What have we done!?

[Badlands Bob]

I haven't used cursive since they quit making me in High School. I find it much slower than my own version of printed writing. I do use cursive to sign my name on checks and credit card receipts. I decided about 40 years ago that French, Trig and cursive writing were classes that were a waste of my time. So far, I have been right.

[Indy Glenn]

Geezer code - - I love it!!!!!

I am lucky and know a lot of young people through various organizations I belong to.......

As an old Army recruiter and HR specialist in civilian life I am often asked for career advise.

One this I "suggest" is learning cursive writing.

Why do I suggest this? Well, until all us old geezers are out of the work place, cursive will be used unconsciously by "experienced workers" who may now be in management and rather than admit you can't read cursive, it becomes a second language in the business world. Kind of like taking golf lessons in college........

Just my thoughts......they ask....! LOL

I still like "Geezer Code!!"

g

[csbaer]

No mathematicians from Paris with beautiful handwriting in your future. 😀

[Dr4Film]

I guess that means that children today cannot read the US Constitution or the Bill of Rights.

The teachers of today are more interested in not having the students recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag even though they are most likely US citizens who must pledge allegiance to the US as ALL citizens must do otherwise why are they here?

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Yosemite77]

Cursive writing in schools has declined due to computers. Students now routinely type papers on tablets and phones. They don't get the practice with cursive and hence there will be some that have trouble writing and reading it.
The real reason that students are being taught what used to be upper level math sooner (6th, 7th, 8th) is to raise school test scores. By seeing this math sooner the school's standardized test scores will be higher. In my experience this helps some students, but sadly hurts more than it helps.
In this internet age it is very easy to compare and rank schools based on their test scores. Administrators are very aware of this. As a result many schools spend an inordinate amount of time and money preparing for testing. Teachers are pressured to teach to the test and spend months preparing students for it. As a result some topics get either rushed through or dropped entirely. FYI, it's not uncommon for school administrators to get paid bonuses based on test scores.
Our local high school district pushes kids to take multiple AP classes, even though many of those students do not belong in those classes. Why? The Superintendent's evaluation and hence bonus is based on the amount of students in AP classes.

[Gigattime]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

I guess that means that children today cannot read the US Constitution or the Bill of Rights.

The teachers of today are more interested in not having the students recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag even though they are most likely US citizens who must pledge allegiance to the US as ALL citizens must do otherwise why are they here?

Dr4Film ----- Richard

My children can read the Constitution just fine, but they do so in print via a digital printed (not cursive) copy.

Rarely are students reading original documents if ever.

[Gigattime]

Originally Posted by Yosemite77

Cursive writing in schools has declined due to computers. Students now routinely type papers on tablets and phones. They don't get the practice with cursive and hence there will be some that have trouble writing and reading it.
The real reason that students are being taught what used to be upper level math sooner (6th, 7th, 8th) is to raise school test scores. By seeing this math sooner the school's standardized test scores will be higher. In my experience this helps some students, but sadly hurts more than it helps.
In this internet age it is very easy to compare and rank schools based on their test scores. Administrators are very aware of this. As a result many schools spend an inordinate amount of time and money preparing for testing. Teachers are pressured to teach to the test and spend months preparing students for it. As a result some topics get either rushed through or dropped entirely. FYI, it's not uncommon for school administrators to get paid bonuses based on test scores.
Our local high school district pushes kids to take multiple AP classes, even though many of those students do not belong in those classes. Why? The Superintendent's evaluation and hence bonus is based on the amount of students in AP classes.

Public schools making bonuses? Would like to hear where and how the district is able to pull that off with public dollars. A dear friend is a treasurer and there are so many checks and balances on public school spending in Ohio that paying bonuses for elevated test scores would be difficult to do (at least legally).

[timetogo]

I have heard of the dumbing down of America's youth, but had no idea just how bad it is.

Amazing!

[Badlands Bob]

There was a big scandal in the Atlanta Public schools several years ago involving teachers and administrators changing test scores. The test results were used to determine pay raises and bonuses. The scandal went all the way up to the superintendent, who died before she could be taken to trial. They actually sent 7 to prison over it. The next year, the test scores went back into failing school category.

[baraff]

Originally Posted by Yosemite77

Cursive writing in schools has declined due to computers. Students now routinely type papers on tablets and phones. They don't get the practice with cursive and hence there will be some that have trouble writing and reading it.
The real reason that students are being taught what used to be upper level math sooner (6th, 7th, 8th) is to raise school test scores. By seeing this math sooner the school's standardized test scores will be higher. In my experience this helps some students, but sadly hurts more than it helps.
In this internet age it is very easy to compare and rank schools based on their test scores. Administrators are very aware of this. As a result many schools spend an inordinate amount of time and money preparing for testing. Teachers are pressured to teach to the test and spend months preparing students for it. As a result some topics get either rushed through or dropped entirely. FYI, it's not uncommon for school administrators to get paid bonuses based on test scores.
Our local high school district pushes kids to take multiple AP classes, even though many of those students do not belong in those classes. Why? The Superintendent's evaluation and hence bonus is based on the amount of students in AP classes.

While I agree with you on schools "teaching to the test", I have never heard of administrators receiving bonuses, especially from public tax monies. Even in Illinois with all it's problems.
Overpaid administrators making six figures while sitting in endless, pointless meetings that accomplish nothing, yes, that is common. I worked in a school where the staff was extremely top-heavy; when layoffs came, all the administrators kept their jobs and the faculty and staff made up the bulk of the layoffs.
We had one administrator who was double-dipping his pension, which unbelievably, is legal in Illinois. He was a former school superintendent who was collecting his retirement and was hired by the state to run a state run high school for gifted students. He was able to still receive his pension, while working and contributing to another pension. His income was something like $500,000/year. All on the backs of taxpayers. Gotta love Illinois.

[west1m]

You think the Cursive writing thing is bad, wait until your grand kids try to teach you about "Common Core Math"...