I dislike the anti-education attitude of people who try to convince youth that college, grad school

[Anonymous]

Free education is the solution. Free healthcare and free education should be human rights.

[Anonymous]

We already have 13+ yrs of a free education. If students don’t t make good use of it, why should our taxes fund more of it for college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We already have 13+ yrs of a free education. If students don’t t make good use of it, why should our taxes fund more of it for college?

Because a high school diploma is worthless in the job market.

[Anonymous]

I am a fan of Mike Rowe and come from a blue collar/farm background, but am also a professor. I don't understand the zero sum game this becomes. We should push a bunch of kids with aptitudes to pursue college/grad school and we should also push a bunch of kids (and celebrate them doing so) into skilled trades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We already have 13+ yrs of a free education. If students don’t t make good use of it, why should our taxes fund more of it for college?

Because a high school diploma is worthless in the job market.

Then maybe we should change our high school curriculum to make it more useful rather than just tacking on more years of formal education?

[Anonymous]

I assisted setup at an elite NYC public high school college fair last night. I talked to a few state school reps who looked a little lonely as nobody was flocking to their table. Found out that the reps didn't attend the school. In fact, they talked about their "territories". The Bronx has its own rep, as does Brooklyn, as does Queens. It all felt familiar, like... a window sales rep telling me about their 'territory' (you have to call so-and-so because he handles Westchester...).
Then consider what kids are told about their application - you have to convince the school about what YOU (the student) will contribute to the student body. Well, that sounds like a job interview at a company - what value you bring to the organization.
Except the organization will pay a successful candidate a salary.
For college, the successful candidate pays the college organization a princely sum for the privilege of rounding out the student body.

A friend told me college today is a seller's market.

[Anonymous]

The school system sucks. Wastes years of lives stretching out minimum results over maximum of time. Administered and populated by really dumb people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids can do/be anything they want AFTER getting a college education

Well, they legally can do whatever they want after age 18. Of course you won’t love them or support them if they do, but you should be clearer about your intent.

[Anonymous]

School districts need better counseling and career coaching.

I'm in a district that does this but most don't. Starting in sixth grade students tailor their school experience to what they actually want to do. Middle school is pretty standard still but high school is completely different. The traditional college prep model is only worthwhile for 4 year degree seeking students around one third of the population.

For the rest of the students, specialized skill classes, internships, apprenticeships and the like are a much better use of high school time.

Germany gets this with their 4yr university 2 yr college and trade tracks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assisted setup at an elite NYC public high school college fair last night. I talked to a few state school reps who looked a little lonely as nobody was flocking to their table. Found out that the reps didn't attend the school. In fact, they talked about their "territories". The Bronx has its own rep, as does Brooklyn, as does Queens. It all felt familiar, like... a window sales rep telling me about their 'territory' (you have to call so-and-so because he handles Westchester...).
Then consider what kids are told about their application - you have to convince the school about what YOU (the student) will contribute to the student body. Well, that sounds like a job interview at a company - what value you bring to the organization.
Except the organization will pay a successful candidate a salary.
For college, the successful candidate pays the college organization a princely sum for the privilege of rounding out the student body.

A friend told me college today is a seller's market.

There are tons of colleges competing for highly qualified students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School districts need better counseling and career coaching.

I'm in a district that does this but most don't. Starting in sixth grade students tailor their school experience to what they actually want to do. Middle school is pretty standard still but high school is completely different. The traditional college prep model is only worthwhile for 4 year degree seeking students around one third of the population.

For the rest of the students, specialized skill classes, internships, apprenticeships and the like are a much better use of high school time.

Germany gets this with their 4yr university 2 yr college and trade tracks.

Germany has equal education in the primary years. We do not.

[Anonymous]

I also greatly value education. However, I also realize not everyone has the same goals and values. So no point in forcing everyone to walk the same path. Help everyone figure out what works best for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a fan of Mike Rowe and come from a blue collar/farm background, but am also a professor. I don't understand the zero sum game this becomes. We should push a bunch of kids with aptitudes to pursue college/grad school and we should also push a bunch of kids (and celebrate them doing so) into skilled trades.

I agree with this 100%. We need to up the understanding of the skills, problem solving and even artistry needed to do trade work. (But I am a first gen american who grew up near Baltimore and have an old lady crush on Mike Rowe so I have my own bias!) Increasing the esteem of the trades would go a long way in our society.

[Anonymous]

Highly are qualified students? They called Europeans and they get better grades because they have better livelihoods growing up without poverty with supportive societal structures. Also, they have free college , even when studying here, so they don't have to work full time and go to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Highly are qualified students? They called Europeans and they get better grades because they have better livelihoods growing up without poverty with supportive societal structures. Also, they have free college , even when studying here, so they don't have to work full time and go to school.

+1000 this so overlooked. European teens aren’t working 25 hours a week at McDonald’s after school in 9th grade to support the family.