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America needs to drop the pretense that "every kid needs to go to college". They don't.
We will always need plumbers, electricians, construction personnel, medical workers, etc.. Other countries (ex. Germany) have a two-track system where students choose a college track or a vocational track (trade school) by about 15-16 years old. We need the same.
Kids sitting in Algebra classes (for example) who have no interest in higher education are often simply clocking hours, not learning and disrupting the classes.
A two-track system that is well-run would be beneficial as well as cost-effective for America. Currently many kids leave school feeling like "losers" because they aren't going to college. This is counterproductive and ultimately hurts us as a country!
I'm not overly pleased with the online solution that we have right now. Every district is different of course. I don't feel my kids are getting any actual instruction. The past 5 weeks has mostly been review and nothing else. It doesn't help that my kids haven't learned much in the way of independently working on their assignments. But that's a work in progress still.
One point that many of you are ignoring is the role of supervision. Many parents have to work and depend on bricks-and-mortar schools to take care of their kids. They aren't going to be home like they are now to help their kids stay on task or put out the fire when they do "experiments."
What you will have is some form of daycare for younger kids who can't stay home alone. Parents will love paying for that in addition to school taxes. And heaven help the average teen who is home alone. If online school does last two hours a day, what do you think that teen is going to be doing for the rest of the day?
Supervision isn't the primary aim of education, but don't underestimate its importance.
And most parents want their kids to go back to bricks-and-mortar schools. They don't want to stay home with them.
And for what it is worth, I am retired teacher whose career spanned 45 years. (I didn't teach for 45 years but rather started in 1974 and retired in 2019.) Educational tv, computer "games," and now online learning! They've been trying to replace teachers for all of my career, but they can't. What a good teacher can do is somewhat akin to magic.
One point that many of you are ignoring is the role of supervision. Many parents have to work and depend on bricks-and-mortar schools to take care of their kids. They aren't going to be home like they are now to help their kids stay on task or put out the fire when they do "experiments."
What you will have is some form of daycare for younger kids who can't stay home alone. Parents will love paying for that in addition to school taxes. And heaven help the average teen who is home alone. If online school does last two hours a day, what do you think that teen is going to be doing for the rest of the day?
Supervision isn't the primary aim of education, but don't underestimate its importance.
And most parents want their kids to go back to bricks-and-mortar schools. They don't want to stay home with them.
And for what it is worth, I am retired teacher whose career spanned 45 years. (I didn't teach for 45 years but rather started in 1974 and retired in 2019.) Educational tv, computer "games," and now online learning! They've been trying to replace teachers for all of my career, but they can't. What a good teacher can do is somewhat akin to magic.
Great post!
I'm in my 38th year in the classroom. 32 years teaching history and now in my 6th year as a "retired" substitute teacher.
I see very little wrong with public education in elementary school. The level that really needs reform is high school. By that point nearly every kid knows whether or not they want to go to college. Let them choose between a college track or trade school (with opportunities to switch). At minimum they would graduate with useable skills.
Currently, half of the kids in America leave school and enter the job market without any marketable skills. Then they receive on-the-job training.
The problem for teachers is their role would become at best tutoring. If online teaching becomes normal there would only be need for one standard course of instruction taught by one recorded instructor. (ala the KHAN academy) Kids may or may not need tutoring so the need for teachers would be greatly reduced or even eliminated.
How will the students be motivated so that they will want to learn from recordings? How will one standard course of instruction fit the needs of non-standardized students? In the last few hundred thousand years of human development, learning has been primarily a social interaction. How will online teaching substitute for the relationships that are usually developed between students and their teachers?
These questions are intrinsic to the success and effectiveness of online teaching. I'm looking forward to see what you suggest.
Each day, I feel like I have a series of new stories which highlight the limitations and problems of distance learning. I had one student who said he was completely unaware of two assignments I set out 2 weeks ago (covered in the distance class, posted and emailed). He said he just "zoned out." Too much distraction and I can't check on students in the same way. Another student seemed distracted during class so I called him out and asked whom he was talking to. It turns out, his step mom needed him to watch his baby sister, so while he was trying to be in my Zoom class, he was baby sitting and she was grabbing the phone. That's a small selection and just from today.
Yeah...distance learning is not the wave of the future for the mass of students, teachers and families.
btw, an interesting article. Not directly on point, but interesting.
I'm in my 38th year in the classroom. 32 years teaching history and now in my 6th year as a "retired" substitute teacher.
I see very little wrong with public education in elementary school. The level that really needs reform is high school. By that point nearly every kid knows whether or not they want to go to college. Let them choose between a college track or trade school (with opportunities to switch). At minimum they would graduate with useable skills.
Currently, half of the kids in America leave school and enter the job market without any marketable skills. Then they receive on-the-job training.
Schools should be providing that.
This then begs the question of what "marketable skills" should be taught?
How to insert an IV? Maybe how to build a block wall? Accounting? "Marketable skills" are ephemeral and change every few years.
The marketable skills schools do teach are being on time, doing what you're told, finishing a task on time.
Some things have happened over the last 30 or so years, starting with A Nation At Risk. Kids who once would have dropped out now stay in school and every effort is made to keep them there. Contrary to "common knowledge" the dropout rate among every student cohort is lower now than it has been in history while the high school completion rate, especially who the stats go into "completion by 5th year and 6th year", than they ever have been.
Graduation requirements are higher than they ever have been. Had I graduated in 2012 instead of 1972 I wouldn't have graduated, I couldn't have done the math Maryland requires for graduation (or Science either).
What also isn't recognized is that every education reform, every single one, over the last 30 years has been aimed at the lowest performing cohort-you know, the kids that used to drop out but now stay. And those kids are counted now, they never were before.
What many "teacher complainers" fail to realize is this: teachers are there to TEACH the youth of today to inform them and help them build skills. They are not babysitters. Do a lot of them feel like babysitters? HE%^ YES, THEY DO! Do you know why that is? That's due to the absolute lack of parenting going on.
Let me break it down for you: the more "techy" we get, the less parents feel the need to actually parent their children. The computer/tablet/phone keeps their children engaged and occupied, therefore freeing up the time a parent has. The need to teach your own children focus, discipline, establish a work ethic and social skills all goes out the window because that STUPID piece of technology is doing the job. PARENTS ARE LAZY AS SH%^ A LOT OF THE TIME.
So you're a parent and you don't feel as if your little Suzy is getting enough out of her classroom time while you grind yourself away at a desk all day? Cry me a river! That classroom has 25-35 other kids all vying for the teacher's attention at the same time, all with different personalities and needs. That ONE teacher in that room is charged with trying to navigate each and every need and personality to the best of his/her ability, while at the same time fighting against whiny parents, parents who don't give a sh**, hand-tying bureaucracy and children who have never been told NO.
You want a better classroom experience for your kids? Then become better PARENTS. If you think that online teaching is the "wave of the future" (insert eye roll here) and your kids can become rocket scientists never stepping foot in an actual classroom, then go right ahead and spend the time homeschooling your kids. REAL homeschooling is YOU, THE PARENT, actively teaching and guiding the kids along, grading papers, setting up assignments, explaining concepts and giving tests. Gosh, this is sounding awfully familiar...
It's one thing to choose homeschooling because your beliefs and the school districts' way of doing things don't align. It is quite another to just plop a tablet in front of your kid and say, "Learn some stuff, I gotta run to the store," and expect your child to actually learn in a way that makes them move forward.
I am the parent of 2 elementary-aged children. I am college educated. I am a preschool teacher. I do not have what it takes to teach my children what they need to learn for an extended period of time. It's one thing to do it for a few months and try our best but it is a whole other world to do it daily for years on end. And while our kids love us, they want to be back in school where their learning was done with their classmates and friends- because that is where they are meant to be.
This then begs the question of what "marketable skills" should be taught?
Quote:
Originally Posted by North Beach Person
How to insert an IV? Maybe how to build a block wall? Accounting? "Marketable skills" are ephemeral and change every few years.
The marketable skills schools do teach are being on time, doing what you're told, finishing a task on time.
Some things have happened over the last 30 or so years, starting with A Nation At Risk. Kids who once would have dropped out now stay in school and every effort is made to keep them there. Contrary to "common knowledge" the dropout rate among every student cohort is lower now than it has been in history while the high school completion rate, especially who the stats go into "completion by 5th year and 6th year", than they ever have been.
Graduation requirements are higher than they ever have been. Had I graduated in 2012 instead of 1972 I wouldn't have graduated, I couldn't have done the math Maryland requires for graduation (or Science either).
What also isn't recognized is that every education reform, every single one, over the last 30 years has been aimed at the lowest performing cohort-you know, the kids that used to drop out but now stay. And those kids are counted now, they never were before.
Plumbing, electrical, computer technology, auto mechanics, culinary, construction tech., air conditioning, and more. Instead, some go to college, some go to the military, some get pregnant and become dependents, some choose crime, and MANY find low-level minimum wage jobs that require no education.
I'm the same way regarding requirements. There are way too many subjects students will never use but have to learn to graduate. I also graduated in 1972 and have NEVER used the algebra or geometry I had to take to get into college.
Plumbing, electrical, computer technology, auto mechanics, culinary, construction tech., air conditioning, and more. Instead, some go to college, some go to the military, some get pregnant and become dependents, some choose crime, and MANY find low-level minimum wage jobs that require no education.
I'm the same way regarding requirements. There are way too many subjects students will never use but have to learn to graduate. I also graduated in 1972 and have NEVER used the algebra or geometry I had to take to get into college.
I'm going into our local high school's course catalog. I will copy and paste some course listings below. If you would like a course description I can paste that or perhaps I could just post a link to the catalog. These are listed under Business and Information Technology. I'll post just a couple descriptions.
Accounting
Adv Accounting
Adv Info Sys
Business Law
Business Mgt
Cyber Sec Fund
Cybersecurity affects every individual, organization, and nation. This course focuses on the evolving and all-pervasive technological environment with an emphasis on securing personal, organizational, and national information. Students will be introduced to the principles of cybersecurity, explore emerging technologies, examine threats and protective measures, and investigate the diverse high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand career opportunities in the field of cybersecurity.
Industry certification may be available as part of this course.
Des MultiM WebTech
Digital Appl
Information Sys
Using project based learning, students apply problem-solving skills to real-life situations through word processing, spreadsheets, databases and multimedia presentations. Students work individually and in groups utilizing integrated software activities and the use of the Microsoft Imagine Academy to explore computer concepts, operating systems, networks, telecommunications, and emerging technologies. Keyboarding instruction will be a component of this course based on student need. Upon successful completion of Information Systems, students may elect to obtain industry-recognized professional certification by taking the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams. Internship opportunity is available for this course. Students combine classroom instruction and supervised on-the-job training in an approved position with continuing supervision throughout the school year.
Industry certification may be available as part of this course.
Web Page Dev
CYBERCLOUD COMPUTE
CYBERCLOUD COMPUTE
Cyber: CompTech
Cyber:CompTech2
Cyber: Oracle
Cyber:NetAdmin
Cyber: Cisco
Cyber: Cisco 2
Cyber: Security+
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