[EdReform]

BTTT

[XBob]

the average 8th grader 100 years ago was better educated than the average college graduate today.

[mlmr]

Does anyone know if there are any Christian conservative colleges or universities that have an early school program. My daughter is ready but the only other one I know is at Bard and that is a little too leftist for comfort.

[OldPossum]

There is a lot in this that makes sense but a couple sentences give me pause. Here's one:

"Nothing destroys a love of learning like forcing a kid who wants to fix engines to spend his youth memorizing the kings of medieval France."

I suppose the author is trying to make a point as regards frustration on the part of a person who has a vocation in mind at the expense of making light of history, but it is the understanding of history that allows a citizen to understand the underpinnings of his culture. The lack of this understanding is precisely what allows citizens to be manipulated by politicians.

Yes, I know that we are not French but it is the values passed on to us by the Founding Fathers, all of whom were well versed in the the Old World (European and Greek) philosophers that guide our nation today.

[Fidgit]

Ping

[zeaal]

I heard the out-going president of the NEA on the radio recently. This man is convinced (and stated so) the majority of public schools are doing just fine. He was not as generous with homeschool. duh. But, to think he truly believes public (read government) schools are doing well is laughable.

[realpatriot71]

But it's a shame to rely on nostalgia to hold the country together. For anyone who's different, high school can be an act of mental violence. For them, at best, it's a waste of time. Gifted students are getting fed up and leaving early. As they do, smart parents and teachers alike should seize the chance to rethink the institution of high school and whether this common cultural experience is the best way to achieve America's educational goals.

Bingo! I'm no genius but I was SOOOOOOO bored in HS. I would take the hardest classes offered and still find myself wishing I could learn more. High Schools either need to "step-it-up" for those students who are so inclined or open up the stateschool system to those students who can handle it early.

[gaffin]

My step daughter was in college at 14. High School is generally a waste of academic time. If a kid has half a brain they can deal with college at a younger age. Highs schools now spend too much time in (liberal) social programing. The main thing I learned to do in high school was drink and smoke dope. (I don't do either now)

[Wright is right!]

I said this on another thread relating to the error of referring to 16-year-old girls as "pedophile targets" and "children." To wit,

""So what are we doing the rest of the 12 years?" he asks. "We're teaching habits of obedience. We've extended childhood to an insane degree because it makes people more manageable."

Unsaid in this article is that High School is a product of the educational establishment designed as a jobs-creation program. If you can create a perceived need for a longer basic education, then you can, by definition, create a like need for more employees to staff it.

Until the early 20th Century, as this article correctly points out, "childhood" ended at around 13, with the conclusion of basic education. This basic education crammed into 7 years everything that a well-rounded adult should be expected to know, as well as the tools to equip him for meaningful, productive life. There have been several postings of "The Test" as it's called which graduating students were expected to pass. (If someone has the URL for it, please post) It is a test that few graduating seniors could pass today in the current "haah-skrewl" environment.

And the side effects, the "unintended consequences" of artificially prolonging childhood abound. Of course, actual Childhood ends at puberty, and Adolescence begins. Adolescence is what's being prolonged - it used to only last a year or two. But with earlier and earlier puberty, the youth of today is artificially forced into a 7 or 8 year "adolescence," a period in which their adult bodies and minds are still treated (by law) like "children."

And, yes, it does tend to pound those young skulls into mush, to make them more "manageable."

The High School Culture, by now though, is thoroughly ingrained - not just in the US but worldwide in one form or fashion - and it will not easily topple. Some of its other consequences are, however, amusing to contemplate. In Japan, for instance, the bulk of one's learning will still occur in "haah-skrewl," even among those going on to University. Haah-skrewl in Japan is TOUGH. University, on the other hand, is more a rite of passage - to many, a non-stop last-chance party before entering the lifetime servitude of the World Of The Salaryman. "Live it up now while you're here, because it all stops once you walk out that door," the idea remains.

One used to become an adult by necessity - now, childhood is artificially prolonged and the responsibilities of adulthood aren't taught until it's too late for them to be a part of one's basic nature. It's a sad state.

Michael

[Robert A Cook PE]

My daughter started with in middle school with Honors Spanish I and II and Algebra, physical science, english...

So this got her into HS with her foreign language requirements done, and she was into the third year of math and science. Finished a couple of semesters of Advanced placement classes (English, History, Chemistry...a few others) so some of her HS classes were good for college credit.

After two years at HS, she joint-enrolled into the local college, and so went to college for her classes there (full time) while using the college classes as HS credit.

Graduated from HS last year (after one year in college and with 38 credit hours) 3 years after middle school. So she's now a junior at college while her "elementray school calender year class" has yet to start their senior year in high school.

Takes interest and dedication (which she has!) but it was better (she says) than being bored in high school.

It worked REAL WELL for her (your kids may be different) - so if anybody wants more info, free-email me.