Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 24,185
How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
I was curious how you would feel if you were told your child had to take biology and algebra, as a ninth grader; chemistry and algebra II as a tenth grader, physics and calculus as a eleventh grader, and engineering and a math above calculus as a senior. Then had to pass a proficiency test in all areas before they could receive a high schooldiploma, and if they could not pass the test their permanent records would have them as a drop out, even though they passed the courses and completed all requirements, besides the state mandated test? Add to this, they will not be allowed to take elective courses like band, choir, art, shop, auto tech, etc. etc.
[/align][/align]How do you feel about this type of curriculum being pushed on the entire school population? Could all kids achieve these standards?[/align][/align][/align]Inquiring minds what to know??????[/align]
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kaafir mushrik
Unintended consequences and God have one thing in common: Liberals don’t believe in either of them.
RE: How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
Quote:
Could all kids achieve these standards?
Absolutely not.
Should those standards be in place? Not all of them.
This is OK:
Quote:
biology and algebra, as a ninth grader; chemistry and algebra II as a tenth grader,Â* physics and calculus as a eleventh grader, and engineering and a math above calculus as a senior.Â* Then had to pass a proficiency test in all areas before they could receive a high schoolÂ*diploma, and if they could not pass the test their permanent records would have them as a drop out, even though they passed the courses and completed all requirements, besides the state mandated test?
This is not:
Quote:
Add to this, they will not be allowed to take elective courses like band, choir, art, shop, auto tech, etc. etc.
Electives allow kids to learn in more areas and different skills, IMO.
Those types of mandates would never happen in this country, it would produce too many smart kids - smart kids with the ability to think being the key here.
What country are referring to, Burnie?
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We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
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Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 24,185
RE: How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
Well, thats what Texas is doing. Out with electives, because they have to make room for more classes. TEA (Texas Educational Agency) along with politicians thinks all kids have to achieve these levels. I as a science teacheram scared to death. Im either going to have to water down my courses to the point there is no real substance, in hopes of getting through to the majority, all at the expense of the kids who really need to be in these upper level courses. Or, im going to teach them on the appropriate level, and have more than half of the population flunk.
I have already had kids not pass the TAKs test, and are now trying to get jobs or into college with no avail. Simply because their records have them as a drop out. Even though they worked hard and passed the courses, but could not quite grasp the higher order thinking required to pass the test.The students Im speaking of would easily be able to handle college, just not in upper level science or math. I simply do not see why these students should be limited due to a weakness in one or two areas. Are we really meeting their needs, NO. One young lady I know of could not pass the test, but would easily be able to obtain a college degree in any of the other areas that do not require much science or math. But now she is walking the streets,,, (not literally). I just keep thinking, why do social workers, historians, elementary ed teacher, computer operators, etc. etc. etc., need to know how to calculate a multiple vector systems?
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kaafir mushrik
Unintended consequences and God have one thing in common: Liberals don’t believe in either of them.
RE: How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
Looking at it from your perspective, I tend to agree with you. Honestly, theses mandates seem a bit out of whack with the general push of the public school system as a whole these days. Look at the polar opposites that support that thought: Detroit schools taking away red pens and even pushing for doing away with letter grades in order to avoid hurting a kid's feelings.
I am one of those kids that hated math in high school and purposely chose a career with very little to no math. I do alright though. So not everyone has to be a brilliant scientist or mathematician.
I don't know though - maybe you're on to something with the need to water down in order for students to pass. Maybe that's the drive behind this.
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We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a civilization, it expects what never was and what never will be.
Location: On an Island in the west coast of New England
Posts: 13,133
RE: How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
Sounds like what I took 40 years ago. I brought home the report card and there was an F. My father said Frank...whatsa this efffa? I said dad that is an F and it means Fine.
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RE: How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
With the exception of the classes for seniors, that's the same curricula at the same grade levels that were required when I was in high school. Calculus wasn't required but almost all kids that were college-bound chose to take it. I wouldn't have a problem with it being required, and wouldn't have a problem with the proficiency tests. The engineering and advanced math courses as a senior are probabl a little over the top, but it just means kids will have to buckle down and study and quit taking their senior year off.
Shouldn't be a problem for most kids, IMHO.
If they're cutting out those electives, I think that is ridiculous.
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RE: How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
I'm concerned about this as well.
The thing that bothers me the most
is a kid being labeled a "drop out" after
attending school and passing the classes,
just because they didn't pass a test!!!
How can "drop out" be an appropriate
designation?? I know you're in a tough
spot burnie and you're right, too many
of these kids are going to be disenfranchised
for being (GASP) normal.
Sad times ahead.
How would you feel if you were told your child had to take ........
