m4l and dibs,
The rant was prompted by two recent conversations I had. One with school administrators at littlelegion’s public school and the other with mrslegion who is an administrator a hospital based degree granting school.
In the conversation I had with the public school administrator, I broached the subject of programs for advanced students. From what I understand, each district has a very vague duty to identify and foster the development of talented or gifted students. There is a test for gifted programs administered yearly by the public schools, there just isn’t one of those elementary schools where I live. Hence the discussion which immediately turned defensive on the school administrator’s part when I dared to ask her what the school is doing to foster the development of advanced children. I know they have a hundred programs for students with various issues. But if you ask about anything that might have to do with advanced study it’s like you are asking about eugenics or something.
Mrlegion is dealing with a bunch of college aged students who are flunking out of various hospital/clinical programs because of academic failure. Inability to pass certain programs like Anatomy and Physics. Each and every one of them feels the need to get lawyers or make an official appeal. WTF, how do you appeal a 40% on a test?
i dont know legion.. some people who arent all that smart can become whatever they want. remember that show Paris Hilton used to have where every week she tried out a new job / career? she usually sucked at it first, but always wound up getting the hang out of it. i figure if Paris can do something, then pretty much anyone could. tho personally i do find her smart, even tho a lot of people think she’s dumb.
…mind you, I was quite good at baseball.
I even played in the summer leagues for my region. You had to be picked for that since it leads to the little league world series. Of course our team lost in the Queens finals to some team from Bayside with a 13 year old player who was 6ft and could throw 75 miles an hour.
But that’s what I’m saying, I’m sure that 6ft 13 year old might have benefitted from continued encouragement by coaches and family. That’s to be expected.
Why does everyone think that just because they can get into a school, they necessarily have the aptitude, skill or drive to succeed in that chosen field?
Here’s a clue people, society does not owe you a profession.
You get one if you are willing, able and cabable to do the required work.
If you fail at the necessary requirements and tasks to graduate you are not cut out for that field. Choose another.
I never understood the American mentality that everyone is to be a rocket scientist. Somewhere around the 6th grade I understood clearly that I was not cut out for Major League Baseball or the NBA. I didn’t go to training camp and demand a try out or another shot at it. Nobody in my High School came over to recruit me out of my Calculus class for the next draft.
For some reason however it’s verboten to mention the idea that there are intelligence requirements for certain fields of study. Physical requirements can be pointed out all day long, but god forbid anyone mention that you need some IQ points to succeed in certain areas.
Oh boy, I might have to issue a “Wowwwwwwwwwwww” which I havent done so in eons
m4l and dibs,
The rant was prompted by two recent conversations I had. One with school administrators at littlelegion’s public school and the other with mrslegion who is an administrator a hospital based degree granting school.
In the conversation I had with the public school administrator, I broached the subject of programs for advanced students. From what I understand, each district has a very vague duty to identify and foster the development of talented or gifted students. There is a test for gifted programs administered yearly by the public schools, there just isn’t one of those elementary schools where I live. Hence the discussion which immediately turned defensive on the school administrator’s part when I dared to ask her what the school is doing to foster the development of advanced children. I know they have a hundred programs for students with various issues. But if you ask about anything that might have to do with advanced study it’s like you are asking about eugenics or something.
Mrlegion is dealing with a bunch of college aged students who are flunking out of various hospital/clinical programs because of academic failure. Inability to pass certain programs like Anatomy and Physics. Each and every one of them feels the need to get lawyers or make an official appeal. WTF, how do you appeal a 40% on a test?
as a kid i got a swimming trophy once! (seriously). everyone did tho. we were ALL winners! even tho im certain i came in dead last.
*rob*
Rob, what do you think of Perez Hilton?
i dont know legion.. some people who arent all that smart can become whatever they want. remember that show Paris Hilton used to have where every week she tried out a new job / career? she usually sucked at it first, but always wound up getting the hang out of it. i figure if Paris can do something, then pretty much anyone could. tho personally i do find her smart, even tho a lot of people think she’s dumb.
*rob*
…mind you, I was quite good at baseball.
I even played in the summer leagues for my region. You had to be picked for that since it leads to the little league world series. Of course our team lost in the Queens finals to some team from Bayside with a 13 year old player who was 6ft and could throw 75 miles an hour.
But that’s what I’m saying, I’m sure that 6ft 13 year old might have benefitted from continued encouragement by coaches and family. That’s to be expected.
Legion, don’t they just get weeded out by testing and grades???
legion, would you give some background deeds on the rant?
Unsolicited Rant of the Day:
Why does everyone think that just because they can get into a school, they necessarily have the aptitude, skill or drive to succeed in that chosen field?
Here’s a clue people, society does not owe you a profession.
You get one if you are willing, able and cabable to do the required work.
If you fail at the necessary requirements and tasks to graduate you are not cut out for that field. Choose another.
I never understood the American mentality that everyone is to be a rocket scientist. Somewhere around the 6th grade I understood clearly that I was not cut out for Major League Baseball or the NBA. I didn’t go to training camp and demand a try out or another shot at it. Nobody in my High School came over to recruit me out of my Calculus class for the next draft.
For some reason however it’s verboten to mention the idea that there are intelligence requirements for certain fields of study. Physical requirements can be pointed out all day long, but god forbid anyone mention that you need some IQ points to succeed in certain areas.