If you child gets mediocre to average grades in most subjects....but EXCELLENT CALIFICATIONS in given discipline. What would you do? Would you hire a private tutor to improve the mediocre / average grades or a tutor to get his excellent grades even higher...?
I had to look up calification first. (Spanish: Meaning grades or qualifications.) I’d do neither I would have a talk with the child’s counselor and / or principal and ask that his / her studies be adjusted according to the child’s capabilities if that were the practical thing to do. *Most certainly, I wouldn’t want my child to be advanced if he or she was already stretching themselves to achieve excellent grades. On the other hand, if say, math were nothing but a bird course for the child, I’d insist on advancement in that subject to make the child stretch out, pay attention and be less bored.
We have started up some STEM schools--science, technology, engineering and math. Bringing more challenge to those who excel in those areas. My oldest was classified as gifted and tallented. Not sure in what, back then. I think they were experimenting in the educational progression. I met an 8 year old when visiting her recently that could have given Elon Musk a run for his money. Some kids are quite bright via computers. Some kids like to kill time with them. It could be quite interesting if the government stayed out of the way and local schools could steer the kids as they needed.
Mary Stetler, Excellent. Now, I feel ALL the schools should do as the one you mentioned. We could have excellent results. When one learns and does what one likes...the results are glorious for mankind.
Good morning to all- Very interesting discussion- good points have been made. I worked in a wide range of school systems- small, rural schools which had the state-minimum requirements only and much larger semi-metropolitan schools which could offer a full range of course offerings. And from both very different situations, I saw students who went though the programs and then excelled in their chosen fields.. It's hard to say which situation was better. The truth is, if we have a student who is bright, motivated and who has support from home, it's hard to keep that student from succeeding. With that kind of kid, just about any public school will succeed. And so will the student. you all be safe and keep well- Ed
I wouldn't put too much pressure on a kid as long as they are doing their best and staying out of trouble. There are other measures of success besides high grades in every subject. Some struggle with math but do well otherwise. I view education as a smorgasbord where you sample everything but don't have to like it all. You go back for seconds for what appeals to you which possibly signals what will be your chosen career.
To make a somewhat long story short, my step-parents hired a tutor for me for the summer of 1964. Due to living with an Aunt, because my parents got divorced, a case of child abuse done to me by the Aunt, my grades never got any better after (legally) being taken out of her home and put with step-parents. In order for me to become a Freshman in high school, I got tutored at the lady's home. She done an excellent job and I was advanced to my Freshman year. I wasn't in the top or middle of my graduating class, but I did graduate, and less than a month after that, the U.S. Navy called me up for Basic/Boot Camp Training. I had enlisted before high school graduation. I'd have to say that my very best learning skills came from a couple of online classes I took/paid for involving Purchasing/Inventory Management.
Ed Marsh, The so called bright kids? My point is about "kids who excel in one given subject...or few." I had a friend -now in his 60s- who wasn't a "bright kid" ....but he was EXCELLENT in drawing / painting. He was given the opportunity (rural school) to take classes in drawing / painting / designing and in business. Yes, he also had the regular classes but the emphasis was in those he enjoyed / was good at. Today he is a successful painter and he makes a good living. Most parents believes their kids are OK if they excel in Math / Physics / Trigonometry....
When a student has a clear interest and aptitude in a subject or skill, s/he should certainly be encouraged and supported in pursuing this field because this is likely to lead to a fruitful career. Of course, someone who excels at painting should still be taught to read, write, do mathematics, and be conversant in other subjects, but in focusing on the many, we too often leave the individual behind.
One thing for sure, I didn't excel in Advanced Math, but was really good at Addition, Subtraction, Division and Multiplication. Definitely didn't do good in Algebra and never took Geometry, Physics or Trig. My step-dad had me take Drafting one year and I completely failed it. He loved hard/physical work, of which, I did not. Now, today, with CAD (Computer-Aided Drafting), I would've probably done great, because I love computers so much. Two things I had going for me with the Math that I knew: I had no problem at all passing the math test that use to be given for pre-employment, as well as an Aptitude Test for spelling, punctuation, etc. And, I knew enough math to do Purchasing and Inventory Control/Management. Two classes, in high school, that I did excel in, Speech & Drama and Typing.
Good morning to all- My wife, who is one of the brightest people I know- says that education and learning for kids is like a three-legged stool. The kid and his/her abilities is one leg. the school is another leg. And the parents- another leg. If a kid is average ability or above, .is in an adequate school situation, and has supportive parents who encourage the kid to succeed, then there's not much which can hold this kid back. And no school program- public, private, or home- will work for every kid. And Mr. Fousnaugh- I agree with your naming of Typing class as very important. I took typing for one semester in ninth grade, and it has made more difference in my life than perhaps any other class I had. funny how benefit comes from unanticipated sources. you all be safe and keep well- Ed
Schools try to maintain order and safety, and then try to teach the middle third of the bell curve. When the funding for it is there they'll devote resources to the bottom 3rd. With more funding they'll try to "mainstream" the bottom 12th. The top 3rd is generally on its own, and the top 6th occasionally gets attention if even more targeted funding is available for "gifted" programming. The top 12th is pretty much tolerated if they can manage to avoid being troublesome due to utter boredom. They can be great successes or utter failures. Some even turn into a Ted Kaczynski.
Most people when asked about this subject they answer me with "But the kid needs a general education as well." Indeed, they do and this should be provided but if we want an advancing society we must reinforce the best in each person..