ACCOMMODATION

'USED TO BE' EDUCATION COMMENCED WITH THE APPEARANCE OF A B.V.M, A TEACHING NUN FROM THE ORDER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, AT THE FRONT OF HER CLASSROOM, READY AND WILLING TO ENABLE HER 30 CHARGES. SHE WAS LIKE A SCARY ZOOMORPHISM, A BLACK, VEILED MONSTER (B.V.M.). SHE REPRESENTED A RESPECTED THREAT WITHOUT A TENDENCY TO ACCOMMODATION. SHE WIELDED A RUBBER-TIPPED YARD-LONG, BLACKBOARD POINTER AND HEAVEN HELP THE STUDENT WHOSE DESERVED PUNISHMENT BROKE ITS TIP. PROPER SCHOOLING WITH THE B.V.M.'S WAS NOT A COLLECTION OF 'PROGRAMS' THAT EDUCATORS BRAG ABOUT TODAY. RATHER IT WAS A START ON THE PATH TO A SELF-IMPOSED EDUCATION MARKED BY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, RESULTING IN ENHANCED SELF-ESTEEM. ISN’T IT TIME TO BRING BACK THE 'ENABLER' TO THE CLASSROOM?

WHO SHOULD ACCOMMODATE - THE STUDENT OR THE SCHOOL? A PUBLIC SCHOOL, SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT WAS PASSED ALONG YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THE SCHOOL ACCOMMODATED FOR HIS ACADEMIC FAILURES. HE MOVED ON INTO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE WHICH ACCOMMODATED ENTRANTS BY NOT REQUIRING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. WITH GRADES OF D+ AND F, HE WAS AGAIN ACCOMMODATED WITH CONTINUED ENROLLMENT. IF A PUPIL CANNOT ACCOMMODATE HIMSELF OR HERSELF( LITERALLY, MEASURE WITH) TO AN EDUCATION, WHY SHOULD HE (SHE) CONTINUE TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY? THIS YOUNG ADULT COULD HAVE ENTERED THE WORK FORCE INSTEAD OF WASTING HIS POTENTIAL IN SCHOOL. WHEN HE DID OBTAIN A PART-TIME JOB MOWING LAWNS AND PICKING UP TRASH, WHY WAS THIS ACADEMIC LOSER PAID $9.00 AN HOUR AND NOT THE MINIMUM WAGE? WAS SOME EMPLOYER ACCOMMODATING HIM TOO? MANY SENIOR CITIZENS ARE MOWING LAWNS AND PICKING UP TRASH, GRATIS, AS REQUIRED BY THEIR LIFESTYLES. BECAUSE ALL EDUCATION IS SELF-EDUCATION, THE LEARNER MUST ACCOMMODATE HIMSELF OR HERSELF TO THE SITUATION, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. SOME 'RETARDED,' INAPPROPRIATE OR UNCOOPERATIVE STUDENTS, EARLY ON, JUST NEED TO LEAVE SCHOOL.