Posted on 07/04/2012 7:43:33 AM PDT by wintertime
Here are a few suggestions that would cost the taxpayer nothing and possibly save them BILLIONS :
1) Open up the GED to any child of **any** age. Remove all age restrictions on these exams! If they pass this exam, or similar private exam, award them an official high school diploma from their local government owned and run socialist-entitlement K-12 school.
2) Encourage employers to use SAT and ACT scores as measures of a young adult's capacity to learn the job. (Honestly, why does the event's planner at the local Marriott need a bachelors degree? )Most of the work done in the U.S.A. does not specifically need a university level education, and most of the career skills learned is through on the job training.
3) Encourage certifiable qualifying exams. If my son can take a rigorous and **certifiable** Certified Public Accountant licensing exam at a local testing center, then why can't these centers give certifiable tests in Algebra, Calculus, 7th grade social studies, or 1st grade phonics? Bright children and their parents would be more likely to seek education on-line. If a child passes a specific level in a specific subject he should be immediately moved to the next level in his government socialist entitlement school. ( Cost to the taxpayer: NOTHING!)
All of the above suggestions would allow bright children to move through their education more quickly, thereby saving the taxpayer millions. Fewer teachers would be needed. The prison-like government schools could be consolidated and some completely closed due to lower enrollment. School taxes could be reduced and the money saved in would then be invested in areas of the economy that would produce jobs, wealth, health, and community infrastructure for the citizens to enjoy.
These suggestions, that would cost **NOTHING** to the taxpayer, would provide employers the information that they need to affirm that the applicant was sufficiently literate, numerate, and intelligent enough to do the job.
Young people would be able to start their careers years earlier, and earn tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars more over a lifetime. ( That alone would boost the economy.) They would be in less debt and able to start families and buy homes years sooner. Not only would this improve the economy, it would improve the culture. Having hairy adult Peter Pans, unmarried, and unsettled into their late twenties and early thirties is NOT good for them or our nation.
Finally...Regarding the GED or similar private exam:
Having an official high school diploma removes the stigma of the GED, and makes entry into the military and obtaining post high school scholarships far more straight forward. The age restrictions on taking this exam should be immediately removed.
-—1) Open up the GED to any child of **any** age. Remove all age restrictions on these exams! If they pass this exam, or similar private exam, award them an official high school diploma from their local government owned and run socialist-entitlement K-12 school.-—
They could prorate the cost of education based on student age and give the kid a percentage of the savings for opting out sooner.
The political elite are not looking for solutions. But thanks for playing.
They could use the money for two things:
1) Downpayment on a home.
2) Post high school training ( preferably not at a university).
3) Startup money for a business
The political elite are not looking for solutions. But thanks for playing.
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Very cute! ( Sitting here chuckling!)
:-)
Just because the political elite have never EVER found solutions and have only made matters worse in everything that they do doesn't mean that they are not looking for solutions. ~ ; )
First end all teachers unions - period - no exceptions.
Start reforms.
“Encourage employers to use SAT and ACT scores as measures of a young adult’s capacity to learn the job”
This would not replace one of the major reasons employers want a college graduate. It shows them a certain level of responsibility demonstrated over an extended period. IIRC, economists refer to this as ‘signalling’.
It ain’t about education......it’s about control...and a 100-200 grand payoff- or up to 500 grand total if professional grad school is involved.
It’s control.
What you are suggesting is nothing new. We actually did it at a time in our not so distant history when this country was still sane and the educrat unions didn't have a stranglehold on the industry.
Great idea, but the SAT doesn’t measure the student’s ability to get up on time, go to a place of work on a schedule (school/business), tolerate cranky people (teachers/co-workers), turn in homework, get along with others. In short, the SAT, an excellent measure of intelligence and knowledge at a point in time, doesn’t measure other aspects that are often required for work.
Question: if a certain element of society could NOT EVER pass the SAT test, would they remain in school forever? This SAT approach, perhaps supplemented with subject tests, would be great for many, but not all, students.
Your idea would be welcomed by millions of the 50 million students (US Dept of Education) who are trapped in dangerous urban s*** holes called (public) schools. Please, on a periodical basis, give the test to the teachers also.
First end all teachers unions - period - no exceptions.
Start reforms.
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I certainly agree with you, and I support every effort to attack the teachers unions directly...but...
For every 20 students who leaves the system early that means one less government teacher, one less union due payment, one less government leech sucking the blood of the American citizen. This is another way to get rid of the unions.
High SAT and ACT scores also demonstrate responsibility and self discipline over an extended period.
Yep! I agree! The government teachers in our godless socialist schools should be required to take the GED every 4 years ( at their expense). Most would fail the math portion. And...The SAT, ACT, and GRE scores of all government teachers should be posted ON-LINE!
Question: if a certain element of society could NOT EVER pass the SAT test, would they remain in school forever? This SAT approach, perhaps supplemented with subject tests, would be great for many, but not all, students.
Passing the GED should be required for all official high school diplomas. Those who attend until their 18th birthday, who did not pass, would be given a certificate of attendance.
As for the SAT and ACT one does not pass or fail these exams. Anyone can take them and they are awarded a score. It would be the employer who would determine what level of performance would be the minimum needed ( in terms of literacy and numeracy) for success on the job.
Great idea, but the SAT doesn’t measure the student’s ability to get up on time, go to a place of work on a schedule (school/business), tolerate cranky people (teachers/co-workers), turn in homework, get along with others. In short, the SAT, an excellent measure of intelligence and knowledge at a point in time, doesn’t measure other aspects that are often required for work.
I bet there is a correlation between high SAT scores and self-discipline.
Exactly...my employer hires many people with various non related degrees..they know if you finished the four year program you show resolve and ambition for starters.
These are great ideas and I agree with them all. The nut to crack will be getting the embedded educational bureaucracy to agree. Unfortunately, that’s a stone wall.
I would point out that this all starts in the home. ‘nuff said.
Homeschoolers are again re-inventing the wheel! Homeschoolers are eagerly sought by the leading universities and are entering at early ages and graduating **years** ahead of their contemporaries.
My 3 homeschoolers entered college at the ages of 13, 12, and 13. All finished all general college requirements and Calculus III by the age of 15. Two earned B.S. degrees in mathematics by the age of 18. The oldest attended college/university part-time and pursued other very enriching avocations.
Uuumm no. I know some gifted people who aced both those test, never studied in HS and are lazy slackers with zero ambition.
If you spend no money, you have no money to skim off.
There used to be a position called, “Office Boy”.
Perhaps this position, combined with high SAT or ACT scores might resolve this issue regarding reliability, self motivation, drive, and aptitude for the job.
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