Guess it was bound to happen

[nirvana]

Teaching kids math and reading in 1st grade?  Entry tests for performance?  It seemed imminent after I was repeatedly by my parents how they didn't do the math i was doing in 6th grade until they were in high school.  My sister said they'd eventually be teaching pre-calculus in elementary school.  Here it comes sit down and shut up!   Kids have it rough these days.

[Sandman]

I think we could probably overhaul the education system in this country right at the root.

Advancement is tied to age and it happens just once per year. It's time to scrap that notion. Advancement should come at any time and at any age. If a child has the aptitude of a 2nd grader, but happens to be in 1st grade, move that child right then and there.

In addition, quit linking subjects as if their related. I can't see why a young student can't be working on 4th or 5th grade math while they're also working on 6th or 7th grade English.

[rpm]

I totally agree Sandy. Here in Texas they have taken the "teach the test" route rather than "teach the subject". That boxes in students from advancing at their normal rate and stifles their potential. In their quest for higher test scores, they are sacrificing our potential.

[storch]

yup without a doubt some kids need holding back and others should be boosted to the fore.  the best solution is to take the gubment out of your kid's education, like we did.  yea home schooling. in our case times three.

[Eagler]

Public education will be the downfall of this country as the inferior education produces more lazy liberal mindsets each and every year...
I heard < 60% of high school kids are even graduating today. What kind of future does one of those rocket scientist or its parents expect? Manager at the local McD's 30 years after starting as the fry boy?

vouchers are the best short term solution imo

[Holden McGroin]

Originally posted by Eagler
What kind of future does one of those rocket scientist or its parents expect?

"The world needs ditch diggers too.."

[Mickey1992]

Originally posted by Eagler
I heard < 60% of high school kids are even graduating today.

The national high school graduation rate in 2001-2002 was 72.6%.
In 2002-2003 it was 73.9%.

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/2006601.pdf

[Eagler]

guess it depends on who is doing the measuring .. wonder if they graduated from hs?

florida 2005

[Mickey1992]

"The Morgan Quitno list compares the estimated number of 2005 high school graduates with ninth-grade enrollment in the fall of 1999. That excludes students who have obtained special diplomas or passed General Educational Development tests, both counted in the state's method.

DOE also tracks students moving into and out of the state and transferring to private schools, also left out by Morgan Quitno."

No wonder the opposing political party was able to find a conflicting statistic.  Look at all of the stuff it does not take into account.

[nirvana]

So are kids really getting smarter or are they just trying to shove more stuff in to the brains?