Science Education in America: Why I'm Homeschooling My Kid in Science

Borodog · #1 10-06-2007, 09:23 PM

http://www.astronomybuff.com/why-im-...nce-next-year/

[ QUOTE ]
Getting that C- consistently really took a toll on him, he couldn’t understand what was going on. He really knows his stuff and always scored well on tests.
 . 
Naturally, I talked to the teacher to investigate.
 . 
It turns out my son IS a good student, DID understand the material and WAS way ahead of the other students in his comprehension of the material.
 . 
BUT, he couldn’t organize his science notebook.
 . 
“I’m sorry, he can’t organize what?”, I asked.
 . 
“His science notebook. He failed the notebook checks. They were worth 100 points each, almost 80 percent of his grade.”, the science teacher calmly explained with a huge smirk on her face.

[/ QUOTE ]

A good read, but sadly typical. I've said it before and I will say it again: No child of mine will ever be fed to the public "school" system. All of you people who get so bent out of shape about some school district somewhere not teaching evolution or wanting to teach ID are missing the forest for a pine needle.

Rduke55 · #2 10-06-2007, 09:32 PM

But you have a PhD in Astrophysics. How many parents would you think are remotely able to teach their kid science?

Do you think that that article represents something that cannot be fixed?

Borodog · #3 10-06-2007, 10:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
But you have a PhD in Astrophysics. How many parents would you think are remotely able to teach their kid science?

[/ QUOTE ]

I know absolutely nothing about cobbling, yet I manage to procure top quality shoes. I know absolutely nothing about cattle ranching, yet I manage to procure top quality steak. I know absolutely nothing about building a car, yet I manage to procure one I like very much. I know nothing about making clothing, cell phones, televisions, yet I can get all. I don't have to mow my own lawn, change my own oil, or fix my own roof. I trust you see the pattern.

[ QUOTE ]
Do you think that that article represents something that cannot be fixed?

[/ QUOTE ]

It can be easily fixed. End the government school monopoly.

Archon_Wing · #4 10-06-2007, 10:29 PM

Blah, I actually thought this "keep a neat notebook thing because it's worth the bulk of your grade" in high school was standard. But upon reading this thread, I guess not. Damn science teachers. -_-; It sure made me hate science though. :/ But it wasn't just science teachers either I guess.

Phil153 · #5 10-06-2007, 10:40 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think that that article represents something that cannot be fixed?

[/ QUOTE ]

It can be easily fixed. End the government school monopoly.

[/ QUOTE ]
Another AC rant in disguise. Fabulous. Do you care to address the substantive point made in this thread - namely, that the objective evidence does not support your assertion that the private system is markedly better.

This is like your NASA thread [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Borodog · #6 10-06-2007, 11:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think that that article represents something that cannot be fixed?

[/ QUOTE ]

It can be easily fixed. End the government school monopoly.

[/ QUOTE ]
Another AC rant in disguise. Fabulous. Do you care to address the substantive point made in this thread - namely, that the objective evidence does not support your assertion that the private system is markedly better.

This is like your NASA thread [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Troll elsewhere.

Max Raker · #7 10-07-2007, 12:04 AM

I don't see your point. The notebook thing is completely standard, organizing and conveying your thoughts clearly is crucial to good science. You can be against the public school system but the level of education you can recieve going to public school is very very good.

If the choices are between home schooling and public school public wins in a landslide imo. I didn't go to a private school until college so I can't comment on those.

Oh i guess you where talking about private schools. What makes you think that the same thing won't happen there?

Phil153 · #8 10-07-2007, 01:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think that that article represents something that cannot be fixed?

[/ QUOTE ]

It can be easily fixed. End the government school monopoly.

[/ QUOTE ]
Another AC rant in disguise. Fabulous. Do you care to address the substantive point made in this thread - namely, that the objective evidence does not support your assertion that the private system is markedly better.

This is like your NASA thread [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Troll elsewhere.

[/ QUOTE ]
Here it is again:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/19/op...mp;oref=slogin

This is a forum for evidence and rational discussion...not rants about the government.

Rduke55 · #9 10-07-2007, 09:20 AM

Also, wasn't the author of the linked article angry about his kid's grade, not the amount of science he learned? As other people said, why would you expect this to be different in a private school?

And I think Phil is bringing up good points worthy of discussion and I don't know why you are doing what you are doing. You are just brushing his points aside without any debate - some sort of reverse-trolling.

chezlaw · #10 10-07-2007, 10:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Also, wasn't the author of the linked article angry about his kid's grade, not the amount of science he learned? As other people said, why would you expect this to be different in a private school?

And I think Phil is bringing up good points worthy of discussion and I don't know why you are doing what you are doing. You are just brushing his points aside without any debate - some sort of reverse-trolling.

[/ QUOTE ]
Its a shame because its important stuff.

I assume the argument for non-state education is that if you're paying fees and unhappy with the school you can take your business elsewhere whereas if you're paying from taxation you have to pay again or take what's offered.

In any case a system that allows people willing and able to arrange notepads to do better then people understand the subject far better is aweful for science education and a disaster because it fills the world with people who value presentation over content.

chez