"Back" to Basics...
There was a big bru-ha-ha yesterday for students in NJ who were
TRYING to take the PARCC test (for those not in the "know" PARCC is standardized testing that MAY in the future be a
requirement for passing in order to graduate from high school). There's
been a lot of backlash about the test and that's too much to get into here.
(After all my posts are usually only a couple of paragraphs, not book
length.) For PARCC or against, yesterday was a major failure as the on
line system that administers the test had a "glitch" meaning that
students couldn't log in. (Not a problem back in my day of standardized
testing when all you got was a test packet and two #2 pencils.) Since the test
is SUPPOSED to show readiness for college and careers; maybe the company behind
the assessment (a word I personally hate...it's a test, let's call it a test)
should get some of those students who couldn't log in up to their headquarters
and see if they could find and/or fix the problem/glitch. (First kid to
do it automatically gets an A+ in PARCC-ess and never has to take any
standardized test again!) Any student who could figure out this real
world issue, is certainly prepared for college and a career. But would
this student be ready for the "real world?"
Forget college. Forget career.
Both are important, but shouldn't school be preparing children for the
real world? For some college may be a part of that; and for other a
career might be a part of it, but there should more to an education than that.
What they need to learn are things that will help them in real world
situations.
For example, as much as I don't like math,
numbers are part of our real world situation. To make purchases we need
to know how to add, subtract, multiple and divide. I never understood
word problems where one train is heading in one direction at "x" mph
and another is going "y" mph. But I do need to know how to
calculate tax on an item. I do need to know the proper amount to tip a
server. (How much if 15% of $47.52? What is 18% of same amount?)
What about pairing up students, giving them each a "salary" and
"expenses" and have them work together to come up with a budget that
they can live on. "Real" math for the real world!
Reading and writing (or as it's called in
my son's school: Literacy), definitely important. While I'm all for
reading and writing book reports or summaries, how about reading directions and
following them to get a finished product? (You could even incorporate
math into it if the directions were for making a batch of cookies and the
recipe had to be halved or doubled!) How about writing instruction on how
to do or make something? Or how to write a resume and a thank you letter?
I don't want to omit subjects like
history, science and foreign language...all of which are important. I
just think we could make everything more relevant and applicable to everyday
life. History is happening right before our eyes with upcoming US elections.
Science? Heck NJ native Scott Kelly spent 340 consecutive days in
space; there's a history and science lesson rolled into one for you.
Foreign language? If we want our kids to really be prepared for
college, career AND real world, knowing more than one language can definitely
put you ahead of the pack! Least you think that music (instrumental and vocal),
art and physical education aren't important for the real world, think again!
Not necessarily "testable" subjects, but ones that have real world applications...
Which bring me to a new topic: why
DON'T we teach/educate "things you might need in he real
world"? Teaching keyboarding skills (which would help with that
standardized testing). How to do laundry. How to make toast!
How to change a tire. (Sure, you're saying these things could be/should
be taught at home, but let's not assume anything!)
If we really want our children to be ready
for the world and not "just" college or a career we need more than
testing. We need educating. We have the professionals out there,
shouldn't we be having them do what they do best?
I will say our school district is good about some of that - the kids take "Home and Careers" in middle school where they have cooking units, sewing units, and money management - and even have to do a week's laundry for homework in 8th grade...but it is more of an intro and that is as far as it goes. My freshman is failing algebra this year and it's stupid, because he'll never use it again once he graduates unless he goes into a math-related profession (which won't happen). Yet it's required to graduate. And while we don't have the PARCC test, they do have "Regent's exams" which are required for graduation. It sucks. I totally agree with you that kids should be taught more about real world things...
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