Are you smarter than a (fill in the blank)?

[Steppenwolfe]

I just returned from a week in Mississippi on business. Took my wife, figured we would make an adventure out of it... WOW ! I had no idea America had turned this corner. Don't get me wrong, met some wonderful and very friendly people, not rocket scientists, but plain, hard working, Americans. However, education didn't appear to be a priority. The farther we went south out of Jackson, the less of a priority it was. I was born and raised deep south, and still was in shock. My wife, who is from Pa., is still traumatized. I was told by locals the downturn in the economy hit hard, but 20 somethings were out of school before that. I'm not sure what has happened to the value of an education in our country, but apparently it has less value in different areas.

 

[Skintback]

I just returned from a week in Mississippi on business. Took my wife, figured we would make an adventure out of it... WOW ! I had no idea America had turned this corner. Don't get me wrong, met some wonderful and very friendly people, not rocket scientists, but plain, hard working, Americans. However, education didn't appear to be a priority. The farther we went south out of Jackson, the less of a priority it was. I was born and raised deep south, and still was in shock. My wife, who is from Pa., is still traumatized. I was told by locals the downturn in the economy hit hard, but 20 somethings were out of school before that. I'm not sure what has happened to the value of an education in our country, but apparently it has less value in different areas.

I am a lifelong Mississippian; proud of it! Born and raised here, I went k-12 here and college here including junior college and Mississippi State University. Every person in MS is not an illiterate, redneck, moron. We have our fair share but we also have some amazingly smart people; but, I do catch myself looking around and wondering if my kids will be able to stay.

MS is an agricultural state; timber had overtaken more than half of the states 82 counties as the top agricultural product; the downturn in the economy was almost catastrophic on the timber business. I hold a degree in forestry; practiced for 12 years before I took a job 6 years ago teaching forestry.

The problem with education is not so much the teachers (sure there are some that are bad but not many)but a fundamental flaw in parenting and morals. Lots of parents are not involved in their child's life let alone education. Morally, children are not taught the most basic values of everyday life: honesty, integrity and life lessons. When working to achieve goals doesn't mean anything to a kid, what can you tell that kid to inspire him? Life is hard; it's harder when you are uneducated or untrained in a trade/skill.

Education in America should not automatically mean college; some people just aren't cut out for it. This is where trade schools come into play. Students can learn unique skill sets to have productive and rewarding careers and lives.

The way I see it, the problems in education are complex and will not be easily fixed; throwing money at it isn't going to fix it either. Until parents are involved in every step of there child's education and/or students decide its time to stand on their own two feet, it's not going to get better. It's frustrating for teachers as well.

Note- this is also a blanket statement; lots of parents and students are very inspiring/committed to education; it just needs to be ALL!

 

[whistlepig]

From what I am seeing these days some high school graduates in the US can't read a tape measure or even do simple math. But they can operate an Smart Phone better than any other human being on this planet.