[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by SSJup81

I noticed that way after I got out. For instance, the SOL (Standards of Learning) test, which is what it's called for my state, was just starting when I was leaving, so I never had to bother with taking it. I know they made me take one for Geometry, but they said that if we passed it, then we wouldn't have to take a final, which was irrelevant for me, because I'd taken Honors Geometry the prior year so I didn't even bother trying it.

Anyway, my eyes were really opened after I finally got to see and witness it firsthand when as an Assistant Teacher last year. I'd only heard other teachers complaining about it (years ago, I was in the Student Virginia Education Association when at CC), but now I understand what the problem is. This is one part of the public education system that needs to be "reformed". They need to go back to the basic ways of teaching, imo, and stop worrying about passing tests...then again, if a certain percentage doesn't pass, the school risks losing funding.

I hear you one of the swinging factors in me voting for Obama was because he presented a path on education that was more in line with what i thought would work, i did not think Hilliary's reform of the educational system would help student actually learn. Fast forwarded to the present and of course thing have been put on the back burner. I know once i figured out that many action take by the school board was for money i became quite disenchanted with the status quo. However the positive side of that was i started volunteering at elementary and middle schools in the key program and tutor children after school then i started doing it in the inner city in DC. Learning how the system worked got me more proactive.

I believe that true change in this country will come with education. Its proven time and time again Education is the key maybe solving but quelling a lot of issues in this country including racism, family planning, STD's and financial spending and general mental health. I agree with you they need to get back to basics and build a firm root structure and build on it. It pains me when i see some of blatant ignorant comments people make and granted when i get upset or pissed off i can be just as bad. But there are some that choose not to educated themselves thats just scary.

The only thing I agree with as far as NCLB is concerned is that it's supposedly helping to give everyone a chance at an education...I don't feel it's right to dumb down the curriculum just so they can pass a test, or keep continuing to give them ways to pass it and all of their assignments. At the middle school I was assistant teaching at (ironically, my former middle school), the students were given various amounts of times to turn in late assignments they didn't feel like doing. One student got off his lazy bum and finally turned in a worksheet that was due at the beginning of like February or March. It was going into June. No threat of failing or anything. I sometimes wonder if I should even get into teaching since I'm so old-fashioned. Teachers are pretty much forced to "teach to the test". If the students don't get it, who cares...as long as they pass that standardized test. -_-[/size][/font]Ah, so you were in Maryland. I'm in Virginia. That aside, it still sucks that schools aren't all that great anymore. Seems in the past, students learned more and all that, but what can be done about it? I know during the campaign, both Obama and Hilary were adamant on fixing the education system and didn't seem to advocate NCLB. Seems that's getting put on the backburner for now, but it's no surprise. There's a lot to be done to make up for the past administration.

SO you went the VA educational system i hear MD and VA systems are pretty similar which is why is probably why im understanding where you are coming from. I agree just because a student passes a test does not mean they actually understand the material. They dumbdown the curriculum to make it easier for the students to pass to me thats teaching. They are so concerned about how much money they are getting in the next term that do it at the expense of education. No child left behind implemented by Bush did not work imo and did not address the larger concern and did involve parents enough but it was start.

My best friend took his citizenship test back in the early 2000s. He'd been here in the US since he was young, but wasn't born here. He joked and said I should've married him to make it easier. When he took the test, he said it was nothing but a joke. I can't remember some of the questions, though, since it was so long ago, but when he asked them to me, I got them. One question asked of him, was if he was a prostitute. Y-eah...

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Oh yeah, that reminds me. My father said he was listening to the radio or something, and some mid-western kids were asked who was on the dollar bill, and most couldn't answer. That just blew me away.

Yea i read about that it was horrible i was actually upset all day about it. I found the test on line and decided to take it. I did get the question "how many judges sit on the supreme court?" for the life of me i couldn't remember lol. But its kind of scary to see the downward spiral in the educational system.

just for kicks here are the questions to the test. I wont post the answers but i will post the percentage of students who answered the question correctly. For the answers people can Google if they want.

1. What is the supreme law of the land? 29.5 percent

2.What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution? 25 percent

3.What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?23 percent

4.How many justices are on the Supreme Court?9.4 percent

5.Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?25.3 percent

6.What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? 58.8 percent

7. What are the two major political parties in the United States? 49.6 percent

8. We elect a U.S. senator for how many years? 14.5 percent

9. Who was the first president? 26.5 percent

10. Who is in charge of the executive branch? 26.5 percent