tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post6465501706055672591..comments2024-03-28T02:15:06.910-07:00Comments on Tossing It Out: The State of Edjucashun inn Amerika (w/ BOTB results)Arlee Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-51204649427910383022014-07-31T07:02:01.179-07:002014-07-31T07:02:01.179-07:00Suzanne-- I think you've touched about somethi...Suzanne-- I think you've touched about something that's a possibility: a dumber population is easier to control when the logic that induces dissent is dissipated. I'll have to think on that idea a bit more since there may be another blog post warranted regarding that concept.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-31338723975221265002014-07-30T07:54:15.179-07:002014-07-30T07:54:15.179-07:00Really enjoyed your post and everyone's though...Really enjoyed your post and everyone's thoughts. Over here there's been an obvious decline in all education standards. I'm sure our problems started when the accepted test format was changed to project based work. Every few years whichever government is in charge they bring in some new system that's going to fix everything, but it never does. Until children start respecting teachers and appreciating that they have the opportunity to be able to be schooled I can't see it changing any time soon.<br /><br />I agree with Anita that language evolves - and very grateful we don't speak olde English - but that doesn't excuse illiteracy(excluding dyslexic etc.) Children don't understand that it will impact on every area of their lives as they get older.<br /><br />Suzanne @ <a href="http://suzannes-tribe.blogspot.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Suzannes Tribe</a><br />xSuzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15210964582774377295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-81001309469357588172014-07-30T04:29:50.962-07:002014-07-30T04:29:50.962-07:00Pat--I cannot bring myself to the more modern stan...Pat--I cannot bring myself to the more modern standards of condensed communication, but I don't text either.<br /><br />Carrie--If I were hiring I'd be wary of any candidate with poor communication skills.<br /><br />Dianne-- My wife is saying much what you are and she only teaches kindergarten. Who is in charge? Certainly not the teachers.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-30262398038574934442014-07-28T15:33:41.288-07:002014-07-28T15:33:41.288-07:00I saw the title of your post on Robin Richard'...I saw the title of your post on Robin Richard's blog roll and had to hop over to check it out.<br /><br />I just retired from teaching after 25 years, supposedly to pursue writing as a full time career, but mainly because I could not stomach what has become of education in our country.<br /><br />I taught LESS in my final year of teaching than in any year prior, including my first year when I was practically still a kid myself. Last year was the year my school adopted the Common Core curriculum, and all I did was prepare students for tests all year.<br /><br />I could give you a long list of all the things I did not teach last year, the meaningful activities we did not do, and how many hours I spent administering tests instead of teaching. But I won't.<br /><br />I'll just say I couldn't live with this distorted, twisted version of the profession I used to love, and my husband *begged* be to quit. So I did.Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-65719444411214684582014-07-28T11:38:46.359-07:002014-07-28T11:38:46.359-07:00I think grammar, punctuation, orthography, and wri...I think grammar, punctuation, orthography, and writing skills in general are suffering because people just don't read as often as they used to. I'm so embarrassed for college-educated adults who sincerely don't know the difference between your and you're, its and it's, whose and who's, there, their, and they're, were and where, too and to, et al. It's like they don't read enough to know those are really embarrassing, childish mistakes, or they've forgotten the corrections they hopefully got when they made those mistakes on papers in school.<br /><br />I sometimes wonder if young people use textspeak on job applications and résumés.Carrie-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05810154378449825641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-88226566394433075692014-07-27T17:29:09.098-07:002014-07-27T17:29:09.098-07:00I was told that texting, instant messaging and com...I was told that texting, instant messaging and communications via smart phone, is not held to the same standard as writing or typing via keyboards, or by hand. <br /><br />I don't know about that, but I totally agree with your thoughts on the subject. <br /><br />Rust Never Sleeps!Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-66481150663180408472014-07-26T05:25:51.499-07:002014-07-26T05:25:51.499-07:00C.Lee-- Better education is always worth encouragi...C.Lee-- Better education is always worth encouraging.<br /><br />Patricia -- I'm hearing a lot of bad things about it and much comes from teachers.<br /><br />Gary-- I'm not so much concerned about the differences between UK/US spelling as the blatant misspellings and misuse of words in general.<br /><br />Chris-- It will be good to have you back. I'll add your link back on my list.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-73103165166306026752014-07-25T11:49:27.302-07:002014-07-25T11:49:27.302-07:00Oh -- and by the way: I'll be taking part in ...Oh -- and by the way: I'll be taking part in the BOTB again on Aug 1st! <br /><br />Already got it written and queued up. :)StratPlayerCJFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07341440379767694905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-31411051479354810642014-07-25T11:47:54.532-07:002014-07-25T11:47:54.532-07:00On websites, I do suspect a fair number of typos f...On websites, I do suspect a fair number of typos from phone and tablet postings (along with an occasional humorous auto-correct insertion). But many people do not spell well, particularly in "informal" online activities. <br /><br />A blend of indifference, text-speak habits, and ignorance, I would say. And this is from the ones tech-savvy enough to post online. There is sadly also a good percentage of Americans for whom "poor-spelling" would be a huge leap from "can't-spell-at-all."<br /><br />As to the BOTB -- I'm not surprised Neil won. but I am surprised at the number of people who don't like him. I've always been a big fan.<br /><br />And if Neil had been from Quebec, would he have spelled it B-A-N-G-E-A-U?<br />StratPlayerCJFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07341440379767694905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-69319296130663981452014-07-24T18:16:25.500-07:002014-07-24T18:16:25.500-07:00Hey Lee,
Yes sir, teach the kids how to spell cor...Hey Lee,<br /><br />Yes sir, teach the kids how to spell correctly. As in English, English. What do you reckon, my good friend?<br /><br />Neil Young, being Canadian, will be spelling words in proper English, eh.<br /><br />All the best.<br /><br />Garyklahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-25763571193039177692014-07-24T13:57:23.807-07:002014-07-24T13:57:23.807-07:00The only thing I can say on education is I heard C...The only thing I can say on education is I heard Common Core isn't that great. Someone I talk to on Twitter has to use it for her kids and she hates it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-43113999196329589542014-07-24T09:49:13.402-07:002014-07-24T09:49:13.402-07:00You couldn't have started your post with a bet...You couldn't have started your post with a better comment than you did today--at least for me. My new book has a lot to do with that very issue.<br /><br />As to the banjo. . .I usually enjoy that instrument. It makes me happy. I think the artists just missed the mark on this song.<br /><br />cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-35244786296156033832014-07-24T05:19:07.178-07:002014-07-24T05:19:07.178-07:00Anita-- I agree that language evolves, but I'm...Anita-- I agree that language evolves, but I'm not sure that dumbing it down is a good evolutionary process.<br /><br />Sheena-Kay-- And the problem today is that not only do a lot of people not care, but appearing to be uneducated is admired in certain circles.<br /><br />Birgit-- Those letters from that era have also struck me--they were more articulate than much correspondence of today.<br /><br />Jennifer-- I avoid chat rooms partly for that reason. I can't understand a lot of it.<br /><br />Larry-- Take over the comments for as long as you like whenever you have something to say. That's what it's all about in my thinking.<br /><br />LD-- Cursive probably contributes some level of intellectual advancement. It is too bad that they don't encourage it more and in many cases don't even teach it.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-91315900859717813302014-07-24T05:11:36.804-07:002014-07-24T05:11:36.804-07:00Susan GK-- I hope it doesn't get worse, but I ...Susan GK-- I hope it doesn't get worse, but I fear that you are correct.<br /><br />L. Diane-- All I know is that my teacher wife and many of her colleagues dread and dislike using the Common Core approach.<br /><br />DG -- We have a supportive group. Glad you were uplifted.<br /><br />Mark-- Bingo. Some of the most educated people seem to be the least practical.<br /><br />StMc-- Very well said. Books from the 19th century can be quite deep and thoughtfully written.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-25302974589626418592014-07-23T23:22:17.407-07:002014-07-23T23:22:17.407-07:00Didn't you hear, Lee. We don't have to tea...Didn't you hear, Lee. We don't have to teach the kids how to spell anymore. They have Spellcheck!<br /><br />What really bothers me is the decision in many schools not to teach writing (as opposed to printing, also referred to as cursive). Someone seems to have decided that it serves no purpose now that we all have keyboards. Unfortunately, if children are not taught to write in cursive, they don't learn to read it either. Many kids today can't translate a simple handwritten note.LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-35475765143850019992014-07-23T21:03:51.475-07:002014-07-23T21:03:51.475-07:00Sorry to hijack your blog, Lee.
Stephen-interesti...Sorry to hijack your blog, Lee.<br /><br />Stephen-interesting commentary on education in the 19th century-I would have assumed it would have been inferior just because it was so hard to come by, but I did not have anything to back my assumption up. I just did a quick search and it turns out if was for more organized and formal than I knew.<br /><br />I can say with certainty that SAT scores have declined since the early seventies.<br /><br />In my post "AMERIKUN EDJUCASHION" way back in 2010 (http://discconnectedussr.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-need-department-of-education-right.html) I showed some stats on the decrease:<br /><br /><i>Between 1972 and 1992, the combined math and verbal scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) fell from an average of 937 to 899. This drop occurred despite the fact that the U.S. doubled its per-pupil spending, from $2,611 to $5,521 (in 1990 dollars) between 1965 and 1990.<br /></i><br /><br />I may keep looking to see if there are any kind of "SAT-equivalents" for the 19th century-that would be an interesting comparison.<br /><br />LC<br /><br />PS-it's all yours, Lee!<br />DiscConnectedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013919800637508392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-69242032364537987152014-07-23T16:53:26.018-07:002014-07-23T16:53:26.018-07:00I don't believe you can appreciate how awful g...I don't believe you can appreciate how awful grammar has become until you visit chatrooms (not counting ones specifically for writers).<br /><br />"OMG i no kids u wud totes b liek yuk"<br /><br />I am really against Common Core. Adamantly.<br />Jennifer Ruth Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699005759754946494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-30851927924671421002014-07-23T14:39:18.996-07:002014-07-23T14:39:18.996-07:00In regards to the education and who is to blame......In regards to the education and who is to blame...all of them! To make everything easier we are creating a village of idiots. When I watched the documentary on the Civil War by ken Burns I marveled at the letters written by young men. They were so eloquent and it was beautiful to hear these letters. Now the average boy say "Yo-Hows it goin..." When you listen to many sports figures and rap-crap "artists" (I use that term artist really loosely) they speak horribly and more and more people seem to idolize them-ughhh. I believe we need to get back to actually writing things down in schools and have them open up a real book and read aloud while they sit up straight. I would make sure they have no hand held devices and no gum allowed! Oh oh Here I go again! Can't wait for the next battle of the bands and I did like the first one so I was one of four:)Birgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-57631541303295973722014-07-23T13:19:51.675-07:002014-07-23T13:19:51.675-07:00The simple fact is that people need to care enough...The simple fact is that people need to care enough to correct their errors. Until they do language will not be a priority.Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-2371381947044162822014-07-23T13:14:03.050-07:002014-07-23T13:14:03.050-07:00A few years ago, I wrote a post titled, "Text...A few years ago, I wrote a post titled, "Text Messages and Emails" and went back to see if you'd commented. You did. :) It is not questions you have here, however, indirectly related.<br /><br />Just under your comment is one from Julie Magers Soulen, who commented that language is a "living thing" and asked how'd we'd feel if we were speaking Old English. Her point was that language evolves.<br /><br />As for writing and spelling, I believe that it's part education and part genetic. I sit on a Board with a highly educated woman who is a dynamic leader. After reading a few things she's written, I deduced that, well... I guess you get the point. And then there are those who are dyslexic, or have other issues...Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08180243708565855383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-78746206909701474172014-07-23T13:04:28.443-07:002014-07-23T13:04:28.443-07:00LEE ~
I'll add an addendum to my previous comm...LEE ~<br />I'll add an addendum to my previous comment.<br /><br />While it's true that 200 or 150 years ago the percentage of the American populace that had a full education was probably lower than what we have today. Agriculture on family owned farms was a widespread source of income and so often the kids dropped out of school in the elementary grades in order to help run the family business.<br /><br />However, those who did complete their schooling in those times wound up with a far greater education than kids do today who complete their schooling.<br /><br />But as DiscConnected pointed out, over the course of the last 50 or so years, since more children attend classes through the high school level of education (family farming having mostly died out), there has definitely been a drop in education.<br /><br />Also, those people who DID get a full education back in, say, our Founding Father's era were exceedingly better educated than people today.<br /><br />If we look at some of the books and concepts that our Founding Fathers and others in their time were using, they were remarkably more profound and intellectually challenging than textbooks and ideas that are discussed in our higher grades today.<br /><br />Those "old tyme" folks were well versed in the classic literature and philosophical ideas that our modern children would never mentally grasp and be able to use.<br /><br />There is also the famous story about when Davy Crockett was running for reelection and was thoroughly schooled on Constitutional principles by a backwoods farmer named Horatio Bunce. This indicates that even some farmers back in those times had a good understanding of some complex issues and were hardly ignorant, but self-educated on important matters.<br /><br />Lastly, I have a friend named Al and he's got a daughter in high school. He said that his daughter (and her friends) are far less mature and far less educated than we were in those same years of study. <br /><br />It seems the more money we throw at education the worse our education system gets, turning out "Johnnies that can't read". I believe there's an explanation for that but I won't go into the details of it now.<br /><br />~ D-FensDogg<br />'Loyal American Underground'<br /><br />POSTSCRIPT:<br />D.G., I'll be happy to tell you a bit more about that book and why I believe in the natural remedies it promotes.Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-45142136671391835252014-07-23T11:44:03.281-07:002014-07-23T11:44:03.281-07:00I attribute a lot of it to just plain laziness...e...I attribute a lot of it to just plain laziness...especially on the part of adults, who should know better. <br /><br />Better "education" doesn't, necessarily, mean smarter people.Mark Meanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08029920604932980141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-21980833832280961672014-07-23T11:37:44.711-07:002014-07-23T11:37:44.711-07:00To Stephen T. McCarthy: I appreciate the personal ...To Stephen T. McCarthy: I appreciate the personal comment and I will look at that book. I also believe established medicine doesn't always look at alternate remedies. I've been going every day to the hospital, sometimes twice to ensure he gets good care. All nurses aren't created equal. Hubs is out of ICU and CCU but recovery will be slow. I will visit your blog later today. <br />You and Robin have cheered me today.D.G. Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-8982772530477826032014-07-23T11:22:04.344-07:002014-07-23T11:22:04.344-07:00Is Common Core as bad as No Child Left Behind? Bec...Is Common Core as bad as No Child Left Behind? Because that wasn't a good idea either.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-46191267366990925972014-07-23T11:05:57.669-07:002014-07-23T11:05:57.669-07:00Be very concerned about Common Core. It is the gre...Be very concerned about Common Core. It is the great 'dumbing down' of education. It is going to get worse.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.com