American School System

[frozen_water]

I've no doubt others have posted a similar topic before, and if they did so rather recently I apologize in advance.

On to the matter at hand, the American school system, while I can't speak for the entire country as each state has different laws and requirement, I can personally say that I feel like the Texas education system has failed me in countless ways.

Issues I have personally faced:
-The 4x4 Plan (for those not familiar, this is a plan that went into action recently and requires all high school graduates in Texas to have 4 credits of all core classes: Science, Math, History, and English). This plan takes what once made a student stand out for dedication average, and makes it extremely difficult to gain additional core credits. Also, impossible for student to graduate early, or gain PM/AM off without doubling up on core classes or taking summer school.

-Changes made to resolve issues with the 4x4 plan not retroactive. (the 4x4 plan has become an apparent use of too many credits so the school board has cut out some of the previously needed requirements, however this is not retroactive and leaves those in the gap between when the 4x4 plan started and the new requirements began screwed over.)

-All mandatory classes a joke. (Due to the horrible dedication to education many American children face, many end up failing required courses, to combat this issue the school system has simply lowered the bar, making the classes virtually useless and a waste of time to dedicated students.)

-Horrible/insane School Counselors. The counselors at my school have been known to lie, knowingly tell children they can't work their schedule in a way they in reality can, and be generally insane.

-Ridiculous restrictions and rules. (self-explanatory EX. not allowed to use MP3 players in class regardless of OK from teacher..)

Too take things in a slightly different direction I would just like to bring up an idea I read by Neil Boortz, he proposed that school's be run with a voucher system in which for each child the guardian would receive a voucher (only viable for education purposes) and then the guardian selects where the money (and child) are sent with the option of private or public schools. Boortz suggests this competition would force schools to become more competitive in their teaching programs.

Discuss:
-How has the school system failed you?
-How has it benefited you?
-How do different state educations compare?
-How does the American school system compare to other countries?
-Would Boortz plan work or have any positive effects?
-What would be the negative effects of Boortz plan?
-How could the current system be reformed?
-Anything thing else related.

[Pale Horseman]

Go to school and get into fights, that's what I did.
I turned out fine.

[frozen_water]

Pale Horseman

Go to school and get into fights, that's what I did.
I turned out fine.

Hmm, but what to fight over? I could jump a girl for taking my seat like a couple of boys did the other day...

[Suougibma]

Someone failed a class? My school would pass you for showing up. =/

In my experience with my school district the entire goal of the school is to maximize the, "special needs," category, and maximize attendance. While at the same time hiring teachers that have no real interest in teaching you, and decided to be a teacher so they could get those neat summer breaks. Meanwhile they spend 90million dollars building a stadium because they also get a ton of money for athletics.

[Pale Horseman]

frozen_water

Pale Horseman

Go to school and get into fights, that's what I did.
I turned out fine.

Hmm, but what to fight over? I could jump a girl for taking my seat like a couple of boys did the other day...

Well, most people don't need reasons, and I never actually started any.
I just finished them.

[frozen_water]

Pale Horseman

frozen_water

Pale Horseman

Go to school and get into fights, that's what I did.
I turned out fine.

Hmm, but what to fight over? I could jump a girl for taking my seat like a couple of boys did the other day...

Well, most people don't need reasons, and I never actually started any.
I just finished them.

So plan it out just right and jump into a pre-existing fight?

[The Whimsical Box]

The school system has yet to fail me, and although it is riddled with flaws if you have some sort of work ethic and actually do your homework, you can probably slide by with a C in your worse subjects. To actually try your best to pass your classes and fail them anyways would either mean you have an absolutely terrible school and teachers, or you are simply unable to learn the subjects and thus should receive a failing grade anyways. I'll also mention that many of these apply to your personal school situation and not to schools all across America.

EDIT: I just re-read the OP and noticed you said that you realize that this mainly applies to Texas. Disregard my last sentence.

[Dudedudewhatevermandude]

High school requirements are getting to the point of ridiculous. In the school system I came from, students are now required to work up to and be able to pass a particular level of math (I believe it's Al/geo/stat 2). Unfortunately, not all students are able to achieve that high of a level of math, which stresses out many of the students and eventually causes them to drop out or fail school. I'm just glad that I was able to graduate from the system before all these crazy requirements passed >.<

[frozen_water]

The Whimsical Box

The school system has yet to fail me, and although it is riddled with flaws if you have some sort of work ethic and actually do your homework, you can probably slide by with a C in your worse subjects. To actually try your best to pass your classes and fail them anyways would either mean you have an absolutely terrible school and teachers, or you are simply unable to learn the subjects and thus should receive a failing grade anyways. I'll also mention that many of these apply to your personal school situation and not to schools all across America.

This is one of the problems. School should not be something you pass with minimal effort. Anything beyond the basics needed to get through day to day life should not be mandated by the state (or Nation) and curriculum should be more advanced to push children to be involved and work towards their education goals.

[darkgamer2]

SmuglyRose

High school requirements are getting to the point of ridiculous. In the school system I came from, students are now required to work up to and be able to pass a particular level of math (I believe it's Al/geo/stat 2). Unfortunately, not all students are able to achieve that high of a level of math, which stresses out many of the students and eventually causes them to drop out or fail school. I'm just glad that I was able to graduate from the system before all these crazy requirements passed >.<

Going out on a limb here prob will get flammed yet, here I go! I actually don't believe that the requirments are a bad thing, I passed high school finishing honors Algebra Two Trigonometry and I was actual far above the requirements in terms of credits. The job market has become a much harder place why shouldn't the school system? Also the U.S. requirements are a JOKE compared to the Chinese governments education requirements.

[The Whimsical Box]

frozen_water

The Whimsical Box

The school system has yet to fail me, and although it is riddled with flaws if you have some sort of work ethic and actually do your homework, you can probably slide by with a C in your worse subjects. To actually try your best to pass your classes and fail them anyways would either mean you have an absolutely terrible school and teachers, or you are simply unable to learn the subjects and thus should receive a failing grade anyways. I'll also mention that many of these apply to your personal school situation and not to schools all across America.

This is one of the problems. School should not be something you pass with minimal effort. Anything beyond the basics needed to get through day to day life should not be mandated by the state (or Nation) and curriculum should be more advanced to push children to be involved and work towards their education goals.

Most colleges and good jobs require something greater than "the basics needed to get through day to day life". In addition to this, I was saying even if you are terrible at a subject if you try hard you can still slide by with a C, implying you're not doing the bare minimum but that you simply cannot grasp the necessary concepts. While I agree with you school reform is necessary, if you put in the effort you can probably pass the classes you are bad at.

[Dudedudewhatevermandude]

darkgamer2

SmuglyRose

High school requirements are getting to the point of ridiculous. In the school system I came from, students are now required to work up to and be able to pass a particular level of math (I believe it's Al/geo/stat 2). Unfortunately, not all students are able to achieve that high of a level of math, which stresses out many of the students and eventually causes them to drop out or fail school. I'm just glad that I was able to graduate from the system before all these crazy requirements passed >.<

Going out on a limb here prob will get flammed yet, here I go! I actually don't believe that the requirments are a bad thing, I passed high school finishing honors Algebra Two Trigonometry and I was actual far above the requirements in terms of credits. The job market has become a much harder place why shouldn't the school system? Also the U.S. requirements are a JOKE compared to the Chinese governments education requirements.

Requirements can be a good thing, but it doesn't help when a school system doesn't properly prepare the students to pass these requirements.

[darkgamer2]

SmuglyRose

darkgamer2

SmuglyRose

High school requirements are getting to the point of ridiculous. In the school system I came from, students are now required to work up to and be able to pass a particular level of math (I believe it's Al/geo/stat 2). Unfortunately, not all students are able to achieve that high of a level of math, which stresses out many of the students and eventually causes them to drop out or fail school. I'm just glad that I was able to graduate from the system before all these crazy requirements passed >.<

Going out on a limb here prob will get flammed yet, here I go! I actually don't believe that the requirments are a bad thing, I passed high school finishing honors Algebra Two Trigonometry and I was actual far above the requirements in terms of credits. The job market has become a much harder place why shouldn't the school system? Also the U.S. requirements are a JOKE compared to the Chinese governments education requirements.

Requirements can be a good thing, but it doesn't help when a school system doesn't properly prepare the students to pass these requirements.

It depends a lot on your school, consular, district, etc I guess. I personally found out what I had to take not to pass high school, I researched what courses I needed to take to get into college. I mean the requirements can be difficult, I admit that yet, now that I am in college honestly, they are a freaking joke!

[The Whimsical Box]

SmuglyRose

darkgamer2

SmuglyRose

High school requirements are getting to the point of ridiculous. In the school system I came from, students are now required to work up to and be able to pass a particular level of math (I believe it's Al/geo/stat 2). Unfortunately, not all students are able to achieve that high of a level of math, which stresses out many of the students and eventually causes them to drop out or fail school. I'm just glad that I was able to graduate from the system before all these crazy requirements passed >.<

Going out on a limb here prob will get flammed yet, here I go! I actually don't believe that the requirments are a bad thing, I passed high school finishing honors Algebra Two Trigonometry and I was actual far above the requirements in terms of credits. The job market has become a much harder place why shouldn't the school system? Also the U.S. requirements are a JOKE compared to the Chinese governments education requirements.

Requirements can be a good thing, but it doesn't help when a school system doesn't properly prepare the students to pass these requirements.

You just said the requirement were ridiculous. Doesn't this contradict your previous argument?

[Pale Horseman]

frozen_water

Pale Horseman

frozen_water

Pale Horseman

Go to school and get into fights, that's what I did.
I turned out fine.

Hmm, but what to fight over? I could jump a girl for taking my seat like a couple of boys did the other day...

Well, most people don't need reasons, and I never actually started any.
I just finished them.

So plan it out just right and jump into a pre-existing fight?

Not really, just don't take s**t from anyone.
Best advice I can offer, honestly.