[Sonny M]

When I was going to school, if you took algebra by the 9th grade, you were considered to be very smart. Nowadays, if you DON'T take algebra by 8th grade, it's unusual. It keeps going younger and younger. Also, when I was going to school, if you read a chapter book by 3rd grade, that was considered an accomplishment. Now a good portion of my FIRST graders are doing just that.

Kids can take algebra, doesn't mean they are learing it, and as for kids reading whole books, alot of kids can't read, period.

In NYC, its a disgrace, when schools brag about just having literacy scores over 50%.

There's a website, on school scoring in NYC (I know Corcoran group has a link to it, or its avalable to download). Its pathetic, the easiest way to boost scores now, is simply ending social promotion, which is a start, but in this city, it'll also probably be an end.

[moog]

Kids can take algebra, doesn't mean they are learing it, and as for kids reading whole books, alot of kids can't read, period.

In NYC, its a disgrace, when schools brag about just having literacy scores over 50%.

There's a website, on school scoring in NYC (I know Corcoran group has a link to it, or its avalable to download). Its pathetic, the easiest way to boost scores now, is simply ending social promotion, which is a start, but in this city, it'll also probably be an end.

Ending social promotion is indeed a start. Changing our attitudes (not just spending more money) and perception are even better. Changing our priorities would be good too. We never got to do much (unless it was church-related) on a school night. My parents limited our TV time (we never had cable or video game systems even though they were available--didn't need them, we had books). In other words, education was paramount in importance growing up. Nowadays, it has to compete with myriads of other influences.