jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When accuracy is essential, you have to get away from physical objects as standards.

Dannj

And with all due respect most kids won’t care. Personally, I’d rather deal with a kid who can make the right change for me.😊

Largobob

I agree, Dannj. But, "making the right change" is not a very sophisticated level of interaction. Todays cash registers tell them what change to give....and some actually spit out the proper change.

Those kids who choose to take physics (physics is not a requirement, but rather an elective course), operate on a fairly high cognitive level....with advanced math skills...and actually do care...and tend to be highly successful. Generally, they will not end up in a career flipping burgers or running a check-out register.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

For Sure! I'm sure some will readily learn Bob, there are some smart ones out there, however America is still falling behind in math & sciences and continuing to fall behind. K-12 education is becoming a joke with average scores for the last decade or two staying flat while scores still are sliding in comparison to the rest of the world. US can't operate or be a world-class economy if our workers are among the worst-educated in the world. THis is a systemic problem and the responsibility lies in all segments, especially the government (politicians who use education as an election tool). Here's hoping there's a way to generate more interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) by our younger generations. Enough of a rant though...Happy Thanksgiving

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

I'm going to weigh in on this one for just a bit here. True the US education system has many problems as compared with the rest of the developed world. Two of the top in my mind is the lack of positive parental involvement. By that I mean a large segment of the parents in this country fall into two groups. Either they have no interest at all in their children's well being and education; or they think their children are special and can do no wrong. As a result their children are spoiled brats that think life should be handed to them on a silver platter. Working to earn a grade is something that's just beneath them. They think that an A should be given to them because of who they are and by extension so do their parents. A good education requires work on the student's part and requires the parents caring about that education and instilling in their offspring(s) a work ethic.

The other problem is summer vacation. This is a remnant from an agrarian economy and has no place in a modern school system. Students that get 2 or 3 months off promptly forget what they learned the past year. And as a result part of the next year is spent in review. I suspect the reason for summer vacation being still with the US school systems has more to do with local school boards not wanting to pay teachers for that extra work than anything else.

I'm married to a retired school teacher, my mother was a school teacher, and my next door neighbor is a high school English teacher in an affluent school district. My opinion BTW.

Largobob

I agree, Blaster34. Part (like 90%+) of the blame belongs to American society. Let's not challenge our angels with anything difficult....mediocre is the way of life...why do I need to learn that....etc. I am a product of the "hard sciences." STEM courses are not in the same league as "the arts." I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong with the arts....but the coursework certainly is different.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Challenge anyone? Now we're more concerned about offending anyone, forget challenging them. STEM is not even in the same league as the "Arts' which is minor league and they should only be an elective.....now that should fire a few up, LOL. Happy Thanksgiving....

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

So totally true Dave, education starts at home and its a crime to delegate total responsibility to the teachers and the education system. My wife also taught for over 30 years in Middle and High School. Some schools, like the one my grandchildren are attending, are varied in their off time, no more 3 months off during the summer, 6 weeks at most. This generation of Millennials will be the first to be worse off than their parents. Didn't want to start a discussion on the ills of American education so I'll be signing off on this one because it can and most likely get down & dirty....Ya'll have fun Happy Thanksgiving

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I'd be happy with getting home with the right order!!

Largobob

Also in the mix...American education (unlike many other nations) REQUIRES compulsory education of EVERYONE The able and the disabled, the motivated and non-motivated, the high achiever and the underachiever, the capable and the strugglers, those prepared and those unprepared, etc. Many other educational systems have departure points, that "allow/force" students to continue onto different tracks....vocational, academic, artistic, athletic, etc. Generally, only those in the academic tracts are given SAT-type tests. So when one attempts to compare achievement scores from American students, with those of other countries...It isn't really comparing apples to apples. I make no value judgements here...just making a comparison.

Only SOME Americans seem to value an education. Others view schooling as a necessary evil....something to tolerate and endure. It is too easy to opt out, drop out, and take the easiest path. May of these losers become burger flippers, or rely on Federal assistance to survive. If I had my way, any non-completer (drop out) would lose all claim to any Federal assistance.

Unless things have changed, Americans (Engineers, inventors, etc) do seem to excel in the areas of creativity, ingenuity and forward-thought.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

DonB Loc: Port Royal , Tn

Before all the reply's progressed to Americas "Education" System, did anyone notice that the Kibble Balance uses a 1 kilo weight to balance the power of the electron? EMF will vary according to frequency, size of windings in the coil etc. Wonder if the all those variables are spelled out and, what standard is used there?

Largobob

Valid considerations indeed, DonB. In your wildest dreams, would you think that those brainiacs who are redefining the STANDARD for the SI unit of mass...would leave out anything pertinent? No response necessary. <big grin>

SteveR Loc: Michigan

You haven't watched much of Judge Judy. That would enlighten you a bit. To clarify....I'm amazed at how really dumb people can be. I doubt that any amount of education could help.

Largobob

Ya, SteveR. And evidenced on the Jerry Springer show too. Yes, they exist and they breed.