[SSJup81]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

Yep iv been saying that for years even before i finished high school.

I noticed that way after I got out. For instance, the SOL (Standards of Learning) test, which is what it's called for my state, was just starting when I was leaving, so I never had to bother with taking it. I know they made me take one for Geometry, but they said that if we passed it, then we wouldn't have to take a final, which was irrelevant for me, because I'd taken Honors Geometry the prior year so I didn't even bother trying it.

Anyway, my eyes were really opened after I finally got to see and witness it firsthand when as an Assistant Teacher last year. I'd only heard other teachers complaining about it (years ago, I was in the Student Virginia Education Association when at CC), but now I understand what the problem is. This is one part of the public education system that needs to be "reformed". They need to go back to the basic ways of teaching, imo, and stop worrying about passing tests...then again, if a certain percentage doesn't pass, the school risks losing funding.

The only thing I agree with as far as NCLB is concerned is that it's supposedly helping to give everyone a chance at an education...I don't feel it's right to dumb down the curriculum just so they can pass a test, or keep continuing to give them ways to pass it and all of their assignments. At the middle school I was assistant teaching at (ironically, my former middle school), the students were given various amounts of times to turn in late assignments they didn't feel like doing. One student got off his lazy bum and finally turned in a worksheet that was due at the beginning of like February or March. It was going into June. No threat of failing or anything. I sometimes wonder if I should even get into teaching since I'm so old-fashioned. Teachers are pretty much forced to "teach to the test". If the students don't get it, who cares...as long as they pass that standardized test. -_-

I asked my teachers why its more important for students to pass standardized state test than to actually retain the knowledge i always got a bogus answer but i already knew the truth its called money. I was lucky to go to school in Montgomery Country in Maryland just outside DC the counties standards are really high and the county consistently finishes in the top 20 best places to send you kids to primary school rankings, because of the influcne of politicans kids and foreign diplomat children amoung other factors.

Ah, so you were in Maryland. I'm in Virginia. That aside, it still sucks that schools aren't all that great anymore. Seems in the past, students learned more and all that, but what can be done about it? I know during the campaign, both Obama and Hilary were adamant on fixing the education system and didn't seem to advocate NCLB. Seems that's getting put on the backburner for now, but it's no surprise. There's a lot to be done to make up for the past administration.

But when i see the inner city and midwest scores i tremble. If Americans took the citizenship test about 80% would fail.

My best friend took his citizenship test back in the early 2000s. He'd been here in the US since he was young, but wasn't born here. He joked and said I should've married him to make it easier. When he took the test, he said it was nothing but a joke. I can't remember some of the questions, though, since it was so long ago, but when he asked them to me, I got them. One question asked of him, was if he was a prostitute. Y-eah...

Its as bad as children not knowing who the first president was or what is the Supreme law of the land.

Oh yeah, that reminds me. My father said he was listening to the radio or something, and some mid-western kids were asked who was on the dollar bill, and most couldn't answer. That just blew me away.