Smart

Each day I am faced with another thing to challenge my mental capabilities. A test in Math, a quiz in AP World History, or perhaps more fundamental homework for Honors Biology. Mmm... wonderful. Who am i to complain? I signed up (perhaps enlisted is the better word) for these classes. I was born into this country... the good ol' USA and i am truly proud of it but sometimes our governments ideas for education are a little beyond my comprehension and I am the one living it (along with the other millions of children and teens), everyday. I want to know truly the facts, no bias, no messed up charts.. just the plain and simple facts.

Here in Utah we hear a lot about the No Child Left Behind Act passed by former President George W. Bush. The Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to ALL students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools. The Act does not assert a national achievement standard; standards are set by each individual state. Many argue that local government had failed students, necessitating federal intervention to remedy issues like teachers teaching outside their areas of expertise, and complacency in the face of continually failing schools. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act) To me the NCLB has both good and bad points. Good: everyone is on the same level. Bad: Teachers or Parents often blamed for child's lack of responsibility or smarts. Entire classes held back to accommodate the needs of a child.

We (People of Utah) also have been hearing quite a bit about Chris Buttars' (Utah State Senator) plan to remove the 12th grade. Personally i think it would do more harm then good. It would add more stress on children an teens as they cram more education into less time. Recess and gym (activity levels) have been cut back significantly in a child's and teen's life since the beginning of the 1900's and making children and teens cram more into 11 grades than ever before (and believe me, we are cramming enough into 12) this causes sleep problems (late homework nights) which is clinically linked to weight and mental problems. But... the state does save money which is something we need right now in our current economy.

I both envy and despise (at different times of course) Japan and China's education systems. Children go to school 6 days a week from around 8 am and classes go on into the evenings. They are smart! With all the pressures of having the American Life or American Dream in America it's hard not to just want to go home, sit down with your burger from McDonald's, and watch a good episode of House or American Idol instead of doing homework. But this is America.. either you try or you don't... there is no in-between, be the best or be an amateur.