Why does it seem that kids today are being "Dumbed down" by our public school system??

Question

So many kids who cant read..cant add or subtract, in many schools they are allowing calculators to be used instead of learning how to do it..it seems to me that were creating a bunmch of ignoramous's...why??..political agenda?..make our kids stupid so theyll do whatever we tell them to do in 20 years?? any ideas?

Answer 1

I think you hit the nail on the head. Stupid, ignorant citizens are easier to control. Informed, engaged, conscientious citizens are prone to ask difficult and complex questions of their leaders. Personally, I think critical thinking (especially with regard to religion, consumption and reproduction) is what's most lacking and most needed.

Answer 2

Yes, and this has been going on a few decades, slow but steady. Since most parents, and teachers are themselves graduates of these, it is very hard to get them to take a critical look at it, because they are fine with that status quo; it was good for them, why not for their children. Before there was mandatory schooling, the US had one of the highest literacy rates, now it is dismal at best. We have more children/young people who can read, but barely understand what they are reading, and let us not even touch on their ability to write, or communicate both in writing, or speech. We have created an illusion of "feel good", it does not matter how well they do, as long as they feel good about it, and if they cannot, lower the expectation. Self esteem, give me a break, a person feels good about real accomplishments, the ones you have to work hard for; it boosts their confidence in their own abilities. And yes there will be some who fail, that is a lesson too; it lets you know that you have to try again, and again, or go in a different direction; learn a trade; college is not for every one. Each and every person can, and will be successful when allowed to develop their natural skills, but all need a basic solid education in reading, writing, and math. Lowering the bar looks great on paper; grades, and high GPA's. Being 2 to 3 years below where they should be is however not doing them any favors. It will make them feel good for a little while, until they have to go out into the "real world", and find out they have a lot yet to learn, and wonder why that is since they graduated. How come my employer, or college instructor expects so much of me, why are they so hard on me? Book suggestions: John Taylor Gatto (any). The harsh truth about the public schools by Bruce N. Shortt.

Answer 3

I'm not quite sure as to why that is happening. I have not heard of such a thing in my school area, but if this is true, I worry for the future generation.

My personal view is that a parent should take full responsibility, education as well, and should teach the child to be educated. To me, public school just seems like a child care. It is unforante that parents do not want to spend enough time with their children to fully educate them, or realize that their child is not learning enough.

However, there are few and far imbetween public schools that do rise up to the national standards.. the right way. Without using technology to get the answers they need.

Is it perhaps that our technology may be invented by intelligent folks, but in result, it is making the common folk lazy and unintelligent? It's a shame, for these devices are to be used wisely, and we depend on them so much.

I do hope I never have children, if what you say is true, I would hate to bring my child up in a world where people can only get answers via technology, and cannot depend on their own heads to do their work.

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It's times like these when you can clearly turn an optimistic las into a pessimistic one. We're doomed, we're doomed, we're doomed.. May the gods have mercy on our planet earth. May we too have mercy on our planet earth.

Answer 4

You have the right idea, them wanting people to be stupid and asleep, then they can do what they want without too much opposition. Think about it, why is almost everything anymore geared as if it is being explained to a slow 4 year old. Why is Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton on the news so much. Not because they are newsworthy, because it is being dumbed down. It is just part of the plan to make the Constitution irrelevant, and do what they want with the common folk.

Answer 5

I think that it's a political thing caused by
a) parents don't want to take responsibility for their children's education so that push that all onto the teachers
b) perceived level of necessary knowledge.

For the first, teachers almost cannot fail a student without risking a lawsuit from an outraged parent who believes their kid is smarter than they are. This means that they have to change the curriculum so that the slowest and stupidest child can pass.

I don't have an argument for b) so

Answer 6

US schools have always lacked a certain amount of getting kids to understand things. For example. we have a huge population of people who deny evolution. And most don't even know what a theory is, since many make the claim "it's only a theory". I think it is because of an attitude that they know the subject before even being educated on it.

Answer 7

nikki,congratulations,now you are seeing the big picture.the liberals/democrats ran the show for 40 years.they made sure that public education was dumbed down to create more democrats.we already are experiencing the results in society,unfortunately it will get worse in the next 20 yrs. unless we change the system.

Answer 8

Well the "No child left behind" act for public schools basically means that the class moves as slow as its dumbest student. I think it is up to the parents to make sure their child(ren) are working on their education and learning what they will need.

Answer 9

It's quite sad. My mother is a 6th grade teacher and she doesn't allow calculators. She's also fed up because instead of being able to teach the 6th grade grammar curriculum, she has to teach the 4th grade grammar curriculum because the teachers they had before her didn't teach it to them.

And then we wonder why Miss teen USA pageant contestants talk like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZABeQ5vkpXM

Answer 10

the system is failed because parents are too busy working and do not instill good behavior in children and the schools do not pay enough so many candidates change careers