From the Washington Post: Literacy of College Graduates Is on Decline. Among other depressing facts, we learn that "Only 31 percent of college graduates can read a complex book and extrapolate from it."
The results were based on a sample of more than 19,000 people 16 or older, who were interviewed in their homes. They were asked to read prose, do math and find facts in documents. The scores for "intermediate" reading abilities went up for college students, causing educators to question whether most college instruction is offered at the intermediate level because students face reading challenges.
Gorman said that he has been shocked by how few entering freshmen understand how to use a basic library system, or enjoy reading for pleasure. "There is a failure in the core values of education," he said. "They're told to go to college in order to get a better job -- and that's okay. But the real task is to produce educated people."
Other experts noted that the slip in scores could be attributed to most state schools not being particularly selective, accepting most high school graduates to bolster enrollment. In addition, Schneider said schools may not be taking into account a more diverse population, and the language and cultural barriers that come with shifting demographics.
I suspect that the decline in literacy is a result of the AWBWD attitude: Any Warm Body Will Do. And if you couldn't make some warm bodies literate in 12 years, you can't expect to fix the problem in four more years.
Post-secondaries (in Canada as well as the US) are under intense political pressure to accept as many students as they can cram into classrooms. Once admitted, it becomes impossible to flunk them—if you do, your enrolment stats drop and so does your funding. The system is about sustaining faculty jobs, not about educating young people to some level of competence.
Intelligent Design and the Decline of American Education
Intelligent Design is not a theory:
"One requirement of science is that it makes specific predictions, which can be tested in a laboratory." states geologist Robert Hazen "Another requirement is that it does not rely on supernatural or miraculous processes."
The primary case that intelligent design promotes is that life and the universe have systems that are so complex that they can only be explained by a creator. The very essence of that theory is completely un-testable. The only test that stands up is if we can not explain complex systems scientifically then they must have been designed by some form of intelligence.
If it was designed by "a creator" a single being or entity; whether that be God, an Alien or the Giant Spaghetti Monster then we are left without testing. The implied protocol for testing is to give up and stop researching because the answers to the question are to difficult to explain.
It is this conclusion that brings me to the "bigger problem" that Intelligent Design is just a symptom of.
Why continuing to push this non-theory on public education is irresponsible:
While this attitude and the answers themselves are unacceptable they do bring attention to the bigger problems in public education.
The problems we are faced with in our schools is the declining quality of education that our children receive today. The entire history of our Country has been built on the foundation that the children had a better life than their parents.
This was reflected in:
The child would have a better education than the parents.
The child would have better health care than the parents.
The child would have a better, safer job than the parents.
The child would have a nicer house than the parents.
etc...
These things are no longer true of this generation coming out of our High Schools today.
The whole concept of "No Child Left Behind" is false and misleading at best. The children are now receiving training to pass a test that measures progress. The bar for that progress was only getting lowered so that the appearance was that children are improving when, in fact, they were not.
Only recently have demands for more stringent testing been met in Texas. The TAKS test has been made more difficult in recent years and as a result we can see where the quality of education was really heading.
According to an article in the Dallas Morning news dated December 15th, 2005:
The Texas Education Agency identified 821 campuses across the state Thursday where students will have the right to leave if their parents are dissatisfied. That's nearly double the number of campuses last year – 420.
...
The state's annual school performance ratings in August showed the number of "academically unacceptable" schools nearly quadrupled this year based on poor TAKS scores. A handful of factors were cited for the lower test scores and lower school ratings, including that students had to get more answers correct and, for the first time, special education students' test scores were included in overall passing rates.
Large numbers of students had trouble with the science and math sections of the exam even though only a minority of students – 25 percent in science and 35 percent in math – were required to pass those sections for their school to be considered academically acceptable.
If what we are seeing is true, then the idea of further decreasing the quality of education, especially in the sciences, is not only irresponsible it is immoral.
According to an article being published in the January 2006 issue of Discover Magazine:
The performance of U.S. students in middle and high schools on international math and science exams is below the average of 38 other countries. Even advanced American math and physics students score near dead last among students in 20 tested countries, the panel reported. Since 1990 the number of bachelor's degrees in engineering has declined 8 percent; in mathematics, 20 percent. While 32 percent of U.S. students graduate with degrees in science and engineering, the figure in China is 59 percent. Fewer grads means less research.
Science Watch, a review of the Web research tool Essential Science Indicators, found a decline in U.S. representation among the world's published scientific papers, dropping from 38.5 percent in 1990 to 33.3 percent in 2004. Meanwhile, the Asian-Pacific share increased and "will likely outstrip that of the United States in six or seven years." Such declines may be reflected in the business of science; the National Academies reported the U.S. share of global high-tech exports fell during the last two decades from 30 to 17 percent, and its share of manufactured goods dropped from +33 billion in 1990 to –24 billion in 2004.
I believe America is a first rate country with more rights and privileges than just about any country in the world. There is no excuse for us to be ranked 39th in the world for education. As an American the idea that there are 38 other countries with a better quality of education just infuriates me.
What have our government officials been doing that they have fallen down on the job to such a degree?
We can not just blame one political party for this. For our educational system to have become so badly damaged has taken years if not decades of neglect to get to this point. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat this issue needs to be a top priority in America starting yesterday.
In order to fix the problems we need to focus on the real issues. We need to stop talking about Intelligent Design and focus on what needs to be done to get the best quality of education in the world for our children.
How can we do it?
We need to change our priorities. If our children are truly what is important then we need to put our money where our brains are going to be tomorrow.
Instead of taxing the citizenry to build bigger and better sports arenas, how about using that money to build bigger and better schools?
How about increasing teachers salaries so that the income of a teacher is appealing to the most talented people?
How about tax or financial incentives for retired or semi-retired professionals to come and teach our children?
How about increasing the financial rewards for students that do well in school and actually paying for them to attend college?
How about looking at the 38 countries that have us beat in the quality of education to see what they are doing right?
There have to be a few thousand other things we can do to help our children get the best education possible. In my opinion all we have for education these days is excuses.
The other big question that I have is what will happen to our economy in 30 years if American becomes 50th in education worldwide? Who will own America then?
Posted by: Prescott E. Small | January 01, 2006 at 11:55 AM
"The system is about sustaining faculty jobs, not about educating young people to some level of competence." -- I would wholeheartedly disagree as a faculty member at a college. It's actually ABOUT maintaining FAT salaries for administrators and paying for their minions of support staff. Faculty are constantly shortchanged and overworked these days. I get tons of unprepared students in my classes and it is depressing. It's almost as if college has turned into "special" education. The schools are packed with bodies, as I said, to pay the huge salaries of top administrators and to provide entertainment for the droves of students. Faculty moved way down the list about 20 years ago.
Posted by: Anne | September 28, 2006 at 07:57 PM
I totally agree and find your information is very useful. I am a teacher part time and I am working on my post graduate (PH.D) in education. I also work in with the No Child Left Behind programs and we have more children that are illegals than we have that are us citizens. Our county school system has had to completely re organize itself due to the population changes from these migrations. Please let me know what I might be able to do to initiate some change in our standing. I want to turn this story around.
Posted by: Janet Murray | January 26, 2008 at 05:44 PM
USE YOUR SUPREME POWER OF THINKING & DISCUSS WITH OTHERS
TO SAVE CHILDREN & CREATE AN IDEAL WORLD
In INDIA there are many religions like Hindu, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc. and Females are there in all religions. Religious Guru (Educators) should explain in the schools, how to identify the people of a particular religion and should explain the way to save themselves from wrong education to save child from the technology of Crime / Death in INDIA by wrong education. In INDIA so many words are there parallel to GOD & many words have been created for one word to confuse the children and are slaughtered in remote areas for blood / foods / easy money.
In the world two types of people are there i.e. one who earns by right way & progress and other is the person who traps the children or innocents for blood / food / easy money and are slaughtered by the WOMEN, who are thirsty for blood of males in remote areas. In INDIA wife is so kind to her Criminal Guru (Wrong Educator) who is thirsty for blood of males / Children / husband is slaughtered in remote areas for blood / foods / easy money by way of wrong Education (i.e. 2+2=5….>>) to females. Everybody should think to save children through right education. The best way is that everybody should do good work to reach at the best by best education as always given in schools. Children should be guided by right education in schools about the impact after marriage to save them selves from wrong education by wife / her Guru (Educator) who is thirsty for blood of males (100% truth like 2+2=4…>>>). Muslims give blood from male organ / penis in childhood as per their customs/facts.
Page no.24 (18th line) To-day the Education given to females is not good. We should give
Progressive and truth education and it is not only from the book.
Page no.68 (12th line) If we think & ask them (Females), they have nine lives in INDIA like
Cats and boys are dying like houseflies.
Above written in Hindi Book -----Bhartiya Nari
Written by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Page no.64 (last five lines) No proofs are required for those females who are thirsty for
Blood of Males.
Above written in Hindi Book-----Vedanta In Practical Life
Written by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
This is the reason INDIAN SAINTS don't marry. Except the true saints, some saints will help you to reach at Criminal Guru (women, who is thirsty for blood of males & her cruelty on children). Everybody should think & spread regularly, the best way to save children and betterment of all females by way of contribution of one rupee / donation to educate people to save children by education / competitions / exams for creating an Ideal World. Truth & proper Education before the marriage written above is 100% literacy to save the children from crime / death technology. After death a word is given i.e. terrorist / criminal / freedom fighter / social worker or so many words are there. Everybody should think to save children by true education & automatically by simple law. After the death of anyone the other person should be shifted where development work for the society / country / World is going on & maintained by government, where male / female would work separately and think to save children / everybody. No links should be established with outsiders because Criminal Guru / Educator (who is involved in separation / death) have such photos / documents & women are compelled to do work for Criminal Guru / Women (Educator) who is thirsty for blood of males (death).
To, The Head of your Institution / Country KISHAN, INDIA 0651-2200166 / 033-22597321 / 0-98318-22701
Posted by: kishan | June 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM
USE YOUR SUPREME POWER OF THINKING & DISCUSS WITH OTHERS
TO SAVE CHILDREN & CREATE AN IDEAL WORLD
In INDIA there are many religions like Hindu, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc. and Females are there in all religions. Religious Guru (Educators) should explain in the schools, how to identify the people of a particular religion and should explain the way to save themselves from wrong education to save child from the technology of Crime / Death in INDIA by wrong education. In INDIA so many words are there parallel to GOD & many words have been created for one word to confuse the children and are slaughtered in remote areas for blood / foods / easy money.
In the world two types of people are there i.e. one who earns by right way & progress and other is the person who traps the children or innocents for blood / food / easy money and are slaughtered by the WOMEN, who are thirsty for blood of males in remote areas. In INDIA wife is so kind to her Criminal Guru (Wrong Educator) who is thirsty for blood of males / Children / husband is slaughtered in remote areas for blood / foods / easy money by way of wrong Education (i.e. 2+2=5….>>) to females. Everybody should think to save children through right education. The best way is that everybody should do good work to reach at the best by best education as always given in schools. Children should be guided by right education in schools about the impact after marriage to save them selves from wrong education by wife / her Guru (Educator) who is thirsty for blood of males (100% truth like 2+2=4…>>>). Muslims give blood from male organ / penis in childhood as per their customs/facts.
Page no.24 (18th line) To-day the Education given to females is not good. We should give
Progressive and truth education and it is not only from the book.
Page no.68 (12th line) If we think & ask them (Females), they have nine lives in INDIA like
Cats and boys are dying like houseflies.
Above written in Hindi Book -----Bhartiya Nari
Written by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Page no.64 (last five lines) No proofs are required for those females who are thirsty for
Blood of Males.
Above written in Hindi Book-----Vedanta In Practical Life
Written by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
This is the reason INDIAN SAINTS don't marry. Except the true saints, some saints will help you to reach at Criminal Guru (women, who is thirsty for blood of males & her cruelty on children). Everybody should think & spread regularly, the best way to save children and betterment of all females by way of contribution of one rupee / donation to educate people to save children by education / competitions / exams for creating an Ideal World. Truth & proper Education before the marriage written above is 100% literacy to save the children from crime / death technology. After death a word is given i.e. terrorist / criminal / freedom fighter / social worker or so many words are there. Everybody should think to save children by true education & automatically by simple law. After the death of anyone the other person should be shifted where development work for the society / country / World is going on & maintained by government, where male / female would work separately and think to save children / everybody. No links should be established with outsiders because Criminal Guru / Educator (who is involved in separation / death) have such photos / documents & women are compelled to do work for Criminal Guru / Women (Educator) who is thirsty for blood of males (death).
To, The Head of your Institution / Country KISHAN, INDIA 0651-2200166 / 033-22597321 / 0-98318-22701
Posted by: kishan | July 05, 2008 at 12:12 AM
TRUE EDUCATORS / GUIDES are best for life
Page No.18 (tenth line) If you think like Christ, you will be Christ or if you think
Like Buddha you will be Buddha.
Page No.47 (tenth line) The pride of man is due to his thinking and man are
different from animals due to his thinking power only.
Above written in Hindi Book-----Vedanta In Practical Life
Written by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
This means everybody can be also become anything like others if you think like them i.e. Swami Vivekananda, Christ, Buddha, Shiva or more like anything etc. Mainly adopt all good things / habits of even animals like doctors, scientists etc. are working on animals or study on dead persons for the benefit of the world. Your thinking should be like that then by way of simple work or inspire / insist others on your goal to continue the good work always. A good work to save children may be done regularly by donations / adding one rupee in schools fee everywhere. The day when you think for whole world / children, the knowledge of all shastra / ethics will automatically come to your mind & Children (male / female) may be saved by true education / simple & automatic law known by everybody.
We have some answers to know directly
And some questions to know the truth by answers
Give the definition of criminals as well as GOD
Why criminals and GOD was always there as per shastra / ethics in World
As in INDIA so many words are there parallel to GOD
to confuse the children & are slaughtered in remote areas.
Page no.24 (18th line) To-day the Education given to females is not good. We should give
Progressive and truth education and it is not only from the books.
Page no.68 (12th line) If we think & ask them (Females), they have nine lives in INDIA like
Cats and boys are dying like houseflies.
Above written in Hindi Book -----Bhartiya Nari
Written by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Page no.64 (last five lines) No proofs are required for those females who are thirsty for
Blood of Males.
Above written in Hindi Book-----Vedanta In Practical Life
Written by SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Only think to save people from wrong education given to females
& their educators who is thirsty for blood of males & think to save a child from
The technology of crime & death as per Shastra / Ethics
THINK TO SAVE A CHILD, IT IS NOT IMPOSSIABLE MAY BE DIFFICULT
FEMALES ARE THERE IN ALL RELIGIONS, EVEN HOW TO IDENTIFY THE MAN BY RELIGION
This is the reason INDIAN SAINTS don't marry. Wife is so kind to her Criminal Guru (Wrong Educator) who is thirsty for blood of males & are slaughtered in remote areas.
KISHAN JALAN, INDIA 0651-2200166 / 033-2259 7321 & 7429 / Mobile-0-98318-22701
From:
KISHAN JALAN
C/o, Hiralal Bhagwati Prasad
Upper Bazar, Ranchi-834 001
(Jharkhand)
12/2, Shobharam Baisakh Street
Kolkata-700 007, West Bengal
INDIA
Posted by: kishan | August 27, 2008 at 08:29 PM