How would you change the education system? (mathematics, paying, cafeteria)

[nana053]

I agree that exit exams can raise achievement. There is research to suggest that this is so.

A Steeper, Better Road to Graduation - Education Next : Education Next

The data show that curriculum-based exams are associated with neither higher teacher-pupil ratios nor greater spending on K-12 education. They are, however, associated with higher standards for entry into the teaching profession, higher teacher salaries (30 to 34 percent higher for secondary-school teachers), and teachers who are more likely to specialize in one subject in middle school and to have majored in the subjects they teach. Teachers appear to be less satisfied with their jobs, possibly due to the increased pressure for accountability under an exam system. Schools, countries, and provinces with rigorous exams devote more hours to math and science instruction, and they build and equip better science labs. The number of computers and library books per student is unaffected by the existence of curriculum-based exams.

Minimum Competency exams do not produce the same results.

[worthlesshuman]

I guess having a wider variety of classes with emphasis on the ones that give good jobs. I graduated highschool without knowing anything about engineering or computer science and apparently, that's where the jobs/money is right now.

[LLN]

1. Go to cloud computing for the entire national school system
2. One or two techs at district level
3. Techs in school
4. Rotate administrators back to classroom every 5 years
5. Require every administrator to take a three year course in macro and micro economics
6. Require every administrator to spend a two year practicum in a successful for profit business
7. Rigid tracking by ability and conduct
8. Achievement "gates" every two years
9. Promotion based on achievement, and if a gate is not passed, then out of school system to varying levels of menial track
10. Zero tolerance for any disruption in the classroom
11. Make principal responsible for both ranking/grading teachers and paying teachers
12. Eliminate most district personal and dramatically reduce state dept of education
13. Provide each student a computer and if required internet access (money coming from huge savings in reduction of district and state personnel)
14. For problem children, before they are mustered out, a sixmonth "after hours course" with parent as final chance to remain in education system
15. One 100 question test, per grade, all subjects. One.

[Sommie789]

Originally Posted by Spatula City

And how much of their salaries went towards paying their tuition? How many students would have said no to the events if it meant saving money? Students should go to school to learn and work, not for recreation. Recreation is a free time activity.

I don't know about you, but when I went to uni I was expected to pay for all of my textbooks on top of my tuition. And textbooks/computers for the poor could be covered by grants, scholarships, or even loans. I can guarantee that such loans would be much smaller and less predatory than tuition loans.

Rec center used by the local community too. Even my junior college has a small gym.Textbooks are somewhat ripped off because sometimes you are paying that you barely use and I paid 96 dollars for a vocab book.The event were free and fun for people didn't want get drunk. A job is better than no job at all.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by tnff

What an opportunity but I'll limit to just my top three, not in any particular order.


c. Change teacher education to require a BS/BA in a specific subject first and then add on a set of education courses rather than education being the centerpiece with a smattering of subject matter around it. IE reverse the focus. I know that may offend some, but here's the carrot -- now that they are taking the subject matter expert type courses, pay them a competitive salary compared to what a professional in that field with that education and experience will make. IE, if a person with a BS in physics can make $X in the commercial sector, the pay them $X to teach. Makes it more financially viable for someone to teach vs industry.

Actually, many states do require this - my state does.

My revisions would include:
1. the legislature should not be making decisions it knows nothing about in education. Politics should not be governing decisions made about our kids' schooling.
2. Teachers should be allowed to teach to their passions and not only a set of standards - standardization has gone way too far, removing the fun and passion out of education.
3. Reduce standardized testing to no more than 2 half-days per year for any student and quit tying school/staff evaluations to stupid tests.

[Tall Traveler]

1. Kill the teacher's union
2. Take the liberal agenda of the current education system and smash it
3. Ensure teacher's have an understanding of the subject matter (in many cases, my teachers did not)
4. Encourage more males in education
5. Increase pay for teachers to get more qualified teachers
6. Lay off 90% of the administrative staff
7. Maintain testing to improve standards
8. Encourage speakers with diverse backgrounds and jobs to speak to students
9, Increase physical education including such things as yoga
10. Ensure only healthy foods are available to students at school.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by LLN

1. Go to cloud computing for the entire national school system
2. One or two techs at district level
3. Techs in school
4. Rotate administrators back to classroom every 5 years
5. Require every administrator to take a three year course in macro and micro economics
6. Require every administrator to spend a two year practicum in a successful for profit business
7. Rigid tracking by ability and conduct
8. Achievement "gates" every two years
9. Promotion based on achievement, and if a gate is not passed, then out of school system to varying levels of menial track
10. Zero tolerance for any disruption in the classroom
11. Make principal responsible for both ranking/grading teachers and paying teachers
12. Eliminate most district personal and dramatically reduce state dept of education
13. Provide each student a computer and if required internet access (money coming from huge savings in reduction of district and state personnel)
14. For problem children, before they are mustered out, a sixmonth "after hours course" with parent as final chance to remain in education system
15. One 100 question test, per grade, all subjects. One.

Excellent ideas!!

[Spatula City]

Originally Posted by Sommie789

Rec center used by the local community too. Even my junior college has a small gym.Textbooks are somewhat ripped off because sometimes you are paying that you barely use and I paid 96 dollars for a vocab book.The event were free and fun for people didn't want get drunk. A job is better than no job at all.

That's great that it's being used but I don't know how that relates to who should have to pay for it. It sounds like the community used the college to save themselves some money.

And yes a job is better than no job, but the rec center isn't giving every kid who goes to college a job, it isn't helping their education, and it isn't making their education any more affordable.

[Sommie789]

Originally Posted by Spatula City

That's great that it's being used but I don't know how that relates to who should have to pay for it. It sounds like the community used the college to save themselves some money.

And yes a job is better than no job, but the rec center isn't giving every kid who goes to college a job, it isn't helping their education, and it isn't making their education any more affordable.

Community college will help save people money even if it just summer classes.
Some people are just not making smart financial decisions.

[brownbagg]

Originally Posted by katie1215

What changes would you make if you could?

let the parent pay for it, out of pocket ,without tax money