DEAR ABBY: There are no words to express how disappointed I am at the education kids receive now and still graduate with "honors." I was at the grocery store a short time ago. Two young ladies working there just completed their freshman year at the local college. One of them had been on the honor roll all through high school.
I bought four packages of gravy mix that were on sale -- four packages for $1. As the cashier rang it up, I noticed that she had entered them at 44 cents apiece. When I brought it to her attention, she asked the other cashier if that was right. She asked, "Forty-four cents, wouldn't that be four for $1?" The other one picked up a calculator to find the answer.
Can you tell me, what did this honor student learn in school? Both girls are in college. My heart is broken for our kids. Maybe we need to go back to teaching like when I was a kid. Just call me ... GRANDPARENT IN TEXAS
DEAR GRANDPARENT: Frankly, your letter leaves me at a loss for words. I can only say that the problems with our educational system will not be resolved in an advice column. Readers?
-- Edited by ed11563 on Sunday 27th of September 2015 08:32:07 AM
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
I don't get it? DD10 knows what 1/4 is. The educational system is not that bad. Perhaps the sale sign was written such as " 44 $1" so the girl thought that meant .44 per item.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
It's problem solving that isn't taught. Those grads assuredly know that 1/4 is equal to .25 but they cannot translate that knowledge to veggies sold at 4 for $1 because schools no longer teach kids how to apply their knowledge nor do they teach how to solve problems. They teach to the test and if it's not on the test specifically, they don't teach it no matter how useful it is. Most schools teach the exact test questions and how to answer them.
DD's first day of 4th grade they learned 2 test questions and how to answer them and it went on each day from there. It was repulsive. That is why I detest public schools - I realize some are better than others this is just my experience. They are held to strict standards on test scores and they will do anything to achieve higher scores, even if it means not actually teaching.
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Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite !
I have met people who can not and should NEVER be at a cash register.
Something in their head just doesn't click.
I'm not surprised because I've seen it.
Problem solving is taught in high school.
But it needs to start a long time before high school.
Edit because I can't Flippin see what I typed.
-- Edited by lilyofcourse on Sunday 27th of September 2015 02:09:27 PM
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
This situation is normal here. Our schools suck. Big time. Like MM says they teach for the test. Not for real life.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou