<p>HI all ye parents, </p>
<p>You must have a unique perspective and lots of experience with students. So, I was wondering, if you could set one educational system, what would it be, and why? </p>
<p>In other words, what do you think would be the absolutely perfect system for learning, and growing, etc?</p>
<p>Please be creative!</p>
<p>I’ve been in international schools with British books, homeschooled, in a one-room school house, international schools with multi-aged classrooms, huge public junior high school and a private girls schools. My favorite was the one room school house - I got to work at my own pace, but there were other kids around too. I’d like to see classrooms based more on kids abilities and interests and less on ages.</p>
<p>^^^ Thanks for the comment. </p>
<p>This is mine:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/418859-ladies-gentlemen-perfect-education-system-click-now-right-here-read.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/418859-ladies-gentlemen-perfect-education-system-click-now-right-here-read.html</a></p>
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<p>I agree with that Mathmom!</p>
<p>How about something more detailed…Thanks</p>
<p>I wouldn’t want all learning to be based on a computer. My fairly anti-social son did EPGY for a couple of years in elementary school. He really missed the interaction with a teacher and other students. He was also young enough that he enjoyed math projects, games and manipulatives. I see the ideal school more like a library with after school programs where you can pick the activities you want, and there is a facilitator making sure you do some of the things you don’t want as well.</p>
<p>I agree with you, mathmom. However in a private or public school program with a large number of kids and a lack of teachers, such a program could not exist. Think of the jealous parents who sees one kid who moves ahead and can do much more than theirs can. </p>
<p>Our public system was very kind to us. Identified ours as smart early on, made recommendations, placed in him the very best grade school teachers, and made special efforts to get him into classes for his ability. We saw in the parents eyes that they were envious and we tried to minimize where we could. fortunately, DS is pretty mellow and has a personality where he gets along with people (other than at home where we mostly get the usual boy grunts and mumbles). He is not good in sports, and is basically a clutz and last chosen. </p>
<p>This month, our local newspaper made known to the public, the lack of funding for TAG programs in our schools. What an uproar.</p>
<p>I know my system would never exist, but you know we never had a problem with jealousy when my first grader went up to a third grade math class. There wasn’t a single other kid who was remotely at the same level. If you do lots of pre-testing you shouldn’t have a problem. He ended up in that class because a teacher sat down with him and they figured out that he already knew everything that was covered in first, second and most of third grade math. When the system for determining levels is very clear there usually isn’t that much argument.</p>
<p>zip,</p>
<p>Maybe as you get older you’ll be a little wiser… I read your link… the computer school… A lovely idea brought forward by the folks who happen to sell software and computers… What you need is an educational system that will make you THINK rather than consume…</p>
<p>Ok an ideal educational system in short form should be where…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>class size is managable, not so small where ideas are limited, but not so big where ideas can’t be shared… (15-20) </p></li>
<li><p>While a basic set of instructional needs have to be met, some of the school day should be spend working on arts </p></li>
<li><p>recess, recess, recess… even in hs…a quick break here and there…</p></li>
<li><p>move the body and the mind will follow… PE.</p></li>
<li><p>allow time and space for a teachers strengths to come out… most educators thrive where they can practice their art, rather than follow verbaitem. A great educator is an artist, plain and simple… not everybody needs to paint by number, inside the lines…</p></li>
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<p>Unfortunately that isn’t too practical, if that were the case class rankings would be a huge mess. The way college admissions work now is by your ability to perform in comparison with your peers. If we had a class with 10,12,13 and 15 year olds it wouldn’t serve as a good experience for students.</p>
<p>My suggestion…
STOP DISSECTING THE SYSTEM.</p>
<p>The less beauracracy the better the system. Many moons ago, we were placed in advanced courses due to our Ohio/Calif. scores, IQ or PSAT, no EOC/EOG/SOL, etc. just national level. —Remember colleges still place SAT/ACT as a weight category, never saw a college app asking for EOG/SOL scores</p>
<p>Get over the everyone needs a pat on the back. In some areas schools cannot score with a red pen…now they must score in purple, children have fear and anxiety over the red. How long will it be until purple is no longer friendly?</p>
<p>I graduated over 20 yrs ago, and I believe my hometown(no I don’t live there anymore or in fact that state) had it best. In 8th grade we had the ability to go to the town hs or the vo-tech hs. Whoever went to town hs was trying to get accepted to college, vo-tech wanted to start their career asap (hair, cosmetology, bakery, auto, landscape, etc). Vo-tech students had to apply and be accepted, thus motivation and comp started before u entered. We all graduated with the state mandated hs degree, only difference vo-tech students went straight into the work force(electives allowed them to be certified during school). I also believe that it reduced the amt of cliques. We were all where we wanted to be. Yes, our h.s. had liberal arts also.</p>
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<p>1) this is the case in most private schools. </p>
<p>2) not every students like art, most high schools allow students to chose art as an elective. </p>
<p>3) HS students have quick breaks in between every class, and have a lunch break as well</p>
<p>4) this is already the case, most state’s educational departments require 3/4 years or more of PE and 1 semester of health/sex education.</p>
<p>Most schools systems are already set up in the most efficient way possible. The biggest issue with schools is that our universities should cater to students based on ability, but it seems as though we are catering to them based on financial ability as opposed to productivity. We need to do something about all the people that are bright and willing to go to school but can not afford to. People should not be held back due to their economic situations. I saw a wonderful film about this that really put things into perspective. </p>
<p>Some state schools hand out full scholarships to students whose families are more than capable of paying the full tuition, they receive a stipend as well, in order to yield better quality students to their student body. Many students whose economic situations restrict them from attending universities where they would excel profusely due to the amount of assistance available to them. This country has a lot of issues to address with catering to the wealthy and neglecting the poor. I have seen students of millionaire parents at my school being handed full scholarships with stipends, and other student just as bright with just as good grades dropping out to the administrations lack of financial support. It is absolutely despicable.</p>
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<p>We don’t like it in 1982, in 2007 a college education is almost necessary to remain a part of the American middle class. Heck, a graduate degree is growingly establishing itself as more of a necessity for most students, as salaries go down, inflation goes up, and the value of the dollar keeps dropping. In many parts of the country, those 70-80k salaries don’t get you much anymore, even 100k in places such as NYC or the bay area doesn’t provide too many luxuries. The thing many high school administrations get wrong is their inability to yield more students to attend college. This is not a problem is certain prominent areas of the country where the majority of high school graduates attend college. It is a problem however is many districts where the schools are only concerned with properly preparing and catering to the students with high rankings. This is especially true in NYC public high schools, where attention to students concerns about college are only present if you rank in the top 20% of the class. The rest of the students are their own pretty much to figure it out for themselves.</p>
<p>Time out</p>
<p>ARe you saying that mechanics and hair stylists are not worthy since they don’t have a college education?
I originated in the area you are speaking about. My DH and I both have masters, and we make less than the person who owns the place I get my haircut.</p>
<p>Secondly I did not grad in 82, & why do u not like it (curiosity)</p>
<p>Third, what I was trying to point out was, not every kid is meant for college and if the school system realizes this by creating a totally different school it is a win/win. Kids graduate with their future plans firmly in place. Think about it, students are motivated to go to school (college or vocational lic.), truancy goes down, classes move at a better pace (college prep).</p>
<p>") this is the case in most private schools. ":</p>
<p>You don’t say?? 
</p>
<p>"2) not every students like art, most high schools allow students to chose art as an elective. "</p>
<p>ART in this case a generic term… To develope a skill at something in general is to make it your “art”… be it mechanics, latin, drawing, stringed instruments…
In other words something that is not part of the MOLD students are being pressed into these days… something off the nclb, compete with india tract…
Something for individual developement… any clearer yet? </p>
<p>“3) HS students have quick breaks in between every class, and have a lunch break as well”</p>
<p>5 mins gets you to and fro… lunch is 30 minutes… </p>
<p>“4) this is already the case, most state’s educational departments require 3/4 years or more of PE and 1 semester of health/sex education.”</p>
<p>What about elementary.</p>
<p>While you seem extremely smart, probably far far smarter than me, you also seem extremely rigid as you can only cite to the structure not the point of my statement… </p>
<p>What would improve education? putting the fun back into it… now I don’t know if that’s .5 hours of fun each day or 3/4… I don’t know if that’s making kids draw or letting them break down a v-6… </p>
<p>I guess what I am trying to say is education is missing the individual or the individual is being squeezed out… creative teachers are stiffelled, children are forced into basics of nclb, cause we gotta compete with overseas… when in reality overseas is willing to work for a quarter wages than we are…so no amount of education will change that… </p>
<p>so my best educational system is one where we let people teach more than just the nclb. There’s alot to be said for show n tell and molding clay pinch pots… I see everyyear what is dissappearing from our educational system, teachers have to fight with administrators to schedule creative times for children, we are creating an educational system of worker bees… wouldn’t it be nice to teach some kind of creativity again?</p>
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<p>Yes Art is a generic term, but a child who is articulate in any way, shape or form should be doing this at their own will. American school children are already very far behind A LOT of nations as far as secular education goes. We lack in Mathematics and Science, and while you may see the need to have children breed creativity, I disagree. We need to protect the future of the value of our country’s work and all the PC mumbo jumbo that goes on has already put our school children far behind most if not all 3rd world countries in general education. </p>
<p>Unfortunately while I would love for everyone to walk around thinking about how to breed creativity, it seems unpractical. Any analyst would agree the biggest FLAW in our education system is our students lack of advanced mathematical and scientific skills.</p>
<p>5 min between classes and 30-45 minutes for lunch is enough. We are training students to be adults. The last time I checked most responsible adults do not walk around taking 5 minute breaks every 45-50 minutes, an hour for lunch and require more. We need productivity. </p>
<p>I am not starting a war, I am just giving my opinion on our education system. Many experts foresee a lack of talent in science and mathematics which can cause tremendous damage to our economy.</p>
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<p>I do not recall directly or indirectly stating any implication mechanics and hair stylists do not contribute to society. What I did state is that the future doesn’t look too bright for them. Whether anyone likes it or not, it is far more difficult this day and age to earn a decent living for yourself, let alone raise a family with a college education. I can only imagine attempting to raise a family on 40,000 a year (which is about 40% higher than the average high school graduates with no college education annual earnings) when gasoline will soon cost $4.00 a gallon and milk costs $5 a gallon. </p>
<p>Secondly while you & your husband may earn less than the owner of your hair salon this is an exemption to the rule. I speak based on majority not based on a few exceptions. </p>
<p>I’m sorry but at the rate technology is growing, the world looks at people with these types of skills as inferior. I may not agree that it is inferior, but as time progresses and education progresses, these jobs seem to become less and less valuable to society. It may not be justifiable, but we live at a day and age where ENGINEERS are worried about job security and money earning: expenses ratio. </p>
<p>I do not mean to by cynical and harsh, and I do sincerely apologize if I had come off that way. I am just judging based upon expert analysis and what I see with my own eyes. Maybe it is different for folks who are older and have steady secure jobs, but your children have a lot more to worry about in terms of employment and financial security than you did growing up. It’s just a sign of the times.</p>
<p>
On the contrary I think it would be just fine. We have no problem with that sort of age spread in families, scouting, the job markets, and many sports teams (things like swim teams and track and field.) My son did fine as a freshman taking AP Computer programming with seniors. When I was in tiny schools in Africa, I had friends two years older and two years younger. It was not a problem. Colleges might have to admit kids on some different basis than class rank. So what.</p>
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<p>I would not be a dictator. I would let each family enjoy liberty–more liberty than there is in the educational systems of most countries today. So I wouldn’t set just one educational system. </p>
<p>I have been meeting monthly since six years ago with a group of local parents who homeschool because their children couldn’t find suitable gifted education programs in their local school districts. Some of those children are now grown up and studying in universities. My family has enjoyed homeschooling (my ten-year-old is doing an elementary geometry lesson behind me as I type this), and I am glad to have the choice of taking care of my children in a way that meets their needs. Every family ought to be able to make choices that fit their own situation.</p>
<p>Sure, having a few friends different age gaps can be fine. But you fail to take into consideration maturity and brain development. My nephew skipped 1 grade and has issues with the other children due to his age group. Imagine a melting-pot of students of various ages in one class room. Do you honestly think these children will have anything in common? Children of different age groups have various interests. A 10 year old will be interested in video games, while a 15 year old will be fascinated by pornography. It seems a bit ridiculous to deny a child their right to group up with children their age.</p>
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