Why is school so different now than it used to be?

[Anonymous]

P.S. My child is in high school, school was different before NCLB.

[Anonymous]

OP,
How old is your child?

[Anonymous]

I am the opposite. I am surprised how little work my K dd is doing (she is half day). She went to preschool full day, so she has already learned the curriculum. She also has a teacher who doesn't believe in homework. I think it is good to have a couple of simple pages come home so that I can work with her. She will be able to have alone time with mommy, and learn the importance of education. It also sets in good habits for when she starts doing "real" homework. I wish my child went to the schools you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

From century to century, it's interesting how history always repeats itself. Paradigm and global shifts always brings out these tensions and frustrations...particularly to those for whom the paradgm is shifting away from. The gilded age when we in America (6%) consumed more than half of the world's resources and the gentleman's C (or lady's C) was a badge of pride posing no threat to our wild consumption and play. Alas, others are starting to beat us at our game. What ever happened to sportsmanship ... a notion invented by the British when their colonies (e.g India) began to beat them at their game of cricket.

If other children study and do homework what should we care? This will of course drive them to despair and an early grave. Little homework and play for the young rules the day and will provide much health, happiness and longevity even if there are no jobs for them as adults.

[Anonymous]

I assume it is so different due to the trickle-down effect of No Child Left Behind.

I cannot understand homework for the youngest set, since my understanding is that research shows that homework is not good for the littlest kids.

Research by whom? Do you really think it takes 6 years to master the elementary school curriculum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From century to century, it's interesting how history always repeats itself. Paradigm and global shifts always brings out these tensions and frustrations...particularly to those for whom the paradgm is shifting away from. The gilded age when we in America (6%) consumed more than half of the world's resources and the gentleman's C (or lady's C) was a badge of pride posing no threat to our wild consumption and play. Alas, others are starting to beat us at our game. What ever happened to sportsmanship ... a notion invented by the British when their colonies (e.g India) began to beat them at their game of cricket.

If other children study and do homework what should we care? This will of course drive them to despair and an early grave. Little homework and play for the young rules the day and will provide much health, happiness and longevity even if there are no jobs for them as adults.

Right. Studying hard will make you go insane and die and early death! This is borne out by all the latest scholalry research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From century to century, it's interesting how history always repeats itself. Paradigm and global shifts always brings out these tensions and frustrations...particularly to those for whom the paradgm is shifting away from. The gilded age when we in America (6%) consumed more than half of the world's resources and the gentleman's C (or lady's C) was a badge of pride posing no threat to our wild consumption and play. Alas, others are starting to beat us at our game. What ever happened to sportsmanship ... a notion invented by the British when their colonies (e.g India) began to beat them at their game of cricket.

If other children study and do homework what should we care? This will of course drive them to despair and an early grave. Little homework and play for the young rules the day and will provide much health, happiness and longevity even if there are no jobs for them as adults.

Some truth in that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey, if math and science were so important, why are we paying I-bankers and lawyers 2-3-4 times as much as engineers?

I hear the girls are hotter in business and pre-law classes too.

Thought schools did away with "pre-law" and "pre-med" degrees because if your plans changed, you wound up with a useless degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From century to century, it's interesting how history always repeats itself. Paradigm and global shifts always brings out these tensions and frustrations...particularly to those for whom the paradgm is shifting away from. The gilded age when we in America (6%) consumed more than half of the world's resources and the gentleman's C (or lady's C) was a badge of pride posing no threat to our wild consumption and play. Alas, others are starting to beat us at our game. What ever happened to sportsmanship ... a notion invented by the British when their colonies (e.g India) began to beat them at their game of cricket.

If other children study and do homework what should we care? This will of course drive them to despair and an early grave. Little homework and play for the young rules the day and will provide much health, happiness and longevity even if there are no jobs for them as adults.

Some truth in that.

ha ha, you're talking to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for responding, you evidently heard our conversation.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the replies.

My DS is only 9 months old, so I realize this is something I don't have to worry about for quite some time. That said, the question came to mind because as a new parent, I find myself paying attention to parenting issues more and the increased amount of work and increased expectation are something I've started noticing in friends' children. Mostly I ask the question not because I'm worried about it, but just out of curiosity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey, if math and science were so important, why are we paying I-bankers and lawyers 2-3-4 times as much as engineers?

I hear the girls are hotter in business and pre-law classes too.

because there're millions of them from China or India willing to work for less.

So why complain that our kids aren't going into math and science?

[Anonymous]

9 months? Then you are indeed lucky because you have five good years to save, save, save and put your child in a nice private progressive school. Trust me ... this will get you away from NCLB driven teaching and provide a wonderfully rich, imaginative education for your child. No offense to those who prefer public ... I am simply sharing my own opinion here. OP ... go browse around the web sites for Burgundy Farm, Lowell, or Green Acres ... I think you will be delighted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I assume it is so different due to the trickle-down effect of No Child Left Behind.

I cannot understand homework for the youngest set, since my understanding is that research shows that homework is not good for the littlest kids.

Research by whom? Do you really think it takes 6 years to master the elementary school curriculum?

I do not have time to do an extensive search now, but I've read it in various places. Here is a Washington Post article on homework in elementary school: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/01/AR2007080101713.html It references a book, The Case Against Homework.

I am aware of an almost 3 year old who is getting homework from his preschool (tracing, for ex.). Kindergardeners are getting homework now. Again I don't understand what the point of this is and am not aware of any research that supports it, are you? I am only aware of research that suggests it's not good (yet it seems to be so prevalent).

I am not sure what the point of your second question (about the six years) is. I made no statement about how long it takes to master the elementary school curriculum and I don't have anything to say about that at this point.

[Anonymous]

OP,

You are correct to notice this, one of the biggest changes is parents' obsession with school. Many of us grew up with laissez faire parents who didn't monitor each and every assignment and test. It's as if we're compensating with overi-involvement. Also, there's an unhealthy obsession with getting into the right college. My son just started high school, I'm hoping not to get sucked into it. The pendulum does swing back and forth ... perhaps the testing craze with have died down by the time your child starts K.