Balls: Scott Walker has 'em

**HoreTore** · 12-12-2010, 00:15

Originally Posted by a completely inoffensive name

And yes, it really isn't all that bad. Like I said, we are not completely ass-backwards.

My knowledge of the american system comes mainly from those relevant to my studies, ie. people like Bruner and this guy. And I use them as my main source, really, I use Norwegians and such mainly as back-up material. Because it's good stuff.

I won't have to deal with backwards religoous stuff like you describe, however, and no censorship either, my hands are pretty much free when it comes to controversial issues.

Overcrowding was an issue in the early 2000's here too, but it has mostly been fixed by now, as the effectivization policies that was started have been scrapped and the usual class size is 20, though teachers typically teach in two classes at the same grade, thus giving each teacher around 40 students in 2-3 subjects.

I blame this on corporate governerning entering the public sector. Things have to be "accountable" and we should provide some numbers, some statistics to prove that we are going forward. But what the politicians fail to see is that you can't introduce incentives, bonuses and such in education. It just doesn't work, not everything in life can be turned into a statistic.

**a completely inoffensive name** · 12-12-2010, 00:25

Originally Posted by HoreTore

I blame this on corporate governerning entering the public sector. Things have to be "accountable" and we should provide some numbers, some statistics to prove that we are going forward. But what the politicians fail to see is that you can't introduce incentives, bonuses and such in education. It just doesn't work, not everything in life can be turned into a statistic.

Quoted for truth.

But yeah, the religious factor and the self censorship are two of many problems. To be honest, the parents are a major reason why the system isn't as great as it could be. Stupid parents try to perpetuate stupid students.

If you want to know what books are trying to be withheld from students by stupid parents, here is the wikipedia article with data from 1990-1999, so a bit out of date, but not really since I doubt these long controversial books are suddenly ok.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...oks_in_the_U.S.

EDIT: Actually, here is the ala.org website that tabulates the most challenged books list. Here is the direct link and on the left you can click on each individual year and by the decade.
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocac...nged/index.cfm

**HoreTore** · 12-12-2010, 00:48

My head is hurting from all the stupidity.

How many hundreds of thousands of girls started to enjoy reading after they read books like catcher in the rye, twilight, etc etc? And they want to take that away from them? Nonsense.

Also, the nature pf the school should be to challenge peoples perceptions, not to conform them. If you believe x is true, the school should question you with y. The school is supposed to challenge assumptions, as that requires people to reflect on their beliefs instead of blindly following something.

**a completely inoffensive name** · 12-12-2010, 00:51

Originally Posted by HoreTore

My head is hurting from all the stupidity.

Yeah, welcome to the American education debate.

**a completely inoffensive name** · 12-12-2010, 02:11

Originally Posted by HoreTore

Also, the nature pf the school should be to challenge peoples perceptions, not to conform them. If you believe x is true, the school should question you with y. The school is supposed to challenge assumptions, as that requires people to reflect on their beliefs instead of blindly following something.

lol, the nature of school to many Americans is to memorize useless facts that you don't need in the real world pushed by "liberals" so you can get a job. CAN YOU TELL ME WHEN I AM EVER GOING TO USE CALCULUS IN REAL LIFE? I'M NOT GOING TO BE AN ENGINEER! NO? THEN WHY AM I LEARNING THIS HORETORE!?!?!?!

**HoreTore** · 12-12-2010, 13:51

Connecting maths education with the real world is a very important aspect. A lot of people feel that maths is too abstract, that it doesn't represent anything in the real world. Of course, it does do that, and focus should be on making sure our students make that connection.

**gaelic cowboy** · 12-12-2010, 15:08

Calculus and all the other abstract maths subjects are an excellent way of teaching someone how to work through a problem. We rarely have all the relevant information we need to make a decision so we must work through the problem logically.

There is your best reason for calculus in school.

**HoreTore** · 12-12-2010, 15:13

Originally Posted by gaelic cowboy

Calculus and all the other abstract maths subjects are an excellent way of teaching someone how to work through a problem. We rarely have all the relevant information we need to make a decision so we must work through the problem logically.

There is your best reason for calculus in school.

13-year old Mike is far from satisfied with that answer I'm afraid