The curricula are serious problems. Pedagogy is an equally serious problem. The methods used do not teach children how to read, and they won't teach children how to think. Read what Lance Izumi wrote in "Chaos in the Classroom," "The Corrupt Classroom," and "The Great Classroom Collapse." He describes methods that have been proven to work, most notably "the science of reading," a generalization of phonics. He also eloquently describes other problems such as classroom discipline (and the lack thereof) that prevent education.
"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."
VS: Indeed we have multiple serious K-12 problems — which is why little progress has been made. The solution is to agree on the #1 problem and properly address that. The evidence says that the #1 problem is the curricula — so I'm providing a practical answer on fixxing that. And more!
Excellent post. The federal gov needs to set an American standard for all US children. It should be a high one, and it should reward the schools/states that have the highest scores on the standardized tests, including physical education.
100% John! We don't need to shutter the DoEd. We need to form a team of classical and traditional non-woke-conflicted educators to establish baseline standards that are monitored by parents. Just the time proven basics. The states cannot be trusted to set learning standards for our children.
John: Yes. You are referring to a Classical education. Indeed, as I wrote, there is not a single State that has an exemplary K-12 education program. Zero.
Regarding the lack of promotion of Vitamin D...it is not patented and won't make the Powers-that-Be money. In addition, I was thinking about the lack of critical thinking going on...In 1995 I wrote a book and the last chapter was entitled: The Best is Yet to Come. I put info in it about my mother who had been a teacher for 52 years. While I was at the University of Pittsburgh, I took a course in student teaching, which entailed going to a school to observe teachers. Well, . one of the teachers I went to observe was my mother. I was pleasantly surprised to see how objective she was with her students (as she was not that way with her own children). She was very receptive to all her students...and gave them a chance to contribute. This was something I had not seen happen very often with other teachers, when I was in school. In my book I suggested an idea that every child should be given an opportunity to teach the daily assignment ..and the teacher would sit to the side and grade the presentation. I believe, if the students participated in the information being taught...they would take more interest in learning.
Barbara: TY for the background story about your mom.
Re Vitamin D, I am talking about the FDA, AMA, etc simply stating the scientific facts. They should not be influenced by patents, as neither of them will profit from those.
The curricula are serious problems. Pedagogy is an equally serious problem. The methods used do not teach children how to read, and they won't teach children how to think. Read what Lance Izumi wrote in "Chaos in the Classroom," "The Corrupt Classroom," and "The Great Classroom Collapse." He describes methods that have been proven to work, most notably "the science of reading," a generalization of phonics. He also eloquently describes other problems such as classroom discipline (and the lack thereof) that prevent education.
"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."
--- George Orwell.
VS: Indeed we have multiple serious K-12 problems — which is why little progress has been made. The solution is to agree on the #1 problem and properly address that. The evidence says that the #1 problem is the curricula — so I'm providing a practical answer on fixxing that. And more!
Excellent post. The federal gov needs to set an American standard for all US children. It should be a high one, and it should reward the schools/states that have the highest scores on the standardized tests, including physical education.
SM: Exactly. PLus they need to encourage every State to prioritize the skill of Critical Thinking.
100% John! We don't need to shutter the DoEd. We need to form a team of classical and traditional non-woke-conflicted educators to establish baseline standards that are monitored by parents. Just the time proven basics. The states cannot be trusted to set learning standards for our children.
John: Yes. You are referring to a Classical education. Indeed, as I wrote, there is not a single State that has an exemplary K-12 education program. Zero.
Regarding the lack of promotion of Vitamin D...it is not patented and won't make the Powers-that-Be money. In addition, I was thinking about the lack of critical thinking going on...In 1995 I wrote a book and the last chapter was entitled: The Best is Yet to Come. I put info in it about my mother who had been a teacher for 52 years. While I was at the University of Pittsburgh, I took a course in student teaching, which entailed going to a school to observe teachers. Well, . one of the teachers I went to observe was my mother. I was pleasantly surprised to see how objective she was with her students (as she was not that way with her own children). She was very receptive to all her students...and gave them a chance to contribute. This was something I had not seen happen very often with other teachers, when I was in school. In my book I suggested an idea that every child should be given an opportunity to teach the daily assignment ..and the teacher would sit to the side and grade the presentation. I believe, if the students participated in the information being taught...they would take more interest in learning.
Barbara: TY for the background story about your mom.
Re Vitamin D, I am talking about the FDA, AMA, etc simply stating the scientific facts. They should not be influenced by patents, as neither of them will profit from those.