DAY 16 - THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION

My thoughts on education my seem bias, but hey they are my thoughts and opinions and I am entitled to them.  So, here it goes.

I work in education, higher education to be exact and I see a lot.  I see it from both sides of the coin because I work in the environment and I have step-children in the educational system as well.  My opinion and again, MY OPINION, is that our kids are ill equipped for college.  Ever since they implemented that EOG (End of Grade) testing in the schools, I feel (personal opinion again), that they are being taught for the test only and not for their future.  Now, this is on the elementary -  high school level. Some students leave high school and they are not ready for college level work.  I see students that struggle with English, math and history.  I can understand math and English, because I struggle with math myself sometimes.  English can be challenging too.  History, I think, should not be that hard; however, it depends on the teacher.

I think when they implemented this end of grade testing, it did a disservice to the students and the teachers because it doesn't allow the teachers to be creative and expressive and the students may not learn as much as they should learn.  Kids need some stuff that can culturally enrich them too, not just fun stuff.  If you can incorporate the fun stuff with the culturally enrichment stuff, then you have a win win situation.  But with the economy being like it is, many families may not be able to take as many vacations like that due to money or time or both.  Some parents may not be able to take the time off and may not be able to afford a trip right now.

Now about colleges, they are a different animal all together.  These institutions are trying to work with students as they enter into them on a case by case basis.  Many colleges and universities are having to now set up programs to help these students  when they come to there institutions.  It is a challenge.