1895 school exam, are we dumb?

[VanIsle]

Bankers control education Jack, teachers are less important than the janitors and bus drivers, and the students are just little consumers. PS I won't be going to grade nine unless I start cramming.

You think teachers are less important. I don't know where you live but I can tell you - where I live, students mean zip! The teachers set it up so they get off early in the day. The teachers take students with special needs (most teachers) and put them to the back of the class treating them like dummies who cannot learn. (then they wonder why this same student is disrupting the class). Pro D. days are nothing but a farce. It is not a requirement for teachers to attend. In this city, many of them use the time off to go skiing. This Monday and Tuesday are Pro D. days. I guarantee you that most of the teachers will either be home or on Mount Washington. We have beautiful sunny skies and most teachers are not going to use those days for "professional" reasons. My own brother and his wife are retired teachers and they are so insulted when they think the teachers should get more pay and smaller classrooms. I grew up in a town where teachers taught the number of students elligible for the grade. If they had 30 they taught 30 and if they had 40 they taught 40. We had one school. We were taught all the things you describe. The kids today are not actually taught much of anything. They are not taught writing skills. We had to spend a long time learning how to form each letter first in printing and then writing. They spend very little time on penmanship these days. Spelling! Forget that. One of my grandkids is in grade 6. His teacher (a man ready to retire at the end of this year) tells him to use a word processor to spell check! How dumb is that? He doesn't learn from using spell check. I guess that's not really true. He learns that he doesn't have to learn how to spell. A machine will do it for him. You are correct in stating that people are being dumbed down. The teachers are their best tool. That same teacher was amongst the only teacher who took my dis-abled grandson by the hand (literally) and kept him at the very front of the class where he began to learn things. His teacher this year isn't as good. The TA he has had for the past 4 years is a glorified babysitter. Her and all T.A.'s like her should be fired. Parents hands are tied to a degree. My son fights or his son would be taught nothing. Have to leave for work so you get off lucky as I have to stop my rant.

 

[countryboy]

This is a good example of why our bridges are falling, buildings are crumbling, airplanes are falling out of the sky, automobiles are breaking down, because we accept poorly trained people to do the important work.

To get into college or university all you need is seventy per cent, which means your missing thirty per cent of knowledge.

University grad means the person is not that smart.

Soon this society will become so obtuse that swinging in the trees will be the norm.

Well, I think you might have a point. Lowering standards for results to the lowest common denominator isn't a very sustainable way to improve the big picture. But, it does make everyone "feel good" as they descend into the abyss. Together.

 

[JLM]

I knew a whole bunch of farmers back home that would disagree with that prejudiced/ignorant remark.



In what respect? Are you talking about the ability to think and solve problems effectively? Not sure that I agree with you on that. We seem to still have problems with buildings falling down and killing people, and I believe "today's" engineers and architects might be involved. Scientists are another story...when I see a bunch of them fighting over theories like global warming, I wonder if we have indeed "progressed" in that department.

I guess they're still all human. And imperfect.

Hey, Countryboy, there's a mentality out that has two sets of standards when it comes to knowledge, one is what they (the elite) need to know and another standard when it comes to what the guys who sweep the floor and slop the hogs needs to know. Just hope things never come to pass when they find themselves sweeping the floor or slopping the hogs. (Oh, but it would sure be nice) :lol::lol::lol:

 

[countryboy]

You think teachers are less important. I don't know where you live but I can tell you - where I live, students mean zip! The teachers set it up so they get off early in the day. The teachers take students with special needs (most teachers) and put them to the back of the class treating them like dummies who cannot learn. (then they wonder why this same student is disrupting the class). Pro D. days are nothing but a farce. It is not a requirement for teachers to attend. In this city, many of them use the time off to go skiing. This Monday and Tuesday are Pro D. days. I guarantee you that most of the teachers will either be home or on Mount Washington. We have beautiful sunny skies and most teachers are not going to use those days for "professional" reasons. My own brother and his wife are retired teachers and they are so insulted when they think the teachers should get more pay and smaller classrooms. I grew up in a town where teachers taught the number of students elligible for the grade. If they had 30 they taught 30 and if they had 40 they taught 40. We had one school. We were taught all the things you describe. The kids today are not actually taught much of anything. They are not taught writing skills. We had to spend a long time learning how to form each letter first in printing and then writing. They spend very little time on penmanship these days. Spelling! Forget that. One of my grandkids is in grade 6. His teacher (a man ready to retire at the end of this year) tells him to use a word processor to spell check! How dumb is that? He doesn't learn from using spell check. I guess that's not really true. He learns that he doesn't have to learn how to spell. A machine will do it for him. You are correct in stating that people are being dumbed down. The teachers are their best tool. That same teacher was amongst the only teacher who took my dis-abled grandson by the hand (literally) and kept him at the very front of the class where he began to learn things. His teacher this year isn't as good. The TA he has had for the past 4 years is a glorified babysitter. Her and all T.A.'s like her should be fired. Parents hands are tied to a degree. My son fights or his son would be taught nothing. Have to leave for work so you get off lucky as I have to stop my rant.

VI - that's a good rant. I love it when you get PO'd and tell it like it is! Good post!

 

[countryboy]

Hey, Countryboy, there's a mentality out that has two sets of standards when it comes to knowledge, one is what they (the elite) need to know and another standard when it comes to what the guys who sweep the floor and slop the hogs needs to know. Just hope things never come to pass when they find themselves sweeping the floor or slopping the hogs. (Oh, but it would sure be nice) :lol::lol::lol:

Now there's a picture to consider...a member of the elite sloppin' the hogs. The question might be, which one of them has more common sense? At least the pigs know some good basic stuff like you don't sh!t where you eat! :lol:

(Sweeping the floor would take too long for some of them...you'd need a training program to show that the end of the broom with the bristle things goes toward the floor and the other end.....) :lol::lol:

 

[JLM]

You think teachers are less important. I don't know where you live but I can tell you - where I live, students mean zip! The teachers set it up so they get off early in the day. The teachers take students with special needs (most teachers) and put them to the back of the class treating them like dummies who cannot learn. (then they wonder why this same student is disrupting the class). Pro D. days are nothing but a farce.

I agree with a lot of what you say. I do however see one big problem in the education system and that is lumping "special needs" kids in with the mainstream. That does absolutely no good for either the special needs kids or the other kids. People have to be treated according to their individual needs and not just processed and promoted year after year. First of all the special needs kid needs to be evaluated and put on a program where he can reach his full potential- maybe it's only grade 8 but it's much better for him to be able to function at a grade 8 level than to have him "graduate" grade 12 and be functional at a grade 3 level.

 

[CDNBear]

But then you have to give the bulk density of wheat, without that the question cannot be answered. Or did everybody know the bulk density of wheat in those days?

Nope, you just have to know that measurement standards dictate that a bushel of wheat is a standard weight of 60lbs.

A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts. per bu, deducting 1050 lbs. for tare?

A dry bushel = approx. 1.244 cubic feet, the wagon contains 60 cu. ft. so divide that by 1.244. 3942- 1050 = 2892lbs. The wagon contains approx 48 bushels. $24 - Weight appears to be immaterial.

Not at all true, but you've got the right answer regardless, ;-)

This is a good example of why our bridges are falling, buildings are crumbling, airplanes are falling out of the sky, automobiles are breaking down, because we accept poorly trained people to do the important work.

To get into college or university all you need is seventy per cent, which means your missing thirty per cent of knowledge.

University grad means the person is not that smart.

Soon this society will become so obtuse that swinging in the trees will be the norm.

And you can thank the Liberalization of the education system.

Thanks to the Liberal Gov't, both Federal and Provincial, the standards of education have diminished greatly. To the point where mediocrity is the norm. Initiative, critical thought and excellence, has been replaced with the nanny states ideology of not wanting to hurt childrens feelings when they fail to make the grade.

You bitch about the outcome of their policies, yet support them and sport a pic of their collective, erroneous hero. Now that's ironic!

 

[countryboy]

You think teachers are less important. I don't know where you live but I can tell you - where I live, students mean zip! The teachers set it up so they get off early in the day. The teachers take students with special needs (most teachers) and put them to the back of the class treating them like dummies who cannot learn. (then they wonder why this same student is disrupting the class). Pro D. days are nothing but a farce.

I agree with a lot of what you say. I do however see one big problem in the education system and that is lumping "special needs" kids in with the mainstream. That does absolutely no good for either the special needs kids or the other kids. People have to be treated according to their individual needs and not just processed and promoted year after year. First of all the special needs kid needs to be evaluated and put on a program where he can reach his full potential- maybe it's only grade 8 but it's much better for him to be able to function at a grade 8 level than to have him "graduate" grade 12 and be functional at a grade 3 level.

Yep, that's true. I remember back in the good old days (before '59), we had - in my little countryish small town school - teachers who seemed to be able to cope with special needs and problems at the same time as keeping the standards high for the other kids. Does it mean they were simply "better" at their jobs in those days?

I'm not sure of the answer to that question, but I do recall a few of the "special needs" kids came out of the system with fewer special needs than when they started. A point to ponder...

 

[JLM]

Now there's a picture to consider...a member of the elite sloppin' the hogs. The question might be, which one of them has more common sense? At least the pigs know some good basic stuff like you don't sh!t where you eat! :lol:

(Sweeping the floor would take too long for some of them...you'd need a training program to show that the end of the broom with the bristle things goes toward the floor and the other end.....) :lol::lol:

I have to quit putting these stupid ideas in your head- You just get too carried away. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[Johnnny]

Speaking of Special needs one of my teachers IN UNIVERSITY wants me to get special help for my ADHD because she thinks im disabled and i need the help. Pfft what does she know i went my whole life without getting special help and im fine ;D, shes the PHD pfft, and i think she knows **** all about ADHD

 

[JLM]

"Not at all true, but you've got the right answer regardless, :wink:"- Geez, I am amazing.

 

[Johnnny]

i was raised that, if your bitching about it your not doing anything about it

 

[CDNBear]

Speaking of Special needs one of my teachers IN UNIVERSITY wants me to get special help for my ADHD because she thinks im disabled and i need the help. Pfft what does she know i went my whole life without getting special help and im fine ;D, shes the PHD pfft, and i think she knows **** all about ADHD

I wouldn't scoff Johnny, you may be entitled to special funding, or being provided with a laptop, at no cost to you. As my oldest son is. He has ADHD and Asperger's. He was provided with a laptop for his school work and tutorial support. For all intents and purposes, he was getting along fine, but the added benefit of tutoring and the laptop, has brought his marks so far up, that he's in a position to make the honour role. Sometimes, a small hand up, is a big deal.

It's something you should actually look into.

 

[JLM]

i was raised that, if your bitching about it your not doing anything about it

Right on Johnny, probably the most intelligent remark in the entire thread and you did it in one sentence- I like that- easy to read and understand.

 

[YukonJack]

There is nothing in the education field that the complete abolishment of Teachers' Union could not fix.

Any teacher who is willingly a part of a union, is clearly out there for him/herself and screw the children.

Our generation was not taught by unionized teachers. Maybe that is why we can sign our names. Maybe that is why we know more than present day teachers do.
Maybe that is why we never needed affirmative action, but achieved what we are on our own. Maybe that is why words like "entitlement" are mostly non-existent in our vocabulary.

Teachers - AT LEAST THE HONEST ONES - need a union like a fish needs a bicycle.

 

[Johnnny]

I wouldn't scoff Johnny, you may be entitled to special funding, or being provided with a laptop, at no cost to you. As my oldest son is. He has ADHD and Asperger's. He was provided with a laptop for his school work and tutorial support. For all intents and purposes, he was getting along fine, but the added benefit of tutoring and the laptop, has brought his marks so far up, that he's in a position to make the honour role. Sometimes, a small hand up, is a big deal.

It's something you should actually look into.

your right, but i think i might have to get past my pride to pursue it more

Right on Johnny, probably the most intelligent remark in the entire thread and you did it in one sentence- I like that- easy to read and understand.

thanks i try

I remember when i was a kid i would ask my folks for help, and they would say what have you done to solve it? Id be like i dunno, and then my dad would say go back and get it wrong first, then come back and ill show you...

 

[SirJosephPorter]

For this reason I also disagree with SJP's remark that, "Schooling wouldn’t be much good for somebody who was going to spend his entire life as a farmer". Farmers still had to buy their seed and sell their crops.Ignorance is a cage, pure and simple. We may not all need - or want, for that matter, to go to university, but a basic education is not a privilege, it's a necessity.

I did not put it forth as my opinion, Downhome Woman, but what the typical farmer at the time may be thinking. If school education s not free, he has to pay for it, then he is going to see if he is getting value for money. Seeing that his son was going to spend his life as a farmer, he may not think that it was worth spending all that money on the boy’s education.

I personally agree with you, education is important for everybody. But even toady, in the third world countries, many of which do not have free school education, many poor farmers are reluctant to send their sons to school, if they have to pay for it.

 

[JLM]

There is nothing in the education field that the complete abolishment of Teachers' Union could not fix.

Any teacher who is willingly a part of a union, is clearly out there for him/herself and screw the children.

Our generation was not taught by unionized teachers. Maybe that is why we can sign our names. Maybe that is why we know more than present day teachers do.
Maybe that is why we never needed affirmative action, but achieved what we are on our own. Maybe that is why words like "entitlement" are mostly non-existent in our vocabulary.

Teachers - AT LEAST THE HONEST ONES - need a union like a fish needs a bicycle.

You're just purring along on all 8 cylinders today Y.J.- right on the mark, but we have a major problem in that the educated people don't understand your concept.

 

[countryboy]

your right, but i think i might have to get past my pride to pursue it more



thanks i try

I remember when i was a kid i would ask my folks for help, and they would say what have you done to solve it? Id be like i dunno, and then my dad would say go back and get it wrong first, then come back and ill show you...

Johnny - Your dad sounds like a very smart man.

 

[CDNBear]

Right on Johnny, probably the most intelligent remark in the entire thread and you did it in one sentence- I like that- easy to read and understand.

I wouldn't go so far to say that. Although I agree he's made a valid point. His comment, is based more on pride, then a factual experience, IMHO. I could be wrong.

I think accepting assistance when truly needed, isn't lowering ones capabilities or standards, it has the potential to raise one to a standard they may not have achieved without it. And I certainly wouldn't fault Johnny, or think him any less a man, for seeking to rise above ones genetic short comings, with a hand up. In fact, I would think the opposite.

Who knows? Without actually looking into what is available to Johnny, we as a society, may miss out on the next Canadian Nobel laureate, or a break through in whatever field Johnny is focusing on.