Education Essay -- essays research papers fc

Most controversies over education are centered around the oppugn of how strictly standards should be upheld. The concern over whether or non flunking students is appropriate or even in the best interest of the student is a widely discussed topic. The argument often begins with students average starting school where the question of standardized testing for kindergartners arises. The majority of people are actually against such testing because they feel that a child who is labeled as a unsuccessful person at such an early age may be permanently damaged (Bowen 86). The worry over the failure issue is further traced to educators who feel children just entering school are not fully prepared. Teachers are faced with kindergarten students who do not know their addresses, colors, and sometimes even first and last label (An F 59).Another reason why the assignment of failing grades has decreased is the influence of the self-esteem movement, which promotes the assumption that children who do not have a unconditional self-image cannot learn or develop properly. Although this theory is widely accepted, it has been discredited by several studies. Recent research shows that, although American students felt more confident more or less themselves and their work, they were outperformed by several Asian countries on tests of elementary skills. American schools and teachers tend to worry more about the students self-esteem than the actual schoolman performance (Leo, Damn 21). Mary Sherry, a teacher of adult literacy programs, does not believe such theories. Her view is that students become motivated by the threat of failure, and that not failing a student not only shows lack of confidence on the teachers behalf, but also hurts the society as a whole. Employees are becoming highly disappointed with so-called graduate students (8).In a letter to columnist Ann Landers, a college professor wrote about his views of the education system. He feels that universities have turned i nto businesses where teachers are just looking for money and students are just looking for a piece of paper with a title on it. He says that the students of today think they are automatically entitled to a degree because they pay tuition (Depressed disused Prof. 3-B). Adding to the profit motive for schools is the government which, for the p... ...ressed Old Prof. Ann Landers. Times-Picayune New Orleans 4 Sep. 1995 3-B.An F for the Nations Kindergartners (Education). Newsweek 16 Dec. 1991 59.Goldstein, Andrew and Ann Blackman. No SAT Scores Required (Education). Time 11 Sep. 2000 52-53.Hendren, John. Ex-English Professor Creates Corporate Prose Police. Courier Houma LA 25 Aug. 1996 4D.Leo, John. The Answer Is 45 Cents (On Society). U.S. News & World Report 21 Apr. 1997 14.---. Damn, Im Good (On Society). U.S. News & World Report 18 May 1998 21.Morse, Jodie et al. Does Texas instal the Grade? (Education). Time 11 Sep. 2000 50-54.Mulcahy, Fred. No Free Rides for Dumb Students (My T urn). Newsweek 15 Aug. 1994 12.Pedersen, Daniel. When an A Is Average (Education). Newsweek 3 Mar. 1997.Ravith, Diane. In Defense of Testing (Education). Time 11 Sep. 2000 52-53.Roberts, Paul. Modern Grammar. New York Harcourt, Brace & World, 1968.Sherry, Mary. In Praise of the F Word (My Turn). Newsweek 28 Aug. 1990 8.Wilkes, Paul. The First Test of Childhood (My Turn). Newsweek 14 Aug. 1989 8.Winters, Rebecca. From Home to Harvard (Education). Time 11 Sep. 2000 55.