U.S. students rank below 14 other nations? True. However, do you really believe that? Even in the presidential debate, the moderator quoted the miserable ranking of U.S. students among all nations of the world. We spend more and achieve less.
Is the comparison fair? Our public schools include everyone—almost. We test them all—thanks, NCLB. We even graduate 80% of them—including the special education students with modifications. Our English language learners have to be tested in English—do other countries test only in their official language? Our schools teach their own state’s standards—not some international panel’s opinion of what’s important globally. Our school day is more reasonable—shorter. We rely inordinately upon homework—actually less than other countries. We educate the illegal immigrants—shouldn’t their scores be assigned to their home countries? We take the summer off so kids can help their parents back on the farm—or travel to those other countries. We blame ourselves for global warming and teach green—well, they blame us too. Our course catalogues list more elective courses than solids—does anyone still use that term? The Pope should take responsibility for the Catholic schools. Charter schools aren’t doing well enough. College engineering schools should give preference to Americans. Did you see the last National Spelling Bee?—our students are from those other countries.
If we had universal vouchers, would parents send their kids to other countries? We can make too many excuses, but if you believe in face validity, those rankings just don’t add up to us. Are our U.S. members on that panel really representing us well?
The EduGuru speaks: How in the world can they determine
what someone in Beijing, Beruit, and Baytown should know and measure it fairly? Is too much faith being placed in those tests and the standardization of them? The U.S. doesn’t have to be first, but are those other countries really that good?
nice theme
keep it up
Sangeeth
Posted by: sangeeth | July 03, 2009 at 12:29 AM