Acute Angles - Testing Today's Schools |
Our educational system today is in terrible shape, far worse than when we went to school.
Children are not being taught the basics of what they will need to know in adult life, and as a result of inadequate schools they grow up without a proper knowledge of mathematics, science, the English language or the social sciences. In our day Latin and Greek were taught in high school; today remedial English is taught in college.
However, there are a few good schools here and there. Occasional public schools, especially in the more affluent suburbs, and some private schools, provide an excellent education. In addition to the three R’s, they pay attention to other areas of knowledge necessary for getting along in the world. They have classes in science, health, government and politics, and the world around us. Our readers should be especially interested in the quality of the schools our children attend.
There’s an easy way to determine the quality of the education a child is getting. All it takes is a simple quiz consisting of a few questions that any reasonably well-educated high school or junior high school student should be able to answer with no difficulty.
Language skills: The President has stated that one of his goals is for every child in this country to be able to read and write. Not only should they be able to read and write, but they should also be able to express themselves properly, which means knowing the proper grammar and usage of English. Here’s a question to test this ability: Decide which of these sentences is correct and explain why: “He went to the movies with my brother and I” or “He went to the movies with my brother and me.”
Science education: It’s something we use all the time, and without it we would literally be in a dark age. It powers our factories, operates most of our labor-saving devices, is most likely going to be the major motive force of the future, and is available at the flick of a switch. Every student who has been given a class in Science should be able to answer this question: What is electricity?
Mathematics: Even in these days of calculators and computers, it’s difficult to get through life without some knowledge of mathematics, if only to make change of a dollar. A simple problem to test basic knowledge of arithmetic is: Your living room measures 12 feet by 18 feet. How many square yards of carpet does it take to cover the floor? To test a more advanced knowledge of mathematics ask: What is algebra?
Logic and reasoning ability: One of the most important things a school can teach – a quality that will last a lifetime – is how to think logically and clearly. You can test this ability with a simple question: Explain how the exception proves the rule, and how many exceptions it takes. Are more exceptions better?
The world we live in: When it’s winter in the United States, it’s summer in Australia, and vice versa. There should be no hesitation in answering this question: Why are there winter and summer? A more sophisticated version is: In the northern hemisphere the sun moves from left to right. In what direction does it move in the southern hemisphere, and why?
Government and Politics: In our government, Congress passes the laws and the Administration carries them out. In the event of any dispute, whether it is a civil conflict or a dispute between citizens and the government, a case may be taken to the courts for resolution. Every judgment by a lower court can be appealed to a higher court. Eventually, the most important cases may be taken to the United States Supreme Court. How does the Supreme Court enforce its rulings?
Current events: Schools should require students to keep up with world affairs by reading a newspaper or watching the news on TV. You can test basic knowledge of current events by asking: Who is President Bush’s friend Vladimir Putin?
Biology and health: Almost all of us have at one time or another suffered from colds and various types of infections. An important subject that should be taught in school is biology, along with proper health practices. To test whether the rudiments of health care have been taught, ask: What are bacteria and viruses, and what is the difference between them?