01) National uniform standard. (Keep it cheap and simple.)
--I don't think this would remove cliques. Plus It tries to make everyone the same - something that should be frowned upon
Uniforms have a proven calming affect. Less competition amongst students about who looks better or has the most expensive clothing. It's just a distraction. Also prohibts girls from wearing provacative clothing.
02) Segregation of schools by gender until junior year of high school.
--Why? There have been studies showing it is better to have genders together during these years.
I have read the opposite. A few test schools here in the Atlanta area were set up that were single-sex. Test scores, self-esteem, and performance sky-rocketed!
03) Limit all sex/drug/alcohol/sensitivity/liberal education to one week of school during one grade.
--Why one week?
I would prefer nothing, but I was trying to throw the Libs a bone.
04) Go to an all-year school schedule/no long summers.
Despite a lot of you saying you like this idea, I don't. I have so much stress right now considering there aren't many days left of school (10 for me before Regents). I would die if I had to stay longer. Also, if we got like say two 1.5 month long breaks teachers would probably give out projects during at least one of them. Summer vacation is nice because there is nothing you have to worry about.
The Germans can do it, as well as most of Europe and the world. Why can't we? Summers would be shorter, students would forget less, but there would be longer Fall and Spring breaks. Two weeks instead of one for example.
05) Increase pay for teachers to a national average of $60K/year.
--If you increase the quailty of a lot of teachers then maybe. My school system right now though is already pretty close to that AFAIK.
That's why I said national average. I know teachers in Michigan who make $80K but here in GA it's closer to $40K I think. They need to be paid more but standards and expectations also need to rise with pay.
06) Reintroduce the "paddle" for elementary-aged school children.
--Why corporal punishment? Haven't there been studies showing it is better to reward than to punish?
My dad spanked me when necessary and it worked. These spoiled brats need some pain in their lives. The resulting humiliation from classmates would be good too.
07) Hang the 10 Commandments on all school walls.
--Not everyone is Christian Plus there is a seperation of church and state. I am atheist so I am definitely against it.
The 10 Commandments come out of the Old Testament. Christians, Jews, and Muslims refer to them in one way or another. IMO, people/kids need to know there is something greater than themselves, and that is what the 10 Commandments represent to me.
08) If high school-aged kids refuse to learn or drop out, they are forced into the military.
--This seems a little harsh. I think people would stay in and hate it (i.e. not learn to remember) instead of dropping out.
Well, when you turn 18 in Germany, you either go into the military or do community service for one year. If not the military, they need to be forced into some job or service where their feet will be held to the fire. Learn a trade of some sort.
09) Create a law that says that children from middle school on up can have no fewer than 4 hours of homework per night.
--I don't think I could picture ever doing 4 hours of homework in one night while I was in 7th grade! Even now it is a lot time, although I often have a little over 3 hours. This takes away from time students can do other things. I for example have gotten into 3d animation and video editing. With a school you're proposing I couldn't venture into new areas.
I did 4 hours of HW per night from 7th grade onward. In high school, it was more, and that work was done on top of debate team, computer team, German club, etc. I was up until midnight and woke up at 5:30 on most mornings to study. With that work load, kids wouldn't have time to fvck around. Again the key word is discipline!
10) Create a more University-like school week: Math, Science, and English on MWF and Social Studies, PE, Art/Music, Home-Econ/Life Skills on TU and TH.
--It could be a good idea. Although I'm not sure how much I would like it.
11) Make after-school sports conditional of academic performance.
--They already are, aren't they?
They say one thing and do another. Needs better enforcement. Ever see Coach Carter? No one should be able to say that sports participation is more important than academics!
12) Pass a law that prohibits high-school and college-aged students from being drafted into professional sports.
--I don't think we need this to be a law. Actually I think there shoudl be a law saying you can't create laws like this. People will do what they want.
Okay, so college is okay. High school, no. High-school kids/younger than 18 should be off limits from the NBA/NFL/MLB. Olympic sports are different.
13) Aside from a typing class and Internet research class, de-emphasize technology from the classroom.
--Why de-emphasize it? You come to Anandtech and don't like technology??
In too many school systems, they throw MILLIONS at new computers that sit idle instead of buying better chairs or paying teachers more. Having more computers in the classroom is not the answer. Besides, when my classes went to the computer lab, we screwed around more than learned anything.
14) Increased screening of teachers, try to hire teachers who have had work experience outside of the classroom.
--good idea
15) Eliminate teacher's union.
--I don't like the teachers association around here, so I wouldn't mind.
16) Introduce vouchers, forcing schools to improve or close.
What if it's the only school in the area? Would you make them travel an hour to another school? Also this would cause a severe cramping in schools. (Didn't you say you wnat low class sizes?
Product A is bad. People flee to product B. Company X produces product C, based on product B, balance is achieved between products B and C.
17) Create an atmosphere in the country that praises academic achievement.
--This is possible how? This seems like the whole country would have to be surrounded by "school is everything."
Why not? Instead of "Sex Sells" it should be "Brains Sell". Yes, it's daunting, but pop culture would have to be re-written. Again, if the Euros can do it, so can we.
18) Make kids believe that their lives will be sh!t without a good education.
--The sun is a turqoise color. (if you don't get it, nevermind)
I don't get it.
19) Increase competition amongst students: publicly embarrass students that fail.
--again, studies against this behavior
Again, worked for me! I don't give a sh!t about studies. I know what worked at my private school where, aside from family financial status, was pretty diverse.
20) Increase competition amongst students: promote those that succeed with scholarships, making others envious.
--could be good, but could also be bad
21) Students must be able to do two things before graduation in addition to other requirements: A) Balance a checkbook, B) Complete a 1040 form.
--ok
22) Increase the foreign language requirement to a minimum of 6 years.
--In New York you have to take up to "French 3," which means 3/4 years depending if you take the honors class the first year or not.
In Germany, most kids start learning a foreign language, usually English, in 5th grade. In 7th grade, they add a second foreign language, usually French or Russian. They stick with both, plus their German language studies, through the end of their 13th year (in the Gymnasium). Why can't Americans do that?
23) Identify "special needs" children earlier on and create special schools/classes for them only. No need for them to bring down a class of 30 to their level.
--I think this could cause more people being diagnosed with special needs than actual people with special needs.
I don't think kids would be jumping to get on the short bus, so-to-speak.
24) Reduce classroom sizes to 20 or so max.
--good idea
25) Make English the official national language in the US classroom.
--isn't it already?
Officially? I don't think so. What was that whole deal with allowing Eubonics in the classroom a few years ago?
26) Elimate all the drugs: Prozac, Riddlin, etc. It's discipline kids need, not drugs.
--So if there if something mentally wrong with someone we should use that against them? Great idea
No, I am saying, in this country where people demand instant gratification, parents and greedy doctors alike are eager to perscribe mind-altering drugs to 3-year-olds because mommy and daddy let Johny act like a wild ape at home, drinking Coke while playing his PS2 for hours on end. This of course transfers into the classroom. Kids need to be better evaulated before getting such drugs. It shouldn't be so easy. I bet 7 times out of 10, such drugs are perscribed in error. If there was real discipline at home, the drugs would be unnecessary. It would be far easier and inexpensive to limit the PS2 and Coke intake. If Johnny cries at this, whoop his ass!
BTW, I graduated from high school in 1998.
). Even the beginning salary should be enough for anybody assuming thay have a working wife or husband. Thirty five - seventy five thousand a year with the benefits should be good enough for anyone and a hundred and twenty thousand a year for a principal of a school is money taken away from our kids. So all this means in my opinion is that lack of money to schools is not the problem,rather the system itself that needs to bwe fixed.
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