RAIMIUS wrote:
Interesting quote,
This is part of the problem with Americans.
"'I'm too lazy to learn'
'I'm too lazy to think'
'I'm too lazy to do anything about it'."
So, beyond the stereotypes, what is/was your education system like? Do you feel that it compares favorably with others?
My opinion:
I come from a suburban school district that is deeply in debt, has a curriculum that lags several years behind other schools, has moderate test scores, and has a high school dropout/repeat percentage of nearly 25% (in my class). I feel that, unless a student takes the hardest courses possible, they well not recieve a great education. After seeing some of the things students do, anti-smoking posters that say "smoking makes your longs sick", a school newspaper that does not use spell-check, and having high school students repeating pre-algebra, I feel rather ashamed of my school system.
On the other hand, my school's top courses gave me the opportunity to earn several hundred thousand dollars worth of scholarships and be accepted into one of the toughest schools in the nation.
But what is the general result of my school system's education? I would say that the top 10% have a superior education, but the majority have an average-to-poor education.
I would like to hear some other people's opinions on their schools (or former schools). General comments on educational systems, problems, and improvements would also be appreciated.
The schools function I believe is to teach. For this, the students are provided with a comfortable school with a controlled environment, work space, work materials, and a teacher to guide them and provide knowledge and support of topics covered. What more is a school supposed to do? Is it the schools job to raise kids? I see the problem being not so much the schools as it is the kids, and their parents. There is a decline of parental morality in our country. Therein lies the problem in my humble opinion.
Contrary to popular belief a school is not a daycare center. As our teachers have the responsibility to teach (and should be held accountable for it), our kids have the EQUAL responsibility to learn (and should be held accountable for it). The parents have an EQUAL responsibility to support and encourage that learning (and should be held accountable for it). Education is a tripod, all 3 legs, teachers, students, and parents are needed to support it.
It makes sense to me that home schooled kids are fairing better than public school kids. Home schooled kids have parents that take an active part in their children’s education and lives; they are not faced with the constant disrespect and distractions from unruly students that are present in public schools. They also still have support from the government who sets up the guidelines that home schooled families must follow.
1. Kids who want to learn.
2. Parents who want them to learn.
3. Educators guiding the learning.
It seems to be working. Public schools have to waste so much time, money, and energy combating a greater number of kids who are being sent to them without basic social skills, respect, guidance, leadership or morality in their lives? As well as combating the irresponsible parents who are sending them. I wonder! Oh my god!! I have become my father!!
Even in our poorest school systems, you have students that not only succeed with their public school education but excel, while others fail miserably, why? The answer I believe is the home from which these students come from. Rich or poor is not the issue. A family can be financially set but raise criminals, (the Menendez brothers comes to mind). The opposite is true. A family can be poor but rich in love and support. These are the students that will make it in life.
