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Site Navigation   Home Advanced Rules Answers & Erratas Armour Campaign Info Catalogue of Books Equipment & Supplies Humour Magic Miscellaneous Info Monsters & Critters Psionics R.C.C.'s & O.C.C.'s Reference Material Skills Vehicles Weapons About Awards & Feedback Guestbook Links & Web Rings Search What's New	Chi-Town Educational System   By: A.Hamilton (hamilton1776@earthlink.net) "The Coalition State of Chi-Town, It's Culture and Society" A Collection of Essays by Dr. Daniel Treadaway, University of Lazlo   The Coalition State of Chi-Town, known as the seat of the Coalition's power. It is the self-proclaimed last bastion of humanity in North America. Others know it as an oppressor of non-humans. None dispute it is the largest human war machine on the continent. Chi-town is a place that conjures hate, invective and fear in most citizens of North Americas more enlightened civilizations. Many of us know all too well the military face of the CS. From the soaring SAMAS power armor to the Skull-visaged foot soldiers. But most of us never bother to look any deeper, to see the people of the Coalition. Few bother to ask "What is life like in the CS, for the average person?". It is a question that must be asked, or we run the risk of vilifying the citizens of Chi-Town in the same fashion that their leaders vilify non-humans and magic users. Chi-Town proper is a massive fortress city with 40 levels. It's population is one of the largest for any single city on Post-Apocalyptic Earth. The vast majority of Chi-Town citizens are normal people, much like you and I. Maybe some of you reading this wonder how that can be. You say to yourself 'I would never support such a man as Emperor Prosek and his Regime.' The sad fact of the matter is that good people have supported evil regimes all through history. With that in mind, we should look at their society; from the educational system to popular culture, from economic practices to their method of governance, in the hope we can find common ground. Since much of the way we view the world is formed by the age of 12, the educational system plays an important role in the development of that paradigm. Therefore we will turn our attention to that are of life in Chi-Town first. School and Education in Chi-Town With the enforced illiteracy of Chi-Town many would question how the CS can educate its citizens. While some will scoff at the Chi-Town Educational system, the fact is it works. Perhaps only the NGR and Lazlo educational system work better. Unlike our system here in Lazlo where the objective is to enlighten and teach the student to learn, Chi-Town attempts to produce good citizens. And they do that job well. They produce citizens dedicated to their ideals, willing to work and perform whatever job assigned, who don't question or disobey. Structure The Chi-Town Educational System (CTES) is based on a combination of a Pre-Cataclysm German and American educational models , modified to suit the needs of the Coalition. The CTES has 5 levels; Foundational, Elementary, Standard, Technical, and Advanced. All Chi-Town residents go through the first three levels of education. With only those who show promise going to Technical Level education facilities and only the best and brightest being allowed into the Advanced Level institutions. Let's take a look at each level. Foundational Level Foundational level schools are similar to the old American Kindergarten through Fifth grades. These are small schools with typically less than 200 students, located in the various neighborhoods on each level. Naturally the Lofty Foundational Schools have better equipment, better instructors, prettier surroundings and a more demanding curriculum, but the same basic lessons are taught. This level of school is provided by the State at no charge as it functions a vital role in the proper socialization of the youngsters. Children are taught their colors, how to read a clock, and the basic iconography used by the many machines of the Coalition States. The rooms are often decorated with pictures of the Emperor and Joseph the First. Just before nap time they are told tales of the heroic men and women in the Army who fight off the nasty creatures who lurk in the shadows. They pledge allegiance to the Emperor in the morning, Chi-Town at lunch, and the Coalition States in the afternoon. They sing simple songs and learn rhymes that reinforce their loyalty to the State and the Emperor. Propaganda disguised as Fairy Tales, called Truth Tales by the Coalition, teach the children of the evilness of Magic and the Supernatural. A favorite of the Foundational Schools is the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. With a few adjustments. In their version, Little Red is an innocent farm girl, who works on a Coalition owned cattle ranch. She is on her way to visit her grandmother who once served in the CS Army. On her way she is continually tempted by a Wolfen Mage, whom she resists. Upon her arrival, she discovers her Grandmother has been taken control of by the Wolfen, who is devouring her alive. Once the Wolfen finishes his meal, he turns his attention to Little Red. She is nearly seduced by the Wolfen's offer of power, as she has not paid attention to the instruction she received in school on how to resist such magics. Fortunately a CS Psi-Stalker and his Dog Pack happen by, and sensing the magic energy, rescue Little Red and destroy the Mage rather handily. Other favorites include versions of Hansel and Gretel and Snow White. Children are also taught about Dog Boys and Psi-Stalkers and how important it is to cooperate with ISS Peacekeepers. They are given toys fashioned after the latest CS Armor and Vehicles. Again, using stories, play time, songs and a continual barrage of images, the CS teaches loyalty first to humanity. That the group must be put before the individual. Games are designed, or rigged for the more cynical, to prevent an individual from winning. The rules of the game force teamwork and group efforts. Of course all children wear state provided uniforms to school. The uniforms look very much like CS Army uniforms, with a bit more color and not quite so many skulls. Discipline is also strict. Infractions of the rules result in harsh paddlings, but those who follow them are given much praise. Students never question their teachers. A class full of five year olds setting at their desk, quietly drawing or listening raptly to their teacher without ever squirming can be a frightening site. Physical activity is encouraged and even at this young age competitive team sports are played among classrooms. In fact, competition is an important aspect of the curriculum. Students know that those who do poorly will be sent to lesser Elementary Schools. Those who excel are rewarded with toys, candy, vids of popular cartoons and the like. This is also a calculated move to instill an early value of materialism in the children. The CS rightly supposes that if they become caught up in the pursuit of goods and creature comforts, they will be willing to do whatever it takes to protect those creature comforts. The State also begins testing for aptitude at this stage. However, this is mostly preliminary data collection to be used as a barometer in the next phase, to see how well the child is developing and how well the doctrine is taking root. Occasionally a child who is not learning his lessons of loyalty is held back. Additionally, testing for psionic potential begins at this age. This is done in two ways. First, a great many teachers posses some minor psi-sensitive powers to begin with and are constantly on the look out for other psychics. Teachers are rewarded for alerting Psi-Net to potential psychics, especially those with the potential to be Master Psychics. Second, Psi-Net sends an officer to each classroom at least once a year to talk to the students about avoiding odd looking people, the dangers of magic and what to do if they should see a supernatural creature. While the officer is there she will also do intensive scans, looking for children with potential that the teacher may have missed. Elementary Level Elementary Level schools are the equivalent of old American Junior Highs or Middle Schools. At this level, things become more competitive and the courses harder. Team Sports are even more heavily emphasized. Coalition History is studied, and the History of Chi-Town is studied as well. Students learn about the system of government and about the CS Army. They learn about important Generals and battles, and a bit about other Coalition States. The methods used to teach these classes are quite varied, since text cannot be used. The most often used tool is simple verbal communication and rote memorization. The teacher will recite the stories over and over again, often in the form of a poem or using other pneumonic devices. Music is also frequently used as it aids memory. Computers are voice activated and simple machines use icons to identify such functions as the on/off button. Chi-Towners often have phenomenal memories, much like preliterate cultures throughout history. Some elective classes are now allowed. Mostly these are music classes, home economics, sports and a few art classes. Students are encouraged to take these electives. They have found that by funneling the students creativity into artistic endeavors aggrandizing the state, it increases patriotism and loyalty. One should realize that these are carefully controlled classes where students are not encouraged to branch out. Rather they are kept within strict guidelines of what is or is not acceptable. For example, most music classes involve learning how to play state approved songs, marches, and popular tunes. Sculpting and drawing classes focus entirely on the Emperor, the Army, and associated symbols. As in earlier grades, uniforms are still required. And the education is provided entirely free of charge. Students also continue to earn rewards for achievement. Those who excel are given music and vid discs, toys, tickets to popular movies, clothes and any number of other items. Again, this reinforces the materialism of the State and makes the citizen that much more willing to protect what is theirs. Testing takes a greater roll at this level. Tests determine which of three types of Standard school they will attend. One group of Standard school for those who will attend Technical Schools, another set of Standard Schools for those destined for the Advanced Level schools and lastly those Standard schools for those who will go no further. The vast majority go to the last type of Standard School. Standard Level Standard Level schools are the equivalent of old American High Schools, with students entering at age 14 or 15. The exception being that there are three different types of Standard schools, but they all share a few things in common. Uniforms are still required and the by now familiar faces of the Emperor and Joseph the first are still omnipresent. The State still pays the full amount of the schooling at this level. Students are now allowed to participate in individual sports such as wrestling and boxing. They have by this point been tracked to what their occupation will be. The different curriculums prepare them for those occupations. Most (88%) Standard schools teach a variety of occupations, from farming to delivery of goods, from service sector jobs to retail jobs, but no factory worker or waste disposal jobs, as these are done by 'bots. These schools prepare the average Joe Coalition citizen for his job. Elective classes have been effectively discontinued and most students are cooping. That is they attend classes part of the day and work in an apprenticeship program part of the day. Voice activated computers using vid documents teach the students the basics of the chosen profession, they are also required to participate in simulations of real life business transactions. The Army and ISS do most of their recruiting for basic positions from these schools and are quite successful. For these Standard Level students the course of study lasts between one and two years. The second type of Standard Level schools prepare the 10% that attend them for Technical level schools. The curriculum is designed to find which Technical profession the student is most suited for serving in. The fields include basic machinery repair, medical assistants, teachers, and the like. For these students Standard Level typically lasts only a year. Just enough to determine their exact position. The third and fewest in number are the Standard Level schools that prepare the 2% of students that will go on to Advanced Level education. The most important aspect of education at these schools is the fact that the students are taught to read and write! They are taught basic leadership skills and the principles of the scientific method and logic. Although 90% of the students in these schools are from Lofty families, young people from lower levels who show potential are allowed to attend. Their is no class restriction on these schools. Technical Level The Technical level schools are designed to prepare nurses, secretaries, teachers, repair people and robot operators for their occupations. These students are some of the luckiest Chi-Towners. Serving Loftiess and high level government officials, they fill important midlevel functionary positions. Training is hands on, with a computer terminal always nearby. These voice activated computers can answer questions and administer tests. Competition is fierce, as those who performance is the best can expect high paying jobs that allow them to live in the better neighborhoods. Each Technical Level school focuses on one field and students travel to the school they have been assigned to attend. There is a cost associated with these schools, in that the State requires students to pay 20% of the expenses. Advanced Level Basically these are the Colleges and Universities. The two most famous are the University on the 40th level and the Military Academy where Army and ISS officers are trained. This is where doctors, engineers, high level administrators and the executives of the few private industries. They are literate and know more of Pre-Cataclysm times than your average citizen. They are also the most loyal citizens, for they have the most to lose from a changing of the guard. The students attend classes, party, and take part in extracurricular activities much like university students have throughout the ages. Course work is extremely demanding. Students often have 50-100 pages of material to read for each class each night. Failing grades are considered anything less than 80% so most students spend much of their time studying to avoid that fate. All students take rhetoric classes and the course of study is broad. If they are to be the leaders of Chi-Town they will have to wear many hats in their lives and the University prepares them well for it. Physical education classes are also part of the curriculum, as the CS believes that a strong body strengthens the mind. These who are the elite of the elite, the privileged few who will be Lofties, are grateful for the opportunity presented and generally excel. There is a cost associated with Advanced Level schools, in that the State requires the student to pay for 50% of the expenses. This is done to keep to many low levelers from climbing the social ladder. Burbs Education Education in the Burbs is much more catch as catch can. Other than the established communities of Hillcrest and Cityview, there are no formal educational systems. The youth of the Burbs are taught what their parents and friends know and that is the sum of their education. The occasional Rogue Scholar will try to educate these poor folks as best he may, but most have little time for such luxuries. They are too busy trying to scrape together a living. Hillcrest and Cityview have educational systems similar to that of Chi-Town, the main difference being their are no Advanced Level schools. Having looked at the way in which citizens of Chi-Town are educated, it is little wonder the Emperor has been able to find support. Through calculated gambits that would have made Machivelli proud, he and his regime have constructed an educational system that uses natural human tendencies to control the populace has worked. From the time they enter school until the time they enter the workforce, they are taught the importance of humanity first and that the Emperor and his Regime are the only means to protect their way of life.

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