Saturday, January 14, 2006

America is Educated Stupid

If you didn`t get a chance to see the excellent 20/20 special with John Stossel Last night, you can read his article in Reason Online:

Why your kids are probably dumber than Belgians

3 comments:

Sovay Fox said...

when I gew up in california, kids with straight f's would go to the next grade. So I am really not surprised.

Hellbound Alleee said...

Welcome penny silver, and christ, to my blog. It`s good to hear fresh voices on a fresh topic.

I was involved with the public school system from age 6 to 36, in one way or another. My parents were public school teachers, I often darkened their halls and lounges, and I certainly heard the complaints all through my childhood. My parents were absolutely dedicated and successful--and absolutely frustrated. My brother studied, paid thousands, and became a certified teacher. He was student teacher in a "good" public school, and put to work in a very, very bad one. He quit after one year and has never looked back.

My parents are still dedicated to the ideal of public education. I am dedicated to having everyone educated well, in good schools. I am afraid they might be disappointed to see these posts, actually. I was very disappointed in what I saw on the program, and what I read in Chris' site. I am starting to feel cheated by my own education--especially my state college. I'm glad I saw the program, and hope to see more.

breakerslion said...

"What's Wrong With Our Schools?" - cover story from Life Magazine published during the Eisenower administration.

"Mr. America walk on by,
your schools that do not teach." - Frank Zappa, ca. 1967.

This problem has been a part of American culture for so long that I really believe that reform is impossible until it is no longer valuable as a political football.

My first attempt at college, I was an Education major. When I discovered all the red tape and politics and administrative overhead that made the job of actually teaching almost impossible, I quit before I started. I have since been certified and have taught computer classes in Adult Education. A world of difference.