Education system

[shmogt]

Look I been threw all levels of school from pre school to college. This isn't a course where you are my teacher and I need to give you all these papers and stats, do it yourself if you want to learn more about what I'm saying. Also if you have all these stats right in your hand than why are you even asking for them? You clearly know where I'm getting them from.

Again if my opinion of changing the education system to be upgraded to compete at the top of the world is wrong than why is it so good now? I listed two systems that are the best right now. Ideally changing everything to be more Finland style, making the teachers smarter and give the kids tougher more intense classes I feel is better and will improve education over the years. Not sure why I'm not allowed to feel that way and have to agree with you tho.

Also I said crazy low unemployment rate meaning its crazy at how low the employment is. I guess crazy high unemployment rate makes more sense, but I'm sure you knew what I was going for and just trying to add another thing to put me down.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

if you have all these stats right in your hand than why are you even asking for them?

Because I want to know that you know what you're talking about. So far, you have only made broad, generalised statements. You haven't referenced anything that suggests you have actually read anything, like PISA.

I listed two systems that are the best right now.

You suggested changing the physical structure of the schools. Not once have you talked about changing the curriculum, introducing the concept of multiliteracies, the culture of individual schools and classrooms, any kind of research on student development, integrating ICT into the classroom, or ... well, anything, really. Your entire attitude has been "change the system and everything will sort itself out" when that it not even close to the reality of the situation.

making the teachers smarter

But you have already demonstrated that you have no understanding of the principles of teaching theory. How can you say "make teachers smarter" when you clearly have no knowledge of how teachers actually teach?

and give the kids tougher more intense classes

And, in the same way that you do not understand how teachers teacher, you do not understand how students learn. Right now, all that introducing "tougher, more intense classes" will do is drive students away.

Not sure why I'm not allowed to feel that way and have to agree with you tho.

Because you have no understanding of the subject. You just say "I think this, and because I believe it, it has to work". Tell me, what are your qualifications? Do you have any sort of teaching experience? Or are you just looking at statistics and saying "this should be better, and because Finland have higher scores than us, then we should do what Finland do"?

 

[Roush_fan_99]

Right now, all that introducing "tougher, more intense classes" will do is drive students away.

Not exactly, I took my first AP class this year, and in my school (I know it's just a sample) there are so many students taking AP english that we have 3 AP english teachers and only 1.5 normal english teachers (.5 from an AP teacher teaching 1 or 2 normal english clases).

However, I'm in normal chemistry and it is so easy, I haven't learned but 2 things since 9th grade chem (and there are still people failing, don't ask me how because I don't see how it's logically possible if you show up). Also I'm taking spanish II and all we really have learned is words, but grammar is eventually implied but not emphasized. AP clases are very good IMO however normal classes are no longer normal, I realized this year, the classes are normal, honors, and AP (advanced placement), normal being below average common sense, honors is normal which you actually have to utilize your brain, and AP is top tier, and even if you have an F in AP, you will have learned more than the guy who got an A in normal

 

[shmogt]

Lol ya Mr. Smart I already said this is all my opinion. I say it in pretty much every post I made so far, but you keep ignoring it and take it like I'm saying "this is the only way" sort of thing. I use words like "I" "personally" "feel" to demonstrate that this is what I think. It has nothing to do with any of the research you may have read. I have read lots of stuff and been threw lots of school and this is what I have found. Why you are attacking me is still confusing, all you have to say is "I understand your thoughts, but I feel this____ will improve it" and give your views like an adult. It's a opinion thread just share your thoughts.

I said we can't take the identical system obviously, but like how they do things over in Finland and feel some of those tactics could be applied here. Simple.

There are LOTS of things that need to be changed within the system as some stuff you mentioned. The whole policies of first in first out are insane and have to be changed. Just because a teacher is there 20yrs in no way makes him a better teacher than a guy who's been there only 5yrs. If the 5yr guy is getting better reviews and trying harder clearly fire the 20yr guy.

The whole smarter teachers thing goes back to what I said much earlier where Finland and Korea have to be top 90% in their class to even get into their version of teachers college and take courses in psychology to understand even better how to teach kids. Here it's the bottom 20% is the average that become teachers. You know the old saying of "those who can't do, teach". Now I'm not saying you're dumb since you are a teacher, but a lot of them out there may know the subject, but are not qualified to teach others. I had a English teacher once who's second language was English! Ya they knew where periods go and such, but they would talk in that "foreigner I don't get the cultural" way which made it so hard to learn.

You can't just tell the kids this is how it goes read these pages and do these assignments and you will understand it. You have to be able to feel how that kid feels and try to understand better on why he doesn't get it rather than saying the same stuff over and over.

Another good approach which I should of mentioned is to use technology more. Have all the assignments and test on computers and allow the kids to work at their own pace. If one kid gets stuck he can click a button for help which will alert the teach to which kid is stuck so they can go over and help. Also if one student is having an easier time and they finish quicker they can go over and help others who are having a tougher time learn too. A lot of kids are shy and don't like asking for help, but feel very comfortable asking one of their friends. This way everyone learns at their own pace and the kids who are more advance can help slower ones while enforcing what they just learned.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Why you are attacking me is still confusing

Because you clearly do not understand the subject, and have resisted doing anything that would improve that understanding.

If the 5yr guy is getting better reviews and trying harder clearly fire the 20yr guy.

It's not a case of "trying harder". It has everything to do with how content is taught.

You can't just tell the kids this is how it goes read these pages and do these assignments and you will understand it. You have to be able to feel how that kid feels and try to understand better on why he doesn't get it rather than saying the same stuff over and over.

And if you had been in a classroom any time in the past decade, you would know that these strategies are no longer advocated by teachers.

Another good approach which I should of mentioned is to use technology more. Have all the assignments and test on computers and allow the kids to work at their own pace. If one kid gets stuck he can click a button for help which will alert the teach to which kid is stuck so they can go over and help. Also if one student is having an easier time and they finish quicker they can go over and help others who are having a tougher time learn too. A lot of kids are shy and don't like asking for help, but feel very comfortable asking one of their friends. This way everyone learns at their own pace and the kids who are more advance can help slower ones while enforcing what they just learned.

Have you ever seen students using technology in the class. Down here, all students are given a personal laptop for use in the classroom. They don't work through at their own pace. They don't work at all - they just play flash games when they think teachers are not looking.

 

[shmogt]

Lol first he tells me I'm so stupid I must be in high school than he tells me I'm so out dated with how teachers teach now lol.

I'm guessing you are a high school teacher and the kids don't care. You must work at a awesome school where everyone gets a computer, when I went to high school we only had computers for computer courses. Not every class. High school is too late by than the kids are already taught the who cares this is easy I can play on the comp and still pass the class approach. Literally every kid who's in high school in here has said the same thing that's it's so easy and boring. The reason they don't try is because it's too easy. They need it to be stepped up. Doesn't mean it has to jump so advanced it's crazy, but it needs to up taken up a notch.

That technology system was for grade school kids that are the ones actually learning new things. Grade schools are even worse than anywhere else. You have kids that are in the most important learning stage of their life and the classes are like color this book, movie time, read on your own time. That's how it was when I was there and it was so dumb.

 

[White & Nerdy]

Guys guys guys!

Groundbreaking new idea.

Kill the DOE, kill district school boards, get rid of all the titular masks hiding deadwood. Decentralize school governance down the the individual school building level, with frequent parental involvement. Also, get rid of the teacher's unions, they make it impossible to fire incompetent/dangerous teachers.

The closer to home education comes, the better the results will be.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm guessing you are a high school teacher and the kids don't care.

Nope, I work at a high school where some kids care and some kids don't. You can't just generalise it and say "all kids at this school care" or "all kids at this school do not".

You must work at a awesome school where everyone gets a computer,

It's a Federal government program - all students in Year 9 and above get a computer.

The reason they don't try is because it's too easy. They need it to be stepped up. Doesn't mean it has to jump so advanced it's crazy, but it needs to up taken up a notch.

Again, you show no understanding of the subject.

 

[BobK]

Look I been threw all levels of school from pre school to college.

And you still don't know the difference between "threw" and "through"?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Or the way it is "I have been" instead of "I been".

 

[shmogt]

Lol as you see the school system has failed me. If I am not living proof that it needs to be changed to actually educate kids than idk what else to say.

Edit: I checked your profile and it says you live in Australia. Please tell me you were a teacher in North America at one point or grew up living here and did our education system.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Please tell me you were a teacher in North America at one point or grew up living here and did our education system.

I knew you would drag this up (I'm surprised it took you think long), but I have not lived or taught students in North America. I know exactly what your next post will be: "HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU KNOW BEST WHEN YOU HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN HERE!?", or words to that effect. But I'll tell you now - teaching theory is identical the world over. Jean Piaget was a Frenchman, and his theories are used in almost every nation on earth. The same goes for Lev Vygotsky, a Russian, and Benjamin Bloom, and Englishman.

 

[Azuremen]

But I'll tell you now - teaching theory is identical the world over. Jean Piaget was a Frenchman, and his theories are used in almost every nation on earth. The same goes for Lev Vygotsky, a Russian, and Benjamin Bloom, and Englishman.

I see a bunch of Western names there. Culture does play into how people learn and receive information, so you might want to adjust your statement to something along the lines of European culture, or the Western world.

Honestly, I'd love to talk this with you in depth, because you've made numerous assumptions, blanket statements, and so on based on your experience. Which is, honestly, a small slice of the pie. Things are different in the US than in Australia, starting from are far less restrictive and controlling governments to the radically different local cultures and mindsets from state to state. I grew up in an area where people hunt, guns are normal, and gun safety classes are taught to 5 year old kids. Admittedly, outside of the public education, but it would be nice if they integrated those together.

Also, I wouldn't use shmogt as the basis for education here - his inability to differentiate between many words that are spelled differently while said the same is a bit amazing. About on par with your inability to think things are different outside of your world.

 

[shmogt]

I knew you would drag this up (I'm surprised it took you think long), but I have not lived or taught students in North America. I know exactly what your next post will be: "HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU KNOW BEST WHEN YOU HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN HERE!?", or words to that effect. But I'll tell you now - teaching theory is identical the world over. Jean Piaget was a Frenchman, and his theories are used in almost every nation on earth. The same goes for Lev Vygotsky, a Russian, and Benjamin Bloom, and Englishman.

lol I saw it on day one you posted, but I don't like personal attacks on people in discussions so didn't say anything. I was thinking of exactly that question tho.

I see a bunch of Western names there. Culture does play into how people learn and receive information, so you might want to adjust your statement to something along the lines of European culture, or the Western world.

Honestly, I'd love to talk this with you in depth, because you've made numerous assumptions, blanket statements, and so on based on your experience. Which is, honestly, a small slice of the pie. Things are different in the US than in Australia, starting from are far less restrictive and controlling governments to the radically different local cultures and mindsets from state to state. I grew up in an area where people hunt, guns are normal, and gun safety classes are taught to 5 year old kids. Admittedly, outside of the public education, but it would be nice if they integrated those together.

Also, I wouldn't use shmogt as the basis for education here - his inability to differentiate between many words that are spelled differently while said the same is a bit amazing. About on par with your inability to think things are different outside of your world.

As this kid said culture is different everywhere. Out of the two options I chose Finland's because it's obviously closers to North American ways than Korea would be. Ya I know you can't take exact system, but I'm just saying base it on Finland's over Korea's.

I would use me as the perfect example for education here for that exact reason you listed. I passed advanced English every year easy as pie and yet I can't spell lol. We are talking Grade 1 all the way to grade 12 and 3 college level classes. If the school system was perfect they would of never kept passing me until I learned lol. Bet I won't see anyone fight that point lol.

Just for the record I do understand all the different spellings of the same words, but in real life the only spelling I ever need to do is quick emails and what I say on here. The majority of the time it's just text messages which I don't even bother to write full words. u, r, ur, dont, no, etc. I got so many infractions already for speaking like that on here and manged to change so one step at a time to get even more technical lol.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm well aware of my shortcomings. However, in the absence of experience, raw data is the next-best alternative. shmogt has consistently failed to produce this data, despite suggesting that he has read and understood all of it. No doubt he is looking at PISA figures (assuming he's looking at anything) and saying "America is outside the top ten in the world when it comes to literacy", all the while advocating the introduction of technology in the class. This is a contradiction, because the traditional definition of literacy is the ability to read and write. Shfiting from pen and paper to a computer program with an in-built spell-check system means that a student's shortcomings in writing are less apparent. Then, when it comes to a written examination, those shortcomings will show themselves, leading to an overall lower literacy score.

Out of the two options I chose Finland's because it's obviously closers to North American ways than Korea would be.

Except that you haven't stated what you would change. You've just said "the system used in Finland works, so it must work in America", which is untrue. Like I said, you have made no effort to address issues like the curriculum, the school and classroom environments and so on. You don't just change one thing and expect it to work. You need to address every issue - which you haven't even identified to begin with - and assess it from there.

 

[Azuremen]

I'm well aware of my shortcomings. However, in the absence of experience, raw data is the next-best alternative. shmogt has consistently failed to produce this data, despite suggesting that he has read and understood all of it. No doubt he is looking at PISA figures (assuming he's looking at anything) and saying "America is outside the top ten in the world when it comes to literacy", all the while advocating the introduction of technology in the class. This is a contradiction, because the traditional definition of literacy is the ability to read and write. Shfiting from pen and paper to a computer program with an in-built spell-check system means that a student's shortcomings in writing are less apparent. Then, when it comes to a written examination, those shortcomings will show themselves, leading to an overall lower literacy score.

Wanna know how I can tell you teach English? You care about students being able to spell effectively with out technology. Spell in a language that is taught as if it is fully phonetic when it is hardly that.

I can hardly spell half the fancy words I use, but I can certainly read them and construct wonderful statements. Some people I know can spell wonderfully but can't write to save their lives. So which is more important.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Wanna know how I can tell you teach English? You care about students being able to spell effectively with out technology. Spell in a language that is taught as if it is fully phonetic when it is hardly that.

I was simply highlighting that as an example of the contraditions within shmogt's post and how the data can be misleading. I actually believe in multiliteracies, the concept that students can be literate in a wide range of areas. The traditional definition of literacy is only applied to reading and writing, but the contemporary definition suggests that "literacy" is "proficiency" and therefore can be applied to almost any field. For example, if a chemistry student can explain the structure of an atom, or exactly what occurs during a particular chemical reaction, then we might say that they are scientifically literate. Likewise, if a music student can demonstrate a depth of musical knowledge, then we might say that they are musically literate. The rise of the iPhone and iPad and the internet has led to students becoming technologically literate.

As for being an English teacher - yes, I do care that my students are capable of using the technical components of the English language properly ... but only in Year 7 and Year 8. By the time they get to Year 9, they should be capable enough to express themselves when they need to address the interpretive aspects of the subject: finding meaning in texts.

 

[shmogt]

Dude it's my opinion. This is a gran turismo forum not a school board sit down. I don't need to prove anything to you. You know what I'm talking about obviously since you have the facts in front of you, you said. I have no idea on what EXACTLY to change from Finland to make it work for here. It's not my job to and would take tons of effort to prove it would work which I'm not going to do. However who's ever job it actually is I'm saying should look into it more. That's it man.

As for technology to be used more just have a program that disables spell check and doesn't allow Internet at all for games. Strictly what is being taught. Technology is changing non stop and schools are barely making an effort to work with it.

 

[Villain]

Look I been threw all levels of school from pre school to college.

All that schooling and no teacher of yours was successful enough to teach you the proper use of the words 'threw' and 'through.' It's no small wonder why you don't seem to be able to support your own ideas with valid arguments.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I don't need to prove anything to you.

No, you don't - but demonstrating that you actually know what you're talking about certainly wouldn't hurt your case. So I'm going to say it right here and right now: I don't believe you have read anything to support your arguments. I don't believe you even know where to start looking, and I don't believe you would actually know what you were looking at if you did find anything.

You know what I'm talking about obviously since you have the facts in front of you, you said.

I do not have facts in front of me. I have statistics in front of me, and statistics are open to interpretation. And PISA is not the only set of statitics available. So I have no idea what you are talking about, because despite all your claims that you have "facts" available to you, you have not so much as named a single source. For instance: are you using the PISA reports, yes or no?

I have no idea on what EXACTLY to change from Finland to make it work for here. It's not my job to and would take tons of effort to prove it would work which I'm not going to do.

Ah, I see the plot thickens: "I have an opinion, an idea for something that would be better for schools, but since it's not my job to fix the problem, I'll just make noise about it".

However who's ever job it actually is I'm saying should look into it more.

And you expect these people to simply be lurking on an internet forum dedicated to a video game series? You've never heard of writing to your local congressman?

Technology is changing non stop and schools are barely making an effort to work with it.

Right, because that technology is cheap and available on a large scale. Tell me, do you actually put any thought into what you post? If schools aren't "using technology" (again with the vague and broad definitions), it's obviously for a reason, and that reason is probably going to be that their budget doesn't allow for it. And it's not simply a case of saying "lets make more money available".

This is where you need to stop and take stock. You clearly have no idea what you're talking about, and you have demonstrated resistance to actually educating yourself about the subject (which would allow you to make better assessments of the issue). You have no qualifications related to teaching, and your only evidence in support of your claim is your word that you have actually read up on the subject.

Can you see why I might not be taking your seriously?

 

[shmogt]

Whatever agree with me or not doesn't matter to me. I'm throwing some ideas around that may work or may not. You have said zero ideas only hating on what I said so far. The only way for you to be 100% sure that any idea that I said is wrong is if they did try them out and they failed hard. Other than that it's just your opinion that they won't work even if you have statistics that lean that way. Yet you have no alternatives to offer that may work better.

The budgets are always so low for everything. Last I heard US isn't even going to add any money next year to education. Stuff like that would be included when I say new system since its going to take a lot of money to make serious changes. They don't put any effort into making things better its always cuts. Get ride of gym, now there's a fat epidemic. Get ride of the arts, and people wonder why music sucks now a days. It's always cut first ask questions later.

I don't know all the little details that need to be fixed and I figured others would add to this and inform me even more. I see a guy who is a teacher start posting some stuff figure this guy will be good he can give some good insight to how the teachers feel on all this. Of course he has no opinion on the issue all he knows is whatever I say is wrong lol. Thanks for doing your job and teaching me new things.

 

[shmogt]

Nice Obama did a speech and agreed that education needs to be stepped up. Also said teachers need to be held more accountable rather than the way it is now. He mentioned something about test being not a great idea to judge kids, but I can't comment on that because I didn't hear much of that part.

 

[Sir Tuddle]

Yes education really needs to be stepped up, college tuition rates are going up. At this rate community college is looking way more appealing to me, and my parents would kill me if that happened. Most of the teachers ive had (still in high-school) actually do care for the students. The biggest problem fer is that states like CA spend more money on prisons than school. The school pink slips the newer more enthusiastic teachers in favor of the older ones who don't give a **** anymore. Last year my friend's dad asked me once to say hi to my math teacher for him, from class of '64 O__o

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I can't comment on that because I didn't hear much of that part.

Not understanding the issue hasn't stopped you from commenting on it before. Just read this thread.

 

[shmogt]

Yes education really needs to be stepped up, college tuition rates are going up. At this rate community college is looking way more appealing to me, and my parents would kill me if that happened. Most of the teachers ive had (still in high-school) actually do care for the students. The biggest problem fer is that states like CA spend more money on prisons than school. The school pink slips the newer more enthusiastic teachers in favor of the older ones who don't give a **** anymore. Last year my friend's dad asked me once to say hi to my math teacher for him, from class of '64 O__o

This is the biggest problem. For what ever reason tuition keeps going up while job rates are going down. Mathematically it doesn't matter whether you go to college or not. With all the bills from the cost of college when you do get a job it works out to the same as someone who didn't. The first hired, last fired policy is another huge issue. A lot of younger teachers can not get full time work or when they do they get fired due to budget cuts. It's stupid since they are fresh out of school and still have the passion to teach while the old ones know they can just collect checks. Hopefully the do work theses issues out with the next president.

Not understanding the issue hasn't stopped you from commenting on it before. Just read this thread.

I understand the issue perfectly which is why I started this thread. I just didn't catch everything that Obama said on it. He mentioned changing a bunch of issues I have with the current system tho. Strange that Obama would say it needs to be changed and not agree with you in that it is perfect.

Don't worry prisonermonkeys one day you will become a real full time teacher and can tell your students whatever you feel like. There won't be someone like me giving alternative points of views. It will just be your opinion and everyone will believe it as fact. It will be like a dream come true.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I understand the issue perfectly which is why I started this thread.

I remember the discussions we had. I particularly liked your attitude of "I think there is a problem here, so that makes me an expert on the subject", and the way you ignored my advice to follow up on some actual literature that might increase your understanding of the way education works. The last time someone made a decision with an attitude like that, we nearly got stuck with SOPA and PIPA.

I don't want to have this discussion again. Mostly because I know how it's going to end. So how about you go away and actually read up on Vygotsky and Piaget and all those other educators that I noticed before you come in here and embarrass yourself - again - by proving just how little you know.

 

[shmogt]

No you just took it that way. I stated many times this is my opinion and we can all come together to think if possible ideas that would improve it. You are the one that ignored every single post and is saying it can't be fixed because of some reading you did.

 

[dxm8975]

Conceivably the education system in Japan is quite the same as that in the United States without exception of the point that the students are taught as individuals depending on the level of their academical achievement they have pursued. Japanese teachers don't pretty much care the advancement of their students in their study either, the only thing they usually do is provide advices to those who've left(fallen) behind others in their result, which are however "apparently" effective students mostly forget, unless drawn much attention by them.

And I don't think South Korea is in the lead in their scholastic attainment, China is at the top by narrow margin instead. Although South Korea is one of the best countries in academic statistic and its place is maintained thanks to eagerness of teachers toward education to send their pupils into society as admirable adults for employment, so are the students themselves for their future, and China basically pursues the same style of teaching too.

However, I think time management is also important for purpose of attaining good results on their schoolworks because we can learn how to spend our time off our work as well as soaking up knowledges in classes or chances of self-study, to see whether they're able to control a day at will.(Attitudes of South Korean and Chinese students toward studying is a little too radical as their stuffed timeschedule speaks )

Probably Finland is aware of that aspect that contributes to remarkable progress of students more certainly, and making them feel more easygoing without need for cramming.

 

[shmogt]

Conceivably the education system in Japan is quite the same as that in the United States without exception of the point that the students are taught as individuals depending on the level of their academical achievement they have pursued. Japanese teachers don't pretty much care the advancement of their students in their study either, the only thing they usually do is provide advices to those who've left(fallen) behind others in their result, which are however "apparently" effective students mostly forget, unless drawn much attention by them.

And I don't think South Korea is in the lead in their scholastic attainment, China is at the top by narrow margin instead. Although South Korea is one of the best countries in academic statistic and its place is maintained thanks to eagerness of teachers toward education to send their pupils into society as admirable adults for employment, so are the students themselves for their future, and China basically pursues the same style of teaching too.

However, I think time management is also important for purpose of attaining good results on their schoolworks because we can learn how to spend our time off our work as well as soaking up knowledges in classes or chances of self-study, to see whether they're able to control a day at will.(Attitudes of South Korean and Chinese students toward studying is a little too radical as their stuffed timeschedule speaks )

Probably Finland is aware of that aspect that contributes to remarkable progress of students more certainly, and making them feel more easygoing without need for cramming.

Interesting. I know here in North America there is no difference towards failing kids and kids who excel. They teach the same same stuff and just tell you to study more. I am taking a new online course now in psychology and it's literally just read a book and they give you a quiz each week. No teaching at all. I could of just bought the book and read it myself and been just as qualified as anyone who takes the course. It's just a money grab to get people to not only buy the $100 book, but also pay for the expensive course to get a piece of paper saying you did it.

I do think diet may also have a roll. In North America all of our food is complete ****. Everything is filled with sugar and salt. It is very tough to get snacks and healthy lunches for kids that do no contain crazy amounts of unnecessary chemicals and food coloring. Everywhere in the world has similar foods thanks to places like McDonald's, but places like Japan are more fish based. Fresh fish and rice is a million times better than candy bars and chips.

 

[huskeR32]

blah blah blah...

Education in the US is nothing special as anyone who's gone to school there knows. The system is set up to have kids go in, do the time, get out and repeat the next day. Perfect for the industrial revolution in when it was made. Most teachers don't care that much whether everyone in the class is all learning and pretty much pass you for showing and completing some assignments.

...more blah blah blah

As a teacher myself, I find that greatly offensive.

I'll be the first person to tell you that our school system has some problems and is falling short in many ways. But there are thousands and thousands of teachers in the U.S. who work their a**es off day in, day out, and care very deeply for each and every student that walks through the door.

Unfortunately, they are in many ways handcuffed by flaws in the school system, and unable to devote enough time in the day to what they would like. Until you try teaching yourself, maybe you should just keep your mouth shut.

And there's only so much a teacher can do. Especially when, in a lot of cases anymore:

The US education system sucks because there is no competition, we don't fire teachers, and parents don't get involved. That's about it.

This is one of the biggest problems we have to deal with. If nobody at home is paying attention or providing support/feedback for the student, a teacher's 45 minutes per day with them becomes much less effective.

I'm a very self-motivated learner, I have been since college. But before that? Not so much. So why did I get good grades in high school? Why did I succeed before I grew up enough to care? My parents. I could have had the best teachers in the world, but at that age, if my parents hadn't invested themselves so much in my education, I would've been much worse off.