[Leica] Writing, Literacy, and College

[Doubs43 at cox.net (Doubs43)]

>
>
>The average student today is exposed to a wider range of 
>disciplines at a much higher level than high school graduates of 
>earlier generations.
>
Unquestionably incorrect. The AVERAGE high school grad today can't hold 
a candle to those of MY generation, much less those of our parents who, 
IMO, had an even tougher schedule of subjects. While many teenagers 
today are knowledgeable about computers and computer languages, 
programing etc., they are woefully inadequate in many disciplines that 
older graduates had to learn. I note you don't list foreign languages, 
English Lit and Composition, US History and other subjects that were 
required in years past. The math classes you list were ALL required in 
my father's day for an Academic diploma. So were the sciences.

Note that I am specific when I say the AVERAGE graduate today. A much 
smaller percentage of students graduated from high school in my father's 
day as many young people went to work on farms and industry as soon as 
they were old enough. Only those whose parents recognized the advantages 
of education were lucky enough to stay in school and graduate. A college 
degree wasn't necessary to TEACH school in those days and many teachers 
didn't have a four-year degree. I'd still be willing to wager that their 
competence level in the subjects they taught was superior to the AVERAGE 
teacher today.

I'm not condemning today's youngsters by painting them all with a single 
brush. Those who are capable would do well in any age and time. However, 
it's my opinion that ON AVERAGE the graduate of today is well behind his 
counterpart of past generations. If it weren't so, we wouldn't even be 
having this discussion. (Both of my sons hold four year degrees and one 
has completed the first year of his MBA at Notre Dame, having done quite 
well. While both are products of DoD schools, in general a better than 
average system, neither IMO have as good a basic education as my father 
had when he graduated high school.)

Our education system is in serious trouble and in need of a complete 
overhaul. If we don't fix it, this country will suffer accordingly. 
That's my opinion but in coming years it will become reality.