Education Reform

"By education reform, I do mean reform at the elementary level, as you have inferred." Great, it's round FOUR and we have established a more focused topic. "2. My examples are in direct consequence of the education system. Jill succeeded because she found extra-curriculum material to prep her for university classes, and Fred didn't. Having a more conventional mind, Fred would have been just as knowledgeable, should the curriculum have contained electives such as what you are experiencing, yet at a lower level." In the example you quoted Jill as 12, but most people GRADUATING elementary school are 10 or 11. Most kids this age don't know what they want to do or still want to be a sports star! We build a foundation of basic skills in the early years to greater serve them when they do decide what to do. http://en.wikipedia.org... * In mathematics, students usually master long division and work with multiplication of vulgar fractions and decimals. Sometimes this also includes initial exposure to ratios and percentages. Pre-Algebra is sometimes offered as an honors course. Fifth graders may also work more on more advanced long division, such as dividings in the double digits, hundreds, and thousands. * In language classes the study of grammar begins. This begins as early as the third grade in some schools. * In social studies, the study of history and geography are furthered. In Ontario, this grade focuses on the history of the student's province (as opposed to fourth grade which covers the student's municipality, and sixth grade which focuses on the country). * In physical science, the states of matter are introduced, and an introduction to the basics of machines. This could be also introduced as early as the third and fourth grade. * In life science, the structures and mechanics of plants and animals are illustrated. * In music, classes may start or continue recorders (sometimes called the flutaphone). The band and choir program usually starts at that age. * In P.E. (physical education), schools start sexual education or gender-specific health education. It's crazy to make kids 5-11 choose elective classes at such a young age. I mean could you see your 6 year old in a marketing class? They wouldn't have the skills to succeed or understand the things taught, because they don't have the FOUNDATION! Elementary schools serve to solidify your base skills so you can take those courses like I am in high school. "3. This contention requires no evidence, if the educational system resembled the real world, the curriculum would have more relevance. My second, "unsourced", claim requires no source: I consider the teaching of life skills (that you acknowledged) over-emphasis, as they have relatively little importance in the real world, compared with their teaching" Once again I beg to differ. Teaching "life-skills" helps reinforce other subjects and help them improve in that area. If you believe that teaching life skill aren't worth anything then how do you explain the rise in reading and math scores (see my 3rd contention)? Do you also think reading and math aren't worth anything either? "Opposing Contention #1. I shall proceed to explicitly refute this contention. Your link provides that happiness does not increase beyond about $12,000/year. However, in all middle class households, the phrase dreaded by the masses of working men "we can't afford it". Money serves as a buffer, reducing stress and providing for mistakes such as The Sub-prime Mortgage Crisis." Money does serve as a buffer, but that still doesn't make up for the fact that no matter how much money we make it doesn't equivocate to happiness. Last time I checked finding happiness was a "real life" skill. Building good relationships, respect, passion, thinking positivity and having family to help you find happiness. If "real life" skills ( by your definition: money) are what we need to survive in the real world then I suggest you revise your definition of "real life skills". Psychologists have been preaching this time, time and again. http://www.usatoday.com... School's today get this more then ever and it's helping with all aspects of their schooling and life. "Opposing Contention #3. This contention is entirely based on improvements in material knowledge, which is not the only relevant teaching to prepare for the real world." Yes, but it is relevant as you have just acknowledged and serves are a base to help children take higher level courses in high school just as I am.