Theory Why Schools aren't as Good as They Were (1 Viewer)

[Optimus Prime]

I've heard and particapted in a number of discussion about why the schools don't seem as good as they did decades ago. There are number of factors that people usually point to. The other day I heard one that I hadn't before and while i don't really agree with it i'll pass it on.

the factor was women's rights. the theory goes like this: decades ago most women did not work. For those who did work they did had very limited options, the largest being nurse, secretary or teacher.

so you had a lot of very intelligent, driven creative women, who in todays world would be doctors, lawyers, business owners and top executives becoming schoolteachers. as years past and more and more opportunities for women opened up the teacher talent pool was severely affected.

has anyone else heard of this argument? i don't agree but i thought that it was an interesting viewpoint

 

[JimEverett]

what evidence is there that schools are worse today? I'd say they are much much better.

Thing is, we are educating EVERYONE today, whereas in the past we were only educating a fraction of the population.
Plus, by any measure, I would imagine that cultural participation is up quite a bit over past generations. Whether it be reading "serious" literature, watching serious dramatic arts, music, etc.

 

[MLU]

I think the downturn began when school curriculum passed over the Transformers as a study aid and decided to go with the Gobots...

 

[boxerharley]

Bush Administration....period

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

i'd hear a podcast from obama about getting away from an agrarian education system and more to a 21st century model
it seems that education was best when it was against something (math and engineering to beat the russians into space)
now since "god" is the answer to all questions and we are racing our enemies to the depths of fundamentalism, i doubt our educational system will have much "focus" for awhile

 

[antipop]

I think the downturn began when school curriculum passed over the Transformers as a study aid and decided to go with the Gobots...

this is obviously the reason.....i hated my parents for a year when they tried to pass those cheap gobots as transformers

 

[Squeezebox]

Bush Administration....period

lol

 

[MLU]

I think Mary Landrieu should sponsor a bill that will give kids $5 for every 'A' and $1 for every 'B'. You get nothing for a 'C' and slapped for a 'D'.

Don't even think about getting an 'F'...

 

[Sabine]

I have to agree with JE. Schools are better today than they were. So many students received a second or third rate education in the not so distant past. In the late 70's, I was caught up in the desegregation of the public schools and bussed across town. Other bussed students whose former schools were closed were obviously behind due to educational neglect.

Before No Pass, No Play, good athletes at my HS could disregard academics and ride their athletic talents from grade to grade. Not so, today - at least not in my kids schools. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was another piece of legislation that brought kids into the mainstream.

On top of that, the content of today's 5th grade Math, English and Science classes are about the equivalent of 7th grade classes 30 years ago. Additionally, as early as Jr. High kids can take classes such as Genetics, Intro to Flight (Aeronautics), Forensic Science, Integrated Chemistry & Physics, etc. Those classes were not available in my Jr. High.

As for the proposition that limited career choices created better teachers, I disagree. Sure, there were some female teachers back then who, if born 30/40/50 years later, would have been doctors, lawyers, business owners and top executives, but I don't think their limited career options produced better teachers. I think an argument could be made that the lack of choices contributed to a greater number of female teachers than were well suited for that particular profession.

 

[ra]

What's the theory behind all of the strange capitalization freakiness going on in your thread title?

 

[SaintMeaux]

Bush Administration....period

:dunno:

Seriously, is there that big of a difference in public schools now from 8 years ago?

If there is a simple answer to his question, I would say "Teacher's Union....period."

 

[taygolf]

I think the school systems are better now than they were in the past as well.

What most people do is they look at the kids and how bad they are and blame it on the school system when in fact it would be the decline of the traditional american family that is more of a cause than anything else.

I also can see where a motivation factor might kick in with teachers as well. Tell me why they should try harder to teach these bad kids whos parents do not care enough about them to teach them to respect other people? The teachers get paid the same one way or the other. If you are a great teacher you get paid the same as a good teacher and you get paid the same as a bad teacher. They all get the salary based on years of experience which eventually makes them work just hard enough not to get fired. Now this is not all of them but I can see it happening easily.

Tell me if you knew the guy down the hall was doing nothing and getting paid the same as you and you were working you butt off that that would not upset you. It would. Of course in our jobs the guy down the hall would be fired even if it takes a few years to do it and you would keep your job or even get promoted because you work hard and do good work.

 

[Eeyore]

I think the school systems are better now than they were in the past as well.

What most people do is they look at the kids and how bad they are and blame it on the school system when in fact it would be the decline of the traditional american family that is more of a cause than anything else.

I also can see where a motivation factor might kick in with teachers as well. Tell me why they should try harder to teach these bad kids whos parents do not care enough about them to teach them to respect other people? The teachers get paid the same one way or the other. If you are a great teacher you get paid the same as a good teacher and you get paid the same as a bad teacher. They all get the salary based on years of experience which eventually makes them work just hard enough not to get fired. Now this is not all of them but I can see it happening easily.

Tell me if you knew the guy down the hall was doing nothing and getting paid the same as you and you were working you butt off that that would not upset you. It would. Of course in our jobs the guy down the hall would be fired even if it takes a few years to do it and you would keep your job or even get promoted because you work hard and do good work.

You said it much more eloquently that I would have.

I was going to say that we are raising a bunch of turds.

 

[geauxboy]

I don't know about ya'll, but using 20 year old books doesn't help either. How long will it be before they start replacing ALL the books stating that Pluto is a planet?

It's not only the schools, but it seems that the kids just don't care either and have no discipline. If you don't wanna learn, you ain't.

 

[Eeyore]

I don't know about ya'll, but using 20 year old books doesn't help either. How long will it be before they start replacing ALL the books stating that Pluto is a planet?

It's not only the schools, but it seems that the kids just don't care either and have no discipline. If you don't wanna learn, you ain't.

That's nothing new. When I graduated in 1989 my Senior English book was so old one of my classmate's had her Mother's book.

Despite the old book I am quite the cunning linguist.