Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%

[LnGrrrR]

Conforming to all my stipulations? I doubt it. There was a much greater degree of local control than there is now. Local control isn't a cure all, but the levers have to be kept close to the community served IMO.

I think the failures of the DoE are leading me to that belief as well. The idea behind "No Child Left Behind" is admirable, but I think the execution may be impossible.

I see no problem there. Few students will excel at everything.

I don't think I was clear. I mean, in your theoretical school, if you mastered one part of the curriculum, but not another, would you still advance in the parts you mastered? And if so, then how would that work in a classical "grade" setting? Would said student take 6th grade English and then 8th grade math? (It seems that would demolish the idea of a "grade" in the first place. Not saying that's bad.)

Bring it on. I ain't skeered.

It would at least give the kids some motivation to do well.

[Winehole23]

I don't think I was clear. I mean, in your theoretical school, if you mastered one part of the curriculum, but not another, would you still advance in the parts you mastered? And if so, then how would that work in a classical "grade" setting? Would said student take 6th grade English and then 8th grade math? (It seems that would demolish the idea of a "grade" in the first place. Not saying that's bad.)

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I'm for the destruction of the age/grade system. Advancement has to be based on demonstrated chops in each course of study, not one's age.

[boutons_deux]

Shouldn't the endgame of capitalism-in-theory be perfect compe ion? Sounds more like you're talking about what Chomsky called capitalism-in-practice.

should it be? it could be.

but capitalism demands steady and increasing dividends to capitalists(shareholders), so many companies buy other companies, allowed under pure capitalism, n'est-ce-pas?, resulting in consolidation of business sectors, less compe ion, and very often a cartel with price fixing and non-compete agreements.

[LnGrrrR]

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I'm for the destruction of the age/grade system. Advancement has to be based on demonstrated chops in each course of study, not one's age.

Ah, I thought that was what you were getting at. Just my pedantism getting in the way again.

Sounds like a video game, to be honest. "Your child just passed Math, Lvl 3! Received one CALCULATOR!"

[TeyshaBlue]

Ah, I thought that was what you were getting at. Just my pedantism getting in the way again.

Sounds like a video game, to be honest. "Your child just passed Math, Lvl 3! Received one CALCULATOR!"

Your child Gained:

3 exp pts.

2 puzzle solving pts.

5 leadership a en pts.

4 nerd pts.

[baseline bum]

Why limit yourself to a two or three hour exam? Test all areas intensively. You can't predict success with an entrance exam, but you can determine who already has the chops to cut it.

I'm just not a fan of in-class exams. I don't think an 8-hour exam is going to be great indicator of someone's intelligence and work ethic to meet a semester deadline, a 2-week deadline, etc. on projects where a someone can get his hands dirty and really learn/demonstrate something. Not only can in-class exams not ask questions that are all that hard, but nerves play a huge part in them too.

The German gymnasium system wasn't extraordinarily expensive. What I have in mind is something a bit like that.

I'd love to see that implemented in the United States. I interpreted your statement as one that children need more personal attention, like a Ph.D student would get for example. Germany has a lot of great solutions to complex problems that we should, but sadly never will emulate.

[baseline bum]

Your child Gained:

3 exp pts.

2 puzzle solving pts.

5 leadership a en pts.

4 nerd pts.

Your child has now learned: DETERMINANT lvl 2x2

[LnGrrrR]

Your child Gained:

3 exp pts.

2 puzzle solving pts.

5 leadership a en pts.

4 nerd pts.

You know, why haven't they developed an RPG based on schooling? I'd play it...

[Winehole23]

I'm just not a fan of in-class exams. I don't think an 8-hour exam is going to be great indicator of someone's intelligence and work ethic to meet a semester deadline, a 2-week deadline, etc. on projects where a someone can get his hands dirty and really learn/demonstrate something. Not only can in-class exams not ask questions that are all that hard, but nerves play a huge part in them too.

Don't think I insisted on an in-class exam. What you're describing sounds just fine to me.

[LnGrrrR]

Maybe the school system could come up with something akin to the way the AF does Enlisted Performance Reports, which is made up of three parts:

1) A score determined by a supervisor based on year-long work
2) A score determined by an annual exam on job/AF knowledge
3) A score determined by time in service/rank

Number 3 might not apply, but a modified form of 1 and 2 combined might be useful.

[RandomGuy]

Your child Gained:

3 exp pts.

2 puzzle solving pts.

5 leadership a en pts.

4 nerd pts.

And a +3 Pencil of Alacrity