Originally Posted by timj219

My oldest loved the IB classes he took. Especially one class which focussed excusively on critical thinking. "Theory of Knowledge?" He did not take the enitre IB curriculum though and felt he gained more concrete benefit from the AP classes which enabled him to get college credit for freshman history and biology.
There is alot to be said for pursuing a wide range of interests like sports and arts etc and not obsessing about A's. After all, exclusive schools can fill their entire campus with nothing but straight A students if they wanted to. But who would want to go to a school like that? Only people who value grades above everything else in life. The couple of friends my boys have who went to Cornell (the nearest ivy to us) have been less happy with their choice than most of their other friends for that very reason.

Originally Posted by goober

I read an article the other day, sorry no link, it was in print. But the point the author made is indisputable.

50% of the children in public schools are of below average intelligence.
25% of the children in Public schools are in the lower 25th percentile of intelligence.

Private schools have entrance exams and can end up with an entire student body of above average intelligence, but public schools get the public.
Why are we setting goals that "All" students must demonstrate competence in math and English, when we set goals like that, we are guaranteed to fail.

Why is the topic of intelligence seemingly left out of the debate about what is reasonable performance for public schools?

Originally Posted by mpd8488

It is very important to learn to deal with distractions. Kids will go to college and find distractions and then find distractions as they start their career.

It is the parents job to instill within their children a good work ethic that stresses leisure after work. Kids with parents who do this do very well in life regardless of the school they attend because they know when to draw the line. It is not a schools job to do this. Public schools provide a great education to those who want it and that is usually overlooked when people discuss the quality of public education. If you don't want an education that is your own decision to deal with in public schools. There won't be somebody there to force you to do anything because you choose to be a lazy moron.

Originally Posted by metalted

If thats the way you think, with that attitude nothing will get done. and this will always be the same. you need to eliminate distractions, punish the kids. one reason Private schools are SO much better is one word, Nuns ya you better believe it those bitches are Tough! I cant immagine any incidence in a public school where I felt afraid or even respect of a public school teacher like i did too nuns.

Originally Posted by goober

I read an article the other day, sorry no link, it was in print. But the point the author made is indisputable.

50% of the children in public schools are of below average intelligence.
25% of the children in Public schools are in the lower 25th percentile of intelligence.

Private schools have entrance exams and can end up with an entire student body of above average intelligence, but public schools get the public.
Why are we setting goals that "All" students must demonstrate competence in math and English, when we set goals like that, we are guaranteed to fail.

Why is the topic of intelligence seemingly left out of the debate about what is reasonable performance for public schools?

Originally Posted by mpd8488

The way I think? The way I think is working all over America in public schools. Lawmakers try to make stupid kids look like sad cases in public schools, but they completely ignore the bright kids who get the best educational experience possible out of public schools. There is a lot to be said for a kid who does well in a public school where kids smoke weed in the bathroom, skipping class is a regular occurrence, and many kids just don't do assignments. There are millions of kids who take that all in stride, get good grades and go to great colleges. Compare that to private schools that are predominantly white and filled upper middle class kids. There is no diversity, there is no allowance for personal style, and there is really no ability to question why things are the way they are.

Originally Posted by goober

I read an article the other day, sorry no link, it was in print. But the point the author made is indisputable.

50% of the children in public schools are of below average intelligence.
25% of the children in Public schools are in the lower 25th percentile of intelligence.

Private schools have entrance exams and can end up with an entire student body of above average intelligence, but public schools get the public.
Why are we setting goals that "All" students must demonstrate competence in math and English, when we set goals like that, we are guaranteed to fail.

Why is the topic of intelligence seemingly left out of the debate about what is reasonable performance for public schools?