Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
For instance, almost everybody agrees that the children in low performing schools aren't getting the support they need at home.
Just because everybody agrees on something doesn't mean it is true. It doesn't even mean it is closer to the truth than other ideas.
Everyone pins the blame on parents (and teachers) because everyone is deathly afraid of blaming the students. Why? Because pointing out that some students have limited innate learning potential is career suicide, not to mention the attendant social ostracization.
I didn't refer to such a thing, silly. Our national school system, which includes its own little APS in every city, is doing great on the test scores.
Sorry. When you said "But kids are doing well in APS and throughout our country. Our PISA scores rocked" I thought you were saying the PISA scores of APS students showed that they are doing well.
Everyone pins the blame on parents (and teachers) because everyone is deathly afraid of blaming the students. Why? Because pointing out that some students have limited innate learning potential is career suicide, not to mention the attendant social ostracization.
I'm not afraid of putting part of the responsibility on students. Obviously they're an essential part of the process and they need to be motivated and work hard.
And of course there are plenty of innate differences in ability among human beings. I'm not 1/10th as smart as some people I know. However, that doesn't explain the low performing schools in APS.
Something makes me think you have become a fan of this guy's blog, aries.
Not exactly--I read a lot and widely.
It's just that he specializes in global education and writes on the U.S. education system from a global/international perspective. Earlier in this thread, I thought referencing him would be good for those that don't understand how the U.S. system is perceived from a non-American/global outlook.
When I posted his general blog link the second time, it just so happened that he had three recent blog posts on the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Cheating Scandal! So I decided to post those as well--and it's good for Atlantans/participants on this thread to see a total outsider's take on the issue/problem/climate/situation.
Moreover, I believe the importance of threads/thread topics is to inform, learn, and help. It is not about "hearing" myself talk. If I can inform/get a point across at times with links, so be it. It is better for people to hear/read a variety of voices anyway. It aint about me...
He just posted a part 4 today (see above). I wonder if there will be a part 5, etc...???
Arjay, are you taking the time to read the links/articles?
Last edited by aries4118; 07-17-2011 at 03:11 PM..
If you read my post here, I'm sure you noted that I have similar reservations about standardized testing. It can be quite useful, but it shouldn't be the only way we evaulate learning.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
