$100 calculators for school???

I completely agree.. there should be parents at home to raise the children.  BUT in this day and age when some parents find it too difficult to to care for themselves, I don't see how they could possibly care fo a child -IF they stick around long enough to even meet them.

 "it may mean selling that boat and motorcycle or second car and buying an old used car to get from A to B."

That is the problem right there - no one wants to give up their stuff! The stuff is more important than the kids. And now, the kids have picked up on that. Watch tv in the afternoons. All you see is what appeals to kids - clothes, shoes, food - and you gotta be "rockin" to look good. These are NOT rock stars, these are kids! Disney and nickelodeon has exploited these kids and personally I think it is disgusting. If I have to see one more teen actor/rock star/ model I am going to puke. Enough with Hannah montana and the freakin jonas brothers - who cares? I am disgusted that these kids are making more in one day than teachers make in a year.  They are talentless hacks who sell more in merchandise because their shows are nothing more commercials for their merchandise. 

Speaking of their shows, have you ever watched this stuff? They do not even qualify as sitcoms. They find the ugliest kids, tell them to scream, run around and act obnoxious for 1/2 and hour and they get paid! This is what our kids are watching - these are their role models. 

Ok Leave it to beaver and lassie were lame - BUT they were applicable for their time and they at least left you with a lesson. The shows today are all about the merchandise- there is no lesson, no morals, no thought.

But again, I digress... When it comes right down to it, it is up to us, as parents to be role models for our children - to set limits and boundaries, to teach acceptable behavior. If the parent is unwilling or unable, then the responsibility falls upon society, or ultimately, the courts. 

Vent away! I know exactly what you mean!!! I remember my math teacher -I hated the man! We had to do everything with paper and pencil. IF we got it wrong, he was MEAN about it! He was always making someone cry in class. I remember coming home from school so many times crying because of him. I ended up getting a 98 on the final exam but I dropped his class the following year because I couldn't take the stress.

Today my kids both used the scientific calculator in the math classes (4 years each) and they were basically taught how to use the calculator itself - nothing more. How many of today's kids can do a simple thing like make change for a dollar? Not too many. Basic skills like addition and subtraction are non-existant. And don't even get me started on grammar and punctuation!!! OMG!!! 

As for your little grand daughter, she will be fine... in no time at all she will be reading book after book. It is sad that today's kindergarteners have to learn the basic skills prior to starting school. Where did their childhood go?