kind of behavior and attitude teachers are dealing with on a daily basis.

THIS is just another sign that this ONCE great country will be just another Mexico and third world country ruled by non-americans in just a few years. You all voted these fruits in Office and they put fruit friends in these positions. Hell Lets teach our Kids how to read and write first. How many of our kids come out of school now and can't read or write and now they want to teach them other foreign languages. Hell I spoke to kids who can't even read a REAL clock if the numbers are not highlighted on them. WARNING : Very soon ENGLISH will be a foreign language in our once great country. WAKE up and vote and chase these nuts out of office and their positions before it is too late.

Instead of forcing children to learn a language they are not ever going to use, the foreign language requirement should be changed to a life skills class that includes learning how to live independently through financial, social and home management skills. I'm not talking about a cooking class or how to clean 101, but rather a whole life skills course that incorporates hands on experience partnering with local businesses that can tie in to the service requirement children need to graduate. Thinking beyond this ridiculous foreign language component is necessary and should be an option, not a requirement.

As the mother of a 4th grader, I think I would rather see the already given education improve. A lot of these 4th graders can barely write legibly, can't tell time as it was literally a 3 day lesson, can't add, subtract, multiply and divide, can't.hold a conversation and are super bratty kids with attitudes. I took 7 years of French and I can't speak a word of it. I understand and read it but I've lost it over 22 years. As far as ASL goes, teach them the basics, as I have taught my child. A hearing-impaired person can't learn English like a Spanish speaking person can. Why should my kid be forced to learn a language to accamodate those who feel no need to learn the language of the country they're feeding off of? As for more technology, how about we teach them to do things without technology first, like math without a calculator, before throwing them into having something do the work for them?

Kiley, I could not agree with you more. The comments I see seem to lack two important components to this issue. One is many of our students lack the suficent skills in our own language to compete in our own economy much less on the world stage.

Here is a comment recently posted on this site:

"You know its a damn shame that when people of the world quick to jugde you and don't know nothing. My nephew didn't deserve to died at all, so before anybody on this blob sharing they comment about a young man who had more to live for. like my mommy always told me if you don't have nothing nice to say keep your Damn comment to yourself. And first and foremost he was our angel to all of us, so what the stupid ASS! Bystanders. Need to get some clarification on my nephew before you jugde him on his back ground. just how you feel about MIKAL BEING A NICE BOY, THAT HOW I FEEL ABOUT MY NEPHEW. BUT GOD! GOT THIS ONE AND WE WILL REJOYCE. DON'T JUGDE! STOP JUGDING! BECAUSE TRUTH BE TOLD WE DON'T KNOW WHATS IN YOUR CLOSET. HAVE A BLESS DAY."

I have many more examples but the question begs, what languages are you going to teach and where are you going to find the teachers to do this when they struggle just to teach English?

Do you have any idea what the dominant languages are? Which ones are you going to chose?

Since English is the most dominant language let's get that right first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_widely_spoken_languages_%28by_number_of_countries%29

English is the 3rd most dominant language in the World behind Mandarin and Spanish.

Dance had no chance here, anything he said was going to be bashed. Beeler's next positive thought will be his first ever.

Not exactly.

http://www.krysstal.com/spoken.html

English over Spanish by a 2 to 1 margin.

Can you speak Mandarin, because that is the language of one of the largest holders of U.S. debt as in China!

Good for BCPS looking at skills that both higher education and the business community are asking for.

That's ridiculous! Food stamps has absolutely nothing to do with the language spoken. It's based on our crappy economy.

"The world of science and technology demand English as the chosen language." That statement is just complete BS. Do you know how many non English speaking scientists there out there?

.....and the Metric System is so easy to learn. If they start them young enough they can learn Mandarin.

Better get your facts straight.

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=194

Evets you start using slurs you have already lost the debate. You just lose your ability to be objective. The facts are what they are like the homicide rates in the city.

You may not like them but you can't ignore them. I deal in facts not racial slurs.

Typical example of why the public schools are failing our children. Can these students read and write well enough in their native tongue to compete with foreigners that use English as a 2nd or 3rd language? Testing says no. So instead of having the kids read and write as a valuable skill liberal schools will make sure our students our diverseley educated, but not so much in the things that count. No wonder Steve/FIFA is so glad.

Evets, what does your reference refer to? Why and what does this have to do with the debate? Who are you making reference to? Explain the term so the rest of the readers can make a clear distinction of the term.

http://www.amazon.com/Die-Amerikaner-pauschal-Stephanie-Faul/dp/3596133912

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Stephanie%20Faul&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank

There are many times in history where this technique was used to make a veiled point. You have a chance to make your point in responding to my questions.

There might be people who exhibit these tendencies but that covers both sides of the spectrum.

Question for the daily commenters: Is it necessary for you to spin and spew the same negativity regardless of the subject. It has become routine for you to veer off topic to take juvenile jabs at each other – at the expense of readers and commenters.

While on my soapbox:
Really, Dr. Dance, foreign language... that is what we need to focus on. I would like to focus on the current education our kids are receiving today, the true climate of our middle schools, and as Shell9 wrote it is those with disabilities that come last. Finally, I would like to focus on accountability.

The administration (Board of Ed included) needs take responsibility for the misspent money dumped into the repetitive and countless reports, audits, study's, taskforce reports and commissions for the last 10+ years that yielded failed programs and countless of failed children, not system wide cohesive and effective evidence based educational programs... And for the record, I don't care that Dr. Lowery and Dr. Dance are new - someone needs to be held accountable and it isn't the students, parents, or teachers.

Also, when reports like Newsweek rate Maryland's public school system as number one read the report and truly look at the criteria; it is deceiving and is only mildly important if you are selling houses or opening a strip mall.

Evets, Americans are lazy? Which Americans are you referring to? Since this country encompasses a large diverse population and based on FIFA's comment on the use of sarcasm I would read this.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sarcasm

or this:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/slur

Evets are you including yourself in that lazy group you speak of? What particular ethnic group were you referring to? Are you an American?

I am good at apologies when I'm wrong but in this case I don't think you thought that comment out.

http://dundalk.patch.com/blog_posts/my-sincere-apologies-to-baltimore-county-fire-chief-john-hohman

Evets I thank your for your support to our country. I served in a different way by being a police officer for 39 years. I am referred to a draft dodger among many other things and I don't hear anyone from this group speak in my defense.

You made the opened end comment and there would not be the issue if you had done so in the way you just explained. That is why truth is always better than attempting to evade it.

Don't expect me to read into or behind or above what you state in words and have the notion I will comprehend your meaning.

Just like cch now all of a sudden he begins to come out and speak the truth about his experience.

What is really interesting is that when I am attacked over and over I rarely hear anyone come to my defense.

If there is something to be learned then I think that being forthright and honest is the best policy and when I learn to read minds and comprehend what is not as evident as you seem to indicate then you can criticize my lack of understanding.

I'm not a mind reader. FIFA the definitions speak for themselves. I never used the word - racial! I have made many mistakes on this site and learned from them. If one does not explain themselves how are others supposed to perceive their remarks when we or I am not privy to the game.

If you served your country I would be proud to use my name and stand tall. That is what soldiers do.

Tim, some good points. The issue I have is does the learning experience last? The ultimate goal of education is to prepare our young people for the next step in their life's experience.

Believe it or not, one of the major subjects that has benefited me was typing and staying with the correct format.

Other lessons if not used are forgotten after a period of time unless reused or reenforced.

Keep digging that hole....

I made a mistake. I did use the word racial slur. Let’s take a look at the terms used so the point is clear.

Americans are lazy. FIFA used the word sarcasm.

Related to ETHNICITY
Synonyms
nationality, nation, race

American(s) may refer to:
• Americans, citizens or attributes of or from the United States of America
o See also: Citizenship in the United States, Names for United States citizens
• A person of American ethnicity

sar•casm
[sahr-kaz-uh m] Show IPA
noun
1.
harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2.
a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms.

Slur
Transitive verb – To speak of somebody in an insulting or demeaning way.

That covers it, the words used and the meanings.

What is perplexing to me is how can either of you can be offended when in fact you are
pseudonyms as in not real people. How do you offend one who does not exist.

You logic along with your use of word speaks for itself.

Step up and be a real person and then you can be taken seriously, other wise you remain a Evet or a FIHA.

Show some that bravado where it counts.

Evets, what kind of remarks is this: " As for being a draft dodger, only you know the motives that led you to join the police force. If avoiding the draft was a reason, I have no problem with that."

Is your comment a veiled attempt to indicate that was my reason? I praised you (a darn pseudonym for your service, but others on here have lied about their supposed service because they can - THEY ARE NOT REAL PEOPLE.

While a rookie I went to volunteer for the draft at my local board. They turned me down saying they needed cops as much as they needed soldiers.

How do I understand something that is not real. I did not hear a word of thanks for my 39 years of public service? And you say I'm not understanding. That was my first reply to you in this debate was "Thank your for your service."

I'm tired of people who hide behind the shadows like what ever a steve is and spout lies, and demeaning unfounded remarks.

You and your opinion would have my ultimate respect if you were a real person.

The thing I don't understand if your were brave enough to serve what are you afraid of now and why don't you stand tall because your words would have so much more meaning. I would be proud to be a Vietnam veteran and hold those that were in highest regards.

I had no clue who or what you now claim to be. As I said I am not a mind reader. I remember real people and value their views.

LOL Grandpa is becoming unhinged.

LOL "While a rookie I went to volunteer for the draft at my local board."

You don't "volunteer for the draft".

Thank you Tim. This proves my point about FIFA and Evets. Where are they about this thing called steve's comments. It's OK among a certain group to make comments like he does and they say nothing. Just don't challenge them. A double standard. The left can't stand to be challenged or won't stand up for what is right.

steve is the same person who made this statement about his bogus military career and if Evets is who he claims to be, he should be outraged.
__________________________________________________
Robert Armstrong 12:01pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Illegals aren't eligible for Medicaid. Thats pretty disingenuous to try and bring together partial posts from other threads and other topics in an attempt in your bizarro world way to try and discredit me somehow Archie.
LOL "enrage in any meaningful conversation" Basically, everyone who disagrees with Mr. Bunker has to be wrong.
BTW I served in the military for most of my adult life. Panama, Grenada, Desert Storm. Which branh did you serve in? [sic]
________________________________________________________

Robert Armstrong, AKA Steve and AdamBaum. That is why I have no respect for any of them.

This is what the middle class is paying for.

http://www.infowars.com/millions-of-illegal-immigrants-are-using-a-massive-scam-to-get-bigger-tax-refunds-than-you-are/

https://www.marylandsail.org/VerfForms.aspx

Ha Ha Ha "InfoWars" No wonder he didn't believe you.

Buzz, you whine about Steve's comments about you and then cry why don't FIFA and Evets defend you? Who have you ever defended on the Patch besides your own sorry butt. Grow up Buzz, you whine like a two year old. The Patch is not about you even though you think so. I tire of you beating your chest like you are something special. You are a high school educated ex-cop, great resume'. Now leave us alone and stop butting in.

FIFA, your quote from a fake: "You are a high school educated ex-cop, great resume'.", and what is a FIFA? What is your achievements?

Ever take the time to look at my website. What do you do? Nothing. All you are is a fake name who is afraid to stand up.

Since who died and left you boss? "Now leave us alone and stop butting in." Did Patch make you the boss man? Every comment to be censured by you, a fake?

I went to college. Read my resume. I'll match my life and bank account with you and your pals anytime.

Who did the whining over Evets remarks? It wasn't me. You are no better that something like steve. You lack the character to stand up and be a man or a woman or whatever you are.

Neither of you three have to courage to come forward and that is why what you say means nothing. I am not crying but rather pointing out what a fraud you really are. With people like you if you're challenged you complain.

Oh I never said that or meant that! I don't and could not care less about a thing like Steve. He nor his whatever it is means nothing. It just proves my point.

A long history of being up front and speaking the truth and as the line goes: "You can't handle the truth." The truth deals with honesty.

Tell me about your stellar career? Did you know your buddy is a mining engineer, has three degrees, speaks six languages and travels to China all while spending his entire life in the military.

LOL "Match your bank account."

That made me laugh out loud. What are you going to try and compare next?

LOL Here Buzz. Let me call you the Waaaaambulance!

"Do you really have a pair Buzz?"

LOL I guess you are going to find out the answer to your question!

I would be careful. You might hurt steve feelings. He prefers Spanish.

http://www.dict.cc/?s=wirklich

Another thought.

http://www.helium.com/items/2012548-why-people-use-pseudonyms-on-the-internet

If you don't wish to say then why did you. I would not make that remark to any of these families.

"I don't wish to say a typical cop, but he fits the stereotype"

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/17/justice/kansas-officers-killed

Are you referring to stereotypes as in this manner that Evets might find offensive as per this link, which during that era the peace movement made the correlation of our veterans and their subsequent transition to civilian that much more difficult.

I might also mention that as a police officer during that period I to was a target.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_Massacre

Based on your thought process and the use of the word "stereotype" would this be your opinion of all police or Veterans of the Vietnam War?

You may disagree with my comments but I would take a little more time to think things through before commenting. That way there is less room for misinterpretation of your message.

Well, Fido? I don't see you mouthing off anymore for some reason. Let's go. It would entertain me greatly to flatten the little twerp behind old "FIFA". LMAO

LOL El Capitan/Kongo/ BO My anonymous source says that you and Buzz are Gold Gym Locker Room Sword Fighters.

What students really need is a solid financial education. I'm amazed at the lack of a financial IQ even among "well educated" college graduates, yet alone high school students.

My my, how amazingly the worm or should I say bundle of worms turn once sunlight is shone on them and all of their identities. You go Buzz, but remember that you are basically dealing with one person using multiple names. It was quite apparent on Saturday morning when posters here were talking about changing their votes away from the democratic party due to those gas taxes compiled with all the other additional taxes and the identities magically appeared in tandem. Sure Steve/stanker/fifa/ and whatever the hell else names you post with, everyday random people wake at the same time on a weekend and post immediately with the same train of thought. The most interesting and telling phase of this whole thing Buzz is that anyone with decency, integrity, and self esteem and worth would have given up the other usernames and pretense of being a regular poster after an entire website has figured out their ruse. The fact that they still create fictional episodes of their life which includes trips around town and out of town when their time stamps prove otherwise shows us a delusional character, and that is being polite. They think that when they are in line at party protests getting paid to hold signs and tow the party line that nobody will figure out that this is what they do for a living.

LMAO...and Fido the quivering little mutt runs off again as fast as his stubby little legs will take him. Hope you enjoyed your fearful night, Fido. Look me up when you're ready for another thorough, humiliating thrashing.

I agree with your sentiments completely Buzz. Let us have a brief respite from debating and just use sheer honesty. Everyone with average intelligence understands that most of the debating here is between Towson residents that either share or debate views concerning their neighborhood and the governance of such said government. However, we all know that their are individuals on here that make a living being political activists and operatives. Their posts never show an ideological change or maturity in reason or thought like most others on this site. Most of us including myself know that we do not know it all or solve it all, therefore take the posting of other real citizens seriously and with concern. That individual however is here simply to enforce an agenda given to them.

Evets, read my comment. It's not the name but the deception behind that name. Where is your outrage over steve's comments about his fake military career or the other link I posted that (if you are who you say) probably impacted some of your friends.

That backlog almost cost my brother his life with internal bleeding. When I hear you take a stand against the lies and deceit, like FIFA's alleged e-mail to me that never came, then and only then will I hold your comments with any regard.

If you were a solider you are fighting the wrong battles. You should be screaming your lungs that 20,000 vets died while waiting VA care and all you are consumed with is the term "slur."

As I said a person is often associated with the group they hang with and if I'm not mistaken steve used a name in a new pseudonym that was called something like Ike/steve/FIHA/ and something else. I would have to go back and check.

I can easily see the intelligence of a post of Merlin vs that of a steve and yet neither you or fifa object to his nonsense. As I said it's more to do with the truth rather than the name.

That applies to all walks of life. I don't understand why as as vet you would not be proud of that if you were in fact a vet.

You will sit by and let people like steve pigeon hole your creditability and do nothing. That is the issue and it deals with truth.

Don't you think I would have been sued by now over my blogs if they weren't true?

First I will not engage in juvenile bets. Secondly you bragged about a confidentiality statement. I checked my e-mail, spam folders from 7 pm on and as we speak, unless at the time you claim you sent such an e-mail your name is - fat free diet- I received no e-mail and I certainly will not sign any agreement on such a childish issue.

I wanted to see if you were truthful.

Evets, the last couple of your comments if true is something you should have been writing about all along. They sound sincere and I hope for your conscience they are.

On the last topic, there is a catalyst that starts these issues and it began a long time ago under the name of Robert Armstrong.

Send me that e-mail (I wont identify you) and I show you the comments he made concerning me. This went on and to this day still does.

I don't see you doing anything to stop it. Unless you are using a double standard.

You can refer to me in a way that demeans my career, education among other things and you want my sympathy!

I am going to visit my mother's grave.

There is a lesson here. Evets I hope what you said was sincere, because if it was then you should stand tall, but only you know that, Actions will tend to speak louder than words.

The Patch is wasteland.

By my count... there are 95 comments to this "Foreign Language Fluency" article - a few are on-topic (maybe 3 out of 95)... then in the first few comments, we have this brilliant response to someone showing support for making language available (via "CP") - "Do all Libs like yourself suck off all other Libs no matter what?" - wow. Keep it classy, or at least keep it clean ya' weirdo.

The next 90 or so comments devolve into a twisted thread of nonsense, with the 1/2 dozen usual trolls here on the patch whining at each other about who has most awesome nickname (or something like that) ... all of it highly off-topic and completely and utterly useless stuff... childish.

I wish the Patch had a "block user" because I could eliminate 98% of the BS just by blocking the lot of you... ridiculous. This is why The Patch is unreadable.

Evets, I was not referring to you but rather to FIFA and that thing they call steve who does demean just about everybody.

These two have made references to my career in rather demeaning ways. I don't care what they say because I'm a big boy but it is rather interesting when they receive some of their own medicine how they react.

I have written this over and over, I will defend my self when attacked on a personal basis. I have made a ton of mistakes during the time I have been on this site and will always be the first to apologize when I do. I think the blog I linked will point that out.

Think of it this way, if no one stands up to the steve's that long ago started this nonsense then it will continue. When the tables are turned as the saying goes then for the FIFA's it is not fare.

Let's look at one issue. The comment you made. I took issue with the context. If I had said that same thing but interjected a different race I would have been crucified.

I made a huge mistake in some comments I had made and actually wrote a entire blog to correct my mistake. None of us are perfect.

I have been accused of some despicable things and not one person stood up to these vile attacks.

The police have the same problem with finding witnesses to crimes.

One famous person recently stated one must be righteously indignant at times to deal with such things as this.

That sure is a lot of words to say absolutely nothing.

Evets I think we reached a common ground on the peace about your dad and your place in life. I just hope you are honest with me and somehow I want to believe you are.

Maybe it's time to give this topic a rest. We have all talked about the Sun, Moon and the Stars.

Families still need a K-12 virtual school.