What is it about America? Does America's education system just suck?

[KichigaiNeko]

It's not just America. Here some of the teachers are just woeful! It's amazing the kids get an education at all!!

[Marnie]

The majority of the "christians" here are not really all that religious. It's just a label they like to give themselves. They don't know anything about their religion and only go to church on easter. But boy do they think they know everything and are quick to tell your heathen ass you're going to hell!

I've noticed this, too. There are so many people who call themselves Christians and have a vague belief in God, but don't know jack squat about what Christianity is about, nor have they ever read the bible, nor ever go to church. But tell them that you're an atheist and they're all over you about how evil and immoral you are. For some reason the passively religious get really bent out of shape over anyone they see as "attacking" their religion, and atheists do this by simply existing.

Problem is that most of these people also buy into the "Christian nation" bullshit often claimed by the conservative right. They reason that, well, since God's name is on our money, we must be a Christian country.

I think sometimes the not-so-religious Christians are almost more frustrating than the in-your-face right wing bible bangers. Mainly since you know if they ever put any thought into it, they wouldn't be Christians.

I know. The first time I told my friends I was an atheist one of them asked me why I didn't believe in Jesus. I told her why and she said, "Well, I guess I can see where you're coming from but I still think you're wrong." She also went to Church every week and I unsuccessfully tried to teach her a basic fact about her own religion.

We did a unit on evolution in Biology. The teacher gave one of the greatest speeches ever before the evolution unit, he basically said, "So nobody go home and tell your parents I'm trying to make you believe in evolution, but evolution is science so whatever your beliefs are they're still wrong."

[Polaris]

The US education sucks because of lack of funding (extreme budget cuts) and the corruption of the Teachers' Union in allowing incompetent teachers to keep their jobs.

[CaseyTheAthie]

I know that when I was in school they sent permission slips home to teach sex ed(like the these are man parts, these are woman parts kind from the 5th grade), Evolution, and... and.... darn.. I don't remember. It was really something truly trivial and obviously not worth retaining . Well, now doesn't that make me sound like a stupid American? I could mention that I'm probably never going farther than half way to my bachelors in electronics because I'm making more money now based off the work experience I got from electronics jobs while I was going to school than I would have gotten with the degree and experience (mostly because the military is drawing down)... Schools in the states are ridiculous. They are under funded, teachers union's are ripping off every penny they can, teachers are afraid to lose their jobs over silly frivolous stuff they could be sued for... It's just a mess...

[jupitor]

I revered Americans from childhood and yearned to be in the USA. When I finally encountered Americans, I found them to be arrogant/loud/rude/no manners. They don't know how to say please/thank you/excuse me. I was devastated. How they think they are the best in the world, I have no idea, they are deluded and mainly narcissists.
I recently went to NY and was shocked at how thick the bar staff were, they couldn't remember more than four orders at once and repeatedly came back to us to repeat our orders.
I have been to Florida and it was worse, mainly Hispanic or black staff everywhere, with a come a day, go a day attitude, so slow and drove one mad.. but I thought NY would be the best most efficient place in the world....no chance

[Whateverist]

[quote='Xavier' pid='261873' dateline='1332850015']
Haven't you heard? Americans are genetically superior to everyone. Just ask an American.

I think they're putting an exceptionalism enhancer as an additive to our breakfast cereals now. Shouldn't be long before all our kids are above average.

Seriously I have no idea why this country is filled with so many ignorant, apathetic and dim witted people. Religion probably plays a big role. Indoctrination of so many at such an early age can't help. Political effort on their part to teach religion or at least nothing that contradicts their religion is another problem. Living in a university town on the coast is much more endurable though we still have some dim wits about.

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I revered Americans from childhood and yearned to be in the USA. When I finally encountered Americans, I found them to be arrogant/loud/rude/no manners.

Then you've met my family?

[The Grand Nudger]

The US education sucks because of lack of funding (extreme budget cuts) and the corruption of the Teachers' Union in allowing incompetent teachers to keep their jobs.

Yeah, because there are teachers coming out of the woodwork competing for those high wage low effort jobs

With you 100% on the budget cuts though. We get precisely as much education as we've decided to pay for - which is jack shit-.

[5thHorseman]

In Finland they pay teachers high salaries and they all have to get a masters degrees to become a teacher.

I wonder why Finland is rated the best education system in the world?

[The Grand Nudger]

Amusingly you have to have a masters here for any career in education beyond "substitute" as well..and yet they still get paid jack shit. In many states, ( the one I live in and the one I came from) continuing education is also a requirement. If you were a teacher long enough you'd have a PHD or be fired (even if you were "just" a kindergarten teacher).

[5thHorseman]

High pay brings forth the best candidates. Low pay puts everyone bar vocationists, off.