The Education System

[gama-sennin]

Originally Posted by Black Shuck

Judging a person's skills by currently used shitty exams are completely unfair.
[eg: There is this guy who's a total genius. And is acknowledged by everyone who know enough of him. (including teachers) But the problem is, for valid reasons, he does not get along with the way of (most of the) 'exams'. As a result, he doesn't get the rank/grade he deserves. -While the others outrank him. But practically they can't even reach his abilities. -true story]
Exam system should be changed too.

But who is going to change it? I mean we are not the first generation that is pissed off with this system. I doubt if even the very first one was really happy. But no one has cared to do anything about it. Which actually gives a basis for the theory that no one really wants to change it. Many guys who complained in the past are now in a position where they can use their power and gradually change the system.

[Vornmusion]

Originally Posted by zerosameri

She just has superior English skills.

But normal average people, with average every English skills.

That's why you have a general standard prior to entering high school, once you meet this standard you no longer need to take classes about it unless you want too because after that point it should be about focusing on your career. College needs this change most of all.

Originally Posted by gama-sennin

But who is going to change it? I mean we are not the first generation that is pissed off with this system. I doubt if even the very first one was really happy. But no one has cared to do anything about it. Which actually gives a basis for the theory that no one really wants to change it. Many guys who complained in the past are now in a position where they can use their power and gradually change the system.

We have to try, if we don't it will never get better.

[gama-sennin]

Originally Posted by Vornmusion

We have to try, if we don't it will never get better.

I do like to hope you know. Didn't you say that the system is as flexible as a diamond? Well you are correct and no matter how hard you try a diamond never changes its shape unless of course you cut it into pieces.
I hate the very idea that my life is being governed by someone who possibly doesn't even have a slightest idea about say advanced mathematics, something the same guys want me to know by heart. I love mathematics, to be fair, maths and history are the only subjects I ever got good grades in. But I had to study other subjects too in order to scrap through every year. I guess that's why i want this system to be changed just like million others.

But we are not the first generation of students that is unhappy with this system. Then why this system is still present? The only answer that makes sense is that the system has become way to big even to think of changing it. The worst thing this system has done is it has created mindless clones by millions every year in every part of the world. The people who run thee system don't want any one to question them or their way of governing our lives. The people currently in power may not be the same as 20 years before but they all have same "will of fire" in them that is instilled by this very system.

For thousands of years our ancestors in every part of the world took some book as the ultimate truth. Back then the religious institutes were the ones controlling people using their fears and many other things. In this age the power has simply shifted from one institution to another. The level of control is same or may be ever tighter than it was ever possible.

[ItachiAnbu]

Originally Posted by Maikeru Shinigami

First off, let me say this, the passing grade should not be the same for all things.

Required Courses should be a C or higher.
Electives should be a D or higher, unless they relate to the field you are interested in at the time.

I.E. : A writer, should have to make a B (possibly C) or higher in creative writing.


Now, in my opinion, this education system is completely messed up, and I would like to bring my ideas on what definitely should be done up to debate. Teenagers are wasting their time on stuff they really don't need to know if they don't want to. Specifically, with Math, History and Science. English can stay, but its standards are off.

This is what I say. Up through Middle School, the required courses could generally stay the same, unless you show an adequate amount of knowledge in a particular subject. But these are the courses, where I feel education is at its end, in terms of requirement.

Math:
Geometry (AlgebraB is not a necessity)

The only thing you need Math for, unless you are going into a certain field, is for income taxes. And most of these things are done online now.

Science:
Chemistry and Biology (These two could probably be combined into one)

Medicine and Understanding of your body are important. There are Scientific things that aren't all that important though.

History:
Your Specific Country's Government and Some History (This is all you need to know really)

History could easily end in 9th grade.
I learned the same damn thing, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade.


This being said, the list of importantcy for the current four subjects are:

English
Science
Math & History

However, English needs to change its focus on subjects.

For one, these should be the true requirements:
Understanding of basic words and phrases.
The ability to write up your ideals in a proper manner.

These should not be required, but can be taught:
The idea of pronouns, and the such.

Knowing how to comprehend a paragraph and being able to write one, are far more important than knowing what the words in the paragraph are.

So up to High School (Requirements):
English.
Math.
History.
Science.

Afterwards, Science, History and Math should be changed after a certain subject has been passed. These could be passed in Middle School as well. Thus giving you more time to meet the requirements of what High School should have.


These are the subjects which should be required in their place:

Civics (2 years).
Debate (2 years).
Economics (2 years).
Psychology (2 years).

But not all necessarily for a full four years.

These four classes would be more of an elective course. You could choose to take them at any time. But, they must be passed with a C or higher.

The requirement of English would end in 11th grade, unless you make an A in your first two years of High School. Though you could take it again, if you enjoy it.

Basically, if you finish Math, Science and History in 9th or 10th (or even in Middle School), you have so much room for electives that High School is entirely based on YOUR interests.

That being said, Foreign Language should AT MOST, be one year requirement. Though I believe it shouldn't be.


This could wind out being your schedule in 9th grade:

English, Psychology, Civics, Economics, Debate and Electives.

Heck you could possibly spend 11th and 12th grade, purely on electives, if you so wish.

I personally would spread, Psychology, Civics, Economics and Debate out though.


Now, here's an idea that could stay or go:

All of these subjects could be written, oral or both. That would be up to the student alone.


Give the kids something they ACTUALLY need.


After this, you graduate and go to College, where my next ideas come in.


First off, make the requirements logical.

What hair stylist needs to know English? Come on, seriously?


Also, for certain subjects, there should be a submissions area in ALL colleges.

Specific submissions off the top of my head, would basically be in artwork.


Save the children the 4 useless years they have to use to become a success, and give them what they need.

Obviously, some subjects would require more time than others. But that just means the more important fields get people that ACTUALLY want to pursue that career.

For instance, becoming a doctor would take longer than becoming a salesman.


Thoughts?

I suppose the current educational system trains children and young adults for versatility. The strength in this is, of course, that an adult who dislikes their current job has the potential to be qualified for another, completely different one.

The only problem with that piece of the system is that many young adults that go to College, or those that are enrolled in High School, still aren't entirely sure what they want to do with their lives. This means that they will continue to trasin for versatility, instead of moving into a specific field where they will be content to stay for the rest of their lives, and consequentially they will not get anywhere until they pick a certain field (or maybe fields).

I disagree with what you said about being able to write a paragraph being more important than recognizing the meaning of the paragraph. I think they are equally important, and go hand in hand. Reading (comprehension) is just as important as writing (production).

It all depends on what field you're going into. For example, a Biologist and a Chemist would disagree with your idea of mixing Biology and Chemistry, as the two subjects have many fundamental differences. Someone who decides they want to become a Rocket Scientist in their Senior year of High School should have had (for background knowledge) at least some basic subjects in the past; subjects that person might not have taken at the time if they were not required.

Now, if all High School students were as prepared as we would like them to be, this would not be a problem. However, the fact stands that they are not.

I liked what you said about Foreign Languages; many colleges now have a requirement or preference of four years worth of Foreign Languages.

I do not like or dislike our current education system on the whole, and I believe that, while certain changes could stand to be made, we appear to be on the right track in other areas.

*I agree with all bolded statements

[Maikeru D. Shinigami]

If the courses weren't so irrelevant from the subject, a person could go back to school to learn something else in no time.

Disagree, I write effectively, yet I wouldn't be able to tell you the definitions of pronouns and other things if you paid me to. Comprehension and ability to make proper sentences, are more important than knowing whether a word is a noun or verb.

If someone wants to pursue more into Biology or Chemistry there would be a separate elective Biology 2 and Chemistry 2.

Yeah, in America, I can honestly understand learning some Foreign Culture. But, I don't see the need to learn another language, if you don't want to.

Main Point: Too much focus on book smarts, not enough on street smarts. Should at least be evened out through High School.