US students vs the world

[RandyR]

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2013/1203/PISA-test-shows-stagnation.-Is-US-education-reform-failing-video

 

A test was given in 2012 to 15 year olds internationally to assess their basic skills in math, science and reading. The USA did not score above low average in any skill. Vietnam outscored US students.

[cowpuc]

This may sound nuts but I really wonder if a big part of our problems aren't found in home life and general parental "caring" about their kids or lack thereof.. Maybe to many people viewing the local school system as a social baby sitting arrangement.

Sad any way you look at it.

[MiCarl]

This may sound nuts but I really wonder if a big part of our problems aren't found in home life and general parental "caring" about their kids or lack thereof.. Maybe to many people viewing the local school system as a social baby sitting arrangement.

Sad any way you look at it.

 

There is probably some truth to that.

 

My wife teaches in a 1st class affluent district. I can tell you it sounds like they spend a lot of time on horse**** rather than teaching. I'll bet those kids in Vietnam don't get "Water Safety Week".

 

When my oldest daughter was in 8th grade (again a pretty good school) she brought Algebra homework home. She had no idea how to do it, so I taught her Algebra. I found out later they were supposed to "estimate" an answer. I'd be willing to bet that if the Vietnamese kids ever estimate it's after they've mastered the skill.......

[mbrood]

Just my experience...

 

I went to an Oregon school, first through fourth, I was expected to get "A"s and tested at home, homework was viewed and reviewed ... no curve, you got what you got... fail and you repeat. I moved to a Washington school for fifth and sixth and it picked up with just a little repeat of what I learned.

 

Then we moved to California school... it was all geared to the slowest student and even if he (she) couldn't catch on, they passed... wouldn't want to hurt their feelings... but during the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth grade I was bored out of my mind, they were repeating what I had already been taught. I even had teachers tell me not to raise my hand... "Don't make the other students feel bad." Nobody flunked and darned few studied.

 

My cousin graduated with never learning cursive or proper spelling... "It was close enough, we knew what you meant." All well and good until he stepped out into the real world. Without sound fundamentals he felt betrayed and basically started running with those of his educational equal... not good at all... it took a couple years in the Army and the brig to help him... he "found religion" and applied to a seminary to become a preacher... "They only ask us to read and preach... I can do that."

 

California colleges are split, there are a few that are geared to teaching you to THINK but the others are there to tell you WHAT to think, indoctrination at it's finest. Agree and you pass, disagree and you are "released" from the class, facts were immaterial... they KNEW how we were suppose to think. Bring in proof of the errors and they REALLY got upset.

 

Dumbing down the education curriculm is a very obvious problem but great for indoctrination. They "save money" by doing away with home economics, wood shop, automotive shop, industrial arts and creative art and higher science and math but you are effectively teaching a McDonalds worker how to flip burgers... but not count change... that's what the computer/register is for, right?