Why are teachers and schools in general so stupid?

Question

ESPECIALLY HIGH SCHOOLS

To chester drors:
When I said schools, I knew someone would make some "smart" comment. I meant the staff and everyone who works in a public place of education, a school. Get over it.

Van Winkle:
Go back to sleep for 20 years.

Answer 1

When I was in college I read a study on IQ and grades. I don't remember anything else about the study except most teachers have IQ of 100-110 and a 2.50 GPA.

Answer 2

Just like people schools have a personality of their own, each dictated by federal, state, and local mandates and incentives and their surroundings. To lump things as you have implies that you are biasing yourself based on what you have seen, heard, and experienced. Look around a little more thoroughly at the variety of schools that are available. Some follow strict principles set upon us by the industrial age and many are a bit more progressive. Another thing to remember is that no one is perfect, some people have varying skills and abilities that are exceptional and some less so.

I think if you take a look at some of the courses at http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html ( MIT's OpenCourseware ) and you are in to that sort of thing it might just interest you. You might just for kicks want to take a walk through a couple of different college campuses just to see what they are like.

Also there are some great things happening with the teachers' organizations like http://www.nea.org/index.html the National Education Association. I invite you to take a look around. Perhaps if you are so inclined you might become a teacher yourself and help to make a difference in people's lives :)

Answer 3

Honestly, I don't feel that teachers nor schools are at all "generally stupid". School is very important to help us advance mentally for the way that society has been structured. And what is a place of learning without an instructor. Teachers and school are some of my most memorable moments in life. Futhermore, I plan on majoring in Education this fall and I can't wait to get into my teaching field. (How rewarding!!!!)

Answer 4

While the premise of your question is a bit strained, there are some variables that play into the issue:
A relatively easily-obtained degree (generally more easily obtained than a degree in a specific content area)
Plentiful jobs
Relatively low pay.

All of the above paint a very generalized picture of the type of person that will go into teaching. These variables generally do not draw the cream of the crop when it comes to intelligence.

Answer 5

Making a generalized, all-inclusive statement like that, without providing any supporting examples, may be a convincing arguement on behalf of the teachers and school that you need to attend and learn more, and wait until you're a wee bit more worldly to issue this kind of criticism.

Answer 6

I don't think that high school teachers (or any teacher) is stupid. Sure the school board itself is misinformed and does horrible things to teachers and students (pay cuts, uninteresting classes and hideous things that need to be done to graduate). But I think teachers are great! I am going to school to become one - and I have learned a lot along the way and pride myself in my knowledge. Just because you have had a bad experience with one teacher or your high school that doesn't mean all teachers or schools are "stupid".

Answer 7

by definition, a "school" cannot be stupid. it's a building.

if NCLB is so great, why hasn't it fixed the problem about what you're asking? it was the brain-child of GWB, so it must be a success! what's the excuse NOW?

ooops!

**EDIT**

okay... if you knew someone would make a "smart" comment then why did you ask the question in such a "stupid" way?

more importantly, what about NCLB? the 'pubs all say that it's been such a raging success!! why are "schools" still so "stupid" in your opinion, then? couldn't be a failure of GWB or his minions... who ya gonna blame now?

Answer 8

Because you are at an age in your socio- emotional development where you immediately distrust anyone older than you. Come back when you have children in high school and see how different your attitude is then.

Answer 9

Because the local school boards are terrified of being sued by pissed off parents and the A.C.L.U. ( Anti Christian League of Underachievers )

Answer 10

All the teachers are stupid or actually most of them are. I have my favorites who are really nice and smart.