Kim Kardashian sparked a debate by expressing her belief that children should not have homework, arguing that kids need time for sports, family, and leisure after school. The opinion divided online, with some supporting her view that homework is unnecessary and interferes with childhood, while others emphasized the importance of homework for learning reinforcement and parental involvement.
In a Fox Business video, Jack Brewer argues that the current education system is setting up kids for failure, highlighting issues such as lack of resources, outdated teaching methods, and a focus on standardized testing. He emphasizes the need for a more personalized approach to education that takes into account individual strengths and interests, in order to better prepare students for success in the future.
Teachers in the US share their reasons for quitting the profession, including lack of support from administrators, increased expectations without compensation, criticism from parents, and incidents of violence and abuse. Many cite burnout, micromanagement, and the pressure of standardized testing as contributing factors. The education system's focus on test scores and the disregard for teachers' well-being have led to high resignation rates and a looming teacher shortage.
A Texas judge has temporarily blocked the release of this year's annual school ratings, finding that the state's new rating system is unlawful and would harm districts across the state. The ruling comes after school districts sued the Texas Education Agency (TEA), claiming that the new evaluation methodology would result in unfair drops in their ratings. The TEA plans to appeal the decision, while critics argue that the accountability system is already inequitable and that the changes would disproportionately affect schools serving low-income communities.
Reddit users share various misconceptions and disproven facts they were taught in school, including the belief that strangers would give them free drugs, the existence of tongue taste maps, the idea that all fat is bad for you, the misconception that people in legitimate pain don't get addicted to opioids, and the notion that papers must be written in cursive in high school.
Teachers share shocking experiences with entitled rich students and their parents, including berating teachers over grades, mocking state school students, refusing to make effort in class, demanding special treatment, bribing teachers, interrupting class for personal calls, and even suing over choir auditions. These stories highlight the challenges faced by teachers in dealing with entitled behavior and the impact of wealth on the education system.
Gen Z is expressing a desire for more hard skills training in the workplace, rather than focusing solely on soft skills development. A survey by Adobe found that 48% of Gen Zers want more training in technical abilities, compared to 33% who prioritize soft skills training. The pandemic has impacted social skills for all, but managers are particularly concerned about Gen Z's lack of soft skills due to remote learning. However, Gen Z feels that their education system has failed to equip them with the necessary digital skills for the workforce. With employers increasingly valuing skills-based hiring, there is a need for more comprehensive skills training to bridge the gap between what employers expect and what Gen Z has been prepared for.
The Houston independent school district in Texas plans to replace libraries with discipline centers as part of a new education system initiative. Librarian and media-specialist positions in 28 schools will be eliminated, and misbehaving students will be sent to these discipline centers for remote learning. The move has sparked criticism from the mayor and retired librarians, who argue that revoking access to books is not the solution to behavioral issues and will create a two-tier system within the district. The district did not provide immediate comment on the matter.
In this personal essay, author Cyndy Etler shares her journey as a teacher and the challenges she faced within the American education system. Etler highlights the impact of a compassionate teacher who saved her life and inspired her to become an educator. However, she describes the detrimental effects of standardized testing, lack of empathy, and the pressure to meet academic standards on both teachers and students. Etler calls for a shift towards fostering connection, engagement, and joy in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing student well-being over test scores.
Former Vice President Mike Pence endorsed the Supreme Court's decision to eliminate affirmative action programs in colleges and universities, stating that he does not believe there is racial inequality in the American education system. Pence argued that affirmative action was a temporary solution and that its end is a testament to the accomplishments of minority students. However, education and civil rights groups warn that this ruling will worsen inequality, as institutions in states that have already banned affirmative action have struggled to enroll diverse classes. Other Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump, also praised the decision.
Cinzia Paolina De Lio, a teacher in Italy, has been fired after being absent for 20 out of the 24 years she was on the payroll. Students complained about her lack of teaching skills, including making up lessons, borrowing textbooks, and marking tests randomly. De Lio used sick leave, vacation time, and family matters as excuses to avoid work, while also gaining qualifications in pet therapy and criminology. The top court confirmed her dismissal, describing her as "permanently and absolutely unsuitable" for the job. De Lio claims to have evidence to prove her innocence but is currently at the beach.
Eight out of 10 South African children struggle to read by the age of ten, according to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study. South Africa ranked last out of 57 countries assessed, with illiteracy among children rising from 78% in 2016 to 81%. The country's education minister blamed the results on school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as poverty, inequality, and inadequate infrastructure. The study also showed that 81% of South African children could not read for comprehension in any of the country's 11 official languages.
Singer Meghan Trainor issued an apology on TikTok after receiving backlash for saying "F*** teachers" during a podcast with her husband and guest Trisha Paytas. Meghan clarified that she did not mean to offend all teachers and expressed her love and support for them, acknowledging their hard work and underpaid status. The trio had been discussing the failures of the education system in America and the issue of mass shootings in schools.
Todd Squitieri, a millennial with $134,000 in student debt, has been living abroad for nearly a decade and hasn't made payments on his loans during that time. While he's happier living overseas, he can't leave his student debt behind and the interest on his loans has surged. Squitieri wishes the US education system was more affordable and hopes future generations won't face the same challenges he has. He's not counting on President Biden's student-loan forgiveness plan, calling it a "token service."
A new bill in Florida would ban any discussion of menstrual cycles in school before sixth grade, going against medical advice to talk to children about puberty and changes in their bodies before they occur. The bill would only permit “instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, or health education” in grades 6 through 12. The legislation is part of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' fight against what he calls “woke ideology” and follows other bills he has signed, including barring transgender student athletes from participating in school sports and new restrictions on discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in school classrooms.
