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| America the Undereducated? |
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| Written by Jennie S. Bev / For the Tracy Press / | |
| Tuesday, 15 April 2008 | |
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Town Crier: In a global world that will judge us on our intellect, the United States is falling behind.
The Mountain House Branch Library allows every member to check out 50 items at a time. But according to Susan Jacoby, in her highly acclaimed book, “The Age of American Unreason,” the attention of span of today’s children and teenagers has decreased considerably, thanks to MTV, video games and the Internet.
Asian countries, like China and India, are on a meteoric rise to economic and intellectual stardom. In 2005, there were 600,000 engineers produced in China and 500,000 in India, while there are a mere 70,000 new engineers annually in the United States. Of course, there are arguments that American education is better than anywhere else. We might have a better educational system and facilities, which would highly influence the quality of college graduates. Still, a graduate’s quality is also affected by personal character and attitude.
It is common knowledge that today’s youth prefer beautifying their Facebook.com profiles to reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” or Kiran Desai’s “The Inheritance of Loss.” Too boring, they probably would say, with those pearly white iPod earphones in their ears. It is no surprise, and it’s reflected in their low reading skills. According to a recent Progress in International Reading Literacy study released by Boston College, fourth-grade students from 10 countries, including Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, Sweden and Canada, showed better reading skills than American kids. In 2001, however, it was much better, as there were only three countries that did better the United States. Look at the bright side: Our kids love “Harry Potter,” which is good enough to start a back-to-reading movement. Handwriting, of course, is also on a dwindling path into mere typing. While most high school students have their own MySpace sites and blogs, handwriting might feel “so 1990s.” Nobody really writes anymore. Some parents even think that teaching handwriting is an obsolete concept and a waste of time and resources. As long as the kids can type a gazillion words per minute, it doesn’t matter how they write a “d” or a “b,” and which direction the letter faces is also not that important. Whoa. A country full of people who don’t know how to write by hand is pretty scary.
The beautiful art of handwriting and the adventurous journey into an author’s mind through books might have been replaced by a laptop, a BlackBerry or even an iTouch, but we should not cease educating and motivating our youth to appreciate culture and intellect. After all, culture is what the world is made of, and intellect is how we will be judged in a highly globalized world.
Sometimes, being an American is enough to make us proud, but oftentimes it is a hollow sentiment. Without good judgments about what the future needs from Americans, something that will depend on our cultural and intellectual influences, we might need to swallow the bitter pill for being an empty holler. The key is to acknowledge healthy competition with people from other nations and to begin the change, one person at a time, starting with ourselves. • Jennie S. Bev, a Mountain House author, commentator and college-writing teacher, is among a select group of local residents with columns in the Tracy Press. Her blog is at JennieSBev.com.
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(43)
 written by melly , April 16, 2008
I couldn't agree with this article more. As a homeschooling parent all of our reports, sentences and journal entries are handwritten cursive. We don't even use a computer for our schooling, although they will learn computer skills in time, we don't have a use for it right now. We also limit media time so the appreciation for books and imaginary play are not lost. In our opinion there is no such thing as an educational video game. We aren't totally lost in yesteryear, though. We do allow for video game, tv and some computer time over the weekends, but it's limited still. Since pulling my kids out of the public school system their math, reading and writing skills have improved by leaps and bounds. When my 4th grader finished 2nd grade in public school his writing was illegible and he was doing addition using his fingers (a habit he no longer needs, but reverts to in lazy moments). His writing is beautiful now and he has discovered that math is a lot of fun! I wish parents could see the price we are paying for our love of technology.
 written by Dave Hardesty , April 16, 2008
While I agree with Jennie Bev that our educational standards in the USA are waning in contrast to previous years and our schools and parents should be more diligent in monitoring the education our young people are receiving instead of allowing them to be distracted by all the high tech “fun” out there, the comparative numbers she has used with India and China, when analyzed completely, render a different picture.
As an example please consider the following points. The US has an overall population of about 26.85% that of India and 22.96% of China. Let’s just simplify it and make it an even 25% or 1/4th of the population of those countries, using the datum provided in Jennie’s article and population estimates of the US, India and China found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...opulation. Our colleges and universities in the US produce slightly more than half the engineers per capita compared to India and China during the same period of time, 52.14% and 50.81% respectively. If you take into account the vast differences in these country’s populations and level them to make a valid comparison for the US, the US would then be producing roughly 17,363 engineers over the same period of time easily dwarfing the results from India or China. When looking at large numbers and concentrating solely on the numerical output, it is relatively easy to see a problem with the US educational system that upon closer analysis really does not exist. written by Dave Hardesty , April 16, 2008
cont.
The fact the US population base produces about half the engineers of China or India, with a population size one quarter the size of either of those countries, is really a good indication, not a bad one. It is also noteworthy to come to the understanding that the most coveted engineering degrees are earned in the US and not in either of these two countries mentioned, not saying for one moment those engineers are any less qualified than the ones we produce here. While this is really good news we certainly don’t wish to be complacent about the other social problems involving the education of our children and how they academically perform in comparison to the rest of the world population. In short I strongly encourage parents and schools to approach their students, turn off the tube, computer, x-box and MP3 players and have them read and go outside for their main recreational activities. Yes, recreation is a vital part of the growth process for our young minds but it needs to be balanced with educational values in order to produce an adult that is a benefit and not a hindrance to themselves and our society as a whole. Dave Hardesty  written by Steve Reshakis , April 16, 2008
Once again, no one will address the "Cause"
Public Schools are run By The teachers Unions and a Democrat Controlled govt. They "Dumb Down" education and push the Poor performers out the graduation door just as Fast. They let The Hip Hoppers and gang bangers run amuck, and with a Incompetent Administration ( top heavy at that) they allow the Thugs to terrorize and slack off. leftists push condoms and global warming, and abandon latin, and Math to politicaly Correct feel-Good activism, We let students out of school to protest Border Controlls, and To protest the war In Iraq, but expell anyone who might speak one word in defence of the unborn. someone once said that because of this America will reap a "whirlwind" of a criminal and Savage generation.... You are witness to it as you read this. written by Dave Hardesty , April 16, 2008
Steve
If you are really thinking critical on this who is the "They" you are talking about? These unions and government entities you are pointing out can only do what we the voters continue to allow them to do. If the American voter continues to place these issues on autopilot and continue to allow these entities to have un-fettered rein over what they do the result is going to continue to be the same or worse than it is today. I feel somewhat as you do in my frustrations on this but you really can't point the finger of blame to these entities when it's the American voter that continues to let these things go on. Bottom line, the causative effect in all of this is directly traced to the general ambivalence of voters today who do not demand the officials they elect to public office to make a change. Dave Hardesty  written by BernieS , April 16, 2008
To Mr.Reshakis,
We repeatedly have read your opinions on the "causes" of racism and poor education in America and it seems as though you like to frame your arguments by merely indicating problems without suggestions of how we as members of the community can involve ourselves with constructive dialogue to improve our communities. I recommend that if you are clearly frustrated with the problems that we face as a community on racism, education, crime, or issues of teenagers, offer us some constructive solutions to improve our community. Maybe you could share some of your ideas on how you would create a better educational system that would improve "our" community in Tracy. Maybe you could attend city council meetings to offer your opinions or maybe run for city council to make a difference in our community. Let's think together as a community about what we can do to improve our education which provides the "future" of our community rather than frame arguments about who should take the blame like the "politicians" or "political groups" or "teens". The question is not who to blame but why if we as a community are frustrated with our teens and educational system, what we can offer as positive solution to improve the problem.  written by Mark Davis , April 16, 2008
Sue Jacoby's book is noteworthy for another reason: it analyzes the failure of adults to think critically (and most of the adults failing to do so did not come of age with video games and Facebook). Instead, one of the central problems is the rise of anti-intellectualism that is due to an unwillingness to think dutifully and with care for one's biases. Global-warming deniers, anti-historical understanding of rights and law, and anti-evolution punditry are fine examples of what happens when people don't care enough to try to understand a topic with a discerning and skeptical mind.
That might be the bigger failure insofar as we communicate our own dumbed-down world view to our children.  written by Ray Avila , April 16, 2008
According to Mr. Reshakis all our problems are casued by leftist Democrats and liberals. While not blaming conservatrives or republicans I would note that for 8 years the Republicans have controlled the White house whcih sets federal education policy . In Tracy republicans have controlled our city council and school boards for over 20 years. While as I said I dont blame the Repbulicans in Tracy or Washington DC they certainly have not provided a noticable improvement. In Sacramento a Republican governor has annualy cut funding for education. Mr Reshakis do you have any real sugestions for solutions to our problems and if you do every first and third Tuesday please come to 300 Civic center Drive and share with us. The school board would also welcome any construtive suggestions.
 written by amy , April 16, 2008
The present education system is grooming the students for life of lesser expectations?
We need to revamp the educational system to compete with the world's children on global scale when they enter employment field as adults. Corporations are hiring foreign workers due to their high technical skills through their dedication to education. Corporations look for those with "dedications" to excellence which many children are sorely lacking in USA. Children from all parties, Republican, Democrat,Independent, and so on are lacking in sense of excellence in achieving things. Do they plan for their future? Do they save money, have understanding of allowance? More and more students are so very unprepared for life, unfortunately.  written by Dale Cose , April 16, 2008 written by Mark Davis , April 16, 2008 “… one of the central problems is the rise of anti-intellectualism that is due to an unwillingness to think dutifully and with care for one's biases.” A thorough self-portrait. “Global-warming deniers, anti-historical understanding of rights and law, and anti-evolution punditry are fine examples of what happens when people don't care enough to try to understand a topic with a discerning and skeptical mind.” Your baseline statement for settled science and discussion… it exemplifies your critical thinking. You need to go sit in the corner and reflect. written by Mark Davis , April 16, 2008
Dale: Your snideness reflects exactly the problem Jacoby points out. How do we assess the truth and factual basis for these complex topics? Her argument is that if we elevate the opinions of non-specialists or those with vested interests because they confirm our biases, and then we express those biases to our children, our children do not come away with a deep appreciation for how to sort through the many varied claims.
In effect we have ended thought and we move into an era of American unreason. written by Dale Cose , April 17, 2008 Mark, your inability to see your bias is legend. Sorry I am so unimpressed with your views. “Her argument is that if we elevate the opinions of non-specialists or those with vested interests because they confirm our biases, and then we express those biases to our children…” Well, we could turn over our “non-specialists or those with vested interests opinions” to the intelligentsia and come away with profound insight on our overlords designs. Then we can have them institute programs designed for failure when differing ideas have not been debated. “In effect we have ended thought and we move into an era of American unreason.” With thought like that… the sky will always fall, a better day is never coming. written by Mark Davis , April 17, 2008
Dale: Since you are notorious for not actually arguing any point, I ask again what specific claim of failure do you have concerning the scientific consensus in human contributions to global warming or the scientific evidence concerning evolution? Those are the two issues I rose above and I think that failure to address them is strong evidence of confirmational bias(as I've argued in the past).
But mainly it just supports Jennie's argument (and Jacoby's) that a primary and influential part of our educational problems are due to a culture that simply doesn't value coherent thought or the achievements of education itself (e.g., science). written by Dale Cose , April 17, 2008 Mark: Since you are notorious for whining and feeling you have risen above… God like?... those two issue Your scientific consensus continues with a loss for an explanation of ocean current movement vs. unexplained cooler ocean temps… why doesn’t a CO2 increase precede a global temperature increase… is solar output waning… why are the polar icecaps on Mars melting… how much precipitation falls upon the earth in a 24 hour period… was there any data correlation/corruption between the fall of the USSR, lack of funds necessary to maintain temperature observation facilities, and average temperature increases worldwide… and while you’re on it please cite those environmental issues caused by man and his relationship to global warming… you know, the usual. Seeing as how the earth’s climate has been altered in the past, what could be construed as evidence that man is not responsible for climate change? Scientific evidence concerning evolution- I have no point and cannot explain evolution or intelligent design. “But mainly it just supports Jennie's argument (and Jacoby's) that a primary and influential part of our educational problems are due to a culture that simply doesn't value coherent thought or the achievements of education itself (e.g., science)” As usual, a poorly framed comment. Let me take that back, after listening to Mr. Obama’s elitist comments, Ms. Clinton’s inability to get her stories straight along with Jennie’s arguements I can see the educational problems of a culture that simply doesn't value coherent thought or the achievements of education itself. Please feel free to include yourself in that category. written by Mark Davis , April 17, 2008
Dale: But you haven't explained why the scientific consensus exists? What possible explanations can there be for that?
written by Dale Cose , April 17, 2008 Grants. You don't get them for doing nothing… Oops… Mr. Critical Thinker, you are aware scientific consensus is meaningless? What you get all worked up about is theory. When the theory is reproved time and again you then have a fact. Climate change has happened time and again… ergo fact. Your team has yet to show that man causes your current “Global Warming” phase. You have yet to deliver any scenario(s) that show man would not be the proximate cause i.e. The temperature is hotter/warmer/cooler/colder at some/various/all locations. The global precipitation is less/more than usual. Hurricanes are more/less frequent or more/less powerful. Ice pack at the North/South Pole is greater/lesser than average. Does the largest greenhouse gas, water vapor, making up 95% of the atmosphere, play any part in weather conditions? Dare we say “failure to communicate” on your part… or just your bias showing?  written by Silly Me , April 17, 2008
IF THE SHOE FITS, WHERE IT. UNEDUCATED CHILDREN FROM UNEDUCATED PARENTS. DNA DOESN'T LIE.
written by amy , April 17, 2008
I hope the kids who play on the puter most of the time when home from school will read this if they happen on "Tracy Press".
"it might be hard for America to compete in a highly globalized world. We might no longer be the superpower country when our kindergartners sit in high school classrooms." Educate yourself seriously so you will not be arrested at below par performance with below par pay. Time is of essense now for many young people. Parents should pay more attention to their child's grades and what they are studying. Make sure your children is constantly challenged every day on educational level. It will better prepare your child for the challenges in the future that would try a patient person. Good luck. written by Steve Reshakis , April 17, 2008
Mark Davis..The angle of rise from his Nose exceeds barack obama's
Mark davis's Global Warming Junk science is the Acme of anti-intellectualism..Davis's Arrogant Elitist attitude is typical of leftists who think a little college makes them the Voice of authority, when they realy are just POP-corn farts. This state has been Run and controlled By Democrats for 40 years now...and yes the blame rests on the California Voters...Like Mark Davis who put these Morons into office. You say I offer no solution, yet i alway say that the solution is to NEVER LET A Democrat Hold Public Office or Power in anything...that is the Solution. But yet again the Brainless Idiot tracy Liberals Blog first and think later....if at all. written by Steve Reshakis , April 17, 2008
is it the god-fearing that are beating teachers?
is it the God-fearing that are Gang-banging? is it the God-fearing that are Flunking out? is it the God-fearing that are Cussing? is it the God-fearing that are pregnant and dropping out? is it the god-fearing that teach how to put a condom on a Bannana? is it the God-fearing that block prayer, and attack Christians yet promote any other religion? is it the God-fearing that want open Borders is it the God-fearing that promote and recruit Gay lifestyles is it the God-fearing that Beat up other students no..it is the Godless, leftist, elitist, Commie, Socialist, Pinko, Democrat, Unions , and Administrators, and teachers, and politicians, of this Communist State. and the Students they create. But the Bible already has Told us that..."They shall call Good Evil, and Evil Good" This is also why you cant debate with pinkos... God has given them over to a depraved mind, and they are blinded to the truth...No matter how "Smart" they think they are... they are Made "Unable", "Blind", Crippled" By God. I dont have to win the argument....Mark. I'm not realy trying to convince you of anything.... written by Mark Davis , April 17, 2008
The problem of how to improve education in America still haunts us.
We have Dale who declares that the scientific consensus on climate change is bunk because the scientists get grants for studying the topic. That is not altogether true, however, since there are many government scientists involved who don't receive grants. Critical thinking would require us to ask which is more likely: most climate scientists (from a range of academic, government and non-governmental organizations) are deluded by the evidence they have accumulated that shows a link between human activity and climate change, or a few scientists (some of whom receive funding from petroleum lobbying groups) who claim such links are untrue? Then we have Steve Reshikas/Dave Kerst who declares educational failures linked to politics and religion. A good question is why educational performance is so good in Japan and China, both of which are largely non-religious, and in India (Hindu and Muslim)? These are starter questions to my mind that reflect the kind of critical thinking values that I would like to see in my students (for the record: it's been 16 years since I taught). written by Dale Cose , April 17, 2008
and we will continue to wait until hell (or the earth) freezes over for Mr. Davis to answer what should be simple climate questions, asked and not so deftly avoided each time.
written by Mark Davis , April 17, 2008
Dale: I have no background in climate science. As a consequence, I never debate factual claims about the latter. Since the topic is whether education in America is failing and why, like many educators I consider it good pedagogical practice to observe humility when reaching outside my area of expertise.
written by Steve Reshakis , April 17, 2008
Mark Davis says..Dale: I have no background in climate science. As a consequence, I never debate factual claims about the latter. These are the exact words of Al Gore....
Yet lack of back ground never stopped Davis or Gore from making Junk Science claims as fact. also they both use the same trick of "Not debating" because Junk Science fails at the slightest examination. as Far a Japan China or India having better school grades, Japan has High Moral Values and discipline, China has ( although a Dictatorship) rigid disclpine, and India also strong Value system....all these Countrys are far away from the Leftist Socialst Democrat Disaster we have here in America, all thanks to leftist Liberals Like Mark Davis who votes in these Godless pinko School administrators and Politicians. Davis cant debate anything, He hasent got a Leg to stand on. written by Mark Davis , April 17, 2008
Such a hard blow, Dale :-)
It's amusing that SR admits his previous argument was apparently wrong since a moral compass does not seem t be dependent on religion. Once again, though: Does polemical name calling and factual denial transmit the wrong educational message to our children? Does it relativize complex ideas so that children see little virtue in trying to understand social, scientific and intellectual value? Is that part of the reason that the US intellectual leadership is in question? written by Dale Cose , April 17, 2008 There is the hope that your students were able to see past your intellectual vacuous to the artist in you. As John Madden said, There is no there, there. written by Mark Davis , April 17, 2008
I do see a pattern, Dale, in your gradual descent into irritability when your arguments start to come apart. Some self-analysis might help you maintain an evener keel.
written by Dale Cose , April 18, 2008 "An evener keel" Oh dear, I'm impressed. ... Some time spent on a shrink's couch may help disabuse you of your notion of critical thinker with the "good pedagogical practice to observe humility when reaching outside my area of expertise." All the time you spent blustering unable to support your position on global warming yet calling upon other "deniers to support theirs. and for your next trick... written by Mark Davis , April 18, 2008
But you are mistaken, Dale. I wasn't calling on deniers to support their position, but just to explain why the scientific consensus must be wrong. Your failure to address the question at hand (and exclusive use of rhetorical distraction) continues to justify Sue Jacoby's concern that polemics have replaced intellectual depth and the argument that our children's scientific education is at risk because of poor quality reasoning.
 written by Bill Johnson , April 18, 2008
Wow...I'm thinking Steve and Dale might be retarded, or perhaps they are just examples of the educational system they seem so intent on destroying with ignorance and religion. I'm sure everyone reading is just hoping that their kid will share in your delusional views. Mark please continue to shred these two clowns....lol!!!!
written by Dale Cose , April 18, 2008 What luck, the big-headed-small Johnson weighs in. A little light there little bill. ‘Retarded’… excellent use of the word hopefully meant to only denigrate the 2 of us and not those retarded through circumstances of life. “Ignorance’ and ‘delusional’… having read your past comments, these terms would be defined by you? Why not wait to join us when you can actually contribute some thought? … getting back to Mr. Nuance, written by Mark Davis , April 16, 2008 “global-warming deniers, anti-historical understanding of rights and law, and anti-evolution punditry are fine examples of what happens when people don't care enough to try to understand a topic with a discerning and skeptical mind.” written by Mark Davis , April 17, 2008 “But you are mistaken, Dale. I wasn't calling on deniers to support their position, but just to explain why the scientific consensus must be wrong. Your failure to address the question at hand (and exclusive use of rhetorical distraction) continues to justify Sue Jacoby's concern that polemics have replaced intellectual depth and the argument that our children's scientific education is at risk because of poor quality reasoning.” The argument framed by you is best described as, It’s my field; I’ll move the goal posts whenever and wherever I want. According to you… If I deny man as the cause of global warming I don’t have a discerning and skeptical mind… and if I say there is no such thing as a consensus in science, either something is a verifiable fact or it is an unproven theory, you reject my position as a failure to address the question. Well, if that isn't a nuanced position. Markspeak, Orwellian indeed. written by Bill Johnson , April 18, 2008
Dale,
Here's a thought, Mark is wiping the floor with your weak outlook. You are the weakest link. Goodbye....!!!!  written by hermanhesse , April 18, 2008
Many of our students and teachers go home for the day and spend their leisure time in the evenings watching American Idol.
written by Dale Cose , April 18, 2008 written by hermanhesse , April 18, 2008 "I thought about 79% of the atmosphere was nitrogen?" Correct… were you referring to it as a greenhouse gas? Water vapor constitutes approximately 95% of Earth's greenhouse effect. written by Steve Reshakis , April 18, 2008
Someone has logged onto this Blog and used My Name. they have made the above comments starting with, "I am Better than God" and other filthy comments. This person has used My
Name in a attempt to make me look bad. It is the responsability of the Tracy Press to controll the content of this Blog and screen out such Foul and disgusting actions which ( are not supprising as this is the Direction that leftists go when They cant win an argument) it is Horrendous and I hold the Tracy Press responsable. they can look at the URL address of the E-mailer and see who is doing this. they should have software that will not allow the dual Use of User-names shame on the Tracy press for shoddy work and the person who did this is reprehensable. I demand they are blocked from using this Blog again. This is the facist-left in action.  written by Cindi matthews , April 18, 2008
See how easy it is to blog under a Fake Name?
someone Did it to me and made disgusting comments using My Name. the Tracy Press is an incompetent bunch of Morons to allow this. there are litteraly thousands of internet blogs and they have good sofware to block this kind of Trash. yet I can easily do it here. written by Cose Watch , April 18, 2008
written by Dale Cose , April 18, 2008
Water vapor constitutes approximately 95% of Earth's greenhouse effect. And 100% of Dales brain This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 April 2008 ) |
The United States might need to swallow a bitter pill in terms of cultural literacy and education, which is reflected in low reading and handwriting skills. Moreover, without mindful awareness of the seeming shrinking capacity of our youngsters’ minds, it might be hard for America to compete in a highly globalized world. We might no longer be the superpower country when our kindergartners sit in high school classrooms.
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