The state of education:

[ginny]

Ladies, I just read this in the NYT, and thought I would post a link here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/ed...er=rss&emc=rss

The Univ of Ca system is proposing to raise tuition by 32% for undergraduates next year to make up for steep budget cuts. I think I'll call my undergrad university and give them a few bucks! I wonder how many students will drop out with such steep increases in tuition. It makes me so sad.

[Biciclista]

my younger son is about to apply to several schools for his PhD. I am so afraid he won't be able to do it because of costs...

[ginny]

I'm in a PhD program (chemistry/ cell biology), and usually they do not accept students that they cannot support (they being the department). I wonder what will happen in the UC system though? My best friend is at UC Riverside working on her PhD (Chemistry) - I will have to ask what the gossip is. I just think education is so very important, and I wonder how many students will be discouraged to pursue their undergraduate degree now. I keep telling my family in Ca to look out of state. It's often cheaper to pay out of state tuition than in state in Ca...

[Biciclista]

yes, yes. good. He already said he won't go without getting a position. I'm just afraid the positions will dry up.

[Owlie]

I keep wondering when the tuition hikes are going to hit Ohio. We've already got some of the highest in-state tuition in the country because the state (not to get too political) doesn't see fit to fund it. I'm going to a private university, so it doesn't matter to me. Well...it does--Ohio residents going to a private college in Ohio used to get $900 a year. It paid for books. They cut that a couple years ago. It's now something like $300. ONE of my textbooks costs $150.
I'm in the PhD program application process now, except that I'm strongly leaning toward taking a year off. I've definitely heard rumors of cutbacks in admissions because of the economy. With a few exceptions, all of my programs of choice are at public schools. The program I really like is in AZ, whose economy is also not so great at the moment.
Ginny--really? Out of state tuition in other states is lower than CA's in-state? Ohio State's in state this year is ~$8,700 at the main campus. For out of state, it's $22,000.

[ginny]

yeah, I know for a fact that University of Wyoming out of state is cheaper than in state at Colorado State University (for undergrads). For professional programs, there are programs like WICHE for Vet school and WWAMI for medical school that keep tuition at in-state levels for students from qualifying states. I also think that CSU tuition for out of state may be cheaper than in state for some schools (UC perhaps?) - I don't know that for a fact, but I think I remember it lurking in the cobwebs somewhere...

[Dogmama]

Ladies, I just read this in the NYT, and thought I would post a link here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/ed...er=rss&emc=rss

The Univ of Ca system is proposing to raise tuition by 32% for undergraduates next year to make up for steep budget cuts. I think I'll call my undergrad university and give them a few bucks! I wonder how many students will drop out with such steep increases in tuition. It makes me so sad.

That is very admirable. I would make sure that you specify that your contribution goes towards education, for example adding to an existing scholarship. If you just give "unrestricted" money, it can end up buying Dunkin Donuts for the administration.

OK, devils advocate here. I do feel sad for those students and I hope that there is an increase in tuition assistance through grants or loans for the students who deserve them.

However - I am finishing a one year stint in college (including summer sessions - ugh.) I will tell you that many of those kids don't belong there. Communication skills are nonexistent. They are interested in doing the bare minimum, the battle cry being, "Is this going to be on the test?" In my day, you never walked in 30 minutes late, slept at your desk or sent text messages all through class (OK - in my day there were no cell phones.)

Back in the stone ages, ("BC" - before computers) I watched a kid get tossed out of a lecture because he was dressed inappropriately. Today, you want the front row of the classroom unless you like looking at gross tats and butt cracks.

I've had to do group projects. Being the oldest one, they automatically assume that I'll take control & clean up after them. It's infuriating. They don't show up for group meetings, don't do what they've been assigned (or do a real half-assed job), or text through the meeting.

OK - I know there are students who are serious about education & they know that it can catapult them into a better life. And I really feel badly for those who will be priced out of education. I just hope that they can secure some financial assistance because many of them already work outside of school. But if I hear one more student whine...

/rant off

[Veronica]

There is this belief that college is for everyone. I guess it's because we've sent so many of our blue collar jobs overseas, so now you need to go to college to get a job.


Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Liberal arts education maybe isn't for everyone (and I'm not sure how true that would really be with a better elementary education system), but a two-year tech degree is needed to do just about any job.

[Veronica]

I always bristle when people talk about doing a better job in the elementary years. What would that look like?

We've been doing 20 - 1 in CA for 12 years or so now for grade K - 3. In all honesty, it hasn't made much of a difference by the time they get to me. I still have at least a third of my class who can't read at grade level and who don't know their basic facts. I have 33 fifth graders crammed into my classroom. Would smaller class sizes for longer make a difference? Fourth grade is when they are expected to start learning from their reading and that's when class size jumps up by ten - fourteen kids. But it all costs money and there's no money to be had now.

What do we teachers do with those kids who impinge on the learning of others with their emotional baggage that they are bringing from home? What do we do with those kids who don't eat breakfast? Who arrive late every day? Who have no place to do their homework? Who are expected to babysit younger siblings after school so they can't do their homework? What about the kids with ADD who are a constant distraction to their peers? Or the ones with Oppositional Defiant Disorder who will scream at you if you look at them funny? Or the first grader who tells his teacher to F--- off? All that and more happens at my school and I'm at one of the better schools in my town.

So, come on, tell me what I should be doing differently so that we would have a better elementary education system. How would you fix it?

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

I was afraid you'd take that wrong.

To be clear, I didn't mean anything about any individual teacher. Obviously there are systems and individuals all along the continuum, but the majority of teachers are doing the best you can with what you're given, in a job that's hugely underappreciated.

It's "what you're given" and "underappreciated" that I have a big problem with. IMO there needs to be systemic change in the whole way that children are raised/educated in this country. And the way all economic "nonproducers," which includes children, stay-at-home parents, those with severe disabilities, and the retired - need to be treated. But there we delve into politics....

[Trek420]

Or the ones with Oppositional Defiant Disorder who will scream at you if you look at them funny?

I'm sorry, this is a disorder with an acronym and maybe a charity road ride to find a cure now? This is as opposed to just an out of control kid that needs whatever one does with an out of control kid?

Like duct tape maybe?

I'd like to see the test, V. Will it be multiple choice? Pass/fail? Graded on a curve?

It starts at home. But V and all our TE teachers you make a big difference. Thanks.

OK, first question:

You come home from a hard day at the meth lab. Your toddler says "Mommy, Daddy read to me again, please!" Do you:
a) sit with your child and read showing that you value reading and time with them, creating memories of reading together.
b) say "not now, I have to drink a 6 pack first. Here, watch some TV"
c) say "read to you? I can't read"