tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087945368269162931.post2596663566409001638..comments2013-12-17T23:35:50.914-08:00Comments on Raving Persuasions: In Defense of Public Schools (Mostly the Elementary Ones)Realta (group)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08793102536801023677noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087945368269162931.post-48444763977437262292010-08-07T18:37:50.421-07:002010-08-07T18:37:50.421-07:00I'm trying to take an SAT diagnostic test but ...I'm trying to take an SAT diagnostic test but after doing four problems all I'm thinking is FUCK FUCK FUCK I HATE MATH. Which is really how most of my thought processes towards math are, but when it's coupled with an idiotic standardized test that is, as previously mentioned, idiotic yet stupidly necessary to get into college I just get REALLY FRUSTRATED.<br /><br />...This isn't helping my case towards public schools. Sorry. Deep breaths.<br /><br />Anyway, yeah, in an alternate universe I would love to try "un-schooling" but it's really not feasible or even particularly wise for me to drop out of conventional school right now.<br /><br />And, I see what you're saying, but I have to somewhat disagree. There's a lot of contention about the curriculum, but it is tailored to fit each student as best as possible. Time and money restrict a truly individualized curriculum, true. However, when you think about it, all young kids need to learn basically the same things - how to read, how to write, how to do basic math, basic geography... From my perspective, there's nothing wrong with everyone following the same curriculum - to an extent - because it's material that they have to learn anyway. We encounter a problem, I think, when the kids get a little bit older and start showing major strengths or weaknesses in specific areas yet are still expected to keep pace with the rest of the class. Now, at my elementary school, we were all divided into separate reading and math groups, which at least helped to ensure that everybody was getting work of an appropriate difficulty level and that worked out pretty well. The REAL problems are with the other subjects (namely, social studies & science), which I guess out of necessity get less attention. If there's one thing I hate about public school, it's the terrible science classes. I don't blame the teachers THAT much because in all honesty they're not given much to work with, but it's extraordinary how such a complex world can be reduced to such fascinatingly boring textbook pages.<br /><br />Also, public school is the best way to ensure that as many people as possible get an education. Of course it's not perfect, and ideally everyone would follow their own educational path, perhaps like you do, but in reality, if EVERYONE was "un-schooled" or something similar, a lot of people simply wouldn't learn due to: a lack of resources (money, the internet), unmotivated students, busy parents, learning disabilities that never get treated... (WOW that was a congested sentence.) Please don't take this the wrong way; I'm sincerely not trying to insult your school dealio, because I am intrigued by it and it obviously hasn't dumbed you down, but at LEAST public school in America ensures that all students will get some sort of attention. It may not be all the attention they need, there may be a few cases where it actually is more harmful than helpful, but at least it's there. Do you see what I mean? Mass education has to be regulated to some degree - if it weren't, it would ultimately fall apart. It sucks, but I don't see any solution to it other than to try and improve the current system.<br /><br />That said, I'm certainly not opposed to alternate schooling and trying to give as many people as possible access to that alternate schooling. I just think that, to put it simply, public schools are better than nothing.<br /><br />I could write an entire blog post discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the school system as I know it, but this comment is long enough already, so maybe another time, haha.Vitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00329770892420870801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087945368269162931.post-8999889515071133002010-08-07T09:57:05.919-07:002010-08-07T09:57:05.919-07:00Thank you for you post, Vita. It was pretty beauti...Thank you for you post, Vita. It was pretty beautiful.<br /><br />I can see it. I can see the image you've painted of elementary schools. Of fun and learning, friendships and a sense of messiness. I can see that.<br /><br />But there's things wrong with the concept too. Don't you think it's hypocritical when adults stress that every child is individual and unique--we're all special and have different strengths and weaknesses; And then they give everyone the same curriculum to follow. Doesn't that seem weird? I don't think elementary schools exist to harness everyone's passion and creativity and curiosity. I think they exist to get everyone on the same level.<br /><br />And yes, I'm sure there are teachers who take it beyond that. Who focus on thinking for yourself, who love children and encourage you to try new things and make mistakes. But there's definitely not enough.<br /><br />In high school, I'm positive that there are teachers like the one you spoke of. I've heard stories of different ones from my friends. Teachers who ask why and want to hear what you think. But on the flip side, there's the teachers who give science and history a bad name.<br />How many kids leave high school every summer hating science? Science is exciting. Science is fascinating. Why do we have to make it so boring?<br /><br />Maybe I'm just an cynical rebel who doesn't know anything about calculus (except who to spell it :). Maybe I'm overly critical of what I don't understand. But I don't think any person can be prepared for "real life" by having sat in a classroom for as long as you kids do. I don't think kids should have to be bored or do things they don't want to do. <br /><br />Just think: What if every time you have ever been bored with school in your life--every time you were writing a stupid report that you didn't want to write or every time your teacher was repeating to other students something you already knew--what if you took all that time and did something incredibly exciting. What if you wrote a novel, instead of doing homework? What if you were volunteering at a pet hospital instead of making a model cell? What if you were in Paris reading about the French Revolution instead of in your classroom?<br /><br />What I'm saying about boredom is that you shouldn't get accustomed to it. You shouldn't accept it as a necessary part of life. Fight back and find every intriguing. People seem to think that boredom is inevitable but it's not. Boredom isn't a state of being, it's a state of mind.<br /><br />Thanks again, Vita and sorry if this immensely long comment seems to be raining on your parade.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772506007580422874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087945368269162931.post-75566996459317146292010-08-07T03:17:07.777-07:002010-08-07T03:17:07.777-07:00Hi,
This is an amazing post. You have highlight on...Hi,<br />This is an amazing post. You have highlight on very good points. I completely agree with the points you have shared here.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.topqualityessays.com" rel="nofollow">Essay Papers</a>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559395096448385130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087945368269162931.post-89222997801494228372010-08-07T03:16:27.304-07:002010-08-07T03:16:27.304-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559395096448385130noreply@blogger.com