What's your view on public middle and high schools these days?

Question

My view is that the students are INCREDIBLY out of control. At my school they're bringing guns,knives, AND CONDOMS!! Pregnant girls are walking the place! WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO!?

Answer 1

They should be scrapped altogether

Answer 2

Read "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding. Youths when left unchecked become savages. That is what is happening in the US schools, especially at low-income schools. You don't see the same discipline and behavior problems in other countries, and other countries probably have more low-income families. And I don't buy the argument that the low-income US parents are too busy to support the family, because the low-income parents in other countries do the same, but yet there are more discipline and structure in schools in other countries.

At the same time, the US society is favoring more individual choices and less punishments with the likes of the Child Protective Services law. Parents don't even know how to parent now in the US. Many parents don't even know what is "time out" so they just avoid disciplining altogether. If a parent can not discipline a child, how can a school or a teacher? Remember the schools have less authority for disciplining a student than the parent.

I see the phenomena with my immigrant students. Within the first few years, most immigrant students are very disciplined and respectful. But the longer the immigrant students live in the US, the less disciplined and more disruptive they become.

I also don't buy the argument that technology is becoming more of a distraction in the US. Japan or Europe may be more technologically advanced, and yet their students can be more focused to do better on tests?

I also don't buy the argument that the US teachers are less qualified than teachers in other countries. In fact, you switch a US teacher with a teacher from India, would there be much difference in the India classroom with the US teacher? Or would the US classroom with the India teacher be better? I contend that the teachers make very little difference.

The only variable in all these cases is the students. It is the US students that make the schools good or not. And most choose not, which is why we have the problems that you allude to like guns, knives, condoms, etc.

Answer 3

I was a substitute teacher for two years and found that students are nothing like when I went to high school twenty years ago. At one of the high schools that I worked in, there was actually a day-care set up for students who were attending the high school. Whatever happened to abstinence? In a lot of ways I think that day-care in the high school is a good idea so that the students will keep attending and will not drop out. On the other hand, is this program promoting teenagers having sex?
One of the other issues that I had is the fact that students instead of teachers or administration are running the schools. Many teachers do not stand up to students because they are afraid of the consequences brought on by students. Shouldn't this be the other way around? Shouldn't students be afraid of the consequences brought on by the teachers?
I'm sorry that I could not give you a definite answer but instead more questions for you to ponder.

Answer 4

I'm a substitute teacher and all schools are different. There are 15 middle schools and 4 high schools where I work, and each school is completely different. It really all depends on the neighborhoods they are located in. The areas of "money". Those with less money tend to have schools that are more "down the drain" where as areas with more money tend to have better schools.

I hate to say it, but I would rather be in a less money area teaching. The students are just having a hard time and need more attention. If I can even reach one student then I've done my job.

Answer 5

well....at least the guys are using protection =S

with that said, the North American education system has consistently been on a downward spiral. The exams today are a joke compared to years ago. A lot more of today's students care more about fashion, their social life, and popularity, instead of academics. And it seems like the only response to bullying that actually teaches people a lesson would be to bring guns to school and to start shooting at everyone. The education system has to change soon; i feel its time to introduce harsher punishments and stricter control of the students, like the education systems in Asia, in order to control the students ( though the education system in Asia DOES produce exceptionally high suicide rates =S. )

Answer 6

i agree with you. ever since 9/11/01 schools always had security problems especially bomb threats,gun threats, etc and fights and disruption in classrooms. but school districts just doesnt take control of their students. and parents dont take control over their kids and half of the majority is the parents fault like the kids could of been abused or sexually harassed by either parent when they were younger etc. so i would suggest homeschooling its better, safer.

Answer 7

kids are out of control, and I see why.
There is NO discipline at all
Kids are now taught that everyone is special and no one is better.
Schools teach only what is needed to pass a standardized test and do not fuel the hunger for knowledge.
Class sizes are too big.
All students are treated the same; they need to be taught at the level they can learn and need to be challenged not coddled.

Answer 8

well the one we have isnt so bad but yours is horrible the worst we ever had was drugs and im guessing that the world is getting worse and worse as the futrure comes because of the advancement on technology even though we tell ourselves its getting better and better as we move along, soiciety that is

Answer 9

there's always going to be out of control kids

Answer 10

it is sad the way the kids dress. act . talk.
no respect for the school systems.
it is a shame.