Quote:
Originally Posted by Xenophon
While writing the latter, I noticed a possible correlation amongst my wife's adult literacy students. No, it's not racial -- bite your tongue! Rather, they all describe having stopped learning at some point in school (often quite young!), and having been promoted from one grade to the next anyway. In many cases, they tried to start learning again years later, but were so far behind what was (supposedly) being taught in the classes that it was a hopeless effort. Does this perhaps suggest that the common "social promotion" policy followed in US public schools might not be the best idea?
Thoughts, anyone? Kazbates?
Xenophon
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Ever heard the saying, "Everything I needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten?" At the most basic level, this is pretty much true.
As I am not currently working, I can only speak for my old school system. The last thing we wanted to do was retain a child. We jumped through numerous hoops involving after school tutoring, staff support, targeted lesson planning, etc to help a struggling child succeed. We did not "social promote". If the student went on to the next level, there were programs set up at that level to continue with the additional support needed.
I still believe it all goes back to parental involvement. I stopped working to stay home with my children, I was one of the lucky ones who could. I sit with my second grader everyday while she does her homework and sat with my older children while they did theirs, even though I had a full-time job that required a great deal of homework on my part. I gave up reading, crafting, sleeping, all the things I love to do to be there for my children. Don't get me wrong, I'm not selfless. I just made a committment to my children when I decided to have them. I even had a surprise baby when I was 41 (the doctors told me I couldn't carry anymore babies to term and then, "Surprise"
) so I understand that accidents/blessings happen. But when she came along, I re-evaluated my life and made the necessary changes to make sure she had the best of me I could give. Are my older two college age children completely successful? No. Just like the rest of us, they have to deal with the foibles of life as they come along. But, hopeful, they have a good foundation to build upon and so will my youngest when her time comes.
The educational system is too easy of a target to place the blame for the ills of the world and teachers get way too much of that blame.
Kaz