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If you could rewrite the school system how would you make it


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Hacker
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Joined: Sep 13 2008
PostPosted: May 27 2009 10:11 am Reply with quote Back to top

I would keep what we have now (In the USA) but make sure teachers update grades on time and even the balance between tests and assignments. tests are hard for people who can get all there assignments done but cant take tests. I would also require the teachers to give bonus assignments. say a kid has all the assignments done, but a zero on all tests. they would be at a solid 50%. those bonus assignments would increase there grade to get to at least a D



 
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Dii Infer
Title: Boobie Engineer
Joined: Jun 01 2007
Location: Texas
PostPosted: May 27 2009 10:18 am Reply with quote Back to top

Get rid of that damn TAKS test in Texas. As if the SAT/ACT isn't bad enough.


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GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
PostPosted: May 27 2009 11:30 am Reply with quote Back to top

My suggestions are focused around high school.

I would include a 15 minute break after the first class, a 30 minute lunch, and finally an additional 15 minute break before the last class.

I would increase the number of gym classes to 1 per day, but reduce the duration to only 30 minutes. I would also remove the requirement for bringing gym clothing. If people want to make their regular cloths smell like ass, that is their choice.

I would reevaluate the food served during lunch to make sure that it was healthier than McDonald's.

Every year students would need to take a basic math test without a calculator. They would need to prove that they remember how to Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide. Failure to pass this test would result in the death penalty. Er... ok, so maybe it would just result in a study detention until they were able to pass.

Along the lines of the math test, I would implement core competency requirements for all grades. These would be in the form of tests that are extremely short, but required every year (escalating with age/grade). A test would take less than 15 minutes, but a student would prove that they know how to do basic things. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Public Speaking, American History & Politics. These would equate to a similar requirement as what is necessary to pass a citizenship test to become an American. In my mind 90% of students would be able to pass these tests without any change to their current situation. I would use this to disable people who manipulate the system and graduate high school by falling through the cracks.

I would enclose the school in a Faraday cage so that all cell phones would not work. This would prevent sexting and cheating via text.



 
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Dr. Jeebus
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Title: SLF Harbinger of Death
Joined: Sep 03 2005
Location: Wakefield, MA
PostPosted: May 27 2009 12:05 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Hacker wrote:
I would keep what we have now (In the USA) but make sure teachers update grades on time and even the balance between tests and assignments. tests are hard for people who can get all there assignments done but cant take tests. I would also require the teachers to give bonus assignments. say a kid has all the assignments done, but a zero on all tests. they would be at a solid 50%. those bonus assignments would increase there grade to get to at least a D

Require them to give bonus assignments? Fuck that. If you get a 0% on all your tests you deserve to fail. If you have a learning disability or other legitimate condition that makes normal tests difficult for you and somewhat unfair as a grading mechanism, the school will be forced to accommodate you individually.

School should be MUCH more difficult and there should be a test required to get your HS diploma. Unlike the Massachusetts test, the MCAS, the test should be administered your senior year, not sophomore, and should be EXTREMELY difficult. If you fail, you either get a job or go to cram school, ala the Japanese school system. The number of students graduating from academic high schools each year should be no more than 50% of what it currently is, however there should be more vocational schools. Pre high school, it's important for everyone to learn to read, write, do basic math, and other things that make at least a moderately well rounded person, but once you hit high school it should be clear to many students (and/or their parents) that they are NOT cut out for higher education and should start learning a legitimate trade like plumbing, electrician...ing...., car repair, etc.


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Ice2SeeYou
Title: Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Joined: Sep 28 2008
Location: South of Heaven
PostPosted: May 27 2009 12:52 pm Reply with quote Back to top

I'd like to see gym class become something more than a joke. People are so fat and out of shape today. I think something should be done to force kids to actually work out in gym class, be it having their grades based on improving fitness test scores, lowering their resting heart rate or something like that.

I realize that not everyone is athletically inclined and a lot of people will hate it, but I think only good can come of it. Granted it's only a few years out of your life, but hopefully some of the kids will take it to heart and maintain an active lifestyle after school. Not everyone wants to read Chaucer or do Algebra either, but they force that on us. I don't think forcing a few pushups and miles is going to kill anyone.


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SoldierHawk
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Title: Warrior-Poet
Joined: Jan 15 2009
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PostPosted: May 27 2009 01:15 pm Reply with quote Back to top

A large part of me agrees with Jeebus. There SHOULD be a test to get your diploma, or in the case of California here, the test should actually be enforced. There's such an outcry every time a large chunk of the school doesn't pass, that they give them a diploma anyway just to shut the parents up.

Major thing I would change, let teachers teach their subject, instead of making three or four standardized tests the focus of the curriculum. It kills, kills, kills creativity in the classroom, and turns learning into a much bigger chore than it needs to be. That said, I understand the need for standards and school evaluations, but this sort of testing is killing education. It makes it hard to teach the subject the way you want, and it sucks up all the schools time and funding.

I also highly endorse GP's Farady Cage idea. Fucking brilliant! I wish I had thought of it.


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Ermac
Title: Thread Killer
Joined: Aug 04 2008
Location: Outworld
PostPosted: May 27 2009 01:29 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Dr. Jeebus wrote:
but once you hit high school it should be clear to many students (and/or their parents) that they are NOT cut out for higher education and should start learning a legitimate trade like plumbing, electrician...ing...., car repair, etc.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdUHtIyz1j8
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SoldierHawk
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PostPosted: May 27 2009 01:42 pm Reply with quote Back to top

^ That reminds me: we need to institute some sort of trade system or classes, so kids who DON'T want to go on to higher education can be taught the skills they need to survive. Sure, for some people four years of AP classes and a 1600 on your SATs prepares you for the life you want. But not everyone. High school should acknowledge that.


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Ice2SeeYou
Title: Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Joined: Sep 28 2008
Location: South of Heaven
PostPosted: May 27 2009 02:01 pm Reply with quote Back to top

SoldierHawk wrote:
^ That reminds me: we need to institute some sort of trade system or classes, so kids who DON'T want to go on to higher education can be taught the skills they need to survive. Sure, for some people four years of AP classes and a 1600 on your SATs prepares you for the life you want. But not everyone. High school should acknowledge that.


I didn't watch the video, but my highschool had a program like that. I believe it was called Vo-Tech, and basically the kids would take a few mandatory classes at school, then a bus would take them to a different place where they'd learn trade skills. I would have thought all highschools did this, but apparently not.


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Ermac
Title: Thread Killer
Joined: Aug 04 2008
Location: Outworld
PostPosted: May 27 2009 02:07 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Ice2SeeYou wrote:
SoldierHawk wrote:
^ That reminds me: we need to institute some sort of trade system or classes, so kids who DON'T want to go on to higher education can be taught the skills they need to survive. Sure, for some people four years of AP classes and a 1600 on your SATs prepares you for the life you want. But not everyone. High school should acknowledge that.


I didn't watch the video, but my highschool had a program like that. I believe it was called Vo-Tech, and basically the kids would take a few mandatory classes at school, then a bus would take them to a different place where they'd learn trade skills. I would have thought all highschools did this, but apparently not.



just watch the video, my whole comedic plan for this thread ruined because some fucking turd didn't want his shit embedded on youtube!
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Dr. Jeebus
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PostPosted: May 27 2009 02:23 pm Reply with quote Back to top

At work so no sound and thus can't watch the video.

As your comment, Hawk, that's why I said we need more public vocational schools. After middle school children and their parents should choose if they want to go to a vocational high school and learn a trade or go to the academic high school and prepare for college.


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anorexorcist
Title: Polar Bear
Joined: May 21 2008
Location: The Cock and Plucket
PostPosted: May 27 2009 02:52 pm Reply with quote Back to top

If I could re-write it, school would start around 10am instead of 8am. A number of doctors have said that 10am is a better starting time, you get more sleep generally and are much more awake and ready to go by then. That's all I would change.


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Ice2SeeYou
Title: Sexual Tyrannosaurus
Joined: Sep 28 2008
Location: South of Heaven
PostPosted: May 27 2009 02:56 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Ermac wrote:
Ice2SeeYou wrote:
SoldierHawk wrote:
^ That reminds me: we need to institute some sort of trade system or classes, so kids who DON'T want to go on to higher education can be taught the skills they need to survive. Sure, for some people four years of AP classes and a 1600 on your SATs prepares you for the life you want. But not everyone. High school should acknowledge that.


I didn't watch the video, but my highschool had a program like that. I believe it was called Vo-Tech, and basically the kids would take a few mandatory classes at school, then a bus would take them to a different place where they'd learn trade skills. I would have thought all highschools did this, but apparently not.



just watch the video, my whole comedic plan for this thread ruined because some fucking turd didn't want his shit embedded on youtube!


At work, can't watch videos.


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anorexorcist
Title: Polar Bear
Joined: May 21 2008
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PostPosted: May 27 2009 03:12 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Ermac wrote:
Ice2SeeYou wrote:
SoldierHawk wrote:
^ That reminds me: we need to institute some sort of trade system or classes, so kids who DON'T want to go on to higher education can be taught the skills they need to survive. Sure, for some people four years of AP classes and a 1600 on your SATs prepares you for the life you want. But not everyone. High school should acknowledge that.


I didn't watch the video, but my highschool had a program like that. I believe it was called Vo-Tech, and basically the kids would take a few mandatory classes at school, then a bus would take them to a different place where they'd learn trade skills. I would have thought all highschools did this, but apparently not.



just watch the video, my whole comedic plan for this thread ruined because some fucking turd didn't want his shit embedded on youtube!


Yes, he is a fucking turd...


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Ghandi
Title: Alexz Aficionado
Joined: May 21 2008
PostPosted: May 27 2009 03:36 pm Reply with quote Back to top

If I could write the school system I think I'd make it a science fiction epic, with a character like Maxwell Smart as the lead and a hot leading lady... you know the one Wink Then I'd make it so he didn't have to go to school too long so he could become a secret agent sooner.


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Fernin
Title: Comic Author
Joined: Dec 12 2008
PostPosted: May 27 2009 03:56 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Ermac wrote:

just watch the video, my whole comedic plan for this thread ruined because some fucking turd didn't want his shit embedded on youtube!

Your comedic plan for the thread was to attempt to derail it entirely with a video that has nothing whatsoever to do with the subject at hand?
No... just no.

About Hacker's plan, I think that the opposite should be true. I've always done really well on tests without having to study, but was often too lazy to do the homework. I think that as long as you can prove that you actually know the subject matter, be it on the homework or on the tests, that you should get a passing grade.



 
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Ermac
Title: Thread Killer
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PostPosted: May 27 2009 04:15 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Fernin wrote:
Ermac wrote:

just watch the video, my whole comedic plan for this thread ruined because some fucking turd didn't want his shit embedded on youtube!

Your comedic plan for the thread was to attempt to derail it entirely with a video that has nothing whatsoever to do with the subject at hand?
No... just no.



you couldnt wait to post that fucking DK icon could ya so you could be clever.

Everyone I have showed that video too has laughed, but I get it, you don't like me, so you wouldnt admit it was funny even if it was to your taste just on principle right?

edit, you dont have to lay the smackdown Jeebus, I won't carry this any farther
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SoldierHawk
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PostPosted: May 27 2009 04:17 pm Reply with quote Back to top

Dr. Jeebus wrote:
At work so no sound and thus can't watch the video.

As your comment, Hawk, that's why I said we need more public vocational schools. After middle school children and their parents should choose if they want to go to a vocational high school and learn a trade or go to the academic high school and prepare for college.


Amen.


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GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
PostPosted: May 27 2009 05:28 pm Reply with quote Back to top

I'm not sure that I agree Jeebus. People aren't all at a point where they are prepared to know their future when they are 14-18. Some mature faster and others slower. The point of highschool is the allow people to figure it out.

I do think that degrees need to stop being handed out and I want to put the responsibility on the parents, but I just don't think that every kid should have a predetermined future before their brain matures. Science has pretty much proven that most people change the way they think up until they are about 25.

I consider my wife a perfect example. A consistent B student in high school yet she graduated with honors and distinctions for her bachelors degree and then went on to get a masters. I on the other hand got an A- average in school and fizzled out at college.

I think that all you can ask for is better measures against those who cheat the system to give more meaning to the diploma for those who make it through.



 
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jackfrost
Title: Cold Hearted Bastard
Joined: Feb 21 2009
PostPosted: May 27 2009 05:56 pm Reply with quote Back to top

I have to be honest, in my last year of high school I took the easiest classes that I could. The previous two year I took all AP and honors classes and had all my basic requirements met. The AP classes were nice since I received college credit, but I saw no point in making life difficult that last year when there was nothing I really wanted to take or would help me prepare for a career. All those classes were filled with pot-heads that struggled over the most basic problems. What was the point of taking classes like that? Just to fill up a required number of bullshit credits and boost my GPA? Why couldn't I have moved on to college at that point instead of getting contact highs sitting in those classes?

I think after you have passed all the required classes (i.e. the required number of science classes, literature classes, etc) you should be able to take a test to prove that you are ready for college. If you pass you are free to move on and pursue the degree in the field that interests you, and if you fail you stay a final year and work on what ever your weaknesses are. There are plenty of people out there that deserve to graduate early, and the tests would give the remaining students a chance to improve the areas they need help in most before moving on.
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SoldierHawk
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PostPosted: May 27 2009 06:43 pm Reply with quote Back to top

GPFontaine wrote:
I'm not sure that I agree Jeebus. People aren't all at a point where they are prepared to know their future when they are 14-18. Some mature faster and others slower. The point of highschool is the allow people to figure it out.



I understand where you're coming from with this. However, I still think more trade-oriented options would be a good idea. Nowadays we look down on someone who wants to be a mechanic---certainly the school system doesn't help him find out if this would be right for him, let alone help him gain the skills he needs for that career.

Mechanic might be a bad example, since a lot of schools do have things like autoshop, but you see my point. And frankly, with standardized tests taking over, and curriculum being more and more controlled, classes like autoshop ARE going the way of the Dodo.

I was very, very lucky. My high school had an amazing Culinary Arts program, lasted two periods every day and they have two sections of it. I took it my Senior year, and its one of the best classes I've ever taken. I love English Lit, and I actually like writing essays about books I love, but that class gave me a SKILL, one I still use almost daily. And, had I decided I wanted to throw myself into being a chef, the teacher used to be one, and has connections and can help guide you along the way. That wasn't my career choice of course, but I know many, many kids from that program that went on to great culinary institutes and/or careers. THAT is the kind of thing we need more of in high school. Less scantron bubbling, more fucking DOING.


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Cameron
Title: :O � O:
Joined: Feb 01 2008
Location: St. Louis, MO
PostPosted: May 27 2009 11:50 pm Reply with quote Back to top

My primary gripe has to do with the class requirements. I don't care if it makes me a "well-rounded" individual, if I plan on majoring in Psychology when I get to college, I don't think that Trigonometry should be required.

Also, while normal school foods shouldn't be entirely replaced with health food (if people want to clog up their arteries and develop diabetes at an early age, that's their problem), but healthy foods should exist as an option in all schools. I usually bring my own lunch to school because all the cafeteria has is crap like chicken patties and mozzarella sticks.

I'm not sure how I feel about extra credit; on one hand, there are students who truly do try hard in a class and simply can't get a firm grasp on the subject. On the the other hand, there are also students that abuse the system and slack in the class until the very end and make up their entire grade in extra credit. I say a student should plead his/her case, and if he/she has been attempting to do well in the class, extra credit should be permitted.

This might sound dumb, but the entire concept of "group project" should be eliminated. Every single time I'm in a group project, there's always one person who isn't doing their part, and everyone else gets a lackluster grade because of it. At least if I'm doing a project by myself, I know that everything is going to get done.


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jackfrost
Title: Cold Hearted Bastard
Joined: Feb 21 2009
PostPosted: May 28 2009 12:03 am Reply with quote Back to top

Cameron wrote:
My primary gripe has to do with the class requirements. I don't care if it makes me a "well-rounded" individual, if I plan on majoring in Psychology when I get to college, I don't think that Trigonometry should be required.


When you get to college the math requirements for a psychology degree will be even higher. Taking trig in high school will save you time, because if you don't it will probably be a prerequisite to a class that is required for your degree. I am pretty sure every degree requires at least calculus. I could be wrong, but from my experience that seems to be true.

Cameron wrote:
This might sound dumb, but the entire concept of "group project" should be eliminated. Every single time I'm in a group project, there's always one person who isn't doing their part, and everyone else gets a lackluster grade because of it. At least if I'm doing a project by myself, I know that everything is going to get done.


Very, very true.
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LowEndLem
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Location: Illinois
PostPosted: May 28 2009 01:08 am Reply with quote Back to top

Cameron wrote:
My primary gripe has to do with the class requirements. I don't care if it makes me a "well-rounded" individual, if I plan on majoring in Psychology when I get to college, I don't think that Trigonometry should be required.


A-goddamned-men

I'm majoring in Psych as well, and I have issues with math. I'm basically like, freshman in highschool level in math, but read and write like a mofo. Math? Fuck that, send me to stats and leave me be.


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TheRoboSleuth
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PostPosted: May 28 2009 01:59 am Reply with quote Back to top

Longer school years. Mandatory good healthy food, preferably grown in america. Mandatory final test for passing high school, and the death of evaluations tests. Useful trade and life skill classes. Mandatory early morning PE. Maybe reevaluation of how we teach certain subjects. I used to tutor GED math at Job Corps and for some reason anyone born and raised in mexico could do math like a motherfucker. I think part of it is in mexico they let kids use their hands to count, and you should never count out the value of the physical aspect of learning.

Mandatory final test will require literacy, math skills, basic science, history, a respectable understanding of US government at least equivalent of citizenship test.

You should learn to be well rounded. I could not write to save the life of me in high school. I eventually figured it out, and now I'm at least respectable.


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