Instead of all these random gifted programs that are all or nothing, we need to start treating earlier grades like high school where some students take advanced classes and others do the bare minimum.
My school did that. We had separated reading groups in like 3-4th grade (there were like 3 levels within the grade, effectively behind/expected/advanced), and same for math starting in 3rd.
By 7th, we had accelerated science classes available to us.
Our whole education system needs a rework. Between the dogshit structure and the universally low pay for teaching we are going to end up far far more ignorant than we are now.
I stand by that every class-year should begin with an explanation of why you’re expected to learn the topic and what skills you’re expected to develop in the class, along with a paragraph or two sent to the parents on it. It won’t fix everything, but it will encourage students to quit thinking of their literature classes as a waste of time because they’re going into STEM or that their science classes are a waste because they aren’t.
I hated civics class and thought it was boring, but my mom made clear I was inheriting this country and I needed to know how it worked so I paid attention and by the end I was the sort of person who doesn’t avoid jury duty and who doesn’t resent paying taxes, just what’s done with thst money. Similar for learning to write and speak from my father who made clear that a stem job involves a lot of writing and public speaking.
I absolutely hated school until I got to college and took a C++ class. Suddenly I was having a blast because I could see purpose in what I was doing.
The reality of it is some people are good little drones who can work on pointless tasks because they were told to and people who aren’t and need to see why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Imo the gifted programs didn’t reward people because they were smart but because they were obedient.
Instead of all these random gifted programs that are all or nothing, we need to start treating earlier grades like high school where some students take advanced classes and others do the bare minimum.
My school did that. We had separated reading groups in like 3-4th grade (there were like 3 levels within the grade, effectively behind/expected/advanced), and same for math starting in 3rd.
By 7th, we had accelerated science classes available to us.
Our whole education system needs a rework. Between the dogshit structure and the universally low pay for teaching we are going to end up far far more ignorant than we are now.
I stand by that every class-year should begin with an explanation of why you’re expected to learn the topic and what skills you’re expected to develop in the class, along with a paragraph or two sent to the parents on it. It won’t fix everything, but it will encourage students to quit thinking of their literature classes as a waste of time because they’re going into STEM or that their science classes are a waste because they aren’t.
I hated civics class and thought it was boring, but my mom made clear I was inheriting this country and I needed to know how it worked so I paid attention and by the end I was the sort of person who doesn’t avoid jury duty and who doesn’t resent paying taxes, just what’s done with thst money. Similar for learning to write and speak from my father who made clear that a stem job involves a lot of writing and public speaking.
I agree 100%
I absolutely hated school until I got to college and took a C++ class. Suddenly I was having a blast because I could see purpose in what I was doing.
The reality of it is some people are good little drones who can work on pointless tasks because they were told to and people who aren’t and need to see why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Imo the gifted programs didn’t reward people because they were smart but because they were obedient.