From The American Thinker by Alexander Markovsky Dec 8, 2024 In 1983, the Reagan administration published a report titled “A Nation at Risk: The Imperative of Education Reform.” The report warned that the decay of American schools was threatening the country’s very survival. But the powerful amalgamation of teachers’ unions, state bureaucracies, and the Democrat establishment defeated the initiative. Committed to preserving the status quo, this special interest group became the guardian of American education, maintaining complete control of the education curriculum and using its position to subvert innovation in education. No surprise, this group enjoys the systematic support of the … [Read more...]
America’s Destructive Education System
Todays article was published in December 2023 at The American Thinker and written by By Alexander G. Markovsky. It will take you about 3 minutes to read. Food for thought. In 1983, the Reagan administration published a report titled “A Nation at Risk: The Imperative of Education Reform.” The report warned that the decay of American schools was threatening the country’s very survival. But the powerful amalgamation of teachers’ unions, state bureaucracies, and the Democrat establishment defeated the initiative. Committed to preserving the status quo, this special interest group became the guardian of American education, maintaining complete control of the education curriculum and using … [Read more...]
Are Tutor Computers The Future of Algebra and Grammar Lessons?
You may have read some of our articles speculating about future computer teachers, wearable devices and more. Today we bring you an article published at Technology Networks based on the original story at Carnegie Mellon. Give it a read and share. Look at some of our other articles: https://swweducation.org?cat=947 Intelligent tutoring systems have been shown to be effective in helping to teach certain subjects, such as algebra or grammar, but creating these computerized systems is difficult and laborious. Now, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have shown they can rapidly build them by, in effect, teaching the computer to teach. Using a new method that employs … [Read more...]
History of K-12 education in America
Today we bring you a snapshot of the history of K-12 education in America. Why? We realized that for the hundreds of articles we have shared they must have a base to have meaning. So, your reading pleasure we offer the following. Our source for this? An article published at Wise Geek on Nov 18, 2019. The K-12 education system is the public education system that most people are familiar with today. Comprised of 13 grades, kindergarten through 12th, it refers to the public school system in all of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe as well. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact history of education, as it has been occurring in some form for centuries in … [Read more...]
Will U.S. public schools mimic China in the race to produce perfect students?
We hear that the U.S. is falling behind many industrialized countries in K-12 education. Test scores are falling. Kids can't read or do math. Some say we need to mimic The Netherlands and back off while others think more rigor is required. In the following story we see a new approach China is taking. Given that US education people seem to be in love with "tech" and think "tech" can solve our education challenges will they adopt the "China Path"? But wait...we can roll this out to the workplace too! This article can be found at: Interesting Engineering China is taking its obsession with facial recognition software to a next level by installing cameras in primary schools to monitor … [Read more...]
Digital Classrooms as Data Factories
The move to digital instruction is well underway. Some school districts are dumping all textbooks (physical) and moving strictly to digital content on a laptop or tablet. They cite a number of reasons why this is a good idea: (1) It means content is updated more often; (2) Paper is prone to tearing, writing, highlighting, etc. and doesn't wear as well; (3) Testing and tracking can be done to assure the student is actually spending time studying...the list goes on. Is there a downside to all digital? In the following article the author suggests the answer is...YES! They raise some significant concerns. They suggest that parents Opt-Out of digital and explain why. Give it a read. Their … [Read more...]
HIGH STAKES TESTING: Education System Malpractice and Mental Abuse… Some Humans Have Lost Their Damn Minds
This Story Comes From Clayton County Georgia Warning: After reading this story, the reflux to vomit may take over. Report from a Clayton County Teacher “Yesterday, before and after testing, a colleague who is a first year third grade teacher lost her damn mind. She assaulted a third grade student of hers and told him he was dumb, shouldn’t have been in the room testing because he was going to bring her scores down. She berated him and the class telling them they were going to cause her to lose her certification. This young first year teacher said, “Unless they have $50,000 to pay for her teaching certificate, they had better score well.” She was furious 50% of her evaluation was … [Read more...]
Students In California School District Now Guaranteed ‘C’ Grades For DOING NOTHING
Please note that this story is about a school district in Northern California and is NOT local. However, being aware of what's going on elsewhere is critical to preventing it from happening where you live. Give a read and then let me know what you think.... _____________________________________________________________________ Officials in a public school district about 50 miles north of San Francisco have found a new and exciting way to coddle kids. Under a new policy, students will be able to earn passing grades with scores of just 20 percent — and a solid C for doing absolutely nothing at all. The lax, taxpayer-funded Cotati-Rohnert Park school district’s new grading system is … [Read more...]
NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE VOTES TO REPLACE COMMON CORE
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 (Sometimes old news is good news. Other states have done or are taking similar action) RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Common Core curriculum standards that dictate what's taught in grade school classrooms across much of the United States are on their way out in North Carolina. The North Carolina House approved a compromise bill, by a vote of 71 to 34 Wednesday, to rewrite the statewide curriculum to better tailor it for Tar Heel students. Gov. Pat McCrory said he will sign it. Both the House and Senate had competing bills on how to change the state's curriculum, but came to a compromise that allowed the state to potentially use some materials from the … [Read more...]
BGSD K-4 Report Card System
K-4 Report Card I would very much like to hear from parents who have participated (through your children) in the K-4 Report Card System in place. If you don't want to comment publicly I would be happy to chat on the phone or sit down and meet or you can drop me a note or email. I'm really interested in knowing whether this is perceived as an improvement to the old letter grade approach, whether the assessment topics make sense to you and whatever else you want to share. Here is the link to the Battle Ground page with the K-4 Report Card information and examples. Thank you in advance for whatever impressions and opinions you want to … [Read more...]