Libra
There are a vast number of learning styles out there, from good test takers to bad ones, from very articulate individuals to those that have a stutter, from mathematical geniuses to English Pulitzer Prize winners.
My point is, everyone is at a different level at any given time, yet our government is obsessed with TESTS!
I personally SUCK at taking tests. In today’s schools I might be lucky to make it past the third grade. Have you ever played along with Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? I can tell you right now, that I know I’m not. Why? Because of the things we are teaching in school today - eight classes, 12 textbooks (not counting the library checkouts) and peer pressure. That is a lot to carry in a backpack.
We send our children to school where they are graded on how well they “learn,” or as I like to call it "retain the information that is thrown at them." But, what the hell are we teaching our future leaders?
Now, I know there are valuable things coming out of this process, like basic math, basic grammar, et cetera, but tell me, why it is that we are not teaching more about real life and today’s current events?
I understand history is important; it happens to be one of my favorite subjects (now), but how much history do we need to know by school standards? Kids of today are learning to be BOOK smart instead WORLD smart.
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Re: The Naked Reporter Talks Education
By grandmaandmom, February 5, 2008 at 21:04Well you've done it again. Education, what a grand subject it is. I hope you didn't forget that educating starts long before a child reaches school age. The caring parents that are lucky enough ( educated enough to be making alot of money) to be able to stay at home in the first forming years of a childs life, we have already taught them manners, patience, love, happiness, and beliefs of the parents. (FAITH) You already have a sense of how quickly a child learns, by what he or she has accomplished by the age of three. If you've taught them the joy of reading, there is nothing they can't learn. If our parents were all lucky enough to be able to stay with their little ones and teach them early enough in life, we would have less need for our school system as we know it, today. And if the love is in the home, it will spread to the outside world as well. I really enjoy your articles, they always give me something to ponder, Keep up the good work.
Re: The Naked Reporter Talks Education
By Wingman, February 5, 2008 at 18:55The subject of education evokes a nauseating feeling ,one that makes me want to regurgitate. Education as a whole has evolved so much so that it has become one big tangled web of deception,bureaucratic red tape and politics ,(is that a dirty word because if it is then I will plead complete ignorance).
When I was attending school in the 1970's I had no computers,no tutoring,no special programs,but I did have my parents who made sure that I studied and did my homework ,that was my job.I didn't get special treatment,no special surprises,no allowance,no trip to McDonald's and no air conditionar.
I use math in my daily life because I do have to balance my checkbook.I enjoyed Marine Biology,our class would go down to South Padre Island and collect specimens.I loved history ,but to be honest I don't see George Washington at my breakfast table giving me any political advice while I sit there eating my cold cereal, nor do I use any of the information in today's real world except for reading and math.
I am now in the education field,and I am appalled ,embarrassed to see what is going on in the political arena with regards to education.I mean there they are sitting on their thrones handing out new laws like it was Halloween candy ,keep in mind the majority of these political leaders ,TEA included have never stepped inside of a classroom ,yet they don't think twice when passing laws.I'll tell you this, they do a wonderful job of lining their wallets with your tax dollars that includes administrators as counselors,psychologist and those in the special ed arena with titles (special ed.teachers excluded,they work very hard ) that have no concept as to what they are doing and continue collecting their check every month.
There are positions within several school districts that should be eliminated,they are a waste of money.They spend money on things that are unnecessary.These school districts do things that remain in a "Hush,Hush Mode" yes they do things that would wake the dead,
Teachers as well as students are bombarded by tests,assessments,teacher training ( now they have to attend training during their summer break)I have news for them Tests,Teacher training,new computers every 1-2 years,tutoring or even gaining the Blue Ribbon status will not make students any smarter,just make them good test takers. The state of TEXAS gives out the illusion that we are smarter than any other state" Look at us,we are smarter,our scores are higher than your state and we reward the schools that have high TAKS scores" we dangle a carrot($) in front of their faces and reel them in.Oh! wait I forgot to mention that we punish the school that score poorly,.
They adopt new math and reading programs because students are not learning causing the taxpayer to spend money (unbeknownst to them)on new reading and math programs,textbooks,software " oh!lets try this new reading program or this new math program I hear it's the latest trend". The problem is not the material it's the school district leaders as well as the politicians not to mention the companies that stand to gain thousands of dollars worth of business at the cost of taxpayer money.This is a nationwide dilemma.I hear that some school districts have thier "CheckBook" online ,the reason for that is that they have to be accountable to the state and the taxpayer....yea right !
I have to get going now,I have to pay my TAKSES so my school district can keep up with the JONES'S then I am going to Walt Disney