People seem to forget that texting while driving is not the only distraction. Www.distraction.gov says that even eating and drinking, or combing your hair is a distraction too. However, texting is the most alarming because it involves "visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver." I'm not so sure though that laws are enough! People speed all the time and are constantly getting caught, but does that stop them? Nope, so do you think tougher laws are going to stop distracted driving? Absolutely not. It's the education that needs to be tougher. Children learn from their parents, the parents can help by teaching their children about distracted driving. Hopefully we can see accident rates decline with more education.

I would say that our school definitely does have bullying taken place. I've seen it, heard it, and it's something that is hard to control. I enjoy going to hear the speakers that our school has because they have great stories that help me overcome things, and I'm sure they help the other students know that they aren't alone. The problem that is occuring though, is that at the time the speaker is talking everybody is thinking, "yeah, yeah that's a good idea," or "thank God I'm not the only one with that problem." However, the minute the students walk out of the gym, everything the speaker said goes right over their head. We used to have a Purple Hands program when I was a freshman. I remember Casey Ludwig stood up and talked to our freshman class about bullying. But overtime it's like the programs are just not enough. I researched ways we could create a better anti-bullying environment. According to stopbullying.gov one way would be by having teachers identify bullying when they see it. Many students are getting away with calling other students names that could be offensive or just plain rude. With that comes punishment. Our school could have stricter policies. By starting with those two we could have a better and safer environment for students, and the staff as well.

I think school districts that pay students to come to school and get good grades is a terrible idea. The only thing the student will get out of the idea is to stick their nose into their books and they will get paid. They won't develop study skills. Also according to www.kiplinger.com, the only students that would get the money would be the high-achieving students, not the underachievers. The underachievers will give up and fail, because they know they won't be getting any money. So the schools are wasting their money, not to mention that the district could spend their money on better things. Also teachers always say students are getting paid anyway. Students get paid through the knowledge they gain, and by choosing the career of their choice.

WhyI've been debating with myself now over which side to choose. Earlier I was against school uniforms, and I still think I am, but I tried doing some research to see if I could understand why people are for it. There are some pretty good reasons why people would be for it, and www.frenchtoast.com also gave me more reasons too. One reason they said was that school uniforms would bring safety back into the halls, meaning theft would drop. Also, they "bring an image of success to students and teachers." Students are doing better in schools, and believe it or not attendance rates went up. Many students didn't feel insecure or like an outsider, because they all looked the same. Those are great results! I'm just not for sure if a small town public school could pull off the uniforms though.

I agree with Austin, I think most people learn from experience! Research shows from North Carolina Extension clientele and new Extension field faculty that more people choose to "do" and learn, instead of "see" and learn. The "see" refers to the commercials and also seeing people get pulled over, and the "do" means actually experiencing the situation. I am that way. I will never learn something unless I actually experience it. But that's not only with distracted driving, that's with other things. It's just the idea that more people would rather "do" and learn. So I don't think tougher laws will help anything.

I agree with Hunter, some people seem to forget that uniforms cost money and you're going to school for five days. Kids can't wear the same outfit for eight hours every day for five days. So you'll need more than one uniform, and if you have more than one kid in school, the uniforms will add up quickly. I did do research however on financial assistance for the school uniforms. According to frenchtoast.com, parents have said that three uniforms cost about the same as one pair of designer jeans. But what kind of designer jeans are we talking here? :) Anyway, the point is is that I agree that we shouldn't have school uniforms, but I just wanted to make clear that financial assistance is available for them.

I don't think school uniforms are necessary. The way a person dresses is on their personality, its a way for kids to express themselves. Also it is said on www.angelfire.com that uniforms wouldn't teach children how to accept others that are different from them. Angelfire.com also listed some other facts, but that one definitely stuck out the most. Yes, everybody would look the same, and there are some cons to school uniforms, but isn't it important for children to be able to define themselves and be creative on what they wear rather than letting them go to school uncomfortable? Also many students prefer to be unique, and tons would be against going to school looking like an army.

I think the people that live in a "free country" deserve the right to choose what they want to read. After reading bits and pieces of an article on infoplease.com, I've realized how it is said in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, that the citizens have a freedom of speech. Obviously that right is being taken away from us if books are being banned.

"According to the ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano, "Not every book is right for every person, but providing a wide range of reading choices is vital for learning, exploration, and imagination. The abilities to read, speak, think, and express ourselves freely are core American values." I think that statement is SO true. It's disappointing to see all the books that we used to read as kids, or books that we just read last month, is now banned.