Is the American public education system in crisis?

Here are some of the reasons --

• Excellent elementary and middle schools provide a good foundation
• Higher percentage than average of two parent homes
• Higher socio-economic area; parents are well-educated and place a high priority upon education
• High percentage of home ownership compared renting -- which creates a stable environment; for example, there are very few apartments in the school distict
• High degree of consistency in the area -- many people have lived in this area for a long time; also, many people that grew up return to the area to have their children grow up here too.

 

Beyond the sports situation is the current NCLB government push where the state and federal regulations seem to nearly make it a crime to fail a student.

 

I also saw or read that parents get upset when Johnny or Susie gt a failing grade and demand that the teacher change it. There is no personal responsiblity.

 

I've also seen or read such things, but have never known about it personally. I would assume that these things occur as much in private schools as much as public (if not more).

 

Florida seems to be very different from KY. Here, we have the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (FCAT) for reading, science & mathematics. These annual tests are required for all public school students.

When Florida first introduced this, students in 4th grade had to pass the reading portion to be promoted to 5th grade -- no matter what their grades were. After the NCLB Act, this test was moved down to the 3rd grade. You don't pass the FCAT, you don't go to the 4th grade.

Also, high school students must pass the 10th grade Reading & Mathematices FCAT to graduate (soon this will include the writing portion as well). If you don't pass the FCAT, you don't graduate -- plain and simple.

 

I saw this on a tv magazine show or read about it in Reader's Digest.
Faithgirl