This "leveling of the playing field" in education has been going on for quite sometime. NCLB and KERA just happen to codify it. Let's not teach students to their abilities, let's teach to the lowest denominator.

This "leveling of the playing field" in education has been going on for quite sometime. NCLB and KERA just happen to codify it. Let's not teach students to their abilities, let's teach to the lowest denominator.

 

Please see the post above yours and tell me where this is done?

 

All students should be taught and are presently being taught whether they are gifted or not. Whether they are rich or poor. Whether they are the highest or lowest common denominator, as you put it.

Please see the post above yours and tell me where this is done?

 

All students should be taught and are presently being taught whether they are gifted or not. Whether they are rich or poor. Whether they are the highest or lowest common denominator, as you put it.

I'll give you a real simple one. Classrooms are not allowed to be segregated by abilities because it make the struggling students feel badly about themselves.

I'll give you a real simple one. Classrooms are not allowed to be segregated by abilities because it make the struggling students feel badly about themselves.

 

The bolded happens at all levels in my school district. I believe that is a myth and I know it is for my school district.

 

My son is a 5th grader and in a class with 25 of the other top 5th graders.

My daughter is an 8th grader in the "top" class and taking a HS Algebra class.

And as I said before there is AP classes in all basic areas. English, Math, Social Studies and Sciences as well as the advanced math classes and chemistry/physics classes.

I'll give you a real simple one. Classrooms are not allowed to be segregated by abilities because it make the struggling students feel badly about themselves.

 

Not saying it doesn't happen in your area, but I have never heard of this in my experiences. We've always had the range from advanced all the way to "special class".

I am not sure I see the relevance to that post and at least the schools in KY. There are still AP classes. There are still Physics and Chemistry that not every student takes. There are still higher level math classes that the kids will never actually use but are encouraged to take.

 

Not every student is taking those classes and not every class that challenges the top kids is dumbed down.

 

I don't see the accuracy of the post.

 

I do see it sells a viewpoint that some who want to believe that, will eagerly grab ahold of and sell as accurate. But I see nothing there that is accurate.

 

Even in the CATS testing, you have a distinguished and proficient scores. We are not trying to get everyone to distinguished, that will only be reached by the best. But there is a push to get all students to at least be proficient in writing.

 

Are you guys saying it is WRONG for a school to have a goal that every student is proficient at writing?

 

Higher level math courses teach thinking. I not only think that all kids should be encouraged to take higher level math, I think most kids should be REQUIRED to take high level math.

Higher level math courses teach thinking. I not only think that all kids should be encouraged to take higher level math, I think most kids should be REQUIRED to take high level math.

 

:thumb: I absolutely agree. They should be required to take it earlier as well.

I was agreeing. :thumb:

 

My bad...apparently I misunderstood the wrong post...:lol::thumb:

I think the #1 issue facing the US is the aging infrastructure. The antiquated electric grid, outdated air traffic control system, waterworks and disrepair of the interstate system including bridges are just a few. The elected officials don’t want to spend money on these things because we take these things for granted until another New York City blackout or another Minnesota bridge falls into the Mississippi river. China has invested billions in their infrastructure and now they are a Super Power.

Higher level math courses teach thinking. I not only think that all kids should be encouraged to take higher level math, I think most kids should be REQUIRED to take high level math.

 

How high is high? Just to make sure we are thinking the same thing.

How high is high? Just to make sure we are thinking the same thing.

 

AN intro level calculus course. Differentials and simple integrals, including some applications/ word problems.

AN intro level calculus course. Differentials and simple integrals, including some applications/ word problems.

 

Basically, all students are required to do Alg I and II and Geometry. No matter what their future career is, they are required to complete these classes.

Basically, all students are required to do Alg I and II and Geometry. No matter what their future career is, they are required to complete these classes.

 

And, honestly, they should be able to that by their freshman year in High School. Calculus and Trig should be mandatory, with higher options available. Of course, they need the necessary base in elementary school. It would take a lot more than simple mandates to get that accomplished.

And, honestly, they should be able to that by their freshman year in High School. Calculus and Trig should be mandatory, with higher options available. Of course, they need the necessary base in elementary school. It would take a lot more than simple mandates to get that accomplished.

 

So, HS's should be about teaching them things that they will never use in their lives?

 

I cannot sell to a 15 year old that matrices is an important thing for them to learn. Because IT IS NOT. I have made it through 42 years of my life and never used matrices. And that is perfectly okay.

 

There is other ways to teach higher level of thinking besides teaching them things that they won't use in life.

So, HS's should be about teaching them things that they will never use in their lives?

 

I cannot sell to a 15 year old that matrices is an important thing for them to learn. Because IT IS NOT. I have made it through 42 years of my life and never used matrices. And that is perfectly okay.

 

There is other ways to teach higher level of thinking besides teaching them things that they won't use in life.

The most important thing that schools can teach a child is how to think and process information, not the information itself.