What's wrong with America's public schools? (vanity)

[erkyl]

Schools 'Promote' Failure http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/31073.htm

[erkyl]

Surprise, surprise...New York students are being promoted and still can't pass their standardized tests. However, they feel the solution to social promotion can't happen by making them pass the test before they can move to the next grade (as we are beginning to implement in Texas). "Basing promotion mostly or solely on test scores is impractical and would be so psychologically devastating that many students would drop out," they argue.

If social promotion is unacceptable and standardized testing isn't the answer, then what's the solution? If I might use this forum to vent my observations and suggestions, perhaps something of use might be gleaned about what really does 'psychologically devastate' school kids.

For the past six months, I've been teaching 7th grade English in a minority-majority school. (Prior to this school year, I've taught in primarily white public and private schools.) Over 80% of our school population is on free or reduced lunch (and breakfast, I might add). The student body is made up of primarily Af-Ams and Hispanics. Caucasians and Asians are definitely the minority. The contrasts between my school experiences has taught me a lot.

This year is the first year this age group will be tested by the state in writing ability, utilizing a new, more difficult standardized test. I believe more than half of my students will likely fail this test, not because I haven't taught the information, Lord knows. And not because they are incapable of learning the information either. They will likely fail because they will not try. Why should they? They're 12 year olds, and all they care about is, well--remember? What did you care about at 12 years old? Girls/Boys, friends, music, movies, video games, fun, fun, fun. A 12 year old is egocentric like a 2 year old is egocentric. The world revolves around them, and I guarantee you that if a relatively bright kid has a fight with mom or dad or a friend the morning of the test, that kid's mind is NOT going to be on some stupid writing test. So, testing kids who will likely fail only reinforces the notion that they are failures.

I have 7th graders who still (as of yesterday) struggle with what a noun or a verb is. These tests expect them to know where to put a comma when used in an adverbial nonessential clause. Do you know that? Have you ever had to retain that information without getting to look it up on the grammar check in Word? The test expects them to know the difference between there, their and they're. While it is a pet peeve of mine that college-educated people still don't know the difference (just a brief read through any thread here will attest to that fact!), can we honestly say a 12 year old is failing at writing because he/she still can't do it on a test? Or how about that tricky comma rule before the and. When do you put it in? When do you leave it out? How many of you could honestly say you know that rule, much less how to use a semi-colon properly?

These people sitting in their ivory towers (i.e. state education agencies) across the country have the privelege of determining what kids across socioeconomic, regional, and ethnic lines ought to be able to know at certain ages. Never mind the fact they haven't been in a classroom with real, live students in years. Never mind the fact that these expectations keep rising, while social factors continue to 'dumb down' our populace (i.e. news media, Hollywood, music industry). Never mind the fact that certain ethnicities are positioned at a grave disadvantage walking in the schoolhouse doors because of their cultural differences.

Let's face it...our public school system is set up for one ultimate goal...college prep. While some high schools give a token nod to 'co-op' and 'vo-tech,' the fact of the matter is, we push all students to follow the education track that says the only way to succeed in this country is to go to college. Think about it...my 6th grader is learning pre-algebra, already. I didn't see algebra stuff until 9th grade back in 1975. My 4th grader is learning the same stuff I'm trying to teach my 7th graders. We are pushing ever-increasing educational information at our kids earlier and earlier so they can compete and get into the best colleges.

Now, don't get me wrong. My kids are likely candidates for college. My husband and I are both college educated, as were his parents. My kids make good grades in school and are relatively bright, if I do say so myself. Many millions of kids of all ethnicities across this great nation fall into the same category, and I believe the bar should be raised for those students because they can (and will) be able to do whatever is expected of them.

However, I am in daily contact with students for whom that is not the case. Their culture suggests that they will be successful by working hard and someday working in their family business (for the boys) and marrying and having children (for the girls). Most of my Hispanic students are first generation whose parents brought them here at a very early age from Mexico. English is not spoken at home. It wasn't their first language. And yet, we expect the same capabilities from them that we expect from kids like mine. We expect them to know where commas go? Many of them are bright kids, who are functioning in our society much better than their parents, who still won't learn the language. And because of this, they are at a huge disadvantage walking through the doors. They don't hear English spoken at home. They are likely watching Hispanic television and listening to Hispanic radio stations. The only time they hear English is at school, whereas kids like mine never hear anything else. The system sets them up for failure.

The Af-Ams in my classes have their own unique set of problems, but they are also set up to fail. Cultural differences may be part of the problem, but in my experience, the greatest problem in this group is a lack of parental involvement. I have a number of students who can't see well and need glasses. They have needed them all year long. Unfortunately, these students' parents don't seem to be able to get glasses for them, for whatever reason. So, they miss a lot. These kids get into fights. They seem angry a lot. Maybe they're mad because the majority of their teachers are white, maybe they fight because that's what they see at home, maybe they are angry because they think nothing in life is fair (I hear that at least once a day)--I don't know. But they don't seem to see school as their way out. Many of them feel that sports or music will be their ticket to success. I've heard more than one say, "I don't need to know this because I'm going to be drafted out of high school in the NFL or the NBA. Or I'm going to be a singer, like Nelly." Role models influence them greatly, not parents. A number of them also seem to think they should be able to pass without doing their work or passing their tests. We stopped giving homework at the beginning of the year because it was a waste of time. The kids just don't do it. I have an extremely talented young lady who is GT (gifted and talented) classified, but she's failing because she won't do her work. We've had long talks about it and she just says she'd rather watch her shows (Real World and other MTV crap) at night. Her father is a teacher in a south Dallas school. Why isn't he insisting that she do her work, like I insist that my kids do theirs?

Before you start to assume that I am promoting a program where we dumb down the entire school system to accomodate these groups, don't. As a teacher, I'd like nothing more than to see my kids' school challenge them at the highest level possible! But, my kids are going to go to college. So many of my students are not. I think parents ought to be able to decide that they don't think their kids are 'college' material and put their children in a school system that will work to accomplish two things: 1. Give their kids the basic skills they need to survive in our society--economically, politically and socially; and 2. At the middle school level, begin to work toward an apprenticeship or work program that will train them in a trade, skill or craft that will let them experience in a very practical way what they can contribute to society, helping them feel like a success, not a failure.

Where does it say anywhere that the only successful people in this capitalistic society are those who go to college? So many people are wealthy who never even finished high school. Dropping out of high school happens when a kid's desire for his future doesn't seem to gel with what's expected of him at school. Why does a kid, who knows he's going to work in his dad's masonry business when he's fifteen, need to know where the commas go in this sentence? Chances are that same kid will be making more money than most school teachers in a few years.

America is supposed to be about choices. We have created a public school system that generates a 'one size fits all' mentality. I hate to see these kids developing the notion that they are failures, simply because they can't remember a bunch of rules in English, (most of which have an exception)or don't remember what year some ancient war happened, or can't do algebra by the time they're 12. If they knew they could balance a checkbook, read a newspaper well enough to understand political issues, fill out a job application, file a tax return and vote (Florida schools may need special classes), aren't they ready to participate in our society as contributing members? Why should our system make them feel like failures. They drop out and become criminals or welfare bums. Why don't we teach them a trade instead of trig? They fail classes because they don't want to be professional writers, they just want to be able to write a check for groceries. Does that make them less of a person or less of an American? All anyone wants is to feel successful, at whatever they choose to do. If some of my students grow up to be ditch diggers because that's what they want to be, can't they feel like that's a perfectly acceptable choice? Do we need to make them feel like only the people who are failures in our society dig ditches? Ditches have their place and usefulness in our society--just think of what we'd be up to our elbows in if we didn't have ditches...

[A CA Guy]

Simple answer really:

PARENTS are what are wrong with America's public schools.
The trouble is with those parents who do not bring their children to school in a position to learn.

The teachers association KNOWS this, but wants to bend the issue to grow their power.

Some parents never should have become parents and the Teachers Union should go Flock themselves.

[Sangamon Kid]

Touchy-feely engineers are virtually unemployable. If the kid doesn't know the rules, he doesn't get to play the game. I don't really care how many would be engineer's feelings were hurt in the classroom. I want to know that the best and brightest built the bridge that I drive across every morning.

[Calpernia]

Ping

[headsonpikes]

If 90% of our automobiles were manufactured by the 50 state governments, I've got a hunch that traffic wouldn't flow very smoothly, either.

There is no GOOD reason why schools should be operated, and their curricula designed by, the government.

What are people thinking?

[Aquinasfan]

What's wrong with public school? Answer here: The Underground History of American Education

[bigfootbob]

That's part of the problem. Look at the University system. They produce a lot of garbage. Look at the graduation rates for my state; http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/cr_27.htm#06

33% of our kids do not graduate. You can't tell me that's because parents don't send their kids prepared.

Something is going to snap here soon. 33% dropout rate, illegals out the gazzo, and manufacturing jobs moving out of Country lickity split, it's not a happy thought.

[Snowy]

I would have to say that the public schools around me are better than the private school I went to, which is also near me. My children are getting a much better education in the public schools. I have heard these conclusions from others in the area as well. The private school is on the liberal side(Gore won the mock election), and the public school is more conservative (Bush won the mock election).

[talleyman]

the greatest problem in this group is a lack of parental involvement.

Bingo. And BTW, I'd like to say that our experiences with public education have been great - tried a parochial school (like I went to in the dark ages) - their attitude was "pay your money & shut up - we'll tell you when we want to hear from you." The Public Schools here couldn't try any harder - but there's not much you can do when the parents don't care. Our son will get a great education because we and the teachers back each other up.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Noisy Radiators???

[org.whodat]

The trouble is with those parents who do not bring their children to school in a position to learn. Just what is a position to learn? But you are right about the teacher Unions.

[Jim Noble]

In 1941, 25% of (white) Americans graduated from an academic twelfth grade (i.e., high school). To do so, they completed four years of English, three years of history, three years of science including chemistry and physics, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. All the boys took three or four years of some manual art, all the girls took homemaking, and many students also took four years of a foreign language, and/or Latin.

That is what "high school graduate" means.

Is there any empirical data (or any credible theory) that says that greater than 25% of the (white) American population, aged 5-18, can under any conceiveable circumstances graduate from twelfth grade, as defined above?

If so, I would be glad to know of it.

[AppyPappy]

Two things: Lack of discipline and lack of more discipline

[1Old Pro]

Two big problems, parents who don't care and politicians who don't care because they get money from the teachers unions who want the status quo.

[Jim Noble]

>>If social promotion is unacceptable and standardized testing isn't the answer, then what's the solution?<<

FINALLY someone asks a good question about our public schools!

Make all academic high schools by exam admission only. End academic schooling for the 75% of the population which is not capable of high school work after eight grade.

[talleyman]

Just what is a position to learn?

I'm not sure what was meant by that, but my kid is apparently one of the few who must do his homework and go to bed at a decent hour.

[Stand Watch Listen]

FYI...

Here are links to various education threads (also containing numerous helpful links)

FReegards

Sodom and Gomorrah University
Source: WorldNetDaily.com: Published: February 19, 2003; Author: Michelle Malkin

The Union That Killed Education
Source: newsmax.com; Published: February. 17, 2003; Author: Paul Craig Roberts

Walter E. Williams: Inferior Education of Black Americans
Source:CNSNews.com; Published: February 05, 2003; Author: Walter E. Williams

Union Fraud Underscores Need for School Vouchers
Source: CNSNEWS.com; Published: February 05, 2003; Author: Linda Chavez

Time for public schools to throw in the towel?
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: January 27, 2003; Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

My Classroom From Hell
Source: The Wall Street Journal; Published: January 24, 2003; Author: Joshua Kaplowitz

Can more money make schools better?
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 21, 2003; Author: Phyllis Schlafly

Are public schools constitutional?
Source: NewsWithViews; Published: JANUARY 20, 2003; Auythor: Lynn M. Stuter

The intellectual rape of Oakland's schools
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 17, 2003; Author: David Horowitz

Hip-hop hogwash in the schools (Michelle Malkin)
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 15, 2003; Author: Michelle Malkin

Dumbed Down and Dumber Still
Source: The American Prowler; Published: January 15, 2003; Author: By George Neumayr

Washington's education establishment
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 8, 2003; Author:Walter Williams

NEA Hastens Death of American Education
Source: INSIGHT magazine; Published: January 6, 2003; Author: Ralph de Toledano

White Teachers Fleeing Black Schools
Source: Newsmax; Published:January 1, 2003; Author: Chad Roedemeier

Fiddling whilst Rome burns
Source: TownHall.com; Published: December 26, 2002; Author: Walter Williams

Government School Monopolies Leave Children Behind
Source: Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty; Published: December 4, 2002; Author: Clint Green

The silence of the lambs: McMillan blasts bureaucrats for destroying public education
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: August 15, 2002; Author: Craige McMillan

Taking Charge: Let's Stop Aiding and Abetting Academicians' Folly
Source: HOME EDUCATION magazine; Published: July-August 2002; Author: Larry and Susan Kaseman

’Open Directory’ --Society/Issues/Education/Education_Reform

Deconstructing Public Education
Source: www.newsmax.com; Published: July 26, 2002; Author: Diane Alden

Specious Science In Our Schools
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: July 9, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

SYMPOSIUM Q: Is the National Education Association Being Fair to Its Religious Objectors?
Source: INSIGHT magazine; Published: June 10, 2002; Authors NO: Stefan Gleason ////\\\\ YES: Bob Chase

Public Sector Subverting Productive Industry
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: May 16, 2002; Author: Henry Pelifian

History of America's Education Part 2: Noah Webster and Early America
Source: Sierra Times; Published: March 27, 2002; Author: April Shenandoah

How Communist is Public Education?
Source: sierratimes.com; Published:March 22, 2002; Author: Chuck Morse

History of America's Education Part 1: Johnny is in trouble
Source: Sierra Times; Published: March 20, 2002; Author: April Shenandoah

Audit rips Georgia schools' curriculum
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Published: March 11, 2002; Author:JAMES SALZER

Why schools fail: Samuel Blumenfeld warns Bush's education legislation is ineffective
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: March 2, 2002; Author: Samuel Blumenfeld

Public School Isn't Like I Remember It
Source: Too Good Reports; Published: February 28, 2002; Author: Phyllis Schlafly

What Is Lacking In Our Educational System
Source: Too Good Reports; Published: February 28, 2002; Author: Ben Cerruti

The charade of education reform
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: February 2, 2002; Author: Dr. Samuel L. Blumenfeld

American public schools: Working just as designed
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: January 21, 2002; Author: Vox Day

High Schools Fail Thanks To Grade Inflation And Social Promotion
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: December 5, 2001; Author: Vin Suprynowicz

WHY AMERICANS CAN’T READ
Source: Accuracy in Media; Published: December 4, 2001; Author: Reed Irvine and Cliff Kincaid

The Failing Teacher and the Teachers' Code of Silence
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: December 3, 2001; Author: Glenn Sacks

Time for outrage! Linda Bowles reports latest results in America's public schools
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: November 27, 2001; Author: Linda Bowles

Illiterate in Boston: Samuel Blumenfeld explains U.S.'s ongoing reading problem
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: July 20, 2001; Author: Samuel Blumenfeld

NEA - Let our children go!
Source: WorldNet Daily; Published: June 23. 2001; Author: Linda Harvey

COOKING THE BOOKS AT EDUCATION
Source: Accuracy In Media; Published: June 5, 2001; Author: Cliff Kincaid

Why Do Schools Play Games With Students' Minds ?
Source: The Detroit News; Published: April 1, 2001; Author: Thomas Sowell

The Public School Nightmare: Why fix a system designed to destroy individual thought?
Source: http://home.talkcity.com/LibraryDr/patt/homeschl.htm; Author: John Taylor Gatto

Dumbing down teachers
Source: USNews.com; Published: February 21, 2001; Author: John Leo

Free Republic links to education related articles (thread#8)
Source: Free Republic; Published: 3-20-2001; Author: Various

Are children deliberately 'dumbed down' in school? {YES!!!}
Source: World Net Daily; Published: May 13, 2001; Author: Geoff Metcalf {Interview}

Could they really have done it on purpose?
Source: THE LIBERTARIAN; Published: 07/28/2000; Author: Vin Suprynowicz

New Book Explores America's Education Catastrophe
Source: Christian Citizen USA; Published: April 2000; Author: William H. Wild

Deliberately dumbing us down (Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt's, "The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America"
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: December 2,1999; Author: Samuel L. Blumenfeld

Deconstructing the Western Mind: Gramscian-Marxist Subversion of Faith and Education
Source: www.petersnet; Published: Winter 1997; Author: Frank Morriss

Littleton Crisis to Government Control

The UN Plan for Your Mental Health

Lexington Institute

NonPartisan Action For a Better Redding

Quality of Education Commentary, Opinion, and Book Reviews

[A CA Guy]

I agree 100% with you on those points completely. Thanks.

[BibChr]

What's wrong with America's public schools?

Uhh...

The fact that they exist?

Dan

[A CA Guy]

Also true, but if parents are playing around, not interested in putting the kids first and are selfish, nothing will get any better.