Hi, Cowgirl here. In my school of 400 peeps we are having trouble getting our attendance rate high enough to meet Indiana state standards. We are JUST NOW being asked by our teachers this question,"What would make kids want to come to school,that is in reasonable question??" I've heard it all from better food in the cafeteria all the way up to exam exemption. I am 16 and am a sophmore in high school. Whether you are in high school,college,or if you already have a career or job,i'd really like to know some of your ideas on what you all think would make kids want to come to school everyday,and make our school attendance rate meet state requirements?? Thank you all for reading this. Any comments are welcome,but please do not make any harsh remarks on anyones opinions. Thanks.:)
Whody is near. I would prefer more it- stuff in my school. We have only one computer-room. There should be laptops for every student/ pupil. I know.. yeah they should pay for them. But with a bit support everybody could get one, or? I know... lots of them couldn´t handle laptops. But.. HEY! They´ve to learn. We´re living in another world than for 20 years when the school concept was made.
That´s it for me. AND, OF COURSE. Full-day-Schools. What the hell. Then i am in school for 4 hours more on a day. But that´s just good for me. I have not as many time as yet to waste in front of my computer and i HAVE to do my homework. Just... practice. Needed pratice. That would it be for me.
We do have a casino boat located on the Ohio River across the highway from our school. It is giving the city money to expand the city. 50 million dollar expansion process. Does any of that go to our school?? A few hundred thousand. Argosy gives the school money for books and desks,and such,but i'm not sure if our school could afford laptops for everyone. Besides,we have a lot of stupid peeps in my school of 400.lol. ya know 40% preps,30% cool peeps who mind their own buisness and try to be friends with everyone,and 30% stupid dirty peeps. When I say stupid,I mean like,"duuuhhh,why do we have to go to school ". So,i'm not sure if we could afford laptops for about 400 peeps every year. That's a lot of money,but really neat idea Imrik. :)
I can understand those 40 percent "stupid dirty pupils". I mean. Have a look at their home. Have a look at that what would they do after school. To have no future isn´t really useful to be a nice person. And don´t say it isn´t .. i know it.
But.. anyways. Where are you from? People are so different. Everyday i am sitting in the university i am thinking about that and have to shake my head everytime. Guys who haven´t had a girlfriend for dedades are sitting in ONE room with girls (and they have the same problem). Guys are staring at the girls and the girls are doint the same. How should they concentrate on learning.
He.. what would you choose? A hestating shouting teacher or a nice guy? You know. First of all they have to make smaller classes so the teachers and pupils/ students can develop a relationship. To imagine what a person really is. They have to start thinking about that there are MANY more pupils than some years ago. They want to learn something. But not the same. Not always the same.
What do you think about your school. Do you like it cowgirl ?
if the kids cant grasp going to school simply for the result of getting a real job, theres something wrong with the kids in the neighborhood, not the school
I would really like to know the answer to that question. I have a 17 yr old who has been failing since he got into high school. He is just now realizing that he really f____ed up. I also have a set of 12 yr. old triplets that think they know everything, that school is boring and the only reason they go is to see their friends. We've tried everything we know to convince them how important school is but they just don't care. So if you find out let me know.
And that is the problem White Tiger. You´re telling a kid something. He´s doing straight the opposite. Take time with them. Do something on the weekend. Learn with them together EVEN if he is 17 now. DO NOT TELL HIM he is old enough to do it alone. Kids hate that sentene. I know i know. They want to go out long. And have as much responsibility as possible. But i know that it isn´t really what they would like to have. You know. when you´re sitting there to learn something. And every three seconds you have to think. Sh... FOR WHAT DO I NEED THAT?
Make a challange out of it... show him that it can be fun to do mathematics. That it can be cool to draw vectors... that it is cool to know how to calculate a plan for a buliding. And... it´s cool to be intelligent. ...
i dunno, i kind of view society as a pyramid, with the few wealthy individuals on top, and the impoverished masses at the bottom. i think alot of other teens view it this way too, consciously or not. i think i read that only 20% of the graduating populous goes to university. without a degree, in the u.s., you earn far less income. imho as human beings, we possess a strong sense of self. in the end, we only have our own eyes to see the world. so, if one sees but a slim chance of being able to earn enough money to live their dreams and achieve something, vaht can one do but to give up early and coast. these days, with everyone having the attitude of immediate gratification, they only see that in comfort because now, comfort is far easier to attain than happiness.
The problem with school is that it isn't really so much appealing. The problem with my school is that there aren't enough teachers that can actually TEACH.
the problem is so many teachers now dont put enough effort into their classes. my us history teacher is the best ive ever had, she allows u to really get into the class to a point where u WANT to go to that class. but then i have teachers who are like read your book. that just doesnt work...
don't bother. let the kids who don't go to school screw up their lives (not saying all kids who don't go will be a loser, but most often than not, they will be). less competition for you in the future.
daemonkao, while i partially agree with your statement, i also disagree. there are kids who are fuckin geniusses and refuse to attend or give even a hint of an effort in school, perhaps because they excel in something else (like basketball), i have a friend in greece that scored 1240 in 8th grade on his SATs (we went to an international school, he's still there i live in hungary now), but he is almost failing school because he really just doesnt give a damn. There are those that need to be shown that you can't always get anywhere with just sports, or goofing round, or whatever, albeit you might not always "succeed" with an 'education', the probability of doing so is much greater. As per less competition, what the world needs is less people that "just do their job" and more people that do what they like so we can progress. To answer the question posed at the beginning of the topic... As a male... i think that more goodlooking girls with good personalities should be in school! but... i definately think that technology should be incorporated more (ala the laptop suggestion) and have an insentive. the kids that have the highest attendance rate get to use these laptops (which keeps the "losers" from skipping school all the time, and the geniuses from attending once in a while just to score well on the test or whatever)
one more thing... school might not be the greatest thing ever, but at the end of the day when i get home, most of the time (Unless i had theory of knowledge that day) i can say, "that wasn't that bad, if i hadn't had school i don't know what i would have wasted my day with", and the only reason i might not have had a good day, is cuz the teacher that teaches that class blows ass.
There is a girls private school in my city that does the laptop thing. In grade 4 the girls are given the computers and the parents pay it off in installments every six months. By the time they graduate (4 years later) the computer is completely paid off and they get to keep it. Its a good idea but you'd still need to be near the top of that social pyramid for it to work.
On the issue of good teachers, I think that if you dont enjoy the class, you NEED to have a good teacher to balence it out. I had a great teacher for Physics this year and a crappy one for Chem, both of which I was indiffrent to at the start of the semester. I came out of the semester loving Physics and hating chem, but it was just because of how it was taught. Problem is, there just aren't enough good teachers to go around. How bout school boards stop treating our teachers like shit (at least Ontarios) and start keeping them happy so they can keep us happy.
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These spoiled little kids need to realize that school IS a priveledge. If they don't want to go, it's their choice. Kids can't be babysat and "urged" to do things their whole lives. If they go, their oppurtunities and potential for success will definetely increase. If they don't go well everyone knows what happens then. Some countries don't have free public school systems. This is just ridiculous. Nobody should have to "make them wanna" go to school. I agree with daemonkao, less competition. It's every man for himself out there(or woman).
the problem with high school is that people that do not want to be there are being forced to go. How is that conduscive to the learning environment when there is at least a few in every class room that straight up dont want to be there? let them stay home
but, also being reasonable, i'd have to say a little more freedom in some cases... but right now i think school is just fine... actually, if the schools could my parents (dad preferably) of my ass, that'd be great... other than that i'm fine...
I think that many kids don't realize that america is fantasy land and how privaleged they are to live here and go to school for free. Perhaps every kid should have to take a trip to some third-world country that have kids living on the street sniffing glue to kill hunger pains. And elderly living under piles of trash collecting bottles to make money so they can eat. Some kids only care about the moment and don't look to the future and realize they are screwing up bad. Of course not every kid out there is going to fail/drop-out of highschool and be a bum. But their chances are increase. Now, I will also say that many schools suck whether it be because of the teachers, the principles, or whatever. Perhaps they should set standards for teachers rather than just hiring the first person that walks in the door? Or even better (God forbid) pay them more money! I think most of you guys can agree with me that the best teachers are the ones that enjoy teaching and sharing the knowledge and wisdom they have gained through life to the students. So, as a few others have said earlyer in this thread, I think the real problem is the teachers, even though there will always be those kids that just won't attend school for the sake of being rebellious or lazy which is the parent's responcibility, not the teachers. All this comming from a 17 year old Jr. so I could be wrong but as of right now in life thats what I have seen. Well, thats my 2 cents.
eh, it's not -my- choice -what- isp i use atm. anyways, i'm just saying it's pointless to offer free blowjobs and cunnilingus at -school- -when- i can just go over to -my- boyfriend's house :)
translator still on...honestly though i prefer not to be around people at -school- (anxiety disorder). in addition, i'd rather be at a home, because you can get better food, sleep all you want, not be bothered by people talking, and scratch your butt without being looked at funny. also, i'd really only want to do stuff with -my- boyfriend. Hmm but i guess if i had a different personality i'd see -what- you mean.
If you dont goto school and learn something worthwhile you will not graduate and end up hating everyone else for your poor decisions. Drug dealers, thieves, prostitutes, bums & murderers always blame others for what they do.
They never realize that they made a decision when they were younger which set them on the path they are on now. The main reason kids should stay in school is to better themselves so that they can make the right choices further down the road.
It's all good now to have fun and games at others expense but you will be paying later on for having too much fun when you should have been trying real hard to further yourselves.
What would get me in school?.... ~Remembers back to the days when the counclers asked that very question every semester...~ *ahem* Sorry, reminising aside.
LESS BUISY WORK!!!!!! Aka, homework. I know this won't apply to everyone, but there are some out there that basicly failed/are failing HS because they didn't do the homework, yet managed to ace basicly every test they took/take.
In my case, I never did a lick of homework. (Except for one class, but that was only because I enjoy programming) Why? Because I knew it to factually be a waste of my time. Why was it a waste? When test time rolled around, I would constantly be one of the top 3 scored students. And not because I know how to test, but because I was able to learn everything just by attending class. (History I litteraly learned through osmosis. Slept all period on the book, let the teacher lecture in the background)
Actually, thinking the main question over some more, there is somethign more important that could be done. Test the students to see how they learn. Then have the teachers, teach them in that way. Some people learn from reading it in a book. Others, from listening to lectures. Still others from having it pounded into thier skulls by reading the book, listening to the teacher, and then doing the homework. Or some even learning by just jumping in and doing it, asking questions as needed.
The cookie cutter method of everyone learns one way or fails just doesn't hack it. I know. I'm a product of the california education system. The 50th best state in the nation for pre-colege education. (Yep, dead last)
Hell if I hadn't droped out my Jr. year and took accelerated learning to get my diploma, I would probably be a bum. (street person)
The education system in this country is failing. Why? Because it's not the 1950's anymore. Especialy because that system is set to stamp the students out to go into factory work or home making. It used to be you could get your HS diploma and then jump into the work force with a decent job. Now you have to go to general school for 12 years busting your ass so you can go to another school for at least 4 more years (Most likely getting DEEPLY in debt) where you actually learn what you need for the rest of your life.
OK this is just pissing me off dredging up old memories. So I'll leave my little rant as it is.
Oh yeah and if you have the question in your mind of, "If you were such a star student, why the hell does your grammer and spelling suck?" I never said I was good at that. I totaly failed english. Not because I grew up speaking some other language. English is my native language. I just couldn't get a good handle on the writing part. Reading part I got, even with being a dyslexic. Talking, well you have to have some screwy wiring in the brain or be from another country to not be good at that....
I refuse to do any of my homework. It is a waiste of my time. If I already understand what we're learning, why bother me when I'm at my house doing something I actually WANT to do? I get A's on my tests, therefore making my average Most of the time a 'B'.
hhmmm... if the girl wore skirts.. hehehehe.. lol jk .. maybe it's cuz the food sucks or the teachers give to much homework or not enough activites for the kids around the school to go to the cafe and laugh and shit..
take away all the tvs at home. with nothing to watch, they'll be so bored, they'll come to school. and better teachers who make class fun (got my teaching degree now, gotta be the cool teacher)
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you can take away my tv at home.. it's not like i watch it anyway.. but if you take away my computer,and then i can't visit customize and then i will jump out the belcony.
even if you are natually gifted at something, you most likely will not make it through life just base on your talents. It also takes work, hard work. Everyone likes to believe that they can be just smart and not work. You can go through school getting straight A's and not doing shit, but when you get into the real world..you won't do so well.
another thing. most people who find school to be boring and easy are probably still in middleschool-highschool. Work hard, get into a good University and you'll be learning your ass off.
Heh, I wouldn't mind school if it either started later on, or if they gave us back nap time. Why they give it to us in kindergarten yet make us get up at 6am in high school, I'll never understand.
antimatter, yes. one of mah biggest problems with school was always having to wake up at 5 in the morning. why? vaht's the point?! *kicks djbkxr in the crotch* :D
Since most of this thread seems to be about why people don't want to go to school, rather than about answering the origional question of what would help, I'll start there.
You can pick anything-ANYTHING-and if you ask the entire populous if it wants to do that thing, or it likes that thing, somebody is going to say no. School is no different. It just seems like this is somehow a problem because everyone-EVERYONE-is required to go. It's a well-established (if not painfully obvious) fact in psychology that the one thing that makes people want something more than anything else is to be denied that thing. This should work in reverse-the one thing that makes people hate school more than anything else is to be forced to go there. None of this has anything to do with who thinks that what is good for whom's future.
Now, my actual answer. You should make a project of this, like a students to teachers challenge or something. Find the educational standards from 100 years ago, and hold your teachers to them. Find out what they would have to have taught you in 1903, and compare it to what they're required to teach you now. I think you'll all gain some insight, even if all you do is reasearch the things, and not use them. You could try the same thing with the current standards of any of the dozens of countries that keep out-scoring us. Your students will realize that they could be working harder, so the acedemia nerds will work harder, and the lazy people will see school as a lesser evil. Your teachers will realize what they're doing wrong, and either do better, or possibly quit their jobs feeling rather depressed.
when i went to high school, some of the teachers were just plain shit at teaching, or they had a grudge against certain students, which made those students' school lives shit.
nothing would ever make me WANT to go to school, i worked really hard to get out as soon as i could. however, i do agree with hash and azra3l ____________________________________ http://www.customize.org/details/18161
maybe if no dress code regulations and they would let me sag my pants and wear the colors i want
less homework so the body fat percentage of america could go down since that way kids could get outside and play basketball or something instead of eating chips and staring at paper
meanwhile......here in ohio, i "dont got no" major ideas on making school better cept for better teachers who know what their talking about, and better computers...........
Wow! Many different opinions on this. I've heard a few other things that do compare with a a lot of the things i've read from all of your comments. Money at the end of the year for college. Points for everyday you go towards rewards such as like pizza parties,or fun days or something,or rewards like homework points. Also,for schools that have semester exams,another MAJOR thing students would coke to school for would be exam exemptions. We have semester exams at my school,and we go by 7 periods a day,and each period HAS to have a 2 hour exam. If you have study hall,you get to chill/nap for 2 hours. Do you think this might make them want to come to school,sick or not??
I can't be bothered reading this whole post right now, so sorry if I repeat something, but the one thing that bugged me when I was in school is that we had no say in what/how we were taught. Giving pupils more options of just what they want to learn in each subject would make them more interested in the lesson. (e.g. Digital Art under the "Art" class) Instead of getting this feeling that you're having useless bullshit forced down your neck when you could be learning something you might actually use in later life.
I definately agree with Moose. If you're already being forced to go, why also be forced to regurgitate the same redundant and archane material in class after class? If it's a smallish school, it shouldn't upset things too much to, say, ask each class at the begining of the quarter what parts of the material they'd like to focus on. Which gives me another idea, actually. More discussions. If people get to voice their opinions on the matter, not only will they enjoy their classes more, but they'll remember the material better than if they just have to listen to one teacher drone on and on about it.
I have a humanities class that is 2 class periods long for the whole thing. 45 minutes for english,and 45 minutes for world history. It includes a 5 minute passing break inbetween,but that class is the longest one I have all day,yet it goes by the fastest because i've got a great teacher,who likes it when people voice their opnions. He will talk about anything,and he may go off subject,but when we do get back to our humanities work he makes it fun and interesting,so more people ask questions.This kinda includes a few of the thyings the majority of you all commented.
make sure all the teachers give a damn about what you say and think...and make it so you can't get suspended for calling a kid a "stupid idiot". Seriously, that happened
