But after a haircut, I noticed that the 20-something cashier could not count out change. The next day, at the electronic outlet store, another young clerk could not read — much less explain — the basic English of the buyer’s warranty. At the food market, I listened as a young couple argued over the price of a cut of tri-tip — unable to calculate the meat’s real value from its price per pound.
As another school year is set to get under way, it’s worth pondering where this epidemic of ignorance came from.
Our presidential candidates sense the danger of this dumbing down of American society and are arguing over the dismal status of contemporary education: poor graduation rates, weak test scores, and suspect literacy among the general population. Politicians warn that America’s edge in global research and productivity will disappear, and with it our high standard of living.
Yet the bleak statistics — whether a 70-percent high-school graduation rate as measured in a study a few years ago by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, or poor math rankings in comparison with other industrial nations — come at a time when our schools inflate grades and often honor multiple valedictorians at high school graduation ceremonies. Aggregate state and federal education budgets are high. Too few A’s, too few top awards, and too little funding apparently don’t seem to be our real problems.
Of course, most critics agree that the root causes for our undereducated youth are not all the schools’ fault. Our present ambition to make every American youth college material — in a way our forefathers would have thought ludicrous — ensures that we will both fail in that utopian goal and lack enough literate Americans with critical vocational skills.
The disintegration of the American nuclear family is also at fault. Too many students don’t have two parents reminding them of the value of both abstract and practical learning.
What then can our elementary and secondary schools do, when many of their students’ problems begin at home or arise from our warped popular culture?
We should first scrap the popular therapeutic curriculum that in the scarce hours of the school day crams in sermons on race, class, gender, drugs, sex, self-esteem, or environmentalism. These are well-intentioned efforts to make a kinder and gentler generation more sensitive to our nation’s supposed past and present sins. But they only squeeze out far more important subjects.
The old approach to education saw things differently than we do. Education (“to lead out” or “to bring up”) was not defined as being “sensitive” to, or “correct” on, particular issues. It was instead the rational ability to make sense of the chaotic present through the abstract wisdom of the past.
So literature, history, math and science gave students plenty of facts, theorems, people, and dates to draw on. Then training in logic, language, and philosophy provided the tools to use and express that accumulated wisdom. Teachers usually did not care where all that training led their students politically — only that their pupils’ ideas and views were supported with facts and argued rationally.
What else can we do to restore such traditional learning before the United States loses it global primacy?
To encourage our best minds to become teachers, we should also change the qualifications for becoming one. Students should be able to pursue careers in teaching either by getting a standard teaching credential or by substituting a master’s degree in an academic subject. That way we will eventually end up with more instructors with real academic knowledge rather than prepped with theories about how to teach.
And once hired, K-12 teachers should accept that tenure has outlived its usefulness. Near-guaranteed lifelong employment has become an archaic institution that shields educators from answerability. And tenure has not ensured ideological diversity and independence. Nearly the exact opposite — a herd mentality — presides within many school faculties. Periodic and renewable contracts — with requirements, goals and incentives — would far better ensure teacher credibility and accountability.
Athletics, counseling and social activism may be desirable in schools. But they are not crucial. Our pay scales should reflect that reality. Our top classroom teachers should earn as much as — if not more than — administrators, bureaucrats, coaches, and advisers.
Liberal education of the type my farming grandfather got was the reason why the United States grew wealthy, free, and stable. But without it, the nation of his great-grandchildren will become poor, docile, and insecure.
Francis
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I realise it’s a long essay etc.. Just want to get an idea of what people think! Oh and I’m 14 btw! All answers and constructive criticism welcome! Thanks in advance to whoever has the time to read this!
The Most Interesting Place I Have Been
I have been to many fascinating places in my life, from Australia to America, Eastern Asia to Cuba, but by far the most dynamic and inspiring place that I have been fortunate to venture across has to be Hong Kong. It’s hard to put into words what makes this city bigger and better than any other in the world. I have never come across anywhere like it, or at least, that’s my opinion.
Firstly and foremost, it is a city which works. It is a city which seems to run like clock-work, boasting one of the best transport systems in the world. A crucial and efficient underground system on which people are extremely reliant and dependent on, runs throughout Hong Kong, while above ground, hundreds of thousands of taxis, buses and mini-buses ensure a quick and effortless journey to your destination. Though many westerners don’t appreciate the fast pace of living in Hong Kong, it is truly the most cosmopolitan and amazing city in the world. Cities like London or New York would give it a run for its money, but both lack the harmonious blend of cultures, the freedom of its economy and its historic past.
Since the handover from England to China, Hong Kong has grown from strength to strength, a true city of diversity. Many consider it as the “Gateway to South East Asia” and it’s clear why. People live in parallel worlds, from the richest of the rich to the poorest of the poor, but they all have one thing in common – a natural desire for success and ambition. This driving nature of the people has had a profound impact on the way of living in Hong Kong. People don’t begrudge success. Instead of trying to bring others down to their level, everyone strives to be the best through sheer hard-work and ambition – a real dog-eat-dog world. This attitude to life was evident in the recent 2008 Beijing Olympics, with China topping the medals tables, not through the most advanced technology and training, but through vigorous regimes to channel the best in China and train them to perfection through repetition and dedication. This approach in life has also resulted in Hong Kong being virtually crime free.
There are many things which make Hong Kong so unique. The ever popular Star Ferry, from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon is an integrated part of Hong Kong’s culture. World renowned martial artists turn actors, include Jacky Chan and Bruce Lee, while Victoria Peak glorifies Hong Kong’s panoramic skyline. With a brand new Disneyland only a short train’s distance away and another prominent theme park on Hong Kong Island, complete with dolphin shows, pandas, other exotic animals, along with the obvious variety of roller coasters, you are really spoilt for choice.
Shopping is among the best in the world, regardless of how much you have to spend. Numerous shopping centres litter the financial district of Hong Kong Island and many more dot Kowloon side, all of which make Dundrum Town Centre a rather feeble shopping centre in comparison to the grandeur and scale of those in Hong Kong. With the obvious high-end brands which one would expect to find, the average high street stores and various street markets, everyone is catered for. There’s nothing you couldn’t find, whether looking for a lavish shopping experience, or a true sample of Hong Kong’s culture and diversity in the several markets, where negotiating and bartering are all part of the unique and unforgettable experience.
If the hustle and bustle of the millions of people in a compact and confined space, where anything but skyscrapers are considered unusual, becomes too much for you, then take a harbour cruise to one of the abundance of nearby islands. A quick 20-minute hop across the sea finds an opposite world to that on the mainland. Most islands have trail walks, with spectacular views at sunset onto the South-East China Sea and across the sea, the Pacific Ocean. On the other side, the magnificent view of the mainland, from the peace and quiet of what seems like your own private island is breath-taking. Local restaurants dot these islands, where the freshest of seafood can be sampled. Anything from small local restaurants to the most extravagant and luxurious of meals of all cuisines can be found in Hong Kong – each practiced to perfection.
By day, Hong Kong is the pinnacle of a cosmopolitan city always on the go and this is also true for its nightlife. Though many suburban areas transform into places of peace and serenity, the hustle and bustle never leaves the many districts of the city. The vibrant and electric atmosphere pulses through a city which never seems to sleep.
For me, Hong Kong truly is and always will be a city of opportunities and inspirat
inspiration. I feel very privileged to have spent 8 very happy years of my life there and definitely intend to return one day. I knew however before I started that I would never be able to capture all of Hong Kong in this essay, only a glimpse or an essence of what it’s like, which is why I give you this advice. If ever you get the chance to go, grab it with both hands. It will fulfil your wildest expectations and you’ll never regret it. And one last thing, never take anything in life for granted.
Corey