5/12/2014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids? | Reader's Digest http://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/american-school-system-damaging-kids/#ixzz2qhMXHGcr 1/12 Newsletters Tablets & E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing Customer Care Contact Us Get our best deal Subscribe Give a Gift Large Print Digital Editions HEALTH FOOD ADVICE HOME TRUE STORIES JOKES GAMES SUGAR SAVVY Homepage / Advice / Parenting 39 108 Me gusta Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids? Education has become an American institution—of the worst kind. By Peter Gray from Salon.com Also published in Reader's Digest Magazine January 2014 Share Tweet 316 105 446 Parents send their children to school with the best of intentions, believing that formal education is what kids need to become productive, happy adults. Many parents do have qualms about how well schools are performing, but the conventional wisdom is that these issues can be resolved with more money, better teachers, more challenging curricula, or more rigorous tests. But what if the real problem is school itself? The unfortunate fact is that one of our most cherished institutions is, by its very nature, failing our children and our society. Children are required to be in school, where their freedom is greatly restricted, far more than most adults would tolerate in their workplaces. In recent decades, we’ve been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting, and there’s strong evidence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them. And as scientists have investigated how children naturally learn, they’ve realized that kids do so most deeply and fully, and with greatest enthusiasm, in conditions that are almost opposite to those of school. Compulsory education has been a fixture of our culture now for several generations. President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan are so enamored of it that they want even longer school days and years. Most people assume that the basic design of today’s schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn. But nothing could be further from the truth. Schools as we know them today are a product of history, not of research. The blueprint for them was developed during the Protestant Reformation, when schools were created to teach children to read the Bible, to believe Scripture without questioning it, and to obey authority figures without questioning them. When schools were taken over by the state, made compulsory, and directed toward secular ends, the basic structure and methods of teaching remained unchanged. Richard Foulser/Trunk Archive CARTOONS & LAUGHS
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Newsletters Tablets amp E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing Customer Care Contact Us
Get our best dealSubscribeGive a GiftLarge Print
Digital Editions
HEALTH FOOD ADVICE HOME TRUE STORIES JOKES GAMES SUGAR SAVVY
Homepage Advice Parenting
39 108Me gusta
Is the American School System DamagingOur KidsEducation has become an American institutionmdashof the worst kindBy Peter Gray from Saloncom
Also published in Readers Digest Magazine January 2014
Share Tweet 316 105 446
Parents send their children to school
with the best of intentions believing
that formal education is what kids need
to become productive happy adults
Many parents do have qualms about how
well schools are performing but the
conventional wisdom is that these
issues can be resolved with more money
better teachers more challenging
curricula or more rigorous tests But
what if the real problem is school itself
The unfortunate fact is that one of our most cherished institutions is by its very
nature failing our children and our society
Children are required to be in school where their freedom is greatly restricted far
more than most adults would tolerate in their workplaces In recent decades wersquove
been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting and therersquos
strong evidence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them And as
scientists have investigated how children naturally learn theyrsquove realized that kids do
so most deeply and fully and with greatest enthusiasm in conditions that are almost
opposite to those of school
Compulsory education has been a fixture of our culture now for several generations
President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan are so enamored of it that
they want even longer school days and years Most people assume that the basic
design of todayrsquos schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn
But nothing could be further from the truth
Schools as we know them today are a product of history not of research The blueprint
for them was developed during the Protestant Reformation when schools were created
to teach children to read the Bible to believe Scripture without questioning it and to
obey authority figures without questioning them
When schools were taken over by the state made compulsory and directed toward
secular ends the basic structure and methods of teaching remained unchanged
Richard FoulserTrunk Archive
CARTOONS amp LAUGHS
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 212
Subsequent attempts at reform have failed because they havenrsquot altered the basic
blueprint The top-down teach-and-test method in which learning is motivated by a
system of rewards and punishments rather than by curiosity or by any real desire to
know is well designed for indoctrination and obedience training but not much else
Itrsquos no wonder that many of the worldrsquos greatest entrepreneurs and innovators either
left school early (like Thomas Edison) or said they hated school and learned despite it
not because of it (like Albert Einstein)
Most studentsmdashwhether A students C students or failing onesmdashhave lost their zest
for learning by the time theyrsquove reached middle school or high school In a telling
research study professors Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Jeremy Hunter fitted more
than 800 sixth through 12th graders from 33 different schools across the country with
special wristwatches that emitted a signal at random times of day Each time they
received a signal the students filled out a questionnaire indicating where they were
what they were doing and how happy or unhappy they felt at the moment The lowest
levels of happiness by far were reported when the children were in school where
they were often bored anxious or both Other researchers have shown that with each
successive grade students develop increasingly negative attitudes toward the subjects
taught especially math and science
As a society we tend to shrug off such findings Wersquore not surprised that kids are
unhappy in school Some people even believe that the very unpleasantness of school is
good for children so they will learn to tolerate unpleasantness as preparation for real
life But there are plenty of opportunities to learn to tolerate unpleasantness without
adding unpleasant schooling to the mix Research has shown that people of all ages
learn best when they are self-motivated pursuing answers to questions that reflect
their personal interests and achieving goals that theyrsquove set for themselves Under
such conditions learning is usually joyful
The evidence for all of this is obvious to anyone whorsquos watched a child grow from
infancy to school age Through their own efforts children figure out how to walk run
jump and climb They learn from scratch their native language and with that they
learn to assert their will argue amuse annoy befriend charm and ask questions
Through questioning and exploring they acquire an enormous amount of knowledge
about the physical and social world around them and in their play they practice skills
that promote their physical intellectual social and emotional development They do
all of this before anyone in any systematic way tries to teach them anything
This amazing drive and capacity to learn does not turn itself off when children reach
five or six But we turn it off with our coercive system of schooling The biggest most
enduring lesson of our system is that learning is work to be avoided when possible
The focus of my own researchmdashIrsquom a psychology professor at Boston Collegemdashhas
been on learning in children who are of ldquoschool agerdquo but who arenrsquot sent to school or
not to school as conventionally understood Irsquove examined how children learn in
cultures that donrsquot have schools especially hunter-gatherer societies the kind in
which our species evolved Irsquove also studied learning in our culture by students who
are trusted to take charge of their education In these settings childrenrsquos natural
curiosity and zest for learning persist all the way through adolescence into adulthood
Another researcher who has documented the power of self-directed learning is Sugata
Mitra He set up outdoor computers in very poor neighborhoods in India where many
children were illiterate and most did not go to school Wherever he placed such a
computer dozens of kids would gather around and with no help from adults figure
out how to use it Those who could not read began to do so by interacting with the
computer and with other children around it The computers gave these young people
access to the whole worldrsquos knowledgemdashin one remote village children who
previously knew nothing about microorganisms learned about bacteria and viruses
through their interactions with the computer and began to use this new knowledge
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appropriately in conversations
Mitrarsquos experiments illustrate how three core aspects of human naturemdashcuriosity
playfulness and sociabilitymdashcan combine beautifully to serve the purpose of
education Curiosity drew the kids to the computer and motivated them to explore it
playfulness motivated them to practice many computer skills and sociability allowed
each childrsquos learning to spread like wildfire to dozens of other children
Next What self-directed learning looks like raquo
2 NEXT
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YOUR COMMENTS
MORE Parenting Parenting Tips School amp Education
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home school for my children I think they are all well balanced I too am anautodidact I loved learning thongs in school but in high school I realized howmuch of my time had been wasted waiting for the slowest student
25
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Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home education for my own children and they turned out well We didunschool except for the three Rs I too am an autodidact I loved learning thingsin school but eventually I realized how much of my time had been wasted waitingfor the slowest student to get it Many of them forgot by test time or immediatelyafter the test I still remember a heap of stuff
3
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john wainman bull 4 months ago Roselind Berry
Did people make fun of you for being the slow student 4
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Roselind Berry bull 3 months ago john wainman
No Some resented me for being so smart i was usually one of thefirst to get it Eventually some teachers learned to solve twoproblems at once my boredom and others lack of comprehensionby having me help the slow students I had my own method whichwas to have my fellow student tell me what she understood and Iloved seeing the light go on in someones mind
1
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C Boden bull 4 months ago
My only concern with your study is that you neglect the home factor Studentswhose families encourage and model a love of learning and discovery are usuallythe same students who attend these alternative types of schools If modeling oflearning and an importance of learning is not modeled in the home will thesestudents do just as well This unfortunately is what most public schools are dealingwith I do however agree that the static form of how we instruct students needs tochange
27
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Name bull 4 months ago
Not sure what standard school systems you are refering to when you say None ofthese conditions are present in standard schools Do you really believe that thatnone of this happens in ANY standard school system in America b) access tocaring and knowledgeable adults who are helpers not judges c) liberal age mixingamong children and adolescents (age-mixed play is far more conducive to learningthan is play among those who are all at the same level) and d) direct participationin a stable moral democratic community in which they acquire a sense ofresponsibility for others not just for themselves That statement is absolutelyridiculous Maybe in some schools systems the education and teaching is thatpoor but it certainly is not ALL And making that statement just shows how biasisthis article is and has no true comparisons to how MANY school systems actuallygive children a love of life long learing in America Lets hear some true numbers ofhow many unschooling kids go to college and succeed Your examples are prettyvague and you have no numbers of how many kids getting this horrible educationactually are very successful in life and HAPPY and have memories of learningthrough fun times and not just hanging around being bored all day
26
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Miss bull 4 months ago Name
Your kids are in public schoolhuh 21
Claire bull 3 months ago Name
I am in a very good public school (in comparison to other public schoolsystems) and even here some of the teachersthe way teachers have toteach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
teach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning 2
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Guest bull 4 months ago
see more
I dont buy it A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas orchemistry and algebraic equations He or she is highly unlikely towant to explore the Declaration of Independence or try tounderstand the nuances between federal democracy and oligarchy Ontheir own I doubt that he or she will attempt to gain competency inspelling or parse out the rules of proper English grammar
I think its humorous no actuallyits tragic that the same system that produced the engineers andscientists who sent men to the moon or invented the super computerand that produced many of the best universities in the world (thesame ones that this author uses to demonstrate the effectivenessof this new method in that students were able to get into them) isthe same system the author is complaining about here Its the sameproblem I have with what I call the ldquonew mathrdquo I see being taughtin public schools now (eg story problems taught in the early gradesinstead of working on a foundation of memorization of the facts I
36
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MF bull 4 months ago Guest
Guest pollyanaish approach to learning No home education is not that atall We educated our children at home They didnt chose everything theylearned but the things they did chose were the ones that prepared themmost for their future life They had so much freedom to order their days asthey chose The one daughter is now a Russian interpreter in the Navy justreturned from three years in Moscow She has even interpreted for the JointChief of Staff of the Navy When she first left for Moscow she was the mostfluent Russian interpreter in the entire Navy She credits her success to herfreedom in education at home The second daughter spent much of her highschool years painting and writing (among other things) This didnt start inhigh school She has been on her own since age 18 12 And verysuccessfully too She now does commissioned pet portraits She toocredits her success with the freedom she had at home to do what interestedher the most The two of them would not be where they are today if theyhad been squashed into the government school model
34
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago MF
MF this is a true example of the possibilities self directed and homebased learning can accomplish It is comical to me that peoplecannot see the true benefits to this type of educating lifestyle Evenwhen facts studies and children (such as yours) are presented rightin front of their faces It is people like Guest that keep in motion asystem that is ruining more children than it is helping Less than 75of our public school children are graduating Of those who dograduate only 46 of them have a B- average or higher Someoneexplain why this is a good thing
11
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
It is people like Guest that keep in motion a system that isruining more children than it is helping
Allow me to rephrase Guests idea We sent men to themoon invented computers etc on the education of that dayIf were still using it and now we get lousy results WHATHAS CHANGED Is the system the same one Arguablynot
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than a
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bull Reply bull
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than adecade after it started
In many cases freeing students to study what interests themwill produce excellent results These are already motivatedcurious intelligent students But most students will choosenot to do much
4
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Nate Whilk
I can only laugh when I read a blanket statement like butmost students will choose not to do much How in the worlddo you have a clue I have been around hundreds ofhomeschooled and unschooled children You have absolutelyno idea what most kids will or will not do You dont givechildren enough credit to make good choices Or maybe thechildren you have been around have been restricted so tightlythat the minute they have freedom they dont know how tohandle it Public school = no freedom to be a child
10
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andycleary bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
Most children will not learn a language unless a teacherteaches it to them Dont you know that Thats why somany 5 year olds cant speak they havent been to schoolyet
Oh wait 5
bull Reply bull
Guest123 bull 4 months ago Guest
Im sorry have you done research on the Asian culture of schooling I havea professor who attended high school in Korea - and it is much differentChildren at a young age - As in junior high grades over here - are beingfully prepared for the route they would like to take in life - IE skilled workhigher education specific tradesskillsknowledge bases and their learningin the later years is dictated by these choices They are given much morefreedom to pursue their interests during later years of schooling Perhapsyou should research before you begin using comparisons you are unawareof
5
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roc bull 4 months ago Guest123
Just curious Guest 123 Have you done research on the Asianculture of schooling Or are you basing your info on your oneprofessor I would like to have access to any of your resources (ifyour willing to share) One thing to keep in mind is that all childrenare different learn different and have different interests - no matterthe culture or upbringing Also there are many kids that areinterested in words and numbers my child being one of them Shetaught herself the alphabet and their phonic sounds through play at25 years old and taught herself her numbers shortly after Moreimportantly this was by way of her own interest as I had not startedher on it When my husband discovered her learning these things hesat down with her and tried to formally teach her She totally lostinterest during those times and would pick it up again on her owntime through games She is a tactile learner and benefits bestthrough active play You should research Finlands education system- they rank highest in the world I think you would be intrigued
8
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lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest123
Dictated being the key word here 1
Deb bull 4 months ago Guest
Most kids needs passive learning
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
Most kids needs passive learning
Have you ever seen the inside of a well-run Montessori classroom Childrenare crazy about all that stuff and then some (at their developmental level butstill) The place for active learning begins AT BIRTH and doesnt really evergo away it isnt until mid- to late elementary years that kids becomecapable enough of abstract thought that we can even move away fromconcrete manipulatives
ldquoTell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and Ilearnrdquo
---Benjamin Franklin 13
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Deb
THANK YOU and AMEN a montessori teacher in VA
2
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rae bull 4 months ago Karen
Montessori all the way
bull Reply bull
beawesomeb bull 4 months ago Deb
the thing I see wrong with Montessori is that it should be the parentthat interacts with the child and not a teacher That the joy in learningwith your children and they with you is being replaced Also withsibling replaced with other class mates For an only child it is good- ifonly a parent could be involved with their child and being the learningaid Schools were designed to break up families so that peoplewould be loyal to society in place of family Look up the history ofhow American schools started
4
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Wendy bull 4 months ago beawesomeb
Montessori is absolutely an option to consider Any involvedparent will consider all valid options and stay involved Theproblem is NOT that other institutions have been formed (withgood andor bad intentions but that parents (some to agreater degree than others) have dropped their stewardship
4
Karen bull 3 months ago beawesomeb
actually the first montessori school in italy for the children ofilliterate factory workers helped families learn how to improvetheir personal hygiene and family well-being montessori andco educated parents as well as teachers a tradition we try tocontinue today (not to that extent obvi although in someareas this work is still vital) so the child has consistencyacross environments the children developmentally need thesociety of other children at this age the teacher who isactually known as a guide in Montessori communitiesfunctions as a bridge between the immediate familys worldand the world at large she plays a vital role though it mayoften appear passive to outsiders i am a HUGE fan ofunschooling at home and did half my masters thesis on it -)but i do think montessori (done properly and there are manyschools that dont) can be incredibly wonderful for manykinds of children in our classrooms (which we callChildrens Houses) the children interact with EACH OTHERthey learn patience helpfulness kindness acceptance byseeing it modeled daily and having multiple opportunities tointeract with each other and practice with all that said I am aFIRM believer in the four-day school week with a strongsuggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family or
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
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Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
bull Reply bull
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
bull Reply bull
Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
bull Reply bull
LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
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DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
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Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
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trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
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rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
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Subsequent attempts at reform have failed because they havenrsquot altered the basic
blueprint The top-down teach-and-test method in which learning is motivated by a
system of rewards and punishments rather than by curiosity or by any real desire to
know is well designed for indoctrination and obedience training but not much else
Itrsquos no wonder that many of the worldrsquos greatest entrepreneurs and innovators either
left school early (like Thomas Edison) or said they hated school and learned despite it
not because of it (like Albert Einstein)
Most studentsmdashwhether A students C students or failing onesmdashhave lost their zest
for learning by the time theyrsquove reached middle school or high school In a telling
research study professors Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Jeremy Hunter fitted more
than 800 sixth through 12th graders from 33 different schools across the country with
special wristwatches that emitted a signal at random times of day Each time they
received a signal the students filled out a questionnaire indicating where they were
what they were doing and how happy or unhappy they felt at the moment The lowest
levels of happiness by far were reported when the children were in school where
they were often bored anxious or both Other researchers have shown that with each
successive grade students develop increasingly negative attitudes toward the subjects
taught especially math and science
As a society we tend to shrug off such findings Wersquore not surprised that kids are
unhappy in school Some people even believe that the very unpleasantness of school is
good for children so they will learn to tolerate unpleasantness as preparation for real
life But there are plenty of opportunities to learn to tolerate unpleasantness without
adding unpleasant schooling to the mix Research has shown that people of all ages
learn best when they are self-motivated pursuing answers to questions that reflect
their personal interests and achieving goals that theyrsquove set for themselves Under
such conditions learning is usually joyful
The evidence for all of this is obvious to anyone whorsquos watched a child grow from
infancy to school age Through their own efforts children figure out how to walk run
jump and climb They learn from scratch their native language and with that they
learn to assert their will argue amuse annoy befriend charm and ask questions
Through questioning and exploring they acquire an enormous amount of knowledge
about the physical and social world around them and in their play they practice skills
that promote their physical intellectual social and emotional development They do
all of this before anyone in any systematic way tries to teach them anything
This amazing drive and capacity to learn does not turn itself off when children reach
five or six But we turn it off with our coercive system of schooling The biggest most
enduring lesson of our system is that learning is work to be avoided when possible
The focus of my own researchmdashIrsquom a psychology professor at Boston Collegemdashhas
been on learning in children who are of ldquoschool agerdquo but who arenrsquot sent to school or
not to school as conventionally understood Irsquove examined how children learn in
cultures that donrsquot have schools especially hunter-gatherer societies the kind in
which our species evolved Irsquove also studied learning in our culture by students who
are trusted to take charge of their education In these settings childrenrsquos natural
curiosity and zest for learning persist all the way through adolescence into adulthood
Another researcher who has documented the power of self-directed learning is Sugata
Mitra He set up outdoor computers in very poor neighborhoods in India where many
children were illiterate and most did not go to school Wherever he placed such a
computer dozens of kids would gather around and with no help from adults figure
out how to use it Those who could not read began to do so by interacting with the
computer and with other children around it The computers gave these young people
access to the whole worldrsquos knowledgemdashin one remote village children who
previously knew nothing about microorganisms learned about bacteria and viruses
through their interactions with the computer and began to use this new knowledge
The Reunion That Took 77 Years toHappenA teenager was forced to give hernewborn daughter up for adoption
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appropriately in conversations
Mitrarsquos experiments illustrate how three core aspects of human naturemdashcuriosity
playfulness and sociabilitymdashcan combine beautifully to serve the purpose of
education Curiosity drew the kids to the computer and motivated them to explore it
playfulness motivated them to practice many computer skills and sociability allowed
each childrsquos learning to spread like wildfire to dozens of other children
Next What self-directed learning looks like raquo
2 NEXT
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MORE Parenting Parenting Tips School amp Education
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home school for my children I think they are all well balanced I too am anautodidact I loved learning thongs in school but in high school I realized howmuch of my time had been wasted waiting for the slowest student
25
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Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home education for my own children and they turned out well We didunschool except for the three Rs I too am an autodidact I loved learning thingsin school but eventually I realized how much of my time had been wasted waitingfor the slowest student to get it Many of them forgot by test time or immediatelyafter the test I still remember a heap of stuff
3
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john wainman bull 4 months ago Roselind Berry
Did people make fun of you for being the slow student 4
bull Reply bull
Roselind Berry bull 3 months ago john wainman
No Some resented me for being so smart i was usually one of thefirst to get it Eventually some teachers learned to solve twoproblems at once my boredom and others lack of comprehensionby having me help the slow students I had my own method whichwas to have my fellow student tell me what she understood and Iloved seeing the light go on in someones mind
1
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C Boden bull 4 months ago
My only concern with your study is that you neglect the home factor Studentswhose families encourage and model a love of learning and discovery are usuallythe same students who attend these alternative types of schools If modeling oflearning and an importance of learning is not modeled in the home will thesestudents do just as well This unfortunately is what most public schools are dealingwith I do however agree that the static form of how we instruct students needs tochange
27
bull Reply bull
Name bull 4 months ago
Not sure what standard school systems you are refering to when you say None ofthese conditions are present in standard schools Do you really believe that thatnone of this happens in ANY standard school system in America b) access tocaring and knowledgeable adults who are helpers not judges c) liberal age mixingamong children and adolescents (age-mixed play is far more conducive to learningthan is play among those who are all at the same level) and d) direct participationin a stable moral democratic community in which they acquire a sense ofresponsibility for others not just for themselves That statement is absolutelyridiculous Maybe in some schools systems the education and teaching is thatpoor but it certainly is not ALL And making that statement just shows how biasisthis article is and has no true comparisons to how MANY school systems actuallygive children a love of life long learing in America Lets hear some true numbers ofhow many unschooling kids go to college and succeed Your examples are prettyvague and you have no numbers of how many kids getting this horrible educationactually are very successful in life and HAPPY and have memories of learningthrough fun times and not just hanging around being bored all day
26
bull Reply bull
Miss bull 4 months ago Name
Your kids are in public schoolhuh 21
Claire bull 3 months ago Name
I am in a very good public school (in comparison to other public schoolsystems) and even here some of the teachersthe way teachers have toteach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning
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bull Reply bull
teach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning 2
bull Reply bull
Guest bull 4 months ago
see more
I dont buy it A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas orchemistry and algebraic equations He or she is highly unlikely towant to explore the Declaration of Independence or try tounderstand the nuances between federal democracy and oligarchy Ontheir own I doubt that he or she will attempt to gain competency inspelling or parse out the rules of proper English grammar
I think its humorous no actuallyits tragic that the same system that produced the engineers andscientists who sent men to the moon or invented the super computerand that produced many of the best universities in the world (thesame ones that this author uses to demonstrate the effectivenessof this new method in that students were able to get into them) isthe same system the author is complaining about here Its the sameproblem I have with what I call the ldquonew mathrdquo I see being taughtin public schools now (eg story problems taught in the early gradesinstead of working on a foundation of memorization of the facts I
36
bull Reply bull
MF bull 4 months ago Guest
Guest pollyanaish approach to learning No home education is not that atall We educated our children at home They didnt chose everything theylearned but the things they did chose were the ones that prepared themmost for their future life They had so much freedom to order their days asthey chose The one daughter is now a Russian interpreter in the Navy justreturned from three years in Moscow She has even interpreted for the JointChief of Staff of the Navy When she first left for Moscow she was the mostfluent Russian interpreter in the entire Navy She credits her success to herfreedom in education at home The second daughter spent much of her highschool years painting and writing (among other things) This didnt start inhigh school She has been on her own since age 18 12 And verysuccessfully too She now does commissioned pet portraits She toocredits her success with the freedom she had at home to do what interestedher the most The two of them would not be where they are today if theyhad been squashed into the government school model
34
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago MF
MF this is a true example of the possibilities self directed and homebased learning can accomplish It is comical to me that peoplecannot see the true benefits to this type of educating lifestyle Evenwhen facts studies and children (such as yours) are presented rightin front of their faces It is people like Guest that keep in motion asystem that is ruining more children than it is helping Less than 75of our public school children are graduating Of those who dograduate only 46 of them have a B- average or higher Someoneexplain why this is a good thing
11
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
It is people like Guest that keep in motion a system that isruining more children than it is helping
Allow me to rephrase Guests idea We sent men to themoon invented computers etc on the education of that dayIf were still using it and now we get lousy results WHATHAS CHANGED Is the system the same one Arguablynot
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than a
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than adecade after it started
In many cases freeing students to study what interests themwill produce excellent results These are already motivatedcurious intelligent students But most students will choosenot to do much
4
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Nate Whilk
I can only laugh when I read a blanket statement like butmost students will choose not to do much How in the worlddo you have a clue I have been around hundreds ofhomeschooled and unschooled children You have absolutelyno idea what most kids will or will not do You dont givechildren enough credit to make good choices Or maybe thechildren you have been around have been restricted so tightlythat the minute they have freedom they dont know how tohandle it Public school = no freedom to be a child
10
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
Most children will not learn a language unless a teacherteaches it to them Dont you know that Thats why somany 5 year olds cant speak they havent been to schoolyet
Oh wait 5
bull Reply bull
Guest123 bull 4 months ago Guest
Im sorry have you done research on the Asian culture of schooling I havea professor who attended high school in Korea - and it is much differentChildren at a young age - As in junior high grades over here - are beingfully prepared for the route they would like to take in life - IE skilled workhigher education specific tradesskillsknowledge bases and their learningin the later years is dictated by these choices They are given much morefreedom to pursue their interests during later years of schooling Perhapsyou should research before you begin using comparisons you are unawareof
5
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roc bull 4 months ago Guest123
Just curious Guest 123 Have you done research on the Asianculture of schooling Or are you basing your info on your oneprofessor I would like to have access to any of your resources (ifyour willing to share) One thing to keep in mind is that all childrenare different learn different and have different interests - no matterthe culture or upbringing Also there are many kids that areinterested in words and numbers my child being one of them Shetaught herself the alphabet and their phonic sounds through play at25 years old and taught herself her numbers shortly after Moreimportantly this was by way of her own interest as I had not startedher on it When my husband discovered her learning these things hesat down with her and tried to formally teach her She totally lostinterest during those times and would pick it up again on her owntime through games She is a tactile learner and benefits bestthrough active play You should research Finlands education system- they rank highest in the world I think you would be intrigued
8
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest123
Dictated being the key word here 1
Deb bull 4 months ago Guest
Most kids needs passive learning
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
Most kids needs passive learning
Have you ever seen the inside of a well-run Montessori classroom Childrenare crazy about all that stuff and then some (at their developmental level butstill) The place for active learning begins AT BIRTH and doesnt really evergo away it isnt until mid- to late elementary years that kids becomecapable enough of abstract thought that we can even move away fromconcrete manipulatives
ldquoTell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and Ilearnrdquo
---Benjamin Franklin 13
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Deb
THANK YOU and AMEN a montessori teacher in VA
2
bull Reply bull
rae bull 4 months ago Karen
Montessori all the way
bull Reply bull
beawesomeb bull 4 months ago Deb
the thing I see wrong with Montessori is that it should be the parentthat interacts with the child and not a teacher That the joy in learningwith your children and they with you is being replaced Also withsibling replaced with other class mates For an only child it is good- ifonly a parent could be involved with their child and being the learningaid Schools were designed to break up families so that peoplewould be loyal to society in place of family Look up the history ofhow American schools started
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago beawesomeb
Montessori is absolutely an option to consider Any involvedparent will consider all valid options and stay involved Theproblem is NOT that other institutions have been formed (withgood andor bad intentions but that parents (some to agreater degree than others) have dropped their stewardship
4
Karen bull 3 months ago beawesomeb
actually the first montessori school in italy for the children ofilliterate factory workers helped families learn how to improvetheir personal hygiene and family well-being montessori andco educated parents as well as teachers a tradition we try tocontinue today (not to that extent obvi although in someareas this work is still vital) so the child has consistencyacross environments the children developmentally need thesociety of other children at this age the teacher who isactually known as a guide in Montessori communitiesfunctions as a bridge between the immediate familys worldand the world at large she plays a vital role though it mayoften appear passive to outsiders i am a HUGE fan ofunschooling at home and did half my masters thesis on it -)but i do think montessori (done properly and there are manyschools that dont) can be incredibly wonderful for manykinds of children in our classrooms (which we callChildrens Houses) the children interact with EACH OTHERthey learn patience helpfulness kindness acceptance byseeing it modeled daily and having multiple opportunities tointeract with each other and practice with all that said I am aFIRM believer in the four-day school week with a strongsuggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family or
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
bull Reply bull
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
bull Reply bull
Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
bull Reply bull
LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
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JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
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Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
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Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
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Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
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ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
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bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
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DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
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Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
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trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
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rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
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kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
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reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
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ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
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appropriately in conversations
Mitrarsquos experiments illustrate how three core aspects of human naturemdashcuriosity
playfulness and sociabilitymdashcan combine beautifully to serve the purpose of
education Curiosity drew the kids to the computer and motivated them to explore it
playfulness motivated them to practice many computer skills and sociability allowed
each childrsquos learning to spread like wildfire to dozens of other children
Next What self-directed learning looks like raquo
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Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home school for my children I think they are all well balanced I too am anautodidact I loved learning thongs in school but in high school I realized howmuch of my time had been wasted waiting for the slowest student
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Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home education for my own children and they turned out well We didunschool except for the three Rs I too am an autodidact I loved learning thingsin school but eventually I realized how much of my time had been wasted waitingfor the slowest student to get it Many of them forgot by test time or immediatelyafter the test I still remember a heap of stuff
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john wainman bull 4 months ago Roselind Berry
Did people make fun of you for being the slow student 4
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Roselind Berry bull 3 months ago john wainman
No Some resented me for being so smart i was usually one of thefirst to get it Eventually some teachers learned to solve twoproblems at once my boredom and others lack of comprehensionby having me help the slow students I had my own method whichwas to have my fellow student tell me what she understood and Iloved seeing the light go on in someones mind
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C Boden bull 4 months ago
My only concern with your study is that you neglect the home factor Studentswhose families encourage and model a love of learning and discovery are usuallythe same students who attend these alternative types of schools If modeling oflearning and an importance of learning is not modeled in the home will thesestudents do just as well This unfortunately is what most public schools are dealingwith I do however agree that the static form of how we instruct students needs tochange
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Name bull 4 months ago
Not sure what standard school systems you are refering to when you say None ofthese conditions are present in standard schools Do you really believe that thatnone of this happens in ANY standard school system in America b) access tocaring and knowledgeable adults who are helpers not judges c) liberal age mixingamong children and adolescents (age-mixed play is far more conducive to learningthan is play among those who are all at the same level) and d) direct participationin a stable moral democratic community in which they acquire a sense ofresponsibility for others not just for themselves That statement is absolutelyridiculous Maybe in some schools systems the education and teaching is thatpoor but it certainly is not ALL And making that statement just shows how biasisthis article is and has no true comparisons to how MANY school systems actuallygive children a love of life long learing in America Lets hear some true numbers ofhow many unschooling kids go to college and succeed Your examples are prettyvague and you have no numbers of how many kids getting this horrible educationactually are very successful in life and HAPPY and have memories of learningthrough fun times and not just hanging around being bored all day
26
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Miss bull 4 months ago Name
Your kids are in public schoolhuh 21
Claire bull 3 months ago Name
I am in a very good public school (in comparison to other public schoolsystems) and even here some of the teachersthe way teachers have toteach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning
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teach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning 2
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Guest bull 4 months ago
see more
I dont buy it A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas orchemistry and algebraic equations He or she is highly unlikely towant to explore the Declaration of Independence or try tounderstand the nuances between federal democracy and oligarchy Ontheir own I doubt that he or she will attempt to gain competency inspelling or parse out the rules of proper English grammar
I think its humorous no actuallyits tragic that the same system that produced the engineers andscientists who sent men to the moon or invented the super computerand that produced many of the best universities in the world (thesame ones that this author uses to demonstrate the effectivenessof this new method in that students were able to get into them) isthe same system the author is complaining about here Its the sameproblem I have with what I call the ldquonew mathrdquo I see being taughtin public schools now (eg story problems taught in the early gradesinstead of working on a foundation of memorization of the facts I
36
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MF bull 4 months ago Guest
Guest pollyanaish approach to learning No home education is not that atall We educated our children at home They didnt chose everything theylearned but the things they did chose were the ones that prepared themmost for their future life They had so much freedom to order their days asthey chose The one daughter is now a Russian interpreter in the Navy justreturned from three years in Moscow She has even interpreted for the JointChief of Staff of the Navy When she first left for Moscow she was the mostfluent Russian interpreter in the entire Navy She credits her success to herfreedom in education at home The second daughter spent much of her highschool years painting and writing (among other things) This didnt start inhigh school She has been on her own since age 18 12 And verysuccessfully too She now does commissioned pet portraits She toocredits her success with the freedom she had at home to do what interestedher the most The two of them would not be where they are today if theyhad been squashed into the government school model
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago MF
MF this is a true example of the possibilities self directed and homebased learning can accomplish It is comical to me that peoplecannot see the true benefits to this type of educating lifestyle Evenwhen facts studies and children (such as yours) are presented rightin front of their faces It is people like Guest that keep in motion asystem that is ruining more children than it is helping Less than 75of our public school children are graduating Of those who dograduate only 46 of them have a B- average or higher Someoneexplain why this is a good thing
11
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
It is people like Guest that keep in motion a system that isruining more children than it is helping
Allow me to rephrase Guests idea We sent men to themoon invented computers etc on the education of that dayIf were still using it and now we get lousy results WHATHAS CHANGED Is the system the same one Arguablynot
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than a
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bull Reply bull
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than adecade after it started
In many cases freeing students to study what interests themwill produce excellent results These are already motivatedcurious intelligent students But most students will choosenot to do much
4
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Nate Whilk
I can only laugh when I read a blanket statement like butmost students will choose not to do much How in the worlddo you have a clue I have been around hundreds ofhomeschooled and unschooled children You have absolutelyno idea what most kids will or will not do You dont givechildren enough credit to make good choices Or maybe thechildren you have been around have been restricted so tightlythat the minute they have freedom they dont know how tohandle it Public school = no freedom to be a child
10
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andycleary bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
Most children will not learn a language unless a teacherteaches it to them Dont you know that Thats why somany 5 year olds cant speak they havent been to schoolyet
Oh wait 5
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Guest123 bull 4 months ago Guest
Im sorry have you done research on the Asian culture of schooling I havea professor who attended high school in Korea - and it is much differentChildren at a young age - As in junior high grades over here - are beingfully prepared for the route they would like to take in life - IE skilled workhigher education specific tradesskillsknowledge bases and their learningin the later years is dictated by these choices They are given much morefreedom to pursue their interests during later years of schooling Perhapsyou should research before you begin using comparisons you are unawareof
5
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roc bull 4 months ago Guest123
Just curious Guest 123 Have you done research on the Asianculture of schooling Or are you basing your info on your oneprofessor I would like to have access to any of your resources (ifyour willing to share) One thing to keep in mind is that all childrenare different learn different and have different interests - no matterthe culture or upbringing Also there are many kids that areinterested in words and numbers my child being one of them Shetaught herself the alphabet and their phonic sounds through play at25 years old and taught herself her numbers shortly after Moreimportantly this was by way of her own interest as I had not startedher on it When my husband discovered her learning these things hesat down with her and tried to formally teach her She totally lostinterest during those times and would pick it up again on her owntime through games She is a tactile learner and benefits bestthrough active play You should research Finlands education system- they rank highest in the world I think you would be intrigued
8
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lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest123
Dictated being the key word here 1
Deb bull 4 months ago Guest
Most kids needs passive learning
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
Most kids needs passive learning
Have you ever seen the inside of a well-run Montessori classroom Childrenare crazy about all that stuff and then some (at their developmental level butstill) The place for active learning begins AT BIRTH and doesnt really evergo away it isnt until mid- to late elementary years that kids becomecapable enough of abstract thought that we can even move away fromconcrete manipulatives
ldquoTell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and Ilearnrdquo
---Benjamin Franklin 13
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Karen bull 4 months ago Deb
THANK YOU and AMEN a montessori teacher in VA
2
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rae bull 4 months ago Karen
Montessori all the way
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beawesomeb bull 4 months ago Deb
the thing I see wrong with Montessori is that it should be the parentthat interacts with the child and not a teacher That the joy in learningwith your children and they with you is being replaced Also withsibling replaced with other class mates For an only child it is good- ifonly a parent could be involved with their child and being the learningaid Schools were designed to break up families so that peoplewould be loyal to society in place of family Look up the history ofhow American schools started
4
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Wendy bull 4 months ago beawesomeb
Montessori is absolutely an option to consider Any involvedparent will consider all valid options and stay involved Theproblem is NOT that other institutions have been formed (withgood andor bad intentions but that parents (some to agreater degree than others) have dropped their stewardship
4
Karen bull 3 months ago beawesomeb
actually the first montessori school in italy for the children ofilliterate factory workers helped families learn how to improvetheir personal hygiene and family well-being montessori andco educated parents as well as teachers a tradition we try tocontinue today (not to that extent obvi although in someareas this work is still vital) so the child has consistencyacross environments the children developmentally need thesociety of other children at this age the teacher who isactually known as a guide in Montessori communitiesfunctions as a bridge between the immediate familys worldand the world at large she plays a vital role though it mayoften appear passive to outsiders i am a HUGE fan ofunschooling at home and did half my masters thesis on it -)but i do think montessori (done properly and there are manyschools that dont) can be incredibly wonderful for manykinds of children in our classrooms (which we callChildrens Houses) the children interact with EACH OTHERthey learn patience helpfulness kindness acceptance byseeing it modeled daily and having multiple opportunities tointeract with each other and practice with all that said I am aFIRM believer in the four-day school week with a strongsuggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family or
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bull Reply bull
suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
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Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
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Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
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bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
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Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
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Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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bull Reply bull
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LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
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JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
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bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
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Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
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trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
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rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
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I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
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Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home school for my children I think they are all well balanced I too am anautodidact I loved learning thongs in school but in high school I realized howmuch of my time had been wasted waiting for the slowest student
25
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Roselind Berry bull 4 months ago
I chose home education for my own children and they turned out well We didunschool except for the three Rs I too am an autodidact I loved learning thingsin school but eventually I realized how much of my time had been wasted waitingfor the slowest student to get it Many of them forgot by test time or immediatelyafter the test I still remember a heap of stuff
3
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john wainman bull 4 months ago Roselind Berry
Did people make fun of you for being the slow student 4
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Roselind Berry bull 3 months ago john wainman
No Some resented me for being so smart i was usually one of thefirst to get it Eventually some teachers learned to solve twoproblems at once my boredom and others lack of comprehensionby having me help the slow students I had my own method whichwas to have my fellow student tell me what she understood and Iloved seeing the light go on in someones mind
1
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C Boden bull 4 months ago
My only concern with your study is that you neglect the home factor Studentswhose families encourage and model a love of learning and discovery are usuallythe same students who attend these alternative types of schools If modeling oflearning and an importance of learning is not modeled in the home will thesestudents do just as well This unfortunately is what most public schools are dealingwith I do however agree that the static form of how we instruct students needs tochange
27
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Name bull 4 months ago
Not sure what standard school systems you are refering to when you say None ofthese conditions are present in standard schools Do you really believe that thatnone of this happens in ANY standard school system in America b) access tocaring and knowledgeable adults who are helpers not judges c) liberal age mixingamong children and adolescents (age-mixed play is far more conducive to learningthan is play among those who are all at the same level) and d) direct participationin a stable moral democratic community in which they acquire a sense ofresponsibility for others not just for themselves That statement is absolutelyridiculous Maybe in some schools systems the education and teaching is thatpoor but it certainly is not ALL And making that statement just shows how biasisthis article is and has no true comparisons to how MANY school systems actuallygive children a love of life long learing in America Lets hear some true numbers ofhow many unschooling kids go to college and succeed Your examples are prettyvague and you have no numbers of how many kids getting this horrible educationactually are very successful in life and HAPPY and have memories of learningthrough fun times and not just hanging around being bored all day
26
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Miss bull 4 months ago Name
Your kids are in public schoolhuh 21
Claire bull 3 months ago Name
I am in a very good public school (in comparison to other public schoolsystems) and even here some of the teachersthe way teachers have toteach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning
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teach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning 2
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Guest bull 4 months ago
see more
I dont buy it A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas orchemistry and algebraic equations He or she is highly unlikely towant to explore the Declaration of Independence or try tounderstand the nuances between federal democracy and oligarchy Ontheir own I doubt that he or she will attempt to gain competency inspelling or parse out the rules of proper English grammar
I think its humorous no actuallyits tragic that the same system that produced the engineers andscientists who sent men to the moon or invented the super computerand that produced many of the best universities in the world (thesame ones that this author uses to demonstrate the effectivenessof this new method in that students were able to get into them) isthe same system the author is complaining about here Its the sameproblem I have with what I call the ldquonew mathrdquo I see being taughtin public schools now (eg story problems taught in the early gradesinstead of working on a foundation of memorization of the facts I
36
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MF bull 4 months ago Guest
Guest pollyanaish approach to learning No home education is not that atall We educated our children at home They didnt chose everything theylearned but the things they did chose were the ones that prepared themmost for their future life They had so much freedom to order their days asthey chose The one daughter is now a Russian interpreter in the Navy justreturned from three years in Moscow She has even interpreted for the JointChief of Staff of the Navy When she first left for Moscow she was the mostfluent Russian interpreter in the entire Navy She credits her success to herfreedom in education at home The second daughter spent much of her highschool years painting and writing (among other things) This didnt start inhigh school She has been on her own since age 18 12 And verysuccessfully too She now does commissioned pet portraits She toocredits her success with the freedom she had at home to do what interestedher the most The two of them would not be where they are today if theyhad been squashed into the government school model
34
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago MF
MF this is a true example of the possibilities self directed and homebased learning can accomplish It is comical to me that peoplecannot see the true benefits to this type of educating lifestyle Evenwhen facts studies and children (such as yours) are presented rightin front of their faces It is people like Guest that keep in motion asystem that is ruining more children than it is helping Less than 75of our public school children are graduating Of those who dograduate only 46 of them have a B- average or higher Someoneexplain why this is a good thing
11
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
It is people like Guest that keep in motion a system that isruining more children than it is helping
Allow me to rephrase Guests idea We sent men to themoon invented computers etc on the education of that dayIf were still using it and now we get lousy results WHATHAS CHANGED Is the system the same one Arguablynot
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than a
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It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than adecade after it started
In many cases freeing students to study what interests themwill produce excellent results These are already motivatedcurious intelligent students But most students will choosenot to do much
4
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Nate Whilk
I can only laugh when I read a blanket statement like butmost students will choose not to do much How in the worlddo you have a clue I have been around hundreds ofhomeschooled and unschooled children You have absolutelyno idea what most kids will or will not do You dont givechildren enough credit to make good choices Or maybe thechildren you have been around have been restricted so tightlythat the minute they have freedom they dont know how tohandle it Public school = no freedom to be a child
10
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andycleary bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
Most children will not learn a language unless a teacherteaches it to them Dont you know that Thats why somany 5 year olds cant speak they havent been to schoolyet
Oh wait 5
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Guest123 bull 4 months ago Guest
Im sorry have you done research on the Asian culture of schooling I havea professor who attended high school in Korea - and it is much differentChildren at a young age - As in junior high grades over here - are beingfully prepared for the route they would like to take in life - IE skilled workhigher education specific tradesskillsknowledge bases and their learningin the later years is dictated by these choices They are given much morefreedom to pursue their interests during later years of schooling Perhapsyou should research before you begin using comparisons you are unawareof
5
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roc bull 4 months ago Guest123
Just curious Guest 123 Have you done research on the Asianculture of schooling Or are you basing your info on your oneprofessor I would like to have access to any of your resources (ifyour willing to share) One thing to keep in mind is that all childrenare different learn different and have different interests - no matterthe culture or upbringing Also there are many kids that areinterested in words and numbers my child being one of them Shetaught herself the alphabet and their phonic sounds through play at25 years old and taught herself her numbers shortly after Moreimportantly this was by way of her own interest as I had not startedher on it When my husband discovered her learning these things hesat down with her and tried to formally teach her She totally lostinterest during those times and would pick it up again on her owntime through games She is a tactile learner and benefits bestthrough active play You should research Finlands education system- they rank highest in the world I think you would be intrigued
8
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lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest123
Dictated being the key word here 1
Deb bull 4 months ago Guest
Most kids needs passive learning
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Most kids needs passive learning
Have you ever seen the inside of a well-run Montessori classroom Childrenare crazy about all that stuff and then some (at their developmental level butstill) The place for active learning begins AT BIRTH and doesnt really evergo away it isnt until mid- to late elementary years that kids becomecapable enough of abstract thought that we can even move away fromconcrete manipulatives
ldquoTell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and Ilearnrdquo
---Benjamin Franklin 13
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Deb
THANK YOU and AMEN a montessori teacher in VA
2
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rae bull 4 months ago Karen
Montessori all the way
bull Reply bull
beawesomeb bull 4 months ago Deb
the thing I see wrong with Montessori is that it should be the parentthat interacts with the child and not a teacher That the joy in learningwith your children and they with you is being replaced Also withsibling replaced with other class mates For an only child it is good- ifonly a parent could be involved with their child and being the learningaid Schools were designed to break up families so that peoplewould be loyal to society in place of family Look up the history ofhow American schools started
4
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Wendy bull 4 months ago beawesomeb
Montessori is absolutely an option to consider Any involvedparent will consider all valid options and stay involved Theproblem is NOT that other institutions have been formed (withgood andor bad intentions but that parents (some to agreater degree than others) have dropped their stewardship
4
Karen bull 3 months ago beawesomeb
actually the first montessori school in italy for the children ofilliterate factory workers helped families learn how to improvetheir personal hygiene and family well-being montessori andco educated parents as well as teachers a tradition we try tocontinue today (not to that extent obvi although in someareas this work is still vital) so the child has consistencyacross environments the children developmentally need thesociety of other children at this age the teacher who isactually known as a guide in Montessori communitiesfunctions as a bridge between the immediate familys worldand the world at large she plays a vital role though it mayoften appear passive to outsiders i am a HUGE fan ofunschooling at home and did half my masters thesis on it -)but i do think montessori (done properly and there are manyschools that dont) can be incredibly wonderful for manykinds of children in our classrooms (which we callChildrens Houses) the children interact with EACH OTHERthey learn patience helpfulness kindness acceptance byseeing it modeled daily and having multiple opportunities tointeract with each other and practice with all that said I am aFIRM believer in the four-day school week with a strongsuggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family or
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suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
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Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
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Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
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bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
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Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
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andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
bull Reply bull
Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
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bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
WHATS THIS
Subscribe Add Disqus to your site
Share rsaquo
READERSDIGESTCOM HEALTH FOOD ADVICE HOME TRUE STORIES JOKES GAMES
Shortcuts Newsletters Tablets amp E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing
About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 512
bull Reply bull
teach by law hurt students in taking any freedom or joy in learning 2
bull Reply bull
Guest bull 4 months ago
see more
I dont buy it A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas orchemistry and algebraic equations He or she is highly unlikely towant to explore the Declaration of Independence or try tounderstand the nuances between federal democracy and oligarchy Ontheir own I doubt that he or she will attempt to gain competency inspelling or parse out the rules of proper English grammar
I think its humorous no actuallyits tragic that the same system that produced the engineers andscientists who sent men to the moon or invented the super computerand that produced many of the best universities in the world (thesame ones that this author uses to demonstrate the effectivenessof this new method in that students were able to get into them) isthe same system the author is complaining about here Its the sameproblem I have with what I call the ldquonew mathrdquo I see being taughtin public schools now (eg story problems taught in the early gradesinstead of working on a foundation of memorization of the facts I
36
bull Reply bull
MF bull 4 months ago Guest
Guest pollyanaish approach to learning No home education is not that atall We educated our children at home They didnt chose everything theylearned but the things they did chose were the ones that prepared themmost for their future life They had so much freedom to order their days asthey chose The one daughter is now a Russian interpreter in the Navy justreturned from three years in Moscow She has even interpreted for the JointChief of Staff of the Navy When she first left for Moscow she was the mostfluent Russian interpreter in the entire Navy She credits her success to herfreedom in education at home The second daughter spent much of her highschool years painting and writing (among other things) This didnt start inhigh school She has been on her own since age 18 12 And verysuccessfully too She now does commissioned pet portraits She toocredits her success with the freedom she had at home to do what interestedher the most The two of them would not be where they are today if theyhad been squashed into the government school model
34
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Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago MF
MF this is a true example of the possibilities self directed and homebased learning can accomplish It is comical to me that peoplecannot see the true benefits to this type of educating lifestyle Evenwhen facts studies and children (such as yours) are presented rightin front of their faces It is people like Guest that keep in motion asystem that is ruining more children than it is helping Less than 75of our public school children are graduating Of those who dograduate only 46 of them have a B- average or higher Someoneexplain why this is a good thing
11
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
It is people like Guest that keep in motion a system that isruining more children than it is helping
Allow me to rephrase Guests idea We sent men to themoon invented computers etc on the education of that dayIf were still using it and now we get lousy results WHATHAS CHANGED Is the system the same one Arguablynot
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than a
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bull Reply bull
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than adecade after it started
In many cases freeing students to study what interests themwill produce excellent results These are already motivatedcurious intelligent students But most students will choosenot to do much
4
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Nate Whilk
I can only laugh when I read a blanket statement like butmost students will choose not to do much How in the worlddo you have a clue I have been around hundreds ofhomeschooled and unschooled children You have absolutelyno idea what most kids will or will not do You dont givechildren enough credit to make good choices Or maybe thechildren you have been around have been restricted so tightlythat the minute they have freedom they dont know how tohandle it Public school = no freedom to be a child
10
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
Most children will not learn a language unless a teacherteaches it to them Dont you know that Thats why somany 5 year olds cant speak they havent been to schoolyet
Oh wait 5
bull Reply bull
Guest123 bull 4 months ago Guest
Im sorry have you done research on the Asian culture of schooling I havea professor who attended high school in Korea - and it is much differentChildren at a young age - As in junior high grades over here - are beingfully prepared for the route they would like to take in life - IE skilled workhigher education specific tradesskillsknowledge bases and their learningin the later years is dictated by these choices They are given much morefreedom to pursue their interests during later years of schooling Perhapsyou should research before you begin using comparisons you are unawareof
5
bull Reply bull
roc bull 4 months ago Guest123
Just curious Guest 123 Have you done research on the Asianculture of schooling Or are you basing your info on your oneprofessor I would like to have access to any of your resources (ifyour willing to share) One thing to keep in mind is that all childrenare different learn different and have different interests - no matterthe culture or upbringing Also there are many kids that areinterested in words and numbers my child being one of them Shetaught herself the alphabet and their phonic sounds through play at25 years old and taught herself her numbers shortly after Moreimportantly this was by way of her own interest as I had not startedher on it When my husband discovered her learning these things hesat down with her and tried to formally teach her She totally lostinterest during those times and would pick it up again on her owntime through games She is a tactile learner and benefits bestthrough active play You should research Finlands education system- they rank highest in the world I think you would be intrigued
8
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest123
Dictated being the key word here 1
Deb bull 4 months ago Guest
Most kids needs passive learning
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bull Reply bull
Most kids needs passive learning
Have you ever seen the inside of a well-run Montessori classroom Childrenare crazy about all that stuff and then some (at their developmental level butstill) The place for active learning begins AT BIRTH and doesnt really evergo away it isnt until mid- to late elementary years that kids becomecapable enough of abstract thought that we can even move away fromconcrete manipulatives
ldquoTell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and Ilearnrdquo
---Benjamin Franklin 13
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Deb
THANK YOU and AMEN a montessori teacher in VA
2
bull Reply bull
rae bull 4 months ago Karen
Montessori all the way
bull Reply bull
beawesomeb bull 4 months ago Deb
the thing I see wrong with Montessori is that it should be the parentthat interacts with the child and not a teacher That the joy in learningwith your children and they with you is being replaced Also withsibling replaced with other class mates For an only child it is good- ifonly a parent could be involved with their child and being the learningaid Schools were designed to break up families so that peoplewould be loyal to society in place of family Look up the history ofhow American schools started
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago beawesomeb
Montessori is absolutely an option to consider Any involvedparent will consider all valid options and stay involved Theproblem is NOT that other institutions have been formed (withgood andor bad intentions but that parents (some to agreater degree than others) have dropped their stewardship
4
Karen bull 3 months ago beawesomeb
actually the first montessori school in italy for the children ofilliterate factory workers helped families learn how to improvetheir personal hygiene and family well-being montessori andco educated parents as well as teachers a tradition we try tocontinue today (not to that extent obvi although in someareas this work is still vital) so the child has consistencyacross environments the children developmentally need thesociety of other children at this age the teacher who isactually known as a guide in Montessori communitiesfunctions as a bridge between the immediate familys worldand the world at large she plays a vital role though it mayoften appear passive to outsiders i am a HUGE fan ofunschooling at home and did half my masters thesis on it -)but i do think montessori (done properly and there are manyschools that dont) can be incredibly wonderful for manykinds of children in our classrooms (which we callChildrens Houses) the children interact with EACH OTHERthey learn patience helpfulness kindness acceptance byseeing it modeled daily and having multiple opportunities tointeract with each other and practice with all that said I am aFIRM believer in the four-day school week with a strongsuggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family or
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bull Reply bull
suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
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bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
bull Reply bull
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
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Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
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different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
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bull Reply bull
It was obvious that New Math was a disaster less than adecade after it started
In many cases freeing students to study what interests themwill produce excellent results These are already motivatedcurious intelligent students But most students will choosenot to do much
4
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Nate Whilk
I can only laugh when I read a blanket statement like butmost students will choose not to do much How in the worlddo you have a clue I have been around hundreds ofhomeschooled and unschooled children You have absolutelyno idea what most kids will or will not do You dont givechildren enough credit to make good choices Or maybe thechildren you have been around have been restricted so tightlythat the minute they have freedom they dont know how tohandle it Public school = no freedom to be a child
10
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
Most children will not learn a language unless a teacherteaches it to them Dont you know that Thats why somany 5 year olds cant speak they havent been to schoolyet
Oh wait 5
bull Reply bull
Guest123 bull 4 months ago Guest
Im sorry have you done research on the Asian culture of schooling I havea professor who attended high school in Korea - and it is much differentChildren at a young age - As in junior high grades over here - are beingfully prepared for the route they would like to take in life - IE skilled workhigher education specific tradesskillsknowledge bases and their learningin the later years is dictated by these choices They are given much morefreedom to pursue their interests during later years of schooling Perhapsyou should research before you begin using comparisons you are unawareof
5
bull Reply bull
roc bull 4 months ago Guest123
Just curious Guest 123 Have you done research on the Asianculture of schooling Or are you basing your info on your oneprofessor I would like to have access to any of your resources (ifyour willing to share) One thing to keep in mind is that all childrenare different learn different and have different interests - no matterthe culture or upbringing Also there are many kids that areinterested in words and numbers my child being one of them Shetaught herself the alphabet and their phonic sounds through play at25 years old and taught herself her numbers shortly after Moreimportantly this was by way of her own interest as I had not startedher on it When my husband discovered her learning these things hesat down with her and tried to formally teach her She totally lostinterest during those times and would pick it up again on her owntime through games She is a tactile learner and benefits bestthrough active play You should research Finlands education system- they rank highest in the world I think you would be intrigued
8
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest123
Dictated being the key word here 1
Deb bull 4 months ago Guest
Most kids needs passive learning
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bull Reply bull
Most kids needs passive learning
Have you ever seen the inside of a well-run Montessori classroom Childrenare crazy about all that stuff and then some (at their developmental level butstill) The place for active learning begins AT BIRTH and doesnt really evergo away it isnt until mid- to late elementary years that kids becomecapable enough of abstract thought that we can even move away fromconcrete manipulatives
ldquoTell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and Ilearnrdquo
---Benjamin Franklin 13
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Deb
THANK YOU and AMEN a montessori teacher in VA
2
bull Reply bull
rae bull 4 months ago Karen
Montessori all the way
bull Reply bull
beawesomeb bull 4 months ago Deb
the thing I see wrong with Montessori is that it should be the parentthat interacts with the child and not a teacher That the joy in learningwith your children and they with you is being replaced Also withsibling replaced with other class mates For an only child it is good- ifonly a parent could be involved with their child and being the learningaid Schools were designed to break up families so that peoplewould be loyal to society in place of family Look up the history ofhow American schools started
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago beawesomeb
Montessori is absolutely an option to consider Any involvedparent will consider all valid options and stay involved Theproblem is NOT that other institutions have been formed (withgood andor bad intentions but that parents (some to agreater degree than others) have dropped their stewardship
4
Karen bull 3 months ago beawesomeb
actually the first montessori school in italy for the children ofilliterate factory workers helped families learn how to improvetheir personal hygiene and family well-being montessori andco educated parents as well as teachers a tradition we try tocontinue today (not to that extent obvi although in someareas this work is still vital) so the child has consistencyacross environments the children developmentally need thesociety of other children at this age the teacher who isactually known as a guide in Montessori communitiesfunctions as a bridge between the immediate familys worldand the world at large she plays a vital role though it mayoften appear passive to outsiders i am a HUGE fan ofunschooling at home and did half my masters thesis on it -)but i do think montessori (done properly and there are manyschools that dont) can be incredibly wonderful for manykinds of children in our classrooms (which we callChildrens Houses) the children interact with EACH OTHERthey learn patience helpfulness kindness acceptance byseeing it modeled daily and having multiple opportunities tointeract with each other and practice with all that said I am aFIRM believer in the four-day school week with a strongsuggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family or
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bull Reply bull
suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
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bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
bull Reply bull
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
bull Reply bull
Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1012
bull Reply bull
bull Reply bull
LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
WHATS THIS
Subscribe Add Disqus to your site
Share rsaquo
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About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 712
bull Reply bull
Most kids needs passive learning
Have you ever seen the inside of a well-run Montessori classroom Childrenare crazy about all that stuff and then some (at their developmental level butstill) The place for active learning begins AT BIRTH and doesnt really evergo away it isnt until mid- to late elementary years that kids becomecapable enough of abstract thought that we can even move away fromconcrete manipulatives
ldquoTell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and Ilearnrdquo
---Benjamin Franklin 13
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Deb
THANK YOU and AMEN a montessori teacher in VA
2
bull Reply bull
rae bull 4 months ago Karen
Montessori all the way
bull Reply bull
beawesomeb bull 4 months ago Deb
the thing I see wrong with Montessori is that it should be the parentthat interacts with the child and not a teacher That the joy in learningwith your children and they with you is being replaced Also withsibling replaced with other class mates For an only child it is good- ifonly a parent could be involved with their child and being the learningaid Schools were designed to break up families so that peoplewould be loyal to society in place of family Look up the history ofhow American schools started
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago beawesomeb
Montessori is absolutely an option to consider Any involvedparent will consider all valid options and stay involved Theproblem is NOT that other institutions have been formed (withgood andor bad intentions but that parents (some to agreater degree than others) have dropped their stewardship
4
Karen bull 3 months ago beawesomeb
actually the first montessori school in italy for the children ofilliterate factory workers helped families learn how to improvetheir personal hygiene and family well-being montessori andco educated parents as well as teachers a tradition we try tocontinue today (not to that extent obvi although in someareas this work is still vital) so the child has consistencyacross environments the children developmentally need thesociety of other children at this age the teacher who isactually known as a guide in Montessori communitiesfunctions as a bridge between the immediate familys worldand the world at large she plays a vital role though it mayoften appear passive to outsiders i am a HUGE fan ofunschooling at home and did half my masters thesis on it -)but i do think montessori (done properly and there are manyschools that dont) can be incredibly wonderful for manykinds of children in our classrooms (which we callChildrens Houses) the children interact with EACH OTHERthey learn patience helpfulness kindness acceptance byseeing it modeled daily and having multiple opportunities tointeract with each other and practice with all that said I am aFIRM believer in the four-day school week with a strongsuggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family or
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
bull Reply bull
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
bull Reply bull
Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1012
bull Reply bull
bull Reply bull
LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
Share rsaquo
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
Share rsaquo
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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Load more comments
5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
WHATS THIS
Subscribe Add Disqus to your site
Share rsaquo
READERSDIGESTCOM HEALTH FOOD ADVICE HOME TRUE STORIES JOKES GAMES
Shortcuts Newsletters Tablets amp E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing
About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 812
bull Reply bull
suggestion that the last weekday be one spent with family oras close to family as possible we certainly do need muchmore family time in this country as well as a much betterbalance between work (yes even school) and home lives nomatter what the method of education outside the home
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Guest
where to start children are not empty vessels adults need to fill up withknowledge math needs to be introduced first in the concrete then bysymbol alone then in the last instance when those have both beenmastered separately you marry quantity (concrete) and symbol togetherits not new math montessori introduced these concepts over 100 yearsago rote memorization doesnt mean theres actual understanding behindit
5
bull Reply bull
Karen bull 4 months ago Karen
in montessori adolescent programs they still use physicalmanipulatives to demonstrate algebraic equations pretty fabulous ifyou ask me
1
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago Guest
You know what is interesting about your comment is that you mention onlyabout the fact that children need to be smarteras if the IQ is the onlyquantitative factor to being smart There are many extremely smartchildren in China that have EXTREMELY low self esteem interpersonalrelationship skills personal problem solving abilities and do not feel asthough they are worthy unless constant success and perfection isachieved Would someone like to tell me why we now place moreimportance on someone being able to take a test and wow others thanbeing able to offer their spouse future children and the society in which theylive a loving stable and self secure person Furthermore the Chinese arevery quick to point out the educational flaws of those who do not achievetheir level of greatness but fail to point out that their entire childhood wasspent achieving success instead of actually being able to enjoy being achild You can die wealthy successful and educatedbut the people thathave been best remembered in history had the best hearts Educated ornot
4
bull Reply bull
Wendy bull 4 months ago Guest
I dont agree with the tone of this article and you bring up some valid pointsI was homeschooled from 4th grade through high school and I am nowteaching my six children at home An abandonment-style homeschool is quite possibly the worst possibleeducation just as anarchy is the worst form of government Stewardship-style home education has amazing potential because the curious desire ofthe student is respected and guided by those who know and care for thechild more than anyone else could Stewardship-style education considersall the resources available and carefully builds a custom plan with and for thechildIts more awake than your typical pollyanna style approach to life
2
andycleary bull 4 months ago Wendy
anarchy is the worst form of government
I know you are just trying to make an example but can you pleasepick a different one There are indeed many of us who think thatStatism is a crime an initiation of violence by one set of peopleagainst others and while we dont exactly call for anarchy ingeneral that is what you would call us Basically Im just saying thatyou probably havent really studied the question of anarchy vsStatism and so you probably ought not throw it around as a cheap
Share rsaquo
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 912
bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
bull Reply bull
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
bull Reply bull
Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1012
bull Reply bull
bull Reply bull
LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1112
bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1212
Load more comments
5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
WHATS THIS
Subscribe Add Disqus to your site
Share rsaquo
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About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 912
bull Reply bull
analogy 1
bull Reply bull
David OConnor bull 3 months ago andycleary
Matter of fact - I would say that the Sudbury schoolmentioned in the article is pretty much an anarchic modelAnarchy is an ideal form of government if you are for freedomand pure democracy I dont know if humans are capable ofreaching this ideal if they have been trained up to obeyauthority without question
bull Reply bull
R Gilbert bull 2 months ago David OConnor
Anarchy amongst gentlemen is not anarchy Democracyamongst thieves is not democracy
1
bull Reply bull
lcjhill bull 4 months ago Guest
I taught in public school for 12 years I am currently homeschooling my 5children Many of the things you described above are reasons why I felt Ihad to get my children out of the system Public school is a broken systemthat simply does not do what it was intended to do The system washolding them backweighing them down with testing skills They were waymore focused on teaching a test that teaching children Children ARE naturallearners Their learning needs to be facilitated If children of all ages areprovided tools and opportunity they will explore and learn You are wrong ifyou feel differently
6
bull Reply bull
Nate Whilk bull 4 months ago Guest
If the old math made us the most technologically advanced nation onearth why do they think it needs to be changed
Ive never been a teacher but this is the FIRST time Ive encountered theexact same thing Ive been thinking for YEARS Of course thats true of theentire educational system NOBODY asks WHY theres a difference whatCAUSES the difference Curricula from new educational theories are put intoall schools with apparently very little testing And when they dont workthey just do exactly the same thing with even newer theories
1
bull Reply bull
andycleary bull 4 months ago Guest
A child or teen willnot naturally seek out and wrestle with geometric formulas
I sure did I gobbled up math and science books as a teen The onlyproblem was that I would read them in class and get in trouble even thoughthe books I was reading were far more advanced than what we were beingtaught in school
I went on to get a PhD in Applied Math fwiw 4
bull Reply bull
Jessica Lagor bull 4 months ago Guest
Kids will learn what they want If they are not interested in those things theywont be seeking a career involving them So why are those subjects allthat Does it really matter if it doesnt matter Except that society tells us itdoes Im glad I was homeschooled and taught to think practically ratherthan get caught up in whats popular
1
bull Reply bull
Claire bull 3 months ago Guest
Although a new system is needed I do not think that the new math core thathas been set up is much better At least in my experiences as a high schoolstudent its worse
Share rsaquo
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1012
bull Reply bull
bull Reply bull
LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
Share rsaquo
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1112
bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
Share rsaquo
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1212
Load more comments
5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
WHATS THIS
Subscribe Add Disqus to your site
Share rsaquo
READERSDIGESTCOM HEALTH FOOD ADVICE HOME TRUE STORIES JOKES GAMES
Shortcuts Newsletters Tablets amp E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing
About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1012
bull Reply bull
bull Reply bull
LD bull 4 months ago
I recommend further reading by a state teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto on this subject matter Then Google the School Sucks Podcast ran by another former teacher Plenty of info straight from the systemsmouth
17
bull Reply bull
Gary Wharton bull 4 months ago
Freedoms What freedoms more do they need in a structured atmosphere
bull Reply bull
NotNiceGirl bull 4 months ago
see more
I cant speak for anyone else but I know that by the 4th grade I was well versed infaking illness to get out of going to school (a nice good public school inelementary school and a not so nice inner-cityish school for high school) I was agreat kid the quiet one who was always on high honor roll and followed directionswithout a second thought literally all the teachers I had in elementary school havelisted me as one of their all-time favorites (and Im not just saying that Mykindergarten teacher still has a magnetic star with my name on it on theblackboard That went up in 1996 folks The only detention I ever had was becauseI didnt finish my math homework in 9th grade) Even so I NEVER got that perfectattendance award nor did I want it
I wanted to learn at home from the time I was young but NYS has rules up thewahoo about whos considered qualified so that was never an option Ive beenplanning since I was 14 for my future family because there is no way I will subjectmy children to that kind of environment (Im 23 now and have left that state for ahome-school friendly one) I hated going to school luckily I had a mother who readand I found I could learn on my own
I realize that not every child has a caring parent at home but imo I think that makes
71
bull Reply bull
JanetTotten bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
I love this You are a gem and I hope you have a long and prosperous life 13
bull Reply bull
Holly bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Standing ovation 6
bull Reply bull
Matthew Schilling bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Very nice I got a chuckle though out of a classroom with 20+ kids andmaybe two teachers When I went to school it was 40 kids per class andone teacher Thats how Baby Boomers rolled
7
bull Reply bull
Rita bull 4 months ago NotNiceGirl
Awesome article I hope many people heed your plea 1
bull Reply bull
ChurchLeader bull 4 months ago
Im sorry I lost you when you said the Protestant Reformation set up schools sothat children could be taught to believe what those in authority told them about theBible This is the complete opposite of the rationale Read Luther and the otherreformers - their whole point was to equip the laypeople to be able to read andinterpret the Bible for themselves as a check on clergy abuses Cant take the restof your article seriously if you missed the original point of public schools - whos tosay the rest of your article is factual or of value
13
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago ChurchLeader
ChurchLeader just as the Bible can and is interpreted and taught in many
Share rsaquo
Share rsaquo
Share rsaquo
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1112
bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
2
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
Share rsaquo
Share rsaquo
Share rsaquo
Share rsaquo
Share rsaquo
Share rsaquo
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1212
Load more comments
5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
WHATS THIS
Subscribe Add Disqus to your site
Share rsaquo
READERSDIGESTCOM HEALTH FOOD ADVICE HOME TRUE STORIES JOKES GAMES
Shortcuts Newsletters Tablets amp E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing
About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1112
bull Reply bull
different ways so are many aspects of many different subjects I have heardyour statement before but have also heard the statement of the author ofthe article To throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak isnt idealThere are many scholars who believe that many parts of the Bible are notcorrectly translated and have good reason Does this mean the whole Bibleis false No There are always more sides to a story
3
bull Reply bull
DavidW bull 4 months ago Raymond Michael
What on earth are you talking about with parts of the Bible not beingcorrectly translated We still have the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts from which the translations are done Please cite yoursources for such a claim
3
bull Reply bull
Raymond Michael bull 4 months ago DavidW
The only part of my statement responded to was the one thatdid not coincide with your ideals Why waste my time citingmy literary sources for mistranslation Its not as if you wouldtake it with an open mind It would be a waste of my time andenergy trying to educate someone who knows what theiranswer already is
2
bull Reply bull
Aurora M Paduani bull 4 months ago
If I had the choice and the opportunity I would have home schooled my children Iwas very ignorant of the many advantages and ways to homeschooling I am guiltyof thinking it was odd It was because I did not now anything about it and rushed tomy own conclusions Public schooling has desensitized my children Theireducation level is sadly lacking I
6
bull Reply bull
trujoy13 bull 4 months ago
My question about this school model is how and when are students checked if theyare progressing correctly developmentally-what I am really asking is how do theymake sure that students dont turn 12 and still not be able to read or add Mybackground of having been homeschooled and seeing plenty of kids who could notread because their parents did want to rush them Another question to go with that how does this model work with students withspecial needs Or English Language Learners As a public school teacher that ismy reality My varied experiences means I do appreciate these findings but I would like moreinfo about how it would really look in every day life
2
bull Reply bull
rita bull 4 months ago trujoy13
I have homeschooled all three of my children and have met hundreds ofhomeschooled kids and never once met one who couldnt read by age 12Trust kids more and youll be amazed at what theyll achieve just throughcuriosity and self-directed learning Most kids learn to read naturally oncetheyre taught the simple vowel and consonant sounds Put the books infront of them and watch the lights turn on And dont forget who theteachers are - they are the parents who LOVE their children more thanthemselves and will do anything to help their children succeed in life and behappy at the same time
Also everyone must read about the heinous pressure cooker educationsystem in South Korea that the children must endure I kid you not thesechildren are subjected to over 16 hours day of being in school or attendingan after-school tutoring school Ita horrendous how these kids have NOfamily life and have their childhood robbed from them Pls Read the bookThe Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way
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trujoy13 bull 4 months ago rita
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see some
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5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
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5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
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Shortcuts Newsletters Tablets amp E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing
About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
5122014 Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids | Readers Digest
httpwwwrdcomadviceparentingamerican-school-system-damaging-kidsixzz2qhMXHGcr 1212
Load more comments
5 Smartphone Repairs You ShouldNever Pay Someone For2 comments bull 4 months ago
Jim DeBiasio mdash Rice is stupid it will notremove the mineral deposits that causeshorts it is like an old wives hellip
The Woman Who Had a FaceTransplant1 comment bull 7 days ago
kay mdash one of the saddest stories sheshould have killed him with a bullet tothe headtoo bad she did not hellip
The Stranger Who Changed My LifeLady of the Library9 comments bull 3 months ago
reema tariq mdash This is so cute Andinspiring too I absolutely agree with thewriters last comments about hellip
The Best Foods to Eat to AvoidClogged Arteries3 comments bull 3 months ago
Jo Werner mdash Why eat fish that hasmercury I thought that would bepoisonous
ALSO ON READERS DIGEST
bull Reply bull
I wont disagree with your experience but in my own I see somestudents that are as motivated as yours are but they are fromfamilies like yours that value education and learning The other andby other I mean at leasy 23 of students are not as motivated Theirparents do not want to develop a relationship with them like you doThey play avoid books writing etc And in America we have theresponsibility to still educate those students I know myself that yesschool was stressful at times but the challenge was worth it Thefeeling of success or learning when success didnt happen was sonecessary
WHATS THIS
Subscribe Add Disqus to your site
Share rsaquo
READERSDIGESTCOM HEALTH FOOD ADVICE HOME TRUE STORIES JOKES GAMES
Shortcuts Newsletters Tablets amp E-Readers Mobile Shop Our Store Sweepstakes LifeRich Publishing
About Media Kit Contact Us Your Privacy Rights Terms amp Conditions RDA Corporate Site
Readerrsquos Digest Magazine Subscribe Customer Care Tablets amp E-Readers
More RDA Brands Taste of Home The Family Handyman Select Editions Readerrsquos Digest International Editions
copy 2014 The Readers Digest Association Inc
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