I suppose there is a certain quiet elegance to being able to observe everything from such a distance without feeling the need to intervene. Dennis Alvarez2 says:
Just like any other profession, you find that education is split between those who truly love what they do and people who just clock in from nine to five, strictly following the curriculum with absolutely zero creativity. In my view, the system itself is flawed because it forces all students into the same mold; some will naturally thrive while others simply sink, yet there are rarely any consequences for teachers who fail to perform. I was fortunate enough that my children had three or four exceptional teachers during their elementary school years who actually pushed them, motivated them, and found ways to bring out their absolute best—they were few and far between, but they made all the difference. It’s telling that high schoolers are given surveys to evaluate their instructors, yet that level of accountability never seems to exist in middle school.
My previous colleagues were quite similar to you, including two teachers who followed that exact same pattern; they wouldn't bother buying extra textbooks because they simply borrowed them from their peers, and they would also print out last year's tests to use for study prep. In fact, they prepared materials for every single lesson and exam, which they always made sure to pass along to me. 🤣 My son doesn't exactly follow those methods, but I don't see that as an issue at all. I truly believe there is no single right way to raise a child, and I am perfectly comfortable with everyone choosing the path they feel is best for their own family. We are all different, and honestly, that diversity is exactly why we are here—to share our unique perspectives and learn from one another's experiences.
That’s right, the three of us have been swapping materials back and forth. 🙂 I also encourage my child to host playdates or head over to friends' houses so they can study together, and while I realize it might not be the most efficient way to tackle schoolwork, there is something genuinely charming about listening to them quiz and explain concepts to one another from the next room. It breaks up the usual routine quite nicely.
I honestly believe one of the most significant flaws in our American school system is the failure to teach students actual study skills—things like how to read effectively, how to memorize information, and how to properly recall what they have learned. Some kids manage to figure this out on their own during elementary school, others stumble upon it in high school or college, and some struggle through their entire academic career because they never mastered these basics. This lack of guidance often leads students to opt for easier paths or less rigorous schools simply because they haven't been equipped with the right tools. I am firmly convinced that any child can be helped to master these techniques, because at its core, learning is a skill that can be refined. While it is true that you cannot turn every single child into a surgeon—natural limitations certainly exist—I am absolutely certain that every student can be "upgraded" if they are given the right methodology. The current system operates under the flawed assumption that children should arrive in the classroom already knowing how to learn, which is a massive systemic weakness. Suddenly, in middle school, students are expected to memorize vast sets of definitions, concepts, and data points, yet the only tool ever suggested is something like mind mapping. Even then, those maps are often too reductive, consisting of vague terms floating around a center point, and they are only applicable to a handful of specific subjects. I would love to see the textbooks used in American universities to train future teachers; specifically, I want to know which methods are being suggested to these aspiring educators and why these strategies aren't being prioritized in actual classrooms. This wasn't taught when I was in school either. After all, what other explanation is there for a child who is brilliant, energetic, funny, and incredibly curious to still be drowning in their schoolwork? I am not speaking as a professional researcher here, but rather from my own observations of the children in my life.
I have never quite understood that persistent argument suggesting that if a student didn't excel during their elementary school years, they are somehow disqualified from getting into a competitive prep school. I see people on this forum making these sort of prophetic claims all the time, insisting that if a child hasn't mastered total independence by a certain age, they simply aren't cut out for an advanced academic track. 😁 Absolutely. Education is a marathon, not a sprint. There’s this incredibly fatalistic and prejudiced mindset that suggests if a student didn't maintain a perfect GPA at a top-tier prep school, they’ll never make it through an elite university. Why be so definitive and judgmental when looking at kids? I’ve witnessed so many instances where students hit their stride during high school, suddenly flourishing and performing far above their previous averages. Years ago, I couldn't quite put my finger on why that happened, but it always fascinated me. Now, I realize it's just part of the journey. After all, students from average public high schools end up in medical school all the time, and honestly, even those from vocational schools can reach those heights. 👍 It happens at all sorts of prestigious universities too. People experience these phenomenal breakthroughs. That is precisely why we should be much more cautious about labeling children as early as elementary school.
Benjamin Johnson7 said:In education, much like any other profession, you encounter those who truly love their work and pour their hearts into it, and then there are those who simply show up from 8 to 3, strictly adhering to the curriculum with absolutely zero creativity.
In my view, the system itself is flawed; it places all the pressure on the children, where some will naturally excel while others struggle to stay afloat, yet teachers face no accountability for their lack of effort—there is simply nothing you can do about it. I was fortunate enough that during my children's elementary school years, they had at least three or four teachers who actively encouraged them, pushed them forward, and found ways to motivate them to reach their full potential; they were few, certainly, but they were invaluable. A High Schooler is given surveys to evaluate their teachers, but that option wasn't available back in the eighth grade.
I have friends quite similar to you, including two teachers who follow the exact same routine; they just don't bother buying extra textbooks because they borrow them from colleagues, and yes, they recycle last year's tests for exam prep. They actually prepare materials for every single test and lesson, which they diligently forward to me 🤣 though my son never bothers to look at them. I have no issue with parents raising their children according to what they deem most appropriate; that is perfectly acceptable to me. We are all different, and it is a good thing that we are, which is precisely why we are here—to exchange experiences and perspectives.
As far as I am aware, in Miami, there isn't an entrance exam for high schools, though there are specific ones for vocational paths, such as the School of Fine Arts.
I am curious, however, how many parents of those NYC high schools will REFUSE to print out last year's entrance exam tests for study prep if their child shows no interest? 😉
I know plenty of parents who take their children to Professional Career Orientation sessions for high school selection.
Well, there's a bit of everything in this world.
It’s interesting that in Los Angeles there aren't entrance exams for the major high schools. I wasn't aware of that, and I would have assumed you had them long ago. Clearly, the pressure isn't quite the same as it is in Chicago. Which are the most sought-after high schools in your area? I didn't take my child to career counseling, but I think it would be a great idea during high school if they were struggling to decide on a college major.
