English Language Proficiency

[Yodrak 7]

Saw this article in the NY Times a few days ago.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/02/educatio...l?th&emc=th

At first I was surprised, but upon reflection it explains a lot................

A few relevant quotes:

"Though higher education is now a near-universal aspiration, researchers suggest that close to half the students who enter college need remedial courses."

"California State set an ambitious goal to cut the proportion of unprepared freshmen to 10 percent by 2007, largely by testing them as high school juniors and having them make up for deficiencies in the 12th grade. Cal State appears nowhere close to its goal. In reading alone, nearly half the high school juniors appear unprepared for college-level work."

"Nearly half the 14.7 million undergraduates at two- and four-year institutions never receive degrees. The deficiencies turn up not just in math, science and engineering, areas in which a growing chorus warns of difficulties in the face of global competition, but also in the basics of reading and writing."

"The Pew Charitable Trusts recently found that three-quarters of community college graduates were not literate enough to handle everyday tasks like comparing viewpoints in newspaper editorials or calculating the cost of food items per ounce."

"At Cal State, the system admits only students with at least a B average in high school. Nevertheless, 37 percent of the incoming class last year needed remedial math, and 45 percent needed remedial English."

Yodrak

(Disclosure: One of my criteria when selecting a college was lack of requirements to take English classes, learned what a mistake that was after getting into the working world.)

Edited September 6, 2006 by Yodrak

[*Robert* 2]

Not a good trend.

[TracyTN 237]

I used to teach composition to college freshman. I can tell you that the quality of the work I saw on basic essays was appalling. Half of them could not string a sentence together. The one or two 'stars' I had in each class were all that kept me from pulling my hair out.

Funny, Y -- I partially chose my college major (English!) based on how few MATH credits were required.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

yeah, not a good sign.

Daniel

:energetic:

[Jenn! 918]

I partially chose my college major (English!) based on how few MATH credits were required.

I was a math major so I wouldn't have to take English classes!

[TracyTN 237]

I partially chose my college major (English!) based on how few MATH credits were required.

I was a math major so I wouldn't have to take English classes!

LMAO!!!!!!!

[*Robert* 2]

I don't want to make this an ethnic issue, but of the kids who had difficulty with English, how many of them were U.S. born and caucasion?

[Jenn! 918]

I don't want to make this an ethnic issue, but of the kids who had difficulty with English, how many of them were U.S. born and caucasion?

I taught in a Boston public high school. Almost all U.S. born, caucasian kids. Atrocious reading and writing skills.

[TracyTN 237]

I don't want to make this an ethnic issue, but of the kids who had difficulty with English, how many of them were U.S. born and caucasion?

In my classes, they were almost all US born/Caucasian from Nashville and/or around the upper Cumberland area of Tennessee.

Told me a LOT about the state of Tennessee's schools... I just hope it has improved.

[*Robert* 2]

That's what I was thinking. Thanks for the replies ladies. It just shows how bad our education systme is getting right now.

Very sad indeed.

[Alex+R 0]

I used to teach writing when I was in college (in the "writing fellows" program, if anyone is familiar with those). There are two issues in writing that are addressed in freshman comp classes. One is grammar, spelling, etc. etc. etc. but that stuff is all secondary to the TRULY appalling problem in student writing: the complete lack of ability to structure an argument in a logical way.

Students aren't being taught how to think in an organized way, let alone express those thoughts.

That may be a factor in students not passing these comp classes, as it's usually the focus of the curriculum.

[type2negative 0]

I don't want to make this an ethnic issue, but of the kids who had difficulty with English, how many of them were U.S. born and caucasion?

I taught in a Boston public high school. Almost all U.S. born, caucasian kids. Atrocious reading and writing skills.

And Bostoin Community College afterwards?!>

[Jenn! 918]

I don't want to make this an ethnic issue, but of the kids who had difficulty with English, how many of them were U.S. born and caucasion?

I taught in a Boston public high school. Almost all U.S. born, caucasian kids. Atrocious reading and writing skills.

And Bostoin Community College afterwards?!>

[type2negative 0]

I don't want to make this an ethnic issue, but of the kids who had difficulty with English, how many of them were U.S. born and caucasion?

I taught in a Boston public high school. Almost all U.S. born, caucasian kids. Atrocious reading and writing skills.

And Bostoin Community College afterwards?!>

My bad. I read that you finished bostoin Public school. Smth like that... Ingle comprehenda - No good, bad.

[mrsushi66 0]

I have always said that until something is done to elavate a teachers pay to point where they can raise a family and not struggle our educational system will continue to harbour bitter people with good intentions. Yes I know there are good teachers who do the things they do making very little money. I am not talking about making them all rich but I am talking about a reasonable wage to help them live their lives.

My solution? Have every professional athlete adopt a school to suppliment the schoold budget for staff pay and educational materials.

Also it is not just the educational system it is parents also. My parents were very involved in my education, from what I see of the parents today the extent of their interest is, "Did you finish your homework?". With no follow up or real interest. Granted there are parents out there that care and take an interest but from what I have seen there are many that dont.

Paul