Values as Students Head to School

A little over a month ago, LeBron James announced his new zip code to record crowds with record money involved. I go back to that night when so many huddled around televisions. As I watched this epic announcement, I wanted the publicity and fanfare to focus on an announcement rewarding innovative environmental advances, or a successfully implemented school program, but it didn't. It did create a comment on values, though. Don't misunderstand me: I am not against American ideals-its monetary independence or freedom of speech-its wonderful defining points; I am against America's screwy value system.

This value system teaches our children conflicting ideas: do it well, but hurry up. Be pretty, healthy and thin, but here is the Olympic team eating McDonalds. Be smart, but don't be too cool for school. Oh, and here is a television show (fill in the blank with your choice) that unrealistically depicts teenage parenthood. In the throes of August, television, print advertisements, radio and the Internet provide another conflicting idea: buy new products to go back to school, but don't focus on the educational aspects of school. Buying a new notebook and set of pencils is probably necessary, and will get kids excited about school. However, does it get them excited about learning? Are parents focusing on the values their children will need at school, that will help with perseverance in October when the erasers are dirty and the folders smudged?

American society could focus on The Education and Medicaid Assistance Act, which President Obama signed into law on August 10, 2010: H.R. 1586, which appropriates funds for education jobs; extends and modifies certain increased Federal medical assistance for States; accelerates the sunset of certain temporary increases in food assistance benefits; limits the use of foreign tax credits by U.S. corporations with foreign operations; and rescinds appropriated funds for several Federal programs. This act helps schools as they go back to business.  It has debatable points, but it helps schools hire back teachers and other staff. This will minimize class sizes, which leads to more material covered, lessened behavioral problems and better learning.

This act did not bring the media coverage James' signing did, maybe because it is not fun compared to basketball. It will however, make many American students' lives easier this next school year and that should make it attention worthy to Americans. Americans could look at what our culture rewards, how our culture rewards it and what it teaches our youth.

I know that King James earned Disney big bucks last month. I even know that is fair and desired in America, to be such a successful man. A person succeeding from his talent (even if that talent is passing around an orange ball) is so many people's dream. I do wish Disney didn't know that we would frequent their station for so many hours to hear a five second announcement. But Disney knew what we valued, and that is our fault.

Photo Credit: Flickr