Education level in America. - I want to hear some personal t

[Hayduke]

I talked to some lady lately, telling me about her experience with
the american school system, her kids came home with homework, wich she just couldt imagine. The level of Education was so low, she was planning to get her kids back to Canada. Were she is from, to give them a better education.

Well I wish to hear some experiences from people from the United States, and maybe compare it a bit.

Well share your thoughts.

[Dynatos]

Thats true. the american school system is not that great. Last year there was a new student in my class from LA and he hade a really hard time keeping up with the rest of the class (allthough he was very quick to learn french). He said that it was because the schools in California where 1 or 2 years behind the Canadian schools. I think of all the classes, it was math that he had the most trouble with but he failed almost all of the classes. At the end of the year he had to repeat grade 8 but he decided to go back to LA instead.

[canikickit]

her kids came home with homework, wich she just couldt imagine.

Don't people all over the world get homework? How does this relate to a bad system?

I heard that 65% of high school leavers in the US cannot identify America on an unmarked map, has anyone else heard that, or know of any substantiation?
I think 65% seems a bit high, but a lower figure wouldn't surprise me.

Personally, it seems to me that Americans in general are not as intelligent as others, especially younger ones.

(Edited by canikickit at 8:43 pm on Sep. 12, 2002)

[Capitalist Imperial]

Those stats sound a little exagerated, but I agree our public schools could use a lot of improvement.

A lot of it also has to do with the motivation of american students. There are many distractions in this country that deter students from their studies.

American colleges, however, are second to none.

[Nateddi]

The standards in the education system are extremely low, we need high standards in math and science. In second grade in Ukraine i learned higher level math than I did in 6th grade in the United States (comparing the average curriculums).

The standards need to be raised a hell higher.

[I Will Deny You]

I learned more during an hour at a well-maintained library in NW DC than I did during 6-hour school days in middle school and high school. I keep telling my students to go to the library, but none of them listen.

The problem is a combination of a lack of motivation and a lack of resources.

Lindsay

[Sasafrás]

Quote: from I Will Deny You on 4:44 pm on Sep. 12, 2002
The problem is a combination of a lack of motivation and a lack of resources.Exactly.

And I don't think that a lack of motivation is limited to American kids. Laziness is universal. :)

[American Kid]

In my opinion, if you're bright, you'll get ahead. If you're not, it's going to be tough going. Unless you sell drugs.

Seriously.

But of course good teachers matter a lot. I always remember my "good" teachers. Really, when you're a little kid, your teachers (if they're good) are like rock stars. I mean it, I adored some of my teachers.

To answer my friend D DAY's query, I don't imagine there's any difference between American schools and the rest of the world's. Again if you're bright, you'll do fine.

It's a case-by-case basis. And I'm sure it's the same around the world.

-AK

[I Will Deny You]

Actually, it's pretty much beyond question that America's schools are not as good as those in the rest of the developed world.

Lindsay

[American Kid]

The fuck did I say about "disagreeing"?

OKay, fuck it. I endorse whatever Lindsay says.

[munkey soup]

Personally, from my experience going through a U.S. high school, the U.S. education system sucks. We had very little resources, 'specially here in New Mexico. I mean, one of my friends missed like almost 50 days outta the Senior year and they still graduated him. I didn't do jack in high school (which is no ones fault but my own) but I still graduated with almost a 3.0. I probably shouldn't have graduated at all. And a whole load of people who shouldn't have, graduated along side of me.

[abstractmentality]

i just graduated high school this past june, and i couldnt count the number of people that graduated with me that knew almost nothing, or came to school only when they felt like it. now my sister has entered into high school, and one of her teachers (i think world history) has already told the class, on the first day of school, that they wouldnt have homework, that the class would be very easy, and as long as they come 4 out of times a week, they will pass.

[bluerev002]

in mexico the kids there are more advanced than the ones here. teh kids here have got it easy.

[Capitalist Imperial]

Quote: from bluerev002 on 12:30 am on Sep. 13, 2002
in mexico the kids there are more advanced than the ones here. teh kids here have got it easy.

ok, now lets not get out of hand with the claims, here

[Borincano]

The USA education system does have low standards and low amount of respect for teachers and school staff. It's also full of drugs. Also, all the small schools in city suburbs get a higher amount of funding then those larger, more crowded schools in the city-proper.

We need to start over, and from the bottom. Not introduce new tests and disciplinary action for kids already in H.S. They should tighten things up now for them, but their mind is already set to the old, failed system. They should start new programs and rules for those just starting school and change each grade as those kids go to those grade. Therefore, the next generation will be totally smarter and more respectful than this one.

[No Food Allowed]

There sure were alot of comments here that I dont think are entirely true. I highley doubt Mexican students are more advanced than the students here. There are many kids that cheat themselves from an education, and usually end up regreting. When they finally get out of highschool and into the workforce, they realize that they had a good opportunity to get a better job if they tried a little harder in school. And the kids that know they want to go to college at a fairly young age usually do the best in school, because American Universities are tough to get accepted into.

[munkey soup]

I agree somewhat with NFA. Many of my contemporaries (including myself) just didn't give a shit. We went to class sometimes, went through the motions, but didn't actually try to absorb anything. Of all the classes I took, I really can't remember much of anything that I learned. But the ones that tried did very good, (and although I hated them) were very inteligent. And if it weren't for the hold that New Mexico and the town we grew up in has over us, they'd probably be going off to fancy Universities right now.

But I think that the educational system needs a major overhaul. Teachers need to be paid more, and students need more challenge. Don't pass a kid who isn't trying just cause you need to make quota or cause you're afraid the parents are gonna cause a ruckus. Of course this is all easy to say, but its the whole society, I believe, that needs to change before we can start seeing improvement.



(Edited by munkey soup at 7:01 pm on Sep. 12, 2002)

[pjhaynes]

I come from australia and have visited america twice and i would have to say that it is not only the level of education in schools that seems to be a problem but the education of all citizens. I fear that people in america, from my experiences, are not being educated about the world outside of the borders.

In a recent world survey the US came around tenth in the world, regarding education levels, compared to countrys like australia who came second or third (unsure) and the state i live in is the best in australia. Even here we have drug problems so i think that it is all to easy to blame drugs as the sole problem of the lack of proper education that exists in your society. People have become lazy and are not being made fully aware of what the consequences of a bad education really are, not just in regard to job opportunity. Your country is in danger of having a population that is ill educated and in turn your whole nation will suffer.

The education system needs to be looked at if this is the kind of results it is acheiving at the moment.

P J HAYNES

[Capitalist Imperial]

American public education systems could use some major adjustments, agreed.

However, on the flip side, our colleges are the worlds finest, second to none, and the US still has one of the world's largest percentage of people with at least a 4-YEAR DEGREE (I THINK ITS ABOUT 24%)

(Edited by Capitalist Imperial at 3:01 pm on Sep. 13, 2002)

[John Difool]

US primary school = not as good as one could wish ...
US unis = good and prestigious, but expensive as hell
that's the avergage view of European Teachers/students who are invloved in exchanges programs .

[bluerev002]

Quote: from Capitalist Imperial on 1:36 am on Sep. 13, 2002

Quote: from bluerev002 on 12:30 am on Sep. 13, 2002
in mexico the kids there are more advanced than the ones here. teh kids here have got it easy.
ok, now lets not get out of hand with the claims, here


no serioulsly its true. the ppl over there from 3rd grade knew more tahn meon science and math than when i was in the sixth. its cuz over there they cover things faster and here tehy go slooooooow (just to make sure we understand)

i mean i should know i have famly over there

i know a lot of them drop out but hey that doesnt mean that all the kids are like that some go work to go help out their famlies some are just plain stupid.

(Edited by bluerev002 at 11:59 pm on Sep. 13, 2002)

[antieverything]

The American school system sucks but it isn't because we don't learn enough math and science. It is because we learn to regurgitate facts and not actually think for ourselves...not to mention that alot of high school teachers are coaches first and teachers second. Our teachers are payed too little AND not supervised enough. Having a teacher play on the computer the entire class would be unnacceptable anywhere else. But American schools can be hard if you work hard...passing is easy but if you push yourself you can get a hell of a challenge.

For example, this should be my junior year but I opted to skip ahead to my senior year, I'm taking a college math and history along with advanced placement chemistry AND physics. Plus I'm taking two Spanish classes on my own time (American schools for the most part have shitty foreign language programs) It is pretty damn hard...but I'm now near the top of the senior class.

The major problem, though is that we accept failure just as we accept poverty.

[pjhaynes]

Yes you may have a better college system but as you say its very expensive. We used to have a fee free university scene in australia until the 1980's but that was abolished and now students face huge tuition fees.

Education should be free, because it is better to live in an educated society rather than an uneducated one.

[No Food Allowed]

I agree with you pjhaynes, but not everybody is cut out for being schooled. And the people who know education is important, will usually get the education they seeked.

[antieverything]

Everyone may not be cut out for understanding physics or abstract ideas but everyone must be educated to think for themselves so that they are able to responsibly vote.

[Capitalist Imperial]

Quote: from pjhaynes on 8:15 am on Sep. 14, 2002
Yes you may have a better college system but as you say its very expensive. We used to have a fee free university scene in australia until the 1980's but that was abolished and now students face huge tuition fees.

Education should be free, because it is better to live in an educated society rather than an uneducated one.


Its true they are expensive, but there are countless schalarships available, as well as government student loans and even grants (which means you don't pay the $$ back)

[pjhaynes]

How easy is it to get a scholarship though?

you also make a valid point about "but not everybody is cut out for being schooled" but the populous need to know the basics and without the basics then they have no chance of learning anything else.

Without knowledge you would end up with a population of "serfs" or "slaves" that would not be able to challenge injustice's because they do not know things like there rights etc.

and also a bit off the topic here but what are the thoughts of you who are american about the right to bear arms?