Via Anna Stokke:
Granted I’m 68, a grandfather, and old school, but my view of the current public school performance is that it sucks.
We somehow have come to accept that poor performance is OK as long as you feel happy. What a crappy way to go through life.
It’s painful to watch a high school student working at your local store unable to make change when the cash register doesn’t do it for them!
This started 30 years ago when the Prairie provinces agreed on a math curriculum that focused on problem solving without ensuring you have basic arithmetic skills to solve the problem. I recall a meeting at Salisbury-Morse Place School introducing the program to parents of Grade 1 students and I was vocal about the road this would lead to: students unable to solve the problem because they can’t do the math. Students will either score 90 and above or fail miserably, but that’s OK as long as they are happy.
It’s taken 30 years, but I told you so.
The standard must start with the university requirement and work back from there.
High school final exams – yes, you have to get stressed and study – must be written by the university to establish entrance requirements.
The time for coddling has long past, and yes parents, you need to help your kids with their homework and take responsibility for your child’s success.
Bill Allan
Winnipeg
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Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average (now > $25,000 per student) K-12 tax & spending practices. This, despite long term, disastrous reading results.
Madison Schools: More $, No Accountability
The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery…
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?