Reply #29: If you're talking about SAT scores, [View All]

[SheilaT]

they've risen recently.

It's a very, very complex issue. For one thing, 35 years ago only a relative elite of students took the SAT or ACT tests. Now, practically everyone who graduates high school takes them.

I'd say that over all standards are lower than they used to be. I graduated from high school 40 years ago, and I'm sometimes quite amazed at how little it takes any more to graduate from high school. Many h.s. seniors take two or three classes, and when they go on to college, they really aren't ready for it, even though they're actually bright enough to handle the work.

If I were in charge, I'd revamp the system completely, allowing students to leave school at various points, starting at the end of 8th grade. They'd have some kind of leaving certificate, which would accurately reflect the course work covered to that point. There would be more vocational education (which is a big no-no to those who think that all students should plan to go to college, which is a crock) and more opportunities to enter the work force directly. And there would be multiple opportunities to return to school in some form or another.

We already have a version of this with the community colleges, which are the very best aspect of our educational system. Community colleges provide vocational training, certificate programs, regular and remedial academic work. I've attended a total of six different universities and community colleges over the years, and I'm most impressed with the cc's.