The state of education.....Warning, long grumpy ramble.

[Elizabeth N.]

I've been in college for, um, eleven semesters now--one or two left to finish an undergrad double major and hoping to head straight into grad school. This is a LONG TIME to be in school *g*, but I'm having more fun than a pig in a mud puddle doing the work-plus-school gig. (Most of the time.) It gives me hope that one day I might actually manage full-time employment, which is something I would have considered impossible not long ago.

This has given me ample time to observe just how woefully SHITTY the US public school system prepares youngsters for anything remotely resembling real world learning, much less real world work. I despair at the thought that these kids are supposed to rule the world.

My institution did not provide for a test-by-exam option for "intro to academic writing," EN 112 in our numbering system. The prof apologized for this a lot during the course of that semester. I grinned and bore up and did stuff like purposely writing papers in different formats (MLA, APA, Turabian etc.) so she could help me learn to differentiate. I interviewed Dr. Douglas Hess by phone for an assignment in that class, which was really cool .

I went NUTSO a few times over my classmates' cluelessness and attitude, though. I remember how mad one girl got when, while doing peer editing, I pointed out the error in a sentence, "The subject peaked my interest..." Why? Because spell check said it was right. I could not POSSIBLY know better than spell check. *snort*

Then there were the girls who sat behind me and whined ENDLESSLY about the uselessness of the class. "What does THIS have to do with my major?" One day, as they were yapping about this AGAIN before the hour began, I turned around and said, "If you cannot comprehend the importance to ANY endeavor of learning to write complete sentences and full paragraphs in standard English, then WHY ARE YOU IN COLLEGE?! You should quit wasting your time and money and go become a Walmart greeter."

Because my back was to the door, I did not realize the professor had arrived during my little tirade. The students said nothing further (nor did they whine in my hearing, or so they thought; I overhead them bitching about me and my 'tude in the café later), but the prof nearly kissed me after the class lol.

Fast forward many semesters. I'm taking the second of two required semesters of "college math," without going to class. It's too damned early in the day for me to get there, and since my sister is a math teacher and I know how to access Khan Academy, I have plenty of support to be able to do the work on my own schedule. The prof is cool with that, very accommodating.

A couple of classmates are clearly NOT pleased that I'm "cutting class all the time." I've mentioned in the hearing of all how I'm doing this, and how it requires doing just about every single problem for every section in order to cement the learning. I don't think they believe me. One brat, in particular, pulls an obnoxious face when I come in for tests. Yesterday, said brat flung the test on the prof's desk about 15 minutes into the hour and stomped off in a huff, squealing that "we didn't DO THAT in class!"

Another student pointed out that they had indeed, DONE THAT in class--every. single. problem. of that section, so that no homework was assigned. Said brat had, of course, texted and Facebooked her way through that class, as she does with every other class.

Ah, I could go on and on. This semester I'm having a bit of fun tutoring some students in intro to philosophy. They are in the "first generation college student from disadvantaged background" category. You can tell that they came from schools that taught absolutely NOTHING. Some are working their tails off to make up for lost time, others are expecting shit to get handed to them on a platter. In every case, the literacy level is just freaking scary.

A generation or so ago, a kid could graduate high school as an average student and still be able to go work somewhere, if s/he had just a little bit of gumption. Nowadays? Shit, if they can do basic arithmetic functions in their heads or speak a complete sentence or PUT THEIR FUCKING PHONE DOWN and look you in the eye.....? Just how hopeless is this shit?

 

[shann]

As a teacher, maybe I'm making excuses, but I'd call this the state of parenting and society. There is no more personal responsibility or accountability and everything is always someone else's fault. They are highly dependent on technology to *think* for them, and we are putting it into their hands at earlier and earlier ages. They can't find a mistake or problem solve unless they have a calculator or spell check.

I could rant for ages but I'm not sure that other people would appreciate it, so I'll stop.

 

[brooklyngirl]

Agree, agree, agree with @shann ! It's a problem with society in general, and more specifically with crappy parenting than just the school system. I can't tell you how often teachers get blamed for not teaching things that kids should be learning AT HOME. Manners, respect, common decency- those should all be taught at home and reinforced at school, but that is, quite sadly, not the case far too often. Not only is the newest generation COMPLETELY reliant on technology (which has resulted in a drastic decrease in constructive play- the way young children actually LEARN and PROBLEM SOLVE) but they are the the "rulers of the roost" and the parents are the ones who take orders. Of course, this isn't everyone, but I've seen an increase in this type of thing over the years and it's very disturbing to me.

PLUS, however poorly it's being executed (I could ramble on this for a while, but I won't ) the Common Core Standards that have been implemented recently in most states, were designed to counteract exactly what EN is saying. Young adults need to be ready to function in college and THE WORLD not just graduate from school. Like I said, the idea behind it is great, but the way it's being implemented, plus all the emphasis on standardized testing is kinda counter productive, but I'm hoping for things to get better, because they have gotten pretty bad.

 

[k9ophile]

I am still lamenting the loss of cursive writing as something taught in schools. There is a bill in the TN legislature to bring it back and make it mandatory. Of course there are those who oppose it in favor of technology. However, cursive skills are proven to be valuable. ( http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201303/what-learning-cursive-does-your-brain)

As to parents' responsibilities, don't they also have an obligation to let children fail? Less anyone get their knickers in a knot, I'm talking about the Everyone Gets A Trophy mentality.

 

[Kate]

Not to mention the fact that in some districts, such as the one I live in, the teachers are being called upon to not only teach their classes, teach all the things that @brooklyngirl mentioned above (manners etc.), but also put food in their mouths because if the children are hungry they can't learn and mom and dad (or mom or dad) are busy working to support the family and some things are being left to the older children who are doing the best that they can but don't have the support they need. It is a vicious cycle, I don't know how many times I've had my little sis (who is a middle school math teacher) on the phone talking to me about how her children are drowning and no one seems to care or how many times she's pulled money from her own pocket to feed or clothe or supply one of her students. And it is pushing my father who has been a college professor for almost fifty years into retirement because none of his students seem to care anymore...

 

[Elizabeth N.]

As a teacher, maybe I'm making excuses, but I'd call this the state of parenting and society. There is no more personal responsibility or accountability and everything is always someone else's fault. They are highly dependent on technology to *think* for them, and we are putting it into their hands at earlier and earlier ages. They can't find a mistake or problem solve unless they have a calculator or spell check.

I could rant for ages but I'm not sure that other people would appreciate it, so I'll stop.

You are absolutely right and I apologize for sounding like I'm throwing the blame in the teachers' court. My intent is totally the opposite, something more along the lines of : Our system (politics? parents? dunno...?) has so HAMSTRUNG teachers with bullshit policies, bogus methods and just general foolishness that TEACHERS CAN'T TEACH.

Then there's the little issue of the gazillion and ten school districts of this great land where teachers are there for crowd control at best and are expected to solve all of the community's ills with no money, no supplies and hungry kids.

Teachers shape the world. They should at LEAST make fucking minimum wage, figured out against the REAL number of hours they work.

 

[Elizabeth N.]

And it is pushing my father who has been a college professor for almost fifty years into retirement because none of his students seem to care anymore...

If your father's experience is anything like what I'm seeing at my institution, I can well imagine. Thing is, kids arrive with no ABILITY to care, y'know? We are not raising human beings to be responsible adults and run the world. It's hideous.

 

[JackieOnLine]

depressing! I wish I had some reason to think you are unnecessarily pessimistic, but I can't think of any.

 

[k9ophile]

My BFF teaches and told me about the irate mother who chastised her for failing her daughter. BFF said she was there to teach, and if daughter didn't sleep through the class, daughter might learn something. It was not her job to keep the students awake. Quite frankly, I'm surprised the school board didn't take the mother's side. BFF turns 64 in August and then her count down to retirement begins.

 

[Parousia]

My BFF teaches and told me about the irate mother who chastised her for failing her daughter. BFF said she was there to teach, and if daughter didn't sleep through the class, daughter might learn something. It was not her job to keep the students awake. Quite frankly, I'm surprised the school board didn't take the mother's side. BFF turns 64 in August and then her count down to retirement begins.

It sounds like the girl's parents are allowing her to stay up until all hours of the night, if she is so tired she falls asleep in class. This ball definitely seems to fall into their court!

 

[Bagaof4]

 

[brooklyngirl]

Bwahahahahahaha

 

[k9ophile]

I think that video is too true to be funny. I taught at the post high school level in my time with the USAF. This was in 1975-1978. It was sad then.

 

[Elizabeth N.]

That video is....Um, well, barely skirting the edge of funny. My institution is historically a teachers' college, so I encounter LOTS of teachers in interacting with alumni, and OMFG the stories they tell.

Last night I had 90 joyous minutes with a young woman who grew up in hell, aka New Jersey Inner City Awfulness. The matriarch of her clan is her 29-year-old sister, who, wonder of wonders, is married with three little ones. There's a sister between her and my student, and they HAD a younger brother--who was struck and killed by a car two weeks ago, days after his 17th birthday. Mom is dead, dad is not in the picture. These four have raised themselves, with some help from their church community.

My student is 21, is taking the full allowed 6 years to complete her degree in this program. Very smart of her. She described high school as part detention center, part crowd control, zero learning. All her buddies have told her about all the "hard" courses and "mean" professors, and she purposely takes those courses and professors. She doesn't know what sleep is LOL. But she knows how to hook in to every adult who gives a shit on this campus, get their phone numbers and MAKE CONNECTIONS.

You've guessed her ethnic background, I presume . She's taking a mandatory "women and gender" course, where she has to write a paper. She purposely chose the group of women with whom she can least identify: Amish women. Rural, white, foreign language, etc. I am so excited for this kid. She gives me hope.

 

[Elizabeth N.]

THEN there was the phone call I received this morning while commuting to the other school job.

Tutoring department Secretary (TDS): Hey, do you have the philosophy textbook?

Me: Which one?

TDS: The one we just bought.

Me: Why? That one is about Socrates and they are done with Socrates and on to the second text, which is Descartes?

TDS: There's a student here who wants the textbook and you checked it out.

Me: Um, which professor and which textbook?

TDS: Names the prof who used that Socrates text, which was finished three classes ago, counting review and midterm

Me: They took their midterm Monday or Tuesday and had their first session of second test, Descarte Wednesday or Thursday.

TDS: The student says the book is *hot pink with brilliant green lemons on the cover*

Me: The Plato/Socrates text is black with beige print. I don't know what the Descartes text looks like because you don't have it. I spent three hours this week pulling up all the listed texts for Descartes. created a Youtube playlist, a Sparknotes summary and a Google Books biography so they would not have to buy textbooks. Who is this student and is he on my schedule?

TDS: *hands phone to student*

Student: Hi, my name is Joe. I just want to borrow the textbook.

Me: Which one?

Student: THE textbook.

Me: Which professor do you have?

Student: *name*

Me: Okay, tell *sec'y* to grab my folder. In there is a syllabus. Have you printed your syllabus yet?

Student: Um, no.

Me: *holds back swearing* Okay. You MUST print your syllabus and schedule with me at *abcdefgh times*

Student: Well, I don't know if I need that.

Me: Trust me, I took courses with *prof*. If you get above a D on your midterm I will faint. How did you answer the midterm question about Socrates and the cave?

Student: Huh?

Me: That's what I thought. Okay, did you notice that on your syllabus, there are THREE textbooks listed?

Student: Huh?

Me: I have the Socrates book. That was your midterm. Now you have six sessions of Descartes, two sessions of Easter break and six sessions of Hume. Do you understand that Socrates, Descartes and Hume are different people from different countries and span over 2,000 years of history?

Student: *silence* then: I just wanted to borrow the textbook.

Me: I don't have the textbook you want. You need me lots, though. Here's when I'm available. Trust me, you flunked the midterm, but depending on your grade, we can MAYBE pull you through this course. Otherwise you'll have to take theological or philosophical ethics, and you'll do better for having flunked this course. Really, it's okay to flunk. You learn from flunking.

Student: But I need an A!

Me: Won't happen. Give me the secretary.

TDS: So can you get him the book?

Me: His problems are lots worse than the book on my desk. *I hang up and cuss lots*