Here is an "American opinion" from Alan November. http://nlcommunities.com/communities/podcasts/feeds/22/88.aspx (choose the top link, Alan November, Thinking Globally)
I have been overwhelmed by an article about education a friend of mine sent me. So was she. She came to this country not too long ago, and had lived in Germany for some time before, but is originally from Russia.
The article was also written by a Russian professor, and to put it mildly, is not flattering. In fact, it's merely scary. Especially scary if you live in this country.
Ok, what was it? Well, it was an overview of how poorly most students do, how afraid of kids and doing something wrong teachers are, how low standards are and the like. That an inner-city apartment may not have beds, but it will have a TV and that's where most of info comes from. If it's not on TV, it never happened. If something happens in another country (or state), no one cares as very few are even aware that other countries (states) exist! Foreign policy is about Iraq and that's it.
That tests in English are embarrassing as one would think they were testing foreign language skills not the native language. And on and on, (to be honest I haven't read much further because I was disturbed at the time).
And although it's biased, it's not completely untrue, and that's what's so upsetting. Okay, there are good things happening in schools, and there are issues that we are aware of and are taking action against them, but how effective is that overall? What's on most high school students' minds? Prom? Sex? Money? Is there an inspiration? Talents? Are there goals?
It's true the schools have changed quite a bit. It's also important to note that currently the country operates under the supervision of another generation, a generation teachers were not scared of. A generation that knew they would have to work hard to make money and move forward. A more aspiring generation in general. What happens after the baby-boomers retire? Most teachers note that today almost every kid is on the learning disability or some other disability list, therefore, they all need special approach. The question is how come that wasn't true 30 years ago, and what exactly is happening?
The article noted that present high school graduates can't spell and properly read. And that's true, many can't. It went on to point out that before you take a math test you will have a tutorial teaching you how to use a calculator which you are of course allowed to use. (In some countries, that's unheard of! You don't use a calculator at an exam or test! Use your head!)
But there is something else worth mentioning. What are the priorities? What are the essential skills today? Can you succeed and always use the calculator, or do you need to learn to spell words in your own language to become a great person? And my impression was that the article missed that completely.
There are failures in every job in every country, and there are lousy teachers no matter what. But there are also values, in the family and in the society. Partying isn't everything as many college students soon find out. And their life is not going to be easy after they graduate with thousands in debt. And this needs to be addressed.
But it's even more important to define the set of skills we want the students to have when they graduate. Or rather we want them to want to have. That's the active learning theory, right? And I can't think of more than critical thinking skills. Ability to think for oneself, to know how to learn, and to learn to learn forever. Unfortunately, that's what not many realize. Most people still encourage high school students to go to college. In today's life, it may or may not be wise even from the financial standpoint. Just getting a degree for the degree's sake is such a waste of time. Truly is. It has got to be so hands-on, so immediately needed and so going beyond immediate needs and so life-long.
Not that I have a good answer. Just thinking, just thinking.
Any thoughts?