Do you think American public schools are dumbing down their curriculum in the name of self esteem and funding?

Question

Giving the kids easier work so they feel better about it.
making the test easier so they get better funding.

Answer 1

Yes. And creating tests that each grade must pass simply narrows down what the teachers must cover. It seems that the system now simply prepares the student for the test, which is less effective than teaching them the IDEAS.
Remembering exactly how to complete a high school math problem or write a research paper is less important than knowing how to think for yourself and how to put the thoughts and pieces together to make the idea as a whole.

Answer 2

Nope...

Today the world is about being smart. 50+ years ago all you needed was a strong body and the will to work. You could be illiterate or dumb as a rock, so long as you could work the shifts in the mine or go to war you were all set. NOW to achieve a good life you must hold much more knowledge than you used to by the age of 18.

Not only do you need to know it, but now to get a job at all a degree is required. The schools need to jam tons of information into you during those last 4 critical years that will determine the rest of your life. The ciriculum is just fine.

Answer 3

Not in my school district (San Diego, CA area). The standard curriculum is pretty good, and for students for which that is too easy there are numerous advanced classes, GATE (gifted and talented education) programs, etc. I go over my son's homework with him every day, and I'm quite satisfied with the level of education and the challenge he's getting. And I'm a tough critic :)

Answer 4

you're easily perfect. I have had my youthful toddlers interior an identical college district for the superb twenty-5 years. i'm in a community it somewhat is contained in the technique of being taken over. this college district changed into the suitable i'd had my youthful toddlers in till the superb few years. I have considered the regularly happening of their practise flow down hill quick. the instructors are failing to coach the toddlers to study and spell. a lot concentration is having to flow to the "English inexperienced persons" as they are in a well mannered way said as because they are getting such undesirable grades on the state tests and are transforming into the faculties in worry.

Answer 5

No, the problem is that the money goes to the states and not attached to the childeren. Places accross the pond get the money attached to childeren which allows the parent to choose what school their kids goes to. This creates competition, which is good. I mean look, we have people compete for all of our business in the day-today routines. Why should we expect less of our school systems?

Answer 6

I haven't heard that arguement, but here's one I HAVE heard:

It seems that public schools are thinking about dramatically cutting the amount of homework that elementary students have to do because they need to get out of the house more and just be kids, but keep the level of homework in middle and high school exactly the same.

What I don't get is how do they expect kids to adapt to doing homework later in life if they don't get used to it when they're young?

Answer 7

Yes, at least re: "dumbing down". For what reasons, I'm not sure but I have heard a lot about not wanting the kids to feel bad about themselves, etc...

It's surely not going to benefit the kids, or this country, in the long run.

Answer 8

Yes and they are also making test easier so schools can look good for the parents. Its pathetic!

Answer 9

I've been saying that for years.

I blame the teacher's unions, administrators and parents for the sad state of public education in most of America.

Answer 10

Absolutely.

Although some of the questions asked here by grade schoolers are taxing on me and I went to college!