Why the United States is behind in education

[Amnesiac]

So, I was sitting in my Pre-Advanced Placement 9th grade World Geography class today, and our lesson came to the issue of global warming, where the following idiotic "teaching" occurred:

Teacher: "Now, SOME scientists believe in something called the 'greenhouse effect'. It's only a theory, does that mean it's a FACT? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_theory)" (emphasis not added)
Students (together): "No..."

HURR

(a minute later)

Student (asking a question): "How do scientists know there's a hole in the ozone layer?"
Teacher: "Well, that's the thing. They don't. They're just guessing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_depletion#Observations_on_ozone_layer_depletion)"

DURR

(another minute later)

Teacher (after claiming that El Nino and La Nina don't affect areas east of California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_the_El_Ni%C3%B1o-Southern_Oscillation_in_the_United_States)): "Now, I don't know about you guys, but I've noticed the last few winters here in Houston have been unusually cold (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/El_nino_north_american_weather.png). That's kind of weird, don't you think?"

HURR DURR

This is one example of some of the pure stupidity I have seen in Texas's science and social studies courses. To believe anybody could ignore the massive amounts of evidence supporting climate change, misunderstand the definition of "theory" in science, and imply that scientists "guessed" there's an ozone hole over Antarctica — when they're teaching a senior high school ADVANCED geography class — is beyond me. This isn't the first time I've seen it, and it won't be the last time.

Paired with Texas's new outrageous curriculum standards passed earlier this year, it really shows why the United States is so behind in education compared to other developed nations. It's really disappointing.

Your thoughts and opinions?

[ray8806]

The thing is, I am neutral on the whole climate change thing. I do believe that it is changing, but scientists are split between whether or not it is getting colder or warmer. I just simply understand that I'm not smart enough/have the tools to decide which one that is. I also believe that it's just a cycle. I mean, the Earth goes through cycles as history has proven and I believe that most of the climate changing is just that. Now don't get me wrong, I do know that our pollution of the atmosphere does play a part in it, but I just think that a major factor is the Earths' cycles

Then again, I'm just a 16 year old. I'm not some scientist with a PhD.

[BOBBY HILL]

"Now, I don't know about you guys, but I've noticed the last few winters here in Houston have been unusually cold. That's kind of weird, don't you think?"

http://images.memegenerator.net/Buzz-and-woody/ImageMacro/2622583/CONSPIRACIES-CONSPIRACIES-EVERYWHERE.jpg
On a serious note, my science teacher does the exact same thing, she's always oblivious to everything. Pointing out the obvious.

[The Batman]

That's not a good example of why the education system is the way it is. I don't think we're behind at all, I just think that our grading system and the way we test kids are off. We expect everyone to be at the exact same level when they reach a grade but when they aren't instead of working on them and trying to get them there, we just pass them with the rest of the students. Also, we force students to go to school for way to long, at 16 they should be able to drop out if they want that way they won't be failing out and bringing the rest of the students down with them. We also need to stop trying to integrate the mentally handicap into the school system, because no matter what their handicap is going to keep them from being a part of it and they should be tested and judged based on it not other students.

[huginnmuninn]

if almost every other non 3rd world country is ahead of us i think that theres a problem

[Amnesiac]

That's not a good example of why the education system is the way it is. I don't think we're behind at all, I just think that our grading system and the way we test kids are off. We expect everyone to be at the exact same level when they reach a grade but when they aren't instead of working on them and trying to get them there, we just pass them with the rest of the students. Also, we force students to go to school for way to long, at 16 they should be able to drop out if they want that way they won't be failing out and bringing the rest of the students down with them. We also need to stop trying to integrate the mentally handicap into the school system, because no matter what their handicap is going to keep them from being a part of it and they should be tested and judged based on it not other students.

I did exaggerate for a reason, but it really shows when you realize it's Texas's education standards that are causing this. The way we test is also terrible, grades are far too dependent on them.

I do think that students who have decided and met the requirements for a stable career should be able to leave high school early.

I also agree that the mentally handicapped can't be fully integrated into the school system. Then again, I don't think anyone believe they can be.

On a serious note, my science teacher does the exact same thing, she's always oblivious to everything. Pointing out the obvious.

I know, I've seen this in every science-related class for years now. Makes me rage.

[Jess]

That's not a good example of why the education system is the way it is. I don't think we're behind at all, I just think that our grading system and the way we test kids are off. We expect everyone to be at the exact same level when they reach a grade but when they aren't instead of working on them and trying to get them there, we just pass them with the rest of the students. Also, we force students to go to school for way to long, at 16 they should be able to drop out if they want that way they won't be failing out and bringing the rest of the students down with them. We also need to stop trying to integrate the mentally handicap into the school system, because no matter what their handicap is going to keep them from being a part of it and they should be tested and judged based on it not other students.

I agree with this

[Dorsum Oppel]

Look at foreign education. In spain, there are 11 to 12 classes a semester, and up to 8 classes everyday. We get a lot of exchange students, and they all talk about how easy american school is. The world is passing up america. It's the most powerful country in the world, yet 14th in education.

[Suicune]

Well my school doesn't seem behind on education...it's the student's refusal to learn.
" it really shows why the United States is so behind in education compared to other developed nations. It's really disappointing."
Of course, when I see this, China, Japan, and so on come to my mind. I don't want to pour 12 hours or whatever it is in a whole day to school. ._.

[Amnesiac]

Look at foreign education. In spain, there are 11 to 12 classes a semester, and up to 8 classes everyday. We get a lot of exchange students, and they all talk about how easy american school is. The world is passing up america. It's the most powerful country in the world, yet 14th in education.

Well my school doesn't seem behind on education...it's the student's refusal to learn.
" it really shows why the United States is so behind in education compared to other developed nations. It's really disappointing."
Of course, when I see this, China, Japan, and so on come to my mind. I don't want to pour 12 hours or whatever it is in a whole day to school. ._.

It's not necessarily about making school days longer. We should at least get our curriculum standards up to snuff. All this denial of evolution and climate change, plus arguing over the "liberal bias" in history classes is ridiculous. It's a contributing factor to the U.S.'s failure to educate its children. In addition, equally important classes like math and reading simply aren't effective enough, and MUCH TOO MUCH emphasis is put on tests. It's sad to see that one hour doing a test can flunk a student faster than 4 weeks of instruction.

Teachers being stupid may be small, but when you see it occurring across the country, multiple times, it needs to be fixed as well. Feeding students false information such as what I originally posted is also bad.

Also, see this. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Education_Agency#Curriculum_controversies)

[Azunite]

Yeah my friend is now a freshman in San Diego and she said that she was learning things we did at 7th grade something

[Sith Lord 13]

That's not a good example of why the education system is the way it is. I don't think we're behind at all, I just think that our grading system and the way we test kids are off. We expect everyone to be at the exact same level when they reach a grade but when they aren't instead of working on them and trying to get them there, we just pass them with the rest of the students. Also, we force students to go to school for way to long, at 16 they should be able to drop out if they want that way they won't be failing out and bringing the rest of the students down with them. We also need to stop trying to integrate the mentally handicap into the school system, because no matter what their handicap is going to keep them from being a part of it and they should be tested and judged based on it not other students.

I agree with basically everything here, though I think a shortened curriculum, leading to a two year "associates" high school diploma would be better than having kids drop out.



Also, I have to point something else out: Global warming is a theory in both the scientific sense and the layman's sense. Many scientists disagree with climate change. It has nowhere near the kind of acceptance evolution has. I know several scientists personally who told me they think we're more likely to be headed for the next ice age than we are to be headed towards a period of global warming. The data is too new and inconclusive to really say anything.

[Amnesiac]

Also, I have to point something else out: Global warming is a theory in both the scientific sense and the layman's sense. Many scientists disagree with climate change. It has nowhere near the kind of acceptance evolution has. I know several scientists personally who told me they think we're more likely to be headed for the next ice age than we are to be headed towards a period of global warming. The data is too new and inconclusive to really say anything.

I wouldn't call the data "new" — it is compared to evolution, yes — but rising CO2 levels and global temperatures are being observed. I would put my trust on the issue in the IPCC and the 32 nations whose science academies have endorsed the theory of global warming rather than with the "several scientists" you described. While global warming is a very recent issue that's been talked about for only a few decades, there is observable, conclusive evidence backing up many of its claims — be it global temperature change since the 1800s, ozone holes over the poles, or glacier thickness over the last 4 decades.

[Whisper]

tKGNmvhqxzs

BAM!

[Kahn]

I agree with this

Thus having no reason to post. Dur.

Actually, our education is moderate. Sure maybe the grading system can use an upgrade.. Or a complete redo, but the teachers are moderate. I really have nothing to contribute right now. Maybe later.

[Mourfus]

My school dosent have air conndishing and has a ver low heat maker thing or whatever it is I live in Illinois and also our scool did a assembilly with like 70 roll of duck tape were kids taped teachers to the wall how bout we skipp thAt and get some air condishinig