If you have been following the topic, you probably know by know that public education K-grad school is a disaster area. Dumbing down is not only politically correct for the left, but, although there are exceptions, has become a nationwide curse. For example, a high school teacher interviewed by the New York Times related:
"This is a real conversation I had with a failing student who was being quite sincere in her comments: ‘I know you’re a really good teacher, but you don’t seem to realize I have two hours a night of Facebook and over 4,000 text messages a month to deal with. How do you expect me to do all this work?’ When I collect homework at the beginning of class, it is standard out of a class of 35, to receive only 8 to 10 assignments. If I didn’t give half-credit for late work, I think most would fail.”
(See the link for an excellent article on this topic) The push for more economic equality will only exacerbate the problem as it stresses that everyone needs a college degree to succeed. This, of course includes those who cannot do college level work.
Want some proof, see this article on grade inflation in American colleges and universities. For an excellent explanation of at least part of the dynamics see this insightful article on the "low-low" contract between faculty and students. I highly recommend this piece.
Don't give a bachelor's degree for community-college level work. It's time we stop cheating the students, their parents the taxpayers and the nation. If you offer a degree make sure it is at an approrpriate level of difficulty.
I've read that the Prussian educational system was brought here because of its utility to the central government: A few elite as leaders; a somewhat larger group for middle management bureaucrats, and then a majority for blue-collar, service jobs and cannon fodder.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, forget what the elite (or the NEA) say. It's how things actually turn out that matter.
Art
It takes skilled labor and technical jobs for the economy and society to succeed. Without this work force, higher education's mandate to provide future leaders, managers and other professionals is pointless.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike Adams. True equality is driven by opportunity, not outcome. Not to mention that going to college doesn't guarantee future wealth. Hard work is a proven predictor regardless of one's academic credentials.
Anon & 44: Thanks for the comments. Don't know anything about the Prussian system. 44 is right in that the economy needs a lot more than people with academic degrees. Unfortunately, in America, we seem obsessed with everyone GETTING a bachelor's degree even if they didn't earn one. Agreed, equality should be about opportunity, not outcome. The only way to get equality of outcome in education is to dumb it down so everyone can succeeed.
ReplyDeleteOver-simplified: The Prussian system envisions three tiers of people: Elites, to rule. A second tier as lower-upper and middle management.
ReplyDeleteThen the rest, whether lower level management, grunt labor or cannon fodder.
Public education in the US didn't begin this way, but has pretty well morphed into it. The teaching style leads to group-think. Class lengths, bell-control, etc., get students accustomed to following an ordered system.
Note that students of Montessori schools, smaller private schools and home-schools generally out-do those in the public schools.
Colleges and universities became training grounds for employment. Its obvious that in today's world, too many kids majored in some variant of underwater basket-weaving. For too many, it seems to be a choice of least intellectual rigor, best parties and enjoyment of what appeared to be free money.
Art
Anon: As you suggest, bureaucratic schools prepare people for bureaucratic work and bureaucracy-led lives. For some educational financial aid is an alternative welfare system. It's not a bad life for a young person with no drive. Get a check, pretend to study and care, get a degree and still have lots of time to party. What more could an American loser want. Some schools and programs give kids a free i-pad to lure them in. Is this a great country or what?
ReplyDelete