What do you think of the standard of education in schools today, can children spell?

Question

I am from Australia, if you are responding from other countries could you identify your country so I can compare responses, thankyou.

Answer 1

I am in the US, I feel that most adults can't even spell, but children nowadays, know the songs on the radio quicker than they know how to read or write and it's sad. These teachers, have to deal with disrespectful children, all the while trying to teach something, the parents take no responsibility for their children's education and its sad. My dad, used to read and spell with me and buy me educational games, instead of movies and video games.

Answer 2

I am in the USA and homeschool my children, but from the contact I have with my daughter's friends in the neighborhood, no, kids today cannot spell. Knowing what the spelling curriculum looks like, that is not a surprise to me. Do they group together words based on the spelling rule they follow or do they just throw a bunch of random words (based around a given topic) at the kids? Are the kids taught phonics?

We use a program called Spelling Power and my kids are all fabulous spellers! No wonder all the homeschoolers are finishing so well in the National Spelling Bee!

Answer 3

USA
I think spelling is a poor guide to evaluating educational standards. I have many kids who can memorize a list of words but can think or write a paragraph. We all use spell check anyway.
What is lacking is divergent thinking, problem solving and ability to negotiate solutions within a team. Businesses are looking for those skills and I do see those skills emerging in the State Standards which my state, AZ ,has mandated. Unfortunately, the State Standards encompass so much that there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish them. Parents want full year school and I think we are heading that way.

Answer 4

From the United States -

The standard of education is getting progressively worse here. Not only can the children NOT spell, they can't count or speak correctly either. The educational system is attempting to make everyone "EQUAL", and it's doing a GREAT job - we are now raising a nation of total idiots! No wonder all our jobs are going overseas!

Answer 5

I'm from bonnie old Scotland, I'm 14 and I can spell perfectly. I am in third year, reasonably clever and I go to a mainstream, public (non-fee paying) school- I know that at my school help is always available to those struggling with English, Maths, Science, etc.

At my school, people who don't do homework, etc. are given detentions on the spot (my maths teacher in particular, is not unknown to giving 1 hr detentions for not finishing homework...)

Most people at school can spell, but I suppose it varies from school to school and on the child's background and parents etc.

I think that homeschooling might appear to be an attractive option for parents who want to give their children a good education without paying for it, but really, it is a crush on their social skills- all of my friends are from school...

Answer 6

Please don't assume anything about the social skills of homeschoolers. We have many interactions with people of varying ages and backgrounds as well as with kids our own age. We may have to work at friendships based on common interests rather than by mere contact through school, but that only serves to make the friendships genuine and lasting.

Answer 7

I am in U.S. and if some of the answers on yahoo answers are any indication, no, they cannot spell or even know how to use spell check.