Idea for new School System

[LurkerPrime]

Motivate them with money for completion of units. On top of that make certain units a requirement for such things as getting a drivers license, voting, recieving public assistance, etc...

A good grade isn't a motivation for some kids at all. But if Jimmy knows that if he learns all about fractions and passes the test he'll be able to buy Modern Warfare 6 when it comes out next month, he might bust his ass to pass. Not to mention if Jimmy wants to get a drivers license at 15 he needs to get his ass in gear to finish all the classes he needs to qualify. If that alone isn't enough motivation, seeing his nerdy friends driving around and getting the girls would be.

 

[biostud]

Many children can't relate their reaction pattern to a bonus in the future. There brain are simply not fully developed, and systems that work for grown ups are not always applicable to children.

As a teacher my approach is to teaching is to create a relaxed, safe environment for the children, as I believe happy children are more motivated to learn.

 

[Exterous]

But if Jimmy knows that if he learns all about fractions and passes the test he'll be able to buy Modern Warfare 6 when it comes out next month, he might bust his ass to pass.

So....you want schools to buy kids video games to reward good grades?

Anyway - you are already covering ground that has been covered and largly dismissed. Rewarding kids for getting a grade/passing a test has rarely been shown to have a positive impact. Most studies show a negligable increase at best.

What has been shown to improve standardized test scores is to reward actions the kids have more control over - like class attendance or reading a book (KIPP schools do this) Honestly though, IMO it should not be the schools responsibility to make sure the kid gets to school or -to some extent -read at home. Thats just taking more of the parenting from the parents and making the school shoulder the burden. I think overall parents are spending less and less time parenting and this is the biggest cause of problems

 

[Texashiker]

IMO it should not be the schools responsibility to make sure the kid gets to school or -to some extent -read at home.

When I was little, say 5, 6, 7 years old my mom, dad and grandmother bought me comic books. They bought me the comic books because that is what I would read. I would spend hours reading comic books.

As an adult, I will read just about anything in front of me.

The difference I see between the 1970s and the 2000s, is the price and availability of extra reading material.

Comic books used to be in every corner store, in ever grocery store,,, all over the place and they were cheap.

Go to the grocery store now and what do you see? Magazines pointed towards sports, gossip, health and fitness - how to fit into that 2 piece swim suit, how to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks,,, and so on.

Where are the childrens books at? It seems there is a gap between books for small children and books for teenagers.

Maybe if we made it easier and fun for kids to read, they would read more?

 

[piasabird]

Most trade schools are considered technical schools and they actually cost more. But sometimes, this schooling just isnt available. It is sexist. Every college has nursing but not a machinst program.

 

[werepossum]

Evaluating teachers shouldn't be that difficult. I'd evaluate them in two steps. First, I'd test them on their subject(s) prior to the start of each year. I've known far too many computer teachers who could barely turn on the machine, and if you don't know the material, you can't teach it. Second, I'd evaluate them on their students' performance on standardized tests, but on the level of improvement, not on the relative performance. If your predecessors didn't teach them arithmetic, you probably can't teach them algebra. If they can't read, they probably aren't going to learn chemistry.

I'd also test each student at the end of the year (or new students) for reading, basic math and science, and English skills. A student missing any of these needs a summer in an intensive remedial program, else that child will likely continue falling behind.

I think Dank makes a good point though about parents being to blame for a significant part of our problem. One of the reasons magnet schools do so well is their tendency to shut out parents who honestly don't give a crap or assume that educating their child is the government's job and thus nothing for them to do.