This was a topic on a radio talk show here recently. In Canada over the last few decades teachers have been told not to fail students if they don't pass tests. It will be too hard on their psyches. This seems to have created a feeling in many stuedents and even people in the workforce that feel they are entitled to advancement, raises etc. even if they haven't earned it. What is your take on this?

 

My ex husbands son was one who was "mercy" passed. During the yearly exams the proctors were told to point to the right answers on his papers as they walked by. This was to ensure the school was awarded school of excellence funds. Timothy left 5th grade reading on a third grade level and math at second. It pissed me off because there were so many kids who do well who try to achieve and are kept back in a sense because so much time has to be given to kids who fail to apply themselevs. Tim was not a dumb kid just lazy. I know there are kids who do struggle but there should be special classes for them. (some schools do)
This is partially the result of the "No Child Left Behind" act. Teachers do not want to catch the flak if kids do not make the grade. My 12 y/o struggles with math especially multiplcation. We have asked for some extra help for her and we have worked with her immensely. She just struggles but she at least applies herself and does perform on grade level. She is in honors english, science, etc. So she isnt a slacker.
Self esteem has become a HUGE issue in our scoiety especially in school. Dont hurt their feelings, dont tell them they need to work harder etc, dont dont dont dont etc. This only breeds the same behavior in the adult world. It reflects in their jobs, home life, socialization as well as the repetition of the same behaviors as they raise their children. Consider the cycle repeated.

 

its horsecrap

 

I think too many people put the sole responsibility of their child's education into a government-funded educational system. It takes more than that. Parents need to take some responsibility too.

 

I am a high school teacher and I could go on for hours about this kind of thing. It is true that this kind of stuff goes on, but I do not think it happens with the regular ed population at our school. Special Education students might be a different story, but I am not saying that officially in any sense.
All I can say is that my students are so used to their teachers doing everything for them from middle school that they do not bring a notebook to class, they often don't have something to write with, I don't give homework because it will not be done, etc.
I have to train them to do all these thing that they should be coming to the high school knowing how to do.
Certainly, this does not apply to all students. But the students that have the lowest grades fit one or more of the above listed behaviors.
Well, I am done with that part. Believe me, the teachers don't like spending all this time teaching to the test and pre-testing and trying to remediate students that just don't care about how they do on the test. But in my school, I doubt seriously that there is any assistance being provided.
Now to the real reason I responded about this self-esteem thing:
I saw a John Stossel special many years ago about this whole self-esteem movement. It was fascinating. Probably the most fascinating thing was the theory that high levels of self-esteem can actually be counter-productive. That is to say,(VERY SIMPLY STATED!!) if you think you are the best, and you are entitled to be recognized as such for every little thing, you have a problem with someone who doesn't think so or who doesn't give/do what you want. In fact, researchers gave a very commonly used and highly accepted test of self-esteem to a variety of populations of people. One of the research populations was that of death row/ life w/out parole felons.
The test results indicated that, as a group, this population of people has an extraordinarily high level of self esteem.
There is tons of stuff on the 'net about this subject. I did a quick look around before I finished my reply. I didn't tag any links, but if you google "self-esteem" you'll find all you want to know.

 

My woman is a teacher and has to pass everyone, all the time. I cant stand it and neither can she.

The last school she worked at had houligans in grade 8 and 9 that couldnt read or write, and they still got passed. (they were the real little punk gangster wannabes that sold drugs etc.)

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by preppypyro

My woman is a teacher and has to pass everyone, all the time. I cant stand it and neither can she.

A very good friend of mine's wife has a HS diploma,she went to a local public school and she can't read or write only knows second grade math,you see she is mentally challenged, but yet she went to public school not a special school in which we do have who is to blame for this.Growing up everybody made fun of her as kids will do myself included but as I got to to know her and realized what was wrong with her I would stand up in her defense she is a very kind person who always means good but just doesn't understand a lot of things that where taught in school and you can not blame her for it so who, who do you blame ,her parents,her sister(older,who is a teacher) school officials,teachers.

 

Jeeze guys, you shouldn't pick on that poor woe-be-gotten child. Truth ruins one's self esteem. Now, just think about it a bit. With the Teachers moving in this driection, just think how many good lawyers and presidents we can have in the future. And don't forget the ACLU... wow.. he'd make a great lawyer for them! Without getting passed, they'd never have a chance at being rich and man... rightfully so, ya know? I mean, comeone guys lets be "fair" to the box of rocks". It isn't his fault hes incapable of learning fast enough. So we can just "help him along a bit". I'm certain his new found pride in his supreme intelligence, learning how to legally cheat and getting over without having to do a thing, will take him far in life. Gee guys,where's all your kind and loving hearts, to wish for a student to actually learn on his own merit? Now, that's just downright cruel.

 

What would happenif she failed them, anyway? Could they fire her? Make it very tough for her? What would they do? Surely, there would be some sort of lawsuit for her if they fired her for failing students that couldn't pass basic tests. Just curious.

 

Ya know, Im not really sure what they would do to her. I believe she tried to give a kid an F one time, and the principal just overrode her decision and passed the kid.

Ill ask her when she comes home what they could/would do.

 

How does this prepare kids for the future? At work, I'm expected to know my job. No excuses. As a parent, I will definitely pay close attention to this with my kids. I know I could be a lot more involved in my kids school work. There are probably many more in my shoes.

 

That is the essence of the liberal-communist education philosophy. Target the under-achievers and bring them up to par by any means necessary. Even lowering standards if needed.

What educators have begun to notice is a lot of smart kids that do well in grade schools run into trouble when they get to high school. Because they're not used to having to make any effort. While the kids who had a hard time in grade school succeed because they had to adopt good study habits early on.

And as you lower standards, more and more kids find themselves in the "smart" category of students who are getting by and don't need any extra attention from their teachers.

Kids also see that teachers have tremendous patience for under-achievers. Instead of being forced to work harder, the kids learn to become manipulative and win the sympathy of the teachers.

 

I'm with you.

 

horsecrap sure fits. In my area this is not a problem, I live in a relatively small town and if u don't pass the tests and homework assignments u don't pass, u don't attend school u don't pass or get a diploma. Being a redneck doesn't mean dumb.