Education Part ll

[JOEBIALEK]

This is the second part to an earlier writing about education in the United States. As you may recall, I advocated for the privatization of all schools from kindergarten to graduate studies. This piece will focus on the curriculum that needs to be followed.

Everytime I encounter someone in the workplace, I am reminded of just how much we have failed to properly educate United States citizens in the fundamentals of communication: reading, writing and speaking. Few would argue that the time is long overdue for the United States to "get back to the basics" of a fully functional education system. We need to exclusively focus on the development of communication skills from kindergarten to eighth grade along with annual testing that measures apptitude and interest. Training in mathematics should be limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Unless communication skills are fully mastered, there is no need to advance to high school.

For those who graduate to high school, the emphasis could evolve into a curriculum of philosophy, sociology, economics, psychology, science and religious studies. Books such as "For Dummies" and "The Complete Idiot's Guide" could be used to foster an understanding of different religions. Athletic activity would be strictly confined to cardio vascular exercises and all sports would be eliminated. While there would still be an emphasis on communication skills, the focus would now be on developing a foundation of basic knowledge so as to be able to graduate to college. Testing for apptitude and interest would continue through high school increasing the chances of picking the right field of study . Those not continuing on to college would enter some type of apprenticeship training for the purpose of learning a trade. For those who do graduate to college, the student would continue to study an advanced version of the same curriculum as high school but only for the first two years then they would complete their education by strictly focusing on coursework designed to train them in their field of study. Nearing graduation, internships would be required to begin the transition to the working world. Think of how different our society would be if our education system could just teach the fundamentals of reading, writing and speaking.

[Razor Ramon]

So you want to install a socialist-like school system in this country? Hey, I wouldn't say no.

[Fe 26]

We need to exclusively focus on the development of communication skills from kindergarten to eighth grade along with annual testing that measures apptitude and interest. Training in mathematics should be limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Unless communication skills are fully mastered, there is no need to advance to high school.

Dude, wtf? Are you retarded? That is all we need, a bunch of assholes who can communicate their opinions really fucking well.

You're a worthless english major aren't you?

[NoboruWataya]

Training in mathematics should be limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

I really don't know how to respond. How could anyone possibly believe this?

[Six]

... We need to exclusively focus on the development of communication skills from kindergarten to eighth grade along with annual testing that measures apptitude and interest.

... the emphasis could evolve into a curriculum of philosophy, sociology, economics, psychology, science and religious studies. ...Think of how different our society would be if our education system could just teach the fundamentals of reading, writing and speaking.

No training in the arts? What kind of worthless people would we be?

Nonsense. All of it.

Maybe, just maybe, the problem isn't with schools. More specifically the problem is that our educational instutitions are massively underfunded and no one seems to care enough about it to start coughing up some money.

[Fe 26]

No training in the arts? What kind of worthless people would we be?

Nonsense. All of it.

Maybe, just maybe, the problem isn't with schools. More specifically the problem is that our educational instutitions are massively underfunded and no one seems to care enough about it to start coughing up some money.

Yes, no math or art. The world will be run by very articulate stupid boring people.

BTW, I think schools should become funded by the national gov but fed run. That way, poor communities could finally evolve.

In my state schools are paid for by property taxes. This means that poor areas stay poor because the schools stay shitty and the kids stay dumb.

[George]

For math, I agree that much of the higher subject matter doesn't really apply to most people's professions, but it builds logic and pacing skills.

Of course I agree that the country is in dire need of an education reform of some sort, but mostly what I would like to see happen is failing students not to be pushed along through the system. I don't know who said it, but it's as if the students exist for the system, not the other way around, and that's a problem. If we just force them through higher grades when they're clearly not ready, then what was all that school for?

[Grey's Anatomy]

Athletic activity would be strictly confined to cardio vascular exercises and all sports would be eliminated.

Wow, I can't wait for the Homecoming Tae-Bo session.

[Burky]

Yeh right like a system such as this will ever take place.

By the way they got this new plan for Europe which they will be implementing soon.
Except the Europe one is more realistic.

Originally posted by TrialSword
For math, I agree that much of the higher subject matter doesn't really apply to most people's professions, but it builds logic and pacing skills.

Exactly, and skills such as those are key criteria in jobs.
It's like what use is a Maths degree? I'm think I'm right in saying that 90% of people with that degree will never use the knowledge from it again in any job, but the fact that they could understand and apply it successfully shows intelligence, logic, determination etc, and that's why I degree in Maths will get you a job.

How does the American school system work anyway?
At what age do you actually get to choose which subjects you do and really focus on the subject(s) you want to base a career/further education upon?

[George]

We start with kindergarten at around age five for a year, followed by 5 years of "Elementary School"

Around the age of twelve students enter "middle school" a period of three years that enters more complex subject matter.

At age fourteen you enter High School, an important milestone in the American Educational system. It's a four year period that basically shape your educational aptitude as a whole. Near the end of your high school period, most public schools take both "Reagents" and the SATs, tests that enumerate educational prowess. These results, along with extracurricular activities, determine whether or not you enter a college you apply to. You enter college at the age of 18 and spend an average of four years on earning a bachelor's degree.

High School is basically the end of the road for "required" curriculum, universities are obviously optional, but generally sought after.

Edit: To answer your other question, it depends on which school you enter that you decide your own courses. It can be all the way until college that you're waiting to take the courses YOU want.