Dave and Bill  

You've got to hear this story... the circumstances that literally lead to a foot-chase through the streets of San Francisco. It was a scene taken from a Hollywood movie, complete with all the actions scenes, taxi cabs, streetcars, and the detective that made the arrest of Karen Lodrick's Identity Thief.

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Responsible CyberCitizen"? That was my first question to Capt. Rhett McQuiston of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC-TF). "When I hear the phrase 'Responsible CyberCitizen', it's a great thing. In my eyes, a responsible cybercitizen, is a person who cares about society and understands that what happens on the internet can have serious real world ramifications especially for our children." Rhett went on to say a responsible cybercitizen is very important to law enforcement. The more responsible cybercitizens we have out in cyberspace for their children as well as all children will only help. Individuals from all walks of life are contributing to a growing number of responsible cybercitizens.

The majority of descriptions of predators or pedophiles are depicted in dark tren chcoats, seedy looking with shifty eyes. Unfortunately, most have the good neighbor next door appearance or the respected professional of the community. The only profiling that can equate to predators or pedophiles is that they are commonly males. Other than that they are invisible and do not appear as the dark seedy individual portrayed in the movies or in art.

It is with the onset of the Internet that has opened the flood gates allowing what was somewhat restricted to narrow and physical settings, like playgrounds and kids hangouts, now allows deviants unfettered access to prey upon cyberspace and countless possible victims. The babysitter in the 80's was the VCR and later it became the Internet - online games - and chat rooms. There is a misconception that because the child is home and in their bedroom they're safe. Here is a little tad-bit of information, when your computer is hooked into the internet it virtually has 65,000 ports or open doors to the internet. You may have the front door locked but, your kids computer doors, all 65,000, are typically wide open with little or no security technology adequate in today's market to protect your family. We've covered this in a previous show and good technology is also part of being a responsible cybercitizen.

Pay close attention, it's what Rhett said today and many of our guests have indicated the same thing, "have a open line of communication with your children" it is the most effective and sure footed way to protect your children. And even then, there will be victims. However, it cannot be stressed enough how important that dialog with your children will be.

Although it has been difficult for lawmakers to keep up the ever changing technologies and the Internet as of January 1, 2008 there are now tasks forces in every state to fight crimes against children. And the best results start with the AGs office to get results. Remember the Internet is not some fad, it is here to stay and we must all do our part in the safety of our children.

Rhett covered tips for children that included never giving out personal information of any kind. Always remember you do not know the other person at the keyboard you are chatting with. You must not assume you know who you are talking with and the most important piece of advice Rhett wants to express is to never meet in person with anyone. There are other tips for parents that can be listened to on the show.

Thank you for your participation and be sure to give us your vote if you like what you've heard or read.

The CyberHood Watch is pleased to welcome Captain Rhett McQuiston; Captain of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC-TF) The ICAC-TF is a multi-jurisdictional task force that includes federal, State, and local law enforcement officers across the State of Utah. Captain McQuiston has been involved is arresting well over 200 individuals for the crime of Enticing A Minor Over the Internet, a Second Degree Felony.

We're looking at a 25 to 50 per cent graduation rate. Even our smartest and brightest students, here in the U.S., only rank 24th in the world. What has happened? Well, that's what we asked Brennan Kingsland, who shared with us her personal experience and her husband's, (Don Kingsland), book, "Set Our Teachers Free".

Teachers are not allowed to teach. They're caught up in the program "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) which had good intentions but, has migrated into a system of "teaching to test". Students are not learning, they are taught to take tests. The NCLB was implemented without checks and balances; there are no guidelines that constitute what are god or bad results. Consequently, the NCLB barometer of success is based on test scores, hence; "teaching to test".

It becomes a catch 22. If the money allocated to schools is based on test results, then teaching for testing becomes the catalyst for learning and the students aren't taught to learn. On top of poor learning skills the funds received from NCLB are allocated based on test scores which now introduce cheating to achieve better test scores. Unfortunately those schools and students that need additional funds are eliminated because of low test results contributing to the low graduation rate.

The problems are compounded further considering there are no criteria or standards to compare the results of what is or isn't working between schools. So, school results in California based on their criteria will differ from school results based on the criteria of those in New York.

The Kingsland Plan isn't based on as much testing and recognizes the gaps in the child's education and focuses on narrowing those gaps based on what they've learned and not solely on test results.

We're not motivating our children to learn nor giving them the thrill to learn, the children need to know they can win. "Teach the joy of learning and they'll become lifelong learners", said Brennan. the No Child Left Behind was good in theory for highlighting the basics and addressing the need to learn reading and math but, that has not been the results.

"Social Promoting" move our children through the system not learning results. When attendance outweighs learning as criteria for advancement to the next grade, what do you think the long term results will be for your child and our society as a whole? No wonder we scored 24th in education in the world and that was sending our brightest and best to compete.

Check out how the Kingsland Plan uses a system of the school's Principal, teacher, parent, and counselor to create a support system that focuses on a positive, working together approach, on what is necessary to instill critical learning skills for of our children's learning process. And it all starts with the basics of reading and math and before moving on; making sure each student builds a solid foundation necessary for continuous learning development of those basics.

Brennan wants our listeners to know that parents are not powerless... become involved with your school board... what you want your school board to be, you have the power to do so. Who you place in your school board is what you get. We can have an excellent education system... get involved.

Ther our so meny ishoos wid are ejucason sistem dat we all beder woree abot the futsher of are kidz and de u s of ameraka "Set Our Teachers Free" Our education system is failing our children. If our children are our future, what if they can't keep pace academically in a global world? Empires have fallen. There's a new meaning to, "No Child Left Behind". The Internet and education, do you think there is a new academia on the horizon? We'll be talking with Brennan Kingsland and I'm curiou

Take a moment and think about this... As a parent with children in school, how many hours in the day, on a consistent basis, do you spend with your child one on one? When our child reaches the age to attend school on a full time, who spends on a consistent basis equal or more time  with  your child than you do as a parent? Their teacher, and in some cases the coach that also teaches a class will probably spend more time.

So, what is happening to our education system and what is it going to take to raise our awareness of the importance of our teachers who spend a great deal of time with our children. And why is the U.S. education system failing our children. You better be concerned! If our children are our future and they can't function academically in a global world, what do you think the future looks like for them and the United States? No child left behind takes on a new meaning.

That's just a personal observation but, one I'd like to share with Brennan Kingsland who will be our guest. Brennan has championed her husband's life work as an educator and will hopefully share with us what's behind his book, "Set Our Teachers Free".