(2004-03-07) Parent Low Education Standards

Elise Vogler (a teacher) on the problems of parents in Educating Kids. The sixth best reader in the sophomore class once demanded to be moved to remedial, and mom and dad were both at the conference, pressing his case, openly admitting that they "didn't know" what to do to make him do his work, and that therefore, the "easier" class was the best placement for him.

Update: Brian Micklethwait notes a piece by KennethUildriks that touches on similar issues. Worse yet, the smarter someone is, the less effort it takes to get that diploma. That means we're selectively reinforcing atrocious work habits in our smartest people, in whom work habits make the most difference in terms of productivity and wealth, for them and everyone they trade with. In my experience from High School that wasn't true: the smarter kids ended up in advanced classes that were miles harder than the generic classes, and thus continued to put in more time on schoolwork. Also, those smartest kids are going to college anyway (which is part of his context - the time wasted in requiring people to get a College Education to get a half-decent job, because a high-school diploma has no value), so that reward idea isn't going to matter. I think a more important approach is in offering more Stimulating Learning Projects.