Smart preschooler , idiot high-schooler?

Question

Can someone explain me?

I come from Europe, married a darling American and now I live here in the US .

I don't understand something.

In the USA toddlers, even newborns are prompt to learn ABC's and 123's , shapes,etc

Preschoolers learn about the solar system , reading and writing

Then by 4th or 5th grade when they SHOULD master all these skills , they regress and many kids can hardly read or write. Many High School students can't spell or know basic geography , history , chemistry or math.

Even many graduate people with college struggle with this .

The question is why almost everybody here has a "High" school diploma if they don't deserve it ?? Why they put so much pressure on toddlers to learn the ABC's if later they can't spell and read??

In Europe you have to work hard for it . In order to have the minimum passing grade you have to know the basic of general culture.

Answer 1

It is the American way for parents to "check out" by high schoolers.  I've witnessed on several occasions of parents of high schoolers come to the wrong school to pick up their child.  (We have a school choice plan in our urban area.)  Can you imagine living with your child and not even knowing what school they go to?  Unbelievable.  

I've contacted parents to request meetings, to let them know they were hurt in gym class, to let them know of their child's performance, to tell them they have been nominated for an award.... and actually being cussed or laughed at.  One child was up for a very prestigious award and the parents asked if anybody could take a picture if he won it.

Another thing to think about is this..  (and President Bush's No Child Left Behind is changing this).  Children with special needs ... any special need .... was not required to "pass" to go to the next grade.  A simple check on their IEP exempted the child from the grade's requirements.  Now it's not so simple to do that.  

Furthermore, European and American schools are not the same.  European schools have different schools for children of different ability levels.  American schools do not have that option.  In my state, having courses exclusively reserved those formally identified as academically gifted are not allowed.  They excluded the other children.  (

Answer 2

I agree with everything Janis said.  The push for early learning is harmful to children.  A great book on this subject is Better Late than Early.  

In addition, our schools do not teach children how to learn and think independently, they teach children to memorize information for tests.  A great book on this subject is Dumbing us Down by John Taylor Gatto, a former NY teacher.  Another good one is How Children Fail by John Holt.

I think homeschooling preschool is a great idea.  I sent my oldest to preschool and it was a mistake.  I am going to teach my younger two at home.

I think preschoolers need very little formal academic work.  If you want to do some - Kumon workbooks are fun, and Rod and Staff has some great preschool workbooks:

http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com

Other than that just read to your child, and include her in daily activities like cooking, chores, errands, etc.  Find activities your child enjoys - art class, ballet, swimming, sports, park days or even just weekly story time at the library. You can also do thing as a family - crafts, baking, field trips, bike rides, nature walks, etc.  Just be careful not to overdo it.

Answer 3

You are right in many of your observations. That's not something from US only. It happens worldwide and the problem is very complex to explain here in these few lines.

But it has to be with the school system, among other things. The problem is that every human being is birn with the need to learn, so they all are smart and quick and eager to learn and ask questions.

The school system puts all them in a box (the classroom) and a poor teacher has to manage to make them learn at the same pace/time and the same subjects. She (the teacher) has to follow a rigid curriculum and not the wide imagination and passion for learning of everyone of the 25-30 students.

That's why the end up hating learning, reading and so on.

The system is also weak, you are right. I come from South America and found that my son was two grades higher than the grade they put him here. They use the "age" to select in what grade the child will be, not how much he/she knows or how well and quick she/he learns.

I'm also considering homeschool, even when is a difficult decision. You are right thinking that it may be scary.

I suggest that you inform well about the laws in the state/province you live in. Read some books in homeschooling, as there are many different approaches and methods.

You'll find that once you begin is fun and the kids learn very fast.

You need to analyze your family needs and goals, your values and how everybody fits here. The schedule and methods you use and the subjects you study with your kids will depend on your family needs and your kids interests and learning styles.

It is also scary to think outside the box and do something that is not so usual (go against the flow), but it is worth if it is good for you and your kids.

Good luck

Answer 4

I think it depends on the school you send the child to.

were not all stupid!

Answer 5

I can't remember the exact place I heard it but someone put it very well once...

As children the parents are overly involved setting up all sorts of things to keep there children academically stimulated...preschools, sports and dance classes, daycare etc.  Most of the time (unfortunately) they come from two-income families so there isn't much time to just relax and enjoy each other.  Then they get to a point where the child is old enough to be able to "take care" of themselves (old enough to be at home by themselves, possibly take themselves to their own classes) and the parents realize this FREEDOM.  They feel like they have all this time back and assume their children are mature and capable of making good choices.  So now we have kids who no longer want to do the assignments, are getting pregnant at younger ages, getting involved in drugs and alcohol.  No one wants to tell these children that they were wrong because ultimately it would mean the parents were wrong and made mistakes raising the children.  Who wants to be told that?  Instead we give them a diploma they don't deserve and wonder why we have adults who are illiterate and don't contribute to society.

Answer 6

Kids are 'burned out' with the forced learning by the time they are in 4th or 5th grade.   Even when they 'make good grades', they are not learning.  They learn to take the test and remember things short term.

You are right about many high school students who do not have a basic education.  Many graduate without being prepared for college or a career.

Why?  Because education is a business run by the government.    They know they are failing to educate and as in any government solution, throw more money at the problem.  Sen. Kennedy was concerned about the war and stated that we could build all new schools in America with the money spent.   New buildings will not help the education system.  I will use the word picture that it is like giving a bad driver a brand new car.  It does not correct the driving.

Answer 7

I would guess that the parents who are actually teaching the ABC's and 123's to their preschoolers and doing all that stuff won't have "idiot" high schoolers.

The high schoolers who have difficulty reading and all the other basics are more often than not the ones who didn't have a stimulating home life.

Part of the problem I see here in Canada (which isn't that different from what's going on in the US) is that many parents hand everything over to the teachers once their children are school age. In general (but certainly not every case), those who do well are those whose parents are involved. Those who don't do well have parents who expect the schools to do everything--and certainly don't expect their kids to take true responsibility for their learning.

I can't, however, explain why so many undeserving students earn diplomas.

Only tackle homeschooling if you enjoy being with your kids and want to be with them. All the different roles all work out within the course of a day--it might look stressful seeing the different roles "written out on paper", but it all blends together. As well, if you just continue being a mother, you will naturally add in more and more things for them to learn--you've been doing it since their birth, I would assume. You are already homeschooling them. When they're ready for more, you will add it in, as homeschoolers do.