Sunday, November 13, 2016
Middle School?
After reading Leon Botstein's Let Teenagers Try Adulthood, it got me wondering on the idea of the elimination of middle school. Some people believe middle school is essential while others say it's not necessary. If middle school was abandoned then students would be able to graduate at the age of sixteen rather than eighteen. Botstein argues that the education system is not properly formed to the growing, new generations. School was formed on the basis of people from past generations; therefore, it doesn't match with the relevant standards of the people who are living today. Botstein also believes that the new era is capable of maturing at a faster rate, so there's no need for middle school. Letting students graduate earlier would allow them to experience the realities and responsibilities of the real world instead of staying concealed in a high school environment. How do you feel towards this idea? Do you think getting rid of middle school would be beneficial? Based on your experience in middle school did you benefit from anything during those years?
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I don't think getting rid of middle school would be very beneficial. I think we need middle school as a practice for high school. For me middle school was beneficial because it allowed me to see what high school was going to be like. However, I do agree that students should be allowed to graduate earlier.
ReplyDeleteI agree that middle school should be removed. I feel as if what I learned in those two years did not really effect me at all and didn't help to prepare me for high school. Being able to graduate early would be a great idea and would help students to gain more real life experience.
ReplyDeleteThe proposal of removing a middle school education seems adverse in nature. I think middle school helped ease the transition from elementary school to high school because it allowed me to gain experiences that would later facilitate my success in high school. When compared to other highly democratic nations, the United States is below par in our math scores. Wouldn't removing years of education hurt our youth in the future? If anything, I believe our students need a more rigorous education so that we be more competitive in the global arena when it comes to education. Next, I am neutral on the idea of early graduation. I think students that are more academically inclined should continue on their path of pursued studies; however, I believe that students who have other personal goals that involve the military or workforce should be able to graduate early. I have these beliefs because may students take don't take advantage of the education we offer in the United States. Why should the government waste money on individuals that aren't benefiting from an education? The people that are not successful should have the option end their studies after middle school.
ReplyDeleteThe proposal of removing a middle school education seems adverse in nature. I think middle school helped ease the transition from elementary school to high school because it allowed me to gain experiences that would later facilitate my success in high school. When compared to other highly democratic nations, the United States is below par in our math scores. Wouldn't removing years of education hurt our youth in the future? If anything, I believe our students need a more rigorous education so that we be more competitive in the global arena when it comes to education. Next, I am neutral on the idea of early graduation. I think students that are more academically inclined should continue on their path of pursued studies; however, I believe that students who have other personal goals that involve the military or workforce should be able to graduate early. I have these beliefs because may students take don't take advantage of the education we offer in the United States. Why should the government waste money on individuals that aren't benefiting from an education? The people that are not successful should have the option end their studies after middle school.
ReplyDeleteThe proposal of removing a middle school education seems adverse in nature. I think middle school helped ease the transition from elementary school to high school because it allowed me to gain experiences that would later facilitate my success in high school. When compared to other highly democratic nations, the United States is below par in our math scores. Wouldn't removing years of education hurt our youth in the future? If anything, I believe our students need a more rigorous education so that we be more competitive in the global arena when it comes to education. Next, I am neutral on the idea of early graduation. I think students that are more academically inclined should continue on their path of pursued studies; however, I believe that students who have other personal goals that involve the military or workforce should be able to graduate early. I have these beliefs because may students take don't take advantage of the education we offer in the United States. Why should the government waste money on individuals that aren't benefiting from an education? The people that are not successful should have the option end their studies after middle school.
ReplyDeleteI do not support the removal of middle school because, like Matthew said, it helped me transition from elementary to high school. I do see our graduating class being more mature compared to others, but seeing the new 7th graders, it is obvious that some still need it.
ReplyDeleteMatthew also made some valid proposals and I also believe that those who "...more academically inclined should continue on their path of pursued studies..." rather than letting everyone drop out or graduate early, because not everyone knows what they want to do yet. By doing this they still have the option to continue their education to find themselves along the way.
Removing middle school to improve the education is counter-productive. Middle school is meant to act as a transition period from primary school to high school. Should this be removed, the students would be thrown into a harsh environment without any sort of preparation. Furthermore, the difficulty that high school courses offer are tenfold the difficulty of primary school. Without the buffer time inbetween primary school and high school, the students' under-developed minds would be unable to comprehend challenging courses such as Calculus or Physics. Middle school is a vital transitional period for growing students, and as such, it should not be removed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the elimination of middle school is a good idea like Mathew said, middle school helps as a transition into high school. Not only that, but the schools already rush a lot of the subjects and if we eliminate middle school there would be six years worth of information to learn in now four years. Botstein planned on only having four years of secondary school meaning we would be in our first year of college and honestly I can't imagine myself in college at this very moment.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe that middle school is unnecessary. During my middle school years, I was not prepared at all for high school. Even though the classes were slightly more difficult than in elementary, it didn't compare to the difference from middle school to high school homework and assignments. I also would love to get out of school earlier to do more things with my life like travel. However, if middle school was changed and made more difficult, then I would find it useful. For example, there could be classes that are as rigorous as A.P. classes but don't count for college credit.
ReplyDeleteSome middle school aspects do need to be taught, but they don't necessarily need to take up two years just to learn how to manage a school schedule. I would think that just one year of middle school should be needed to learn that it's a different atmosphere and they should adapt quickly.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with Botstein. I think that middle school should not be removed. I think middle school is important because it serves as a transitioning period from elementary to high school. Middle school helps prepare students for high school, and if it were removed, students would struggle and have a tough time adjusting to high school. It's not a waste of time in my opinion.
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