Social Sense
All kidding aside, Walter Williams had this to say
about the new round of politicians who have solutions to our educational crisis. Read the article, and then ask yourself this: is there really a solution to the problem of American Education? I think the answer is “yes,” but not until all of us start being honest about the depth and breath of the problem.
When I was in high school, I worked at a Dairy Queen Brazier and learned to count out change without the benefit of digital technology, mainly because there was no digital technology.
If the price of an order was $3.74 and I received a five, I counted the change backward to the customer. A penny made $3.75, the quarter made $4, and the one made five. I thought it was easy as pie and anyone with minimal math skills could do it.
But after talking to kids that work fast food today, I realize what a genius I really was.
PS-the Walter William link is bad.
Hmmm. Okay, Try this
I'll give you this. That's a pretty funny post.
lol.. until people start demanding a higher standard in the educational process, we will never achieve it...exactly Mustang!
There no reason to fell better actually but the very same story I've been reading here in France at least ten years ago to ridicule the current level of education among kids aged 6 to 10.
The basis of the "joke" isn't timber but potatoes... With the very exact same conclusion (save for the Spanish part).
The 2007 maths are better than the 1990's ("cute" curriculum...) 
Seriously, "The Schools We Need... and Why We don't Get Them" by Dr Hirsch should be mandatory reading in Schools of Education.
But Mitch, wouldn't that signify that educationalists have been wrong all these years? What would such an admission do to the prestige of any university ME and PhD programs? No, we can't have that. Besides, an acceptance of Hirsch would benefit the students and that isn't what educationalists are focused on, is it?
Aren't you glad you stopped by for this dose of reality? No problem, Mitch. I don't charge for these services.
I'm always glad to stop by and read your posts, sir.
Educationalists can't be wrong. Why?
Because their theories are"Child-Centered", "Developmentally-Appropriate" and develop "Higher-Order Thinking" to become a "Life-Long Learner".
Their success in public schools all around the world are well-known: for example,France has successfully adopted their methods (or lack of thereof) in the nineties (see the latest PISA survey).
Aren't you glad there are charter schools?
I've heard that one before, but it's still good.
Growing up, I had a similar experience to LAS. I had a job at a pick-your-own farm, and often during apple season, I would be stationed at a remote parking lot with a money belt. People paid by the bag or something, and obviously I had to make change in my head (no cash register). I remember having to make change one time for my own math teacher, in fact. It is astonishing that our kids can't add or subtract in high school.
And it is yet one more reason my child attends parochial school. She's in kindergarten and can do basic addition and subtraction.
I've heard public schools no longer teach spelling, instead telling children to "spell it like it sounds." They are just giving up. What do we expect?
OT... tag, you're it, should you decide to accept it.
Commenting by HaloScan
