Education system out of touch

[wrobert]

Thank God the FCAT is losing its appeal...I wish every parent and every elected official could be forced to grade some of the papers I see every day...maybe then the parents would insist on a better education system for their children and the elected officials would no longer be able to pass such things as the FCAT.

FCAT was passed as an attempt to measure progress in the education system. As usual, unintended consequences have given skewed results. Do you a suggestion for something that might work?

 

[GoodWitch58]

FCAT was passed as an attempt to measure progress in the education system. As usual, unintended consequences have given skewed results. Do you a suggestion for something that might work?

I have lots of ideas--probably too involved for a message board. But, the FCAT--at least the way it has been implemented--has, IMO, forced the teachers to "teach the test" and as a result the students have become process oriented. They do not know how to think critically--because that is not easily tested by a question on a standard test; they can not write a coherent essay, because that does not count on FCAT, so they are taught to "write five paragraphs".

I would prefer a more holistic approach to education. More Liberal Arts...prepare the individual to think for himself, to communicate effectively, and encourage the student to be curious. I also think the teachers need to have more freedom to work with the students as they see fit--this, of course, assumes the teachers are qualified.

When I had my business I always hired people who are independent minded, who could think for themselves, and who were excited about the job. I could train them to do the process...I needed them to be curious and excited in order to deliver the best product. I know you are running for School Board, perhaps we could explore this more in depth sometime. There are many bright students out there who are being completely "dumbed down" by the process in place right now. It makes me crazy!

 

[wrobert]

There are many bright students out there who are being completely "dumbed down" by the process in place right now. It makes me crazy!

I agree with you. Instead of teaching it seems a lot of time is spent practicing. Seems all that the kids do is complete worksheets. My son complains constantly, up until FCAT, about the mind numbing work that he is assigned. Now they are making FCAT later in the year. So are we going to see more worksheets?

 

[greenroomsurfer]

Mr Robert (not the movie, although one of my favs) When are daugter was at this point we home schooled her an she went to OWC. The state flipped the bill except books. She will have her 2 year degree before she turns 17. So screw the typing and inroll her In English Comp 101 Etc. Just My opinion. If there are driving issues then find someone he can ride with. I don't know if your in SoWal or NoWal but we can't wait for the south campus to be open.

 

[DuneLaker]

From my personal observation, the keyboarding class is an important component in a student's education. Perhaps you could review the curriculum and some of the lesson plans for this class. That might set your mind at ease.

 

[beachmouse]

There is nothing more frustrating to me than watching a thoroughly-educated person hunt and peck to type a simple document because they don't know where to put their fingers on a keyboard.

I can hunt & peck 60 words per minute. I've got really lousy manual dexterity and have never been able to touch type without looking at the keyboard. What speed I have all came from spending a lot of time in AOL chat rooms in the early-mid 90s.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I dive off the PC at 9:00 p.m. last night and look what happens. Dang!

But, like jdarg said, our current 9th graders aren't having to take this. I want to say it was offered at the middle school, but SS didn't take it. Perhaps it's a new requirement?

It would be useful, though - you know, there are still some employers (for example, mine) who require 35 words a minute, and test new applicants on a keyboard before offering an interview.

 

[Minnie]

Not familiar with the local keyboarding class, but in my daugher's HS, it was a requirement and as Scooter said there was much more to it, than just the hunt and peck many kids use on their computer and texting.

There is proper use of the keyboard, as in being able to type without looking the keys. There was correct use of the software such as Word and Powerpoint and Excel. They were required to a Powerpoint presentation.

Also are you sure that every HS student has had prior access on a regular basis to a computer. The class may be a bore to some but a new learning experience to many.

 

[wrobert]

From my personal observation, the keyboarding class is an important component in a student's education. Perhaps you could review the curriculum and some of the lesson plans for this class. That might set your mind at ease.

That is what I thought. Maybe the problem is with what they are naming the class. Giving me the impression that it is something fairly simple when they actually go more in depth.

 

[wrobert]

Also are you sure that every HS student has had prior access on a regular basis to a computer. The class may be a bore to some but a new learning experience to many.

If it is just keyboarding then there ought to be a way to test out of it. I do not mind the class if he is learning something. But to sit in a class for a semester, and WHS is on block scheduling, is a lot of time that I would hate to see wasted.