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In Ontario,Canada there is new province wide testing of all students regarding what is supposed to be the same curriculum.The teachers hate it because it systematically eliminates the "memorization and regurgitation" techniques which,do nothing to make the student think and learn,but rather provide short term knowledge in order to fullfill high marks,which in the end make the teachers and students look good.
The students dislike the new program because they are inundated with school work rather then being babysat all day and the teachers are complaining because now they have to actually be creative and teach rather than relying on their old notes year after year.This means more work,research,courses and preparation for the teachers. The teachers union is up in arms and to slight the government,dictate that teachers refrain from after school activities.Again the students lose.
I teach privately now because I believe in the art of teaching--that is giving to others for the sake of seeing students grow and learn,to influence and mentor young minds,specifically to those who want to think and learn to become productive intelligent people rather than not.Basically,I'm teach because I want too,not because I have too. I don't know about the U.S but in Canada,from what I've read, the attrition rate of first year university students is about 25%. Of course several factors may be related in that total,but still a large amount of that percentage is to be blamed on students not sufficiently being prepared for post secondary school education.
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