On another post Anonymous wrote:
"NEW TOPIC:
Why the world is smarter than us
Book review on critique of America's anti-intellectualism when it comes to our schools
"And
we should stop throwing tax dollars at school sports programs and at
gadgets like interactive white boards and iPads for every child.
International comparisons show that the best schools are usually
low-tech and focused on academics."
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/08/09/why-the-world-is-smarter-than-us.html
"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
The comments under the article reflect precisely what is wrong with our society. No respect or sense of one human race
Small point, perhaps, regarding "whiteboards" and "ipads"; it all depends on how they are used and that goes from counterproductive to "off the charts". Good teachers know how to use these to great advantage, for poor teachers, they waste everyone's time. So, its the people not the product that capture the intelligence of children.
Logic says,
Sports are low tech.
Article quote, ... The scene, Ripley observes, is “like boxers entering a ring for a fight.”
So, do away with sports.
Logic goes away.
Every time I read about other countries and education I wonder-- WHY do all of these wonderful countries send their students to us for higher education? Our higher education system is built on our public school system. Writers seem to forget that FREE (actual;y tax payer paid) was an innovation in the world. We are sTILL educating all students- not those just with brains or means. Wake up-- our system is flawed sure-- but it still beats most for educating all students.
Please cite real, substantial, verifiable evidence for Pittsburgh Public Schools (not magnets with entry criteria) that demonstrates that PPS is "educating all students".
PPS is 494th out of 500 in PA!
Where do the fall nationally or internationally?
Where would you send kids that you care about?
I give up. My child was accepted into a very desirable PPS magnet school for the upcoming school year. It has a long waiting list. We moved out of town and informed the district she\he would not be attending via live telephone calls, numerous (8-10) voice messages and emails. I left 3 messages last month alone. Low and behold I got another forwarded letter (out of state) in the mail today. Some poor kid is still on a very depleted waiting list because they are so disorganized. This started in April
What a clusterf*ck.
What school?
What grade?
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/high-school-football/brashears-star-lineman-to-follow-path-seldom-taken-699319/
Here is an example from today's PG how academics and sports can coexist. Congradulations to Scott, his family and his teachers that helped him along the way!
Co-exist, .... hardly. Inter-twined is what we should be doing.
I dare say that excellence in sports along with solid academics can get 100 or more PPS kids, both boys and girls, into their first pick at college, as it has with my son.
The synergy among academics, sports and students can be a huge factor for many more students in Pittsburgh.
Sports can be a way to give our kids roots in our communities -- plus be a viable launch pad for future challenges at colleges and universities around the nation.
One key, as the article says, is to get out. Go to camps. Play elsewhere. Make visits. He went to Cambridge. That's one of the big early indicators of long-term success.
Mark,
"I dare say that excellence in sports along with solid academics can get 100 or more PPS kids, both boys and girls, into their first pick at college, as it has with my son. "
If they have highly educated parents that know how to apply to colleges and can afford SAT tutors etc.. Solid academics are dwindling at a rapid pace. Even "top" students might be shocked how far behind they are when they get to college.
I moved out of state to an affulent public school district, you would be shocked.
Yes, leaders in other districts are "shocked" when they review the curricula at schools like Milliones U-Prep. It's several years behind in academic courses. Does that mean that all schools are several years behind if the same curriculum/courses are used at every school, the scripted, mandated curriculum?
No at the public school district (out of state) my son is now enrolled in is so far ahead of Pittsburgh it is astounding. He can choose from over 30 electives, tons of AP, 5 forgein languages, along with full huge sports, arts and theatre.
I feel like we really lucked out when we moved from PPS last year.
Anonymous from over the border(s), you prove my points.
Yes. The gap between the opportunities in the city and elsewhere are HUGE. I've been saying that for a long time.
YES, solid academics and excellence in sports would include SAT prep, applying to college insights, recruiting, and much of that "etc."
Strong coaches and athletic programs can help a great deal in terms of you're suggested need of 'highly educated parents.'
Finally, getting into a school and getting into the first semester is one hurdle. But doing well when there offers plenty of other challenges. Understood.
And, the college coaches and their solid programs often make a difference in a student athlete's success as an undergraduate. So, there are EXTRA benefits. Good coaching in the youth allows for advance play in college and that allows for continued coaching as these individuals are young adults.
I want my son and I want our PPS athletes playing college sports as that opens up the flood-gates of EXTRA help, support, insights, guidance, mentoring, friends, connections, internships, scholarships, interviews, jobs, etc., etc, in the seasons to come.
Post a Comment