Ok, here is my observation.

middle-school and high school standards are exceptionally terrible in the USA. Universities and colleges are great, but they cost a lot of money.

So basically , you get 2 types of people.

1. High school (or less) diploma

2. College graduate

One has a sharply less education and entirely different view of the world than the other.

Do you agree?

Yes. I am simply agreeing to confirm the observed reality.

There is a major exception though:

Social sciences. I think one could be better off by just keeping his high school education, rather than being brainwashed in a SS major.

Not sure if it is that simple.

What follows?

Well I see it this way. It really comes down to the point, if the person attending universities is able to separate the BS from reality and treats them as such. And that depends on curiosity and interest and willing to investigate and criticize, instead of blindly accepting everything and becoming completely brainwashed in one direction.

how so??? what views are you referring to?

honey...view on everything. Level of intelligence and knowledge affects everything. It is the major cause of misunderstandings.

from personal knowledge....the people I know with "book smarts" lacks common knowledge than those that aren't as "book smart"

this doesn't apply for everyone...but for example...my grandfather is a senior programmer at Lockheed, masters degree in math and won the presidential awards. he also teaches at a community college for fun. but doesn't have the common sense God gave a turnip and he will tell you that himself

My ex husband is a senior programmer analyst at a large corporation...and I swear has less commone sense.

because of situations....I have only 2 semesters of college, but I am pretty sharp (sometimes at least lol) and have more common sense than a lot of people I know here.

I think views of things in there world are based on many things, not just formal education. How you are raised is one, the people in your life and whether or not you want to learn from mistakes...just to name a few

I wouldn't lump the "or less" group in with the the H.S. diplomas. Not obtaining a H.S. diploma shows a serious deficiency of some sort which would not apply to the H.S. diploma group.

I spoke with the principal of my child's middle school and found out that a D(60-69%) in every class is good enough to pass. I don't think this is doing the kids any favors.

That, definetely doesn't do any good. They should keep the kids in school until they can pass with at least a B, in my opinion. Keep failing them and re running the course, don't care how long it takes if the kid has to repeat the same year 2-3 times, then repeat it.
There is no point coming out of the middle school or high school , that a person can't find Europe on the map or can't multiple single digit numbers without a calculator.

There are some people who do not have the mental capability to grasp some things taught in school. That alone does not necessarily mean that those people are not capable of being very productive members of society, as long as there is a place for them.

The ability to learn cannot be forced.

I think the major cause of misunderstandings is miscommunication.

I wouldn't lump the "or less" group in with the the H.S. diplomas. Not obtaining a H.S. diploma shows a serious deficiency of some sort which would not apply to the H.S. diploma group.


Jimmy...in some cases...yes. But there are other factors in which someone might have a GED. financial situations, illness, learning disabilities are a few

my uncle got a GED because of learning disabilities back in the day. he is a very productive member of society and served in the army at 18.

Hi Rose. I equate a GED with a HS diploma. Just got it a little later. For 99% of high school students, there is no excuse for not graduating. Notice I did not say 100%.

I didnt graduate but have made a good life for myself....

I would not let them pass my kid with Ds...I would personally have them held back...To me the kids that do well in school have parents that are active in it..Not all but the majority...

I have no problem with the education my kid received.....

Good comment!

If 99% are able to graduate, then we can say that the level of education fall to that of a 99%-ile base. This is exactly, what places the HS so low on the bell curve.

I want to say that the possibility of having a miscommunication is an inherent risk of language and meaning, and it reflects differences in perception and understanding - which may or may not indicate a difference in one's level of formal education. Therefore, the education level itself is not necessarily the cause of miscommunication. In order to effectively communicate an idea or thought, one must be able to speak or write to another about the subject matter using terms with shared meaning in order to obtain a shared understanding.

The possibility of one to understand that underlying concept is not at all dependent upon one's formal education level.

some do not graduate and get a GED much later because of certain circumstances. yes some are too lazy to go to school but there are those that drop out for many reasons. sometimes people have to do what has to be done first over graduating. not sure where the 99% comes from though....because many have differnt reasons

most/all are born with ignorance

stupidity is a learned trait for most

So Rose, what percentage of high school dropuouts would you say dropped out for legitimate reasons?

You mention: Middle-school and high school standards are exceptionally terrible in the USA

So what can be done to improve it?

I would say perhaps better teacher salaries and bonuses that truly motivate them to really try to change a young man or womans life in education

Better fundings provided by charities or government tax money that actually go to improve school standards

New textbooks that are not outdated

Smaller class rooms

Improved teaching methods that allow children to actually enjoy their time in schools.

You also mention: Universities and colleges are great, but they cost a lot of money.

I believe Colleges or Universities should be free except for the textbooks. This allows every student who gets a high school diploma a chance to attend a college.

Where should the money come from to fund the colleges and teachers?

Tax money is one idea.

but of course this idealogy is something Americans dread for it borders socialism again.