How are our schools doing?

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

‘53’ States? Video of Teens Failing Miserably at a Civics Quiz Is So Depressing It’s Funny

www.theblaze.com/stories/this-video-of-teens-failing-miserably-at-a-civics-quiz-is-so-depressing-its-funny/

Did you know that “bin Laden” is the vice president of the United States, or that the Civil War led to America’s independence? How about that Canada’s a state?

Well, that’s what some local students at (what appears to be) a Washington state high school think. In a video that’s probably a few hours from going viral, a young man decided to question classmates for a video called “Lunch Scholars.” It is anything but scholarly. HuffPo explains:

Austin, an intrepid young student-reporter, embarks on the noble mission of answering the question, “How much basic knowledge do American high school students really have?” The answer, however, may not be exactly what you want to hear.

“Do you know the vice president of the United States?” Austin asks.

“I don‘t know who it it’s, it’s, it’s somebody….Bin Ladin,” one student responds.

The video continues in similar fashion, asking everything from, “In what war did America gain independence?” (which no one answered correctly without a hint) to “What countries border America?”

By the way, one student says there are 51 states. Maybe he is friends with the girl who thinks Canada is one of them.

HuffPo may have said it best: “If there was ever a movie to make you laugh to keep from crying, it’s this one.”

Let the laughing, and crying, begin:



Hillbuzz blog, however, isn’t laughing, and used the video to go after teachers’ unions:

Why do teachers’ unions claim they deserve more pay and endless benefits when this is the result of their “hard work” in the classroom?

[...]

I can just hear the teachers’ union reps consoling the kids who thought there were 51 stars on the American flag (you know, for all 51 states): “It’s okay Brendan, you can try again. We are all winners here. There are no right or wrong answers. You said there were 51 stars, but if you can think up an extra 6 stars you too can be president some day”.

That’s not to say, though, that there aren’t good teachers. But there’s obviously a failure somewhere.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

I have to listen to the youtube video later tonight.

[zibazinski]

C 'mon. Don't you think this was staged? Or they simply didn't pay attention at all and thought it would be funny just to say whatever.

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

Feb 9, 2012 16:14:13 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

C 'mon. Don't you think this was staged? Or they simply didn't pay attention at all and thought it would be funny just to say whatever.

Stuff like this has been brought out in the open for quite a number of years now.

[zibazinski]

Well, I'll bet the person could have found some intelligent people, too, but it wouldn't be nearly as sensational.

[billisonboard]

My ex once told a couple of young ladies who were begging to spend class time fixing their hair for the evening dance that she didn't give "B's" for "beauty".

[jkapp]

See, if teacher's taught to the test then they might at least retain SOME of that information

[fairlycrazy23]

Feb 9, 2012 16:19:04 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Well, I'll bet the person could have found some intelligent people, too, but it wouldn't be nearly as sensational.

It is not really a question of finding intelligent people, every student should have been able to answer those questions, they where very basic.

[zibazinski]

Why? We have posters who can't spell or couldn't answer these questions, too.

[cme1201]

Have you ever seen Leno or the Tonight Shows "Man on the Street" segments? This is no different.

[zibazinski]

Dummies breed dummies. Teachers can't fix non-caring students or their parents.

[Deleted]

Why do teachers’ unions claim they deserve more pay and endless benefits when this is the result of their “hard work” in the classroom?
I can just hear the teachers’ union reps consoling the kids who thought there were 51 stars on the American flag (you know, for all 51 states): “It’s okay Brendan, you can try again. We are all winners here. There are no right or wrong answers. You said there were 51 stars, but if you can think up an extra 6 stars you too can be president some day”.
That’s not to say, though, that there aren’t good teachers. But there’s obviously a failure somewhere.

Big surprise & yes these may not be "average" students but does it matter? We are graduating a bunch of "stupid" kids & that's just criminal.

Sure it's really really easy to blame teachers & also really really wrong. It's the fault of parents & voters here in the U.S. We want to protect our poor little darlings from those mean old teachers & we want to set standards so low that they will graduate if they go to school even half the time. No holding anyone back because they they wouldn't feel good about themselves. Sure they may not be smart enough to know how many states there are but they are smart enough to know that they will graduate even if they don't study.

Anymore a successful teach is one that isn't hit or stabbed by a student or parent in any given day & stays in the system long enough to retire. If someone actually leans something along the way well that's just an accident. I know 2 teachers by they way. If they were any more hand tied in school they wouldn't be allowed to talk to students. Nope, not their fault, it's ours.

[Sam_2.0]

billsonboard - B's for Beauty reminds me of tutoring the football guys in college. D for Degree was their motto I got to bust my hump for a 3.8 to maintain my 25% scholarship while they kept their full ride for 2.0. At least I got paid through work-study to tutor them

[Sam_2.0]

Old Tex - #yeahthat# Ditto to everything you just said. Its a major reason why I didn't pursue a career in teaching once I graduated. And my friends that did end up teaching are frustrated beyond belief. Half have found other avenues of employment already, and we are only 6-7 years out of college!

[zibazinski]

The good teachers do give up and leave teaching and it's a shame. When we give the classrooms back to the teachers, you will get good teachers again.

[weltschmerz]

That’s not to say, though, that there aren’t good teachers. But there’s obviously a failure somewhere.
-------------------------
Ya think?? When I was living there, I found myself arguing with college kids who insisted that Rome was the capital of Romania, and that the US shares a border with only one other country.

[Deleted]

As long as we have money we can import brains and talent, that is the American way.

But seriously, depending on where you are, some public school districts are second to none in the world, others are barely trying to make sure that those who should be graduating high school can read and write at a grade 6 level.

But doesn't every generation bitch about how much harder and more rigorous their schooling was than it is for those who come after. I've heard this song before, but clearly, there is vast room for improvement.

[Deleted]

It's a shame poor kids can't get the same push, help, time that rich kids get. Then we'd have everyone in Cornell, Harvard, Yale, and other yeshiva's like them.


Hi Robert_not_Bobby..........how's she cuttin'?

I haven't read any of this post, so if mine makes zero sense, don't get your nickers in a twist.

[Deleted]

Robert, Exalt me every day please, so my Karma's increase to the level of those who are here every day. Ya hear???

[zibazinski]

My kids most assuredly had it harder in school than I did. Tons of homework and bs rules. Wasted time with feel good programs designed to make kids feel better about themselves as opposed to teaching them to succeed in the real world. Testing up the wazoo in order to punish schools and teachers who have no control over the home life or the first five years of these kids lives. They start school unprepared and they rarely catch up. But that's the teachers fault, to be sure.

[Deleted]

Feb 9, 2012 17:41:03 GMT -5 @abfab said:

It's a shame poor kids can't get the same push, help, time that rich kids get. Then we'd have everyone in Cornell, Harvard, Yale, and other yeshiva's like them.


Hi Robert_not_Bobby..........how's she cuttin'?

I haven't read any of this post, so if mine makes zero sense, don't get your nickers in a twist.

My dearest, sweetest fab...you lower yourself to mix with the common rabble, I am honored, almost beyond words.

Your post makes perfect sense toots. Hope all is well in your world.

I've heard good things about Cornell, but lets play dumb.

[Deleted]

ha ha. Oh Yes, Mum's the word.

Nice to see you here.

Until we meet again. Cheerio. xo

[Deleted]

You exalted me!! ;D I did, you, too. lol

[billisonboard]

Feb 9, 2012 17:43:35 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

My kids most assuredly had it harder in school than I did. Tons of homework and bs rules. Wasted time with feel good programs designed to make kids feel better about themselves as opposed to teaching them to succeed in the real world. Testing up the wazoo in order to punish schools and teachers who have no control over the home life or the first five years of these kids lives. They start school unprepared and they rarely catch up. But that's the teachers fault, to be sure.

Kids from higher socioeconomic families take two steps forward during school, another from intellectually rich after school environments, and then still another forward over the summer from trips, camps, and interaction with educated parents. Kids from lower take two forward during school, go nowhere after school, and then one step backwards during a summer of minimal intellectual stimulation. And schools are blamed for not closing the gap.

[Deleted]

Feb 9, 2012 17:56:36 GMT -5 @abfab said:

You exalted me!! ;D I did, you, too. lol

Exalting simultaneously can be so much fun. Hey, I have to go. I still have your #. Take care.

Show up when you can.

[Don Perignon]

How are our schools doing?

Well, for one thing, you can't get blood out of a stone. Teachers are stuck working with whatever raw material they are given, and you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Judging from the literary skills I see demonstrated on the internet, there are a lot of earless sows out there, shooting out litters of rude little porkers who think "Professional Wrestling" and "Jersey Shore" are the epitome of Culture.

[vandalshandle]

What's the matter with kids today?

[billisonboard]

Feb 9, 2012 19:59:15 GMT -5 vandalshandle said:

What's the matter with kids today?

Excellent

[billisonboard]

Feb 9, 2012 20:10:07 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

I sent this to my DD and she had her "home schooled" son try to answer these questions. He missed 3.
He's 8.

Sure, they are easy for an eight year old. But will he still be able to answer them correctly once the hormones kick in?