[ajbrown]

I usually avoid these threads and simply enjoy reading other's comments, but I am sitting here .

I have this vision in my head that we lose the power grid for a period of time and there will be people hanging out in the streets saying “look at this letter I just got from my son, how shameful, it is (block) printed”.

I can only hope if such a time ever occurs we have educated enough folks in math and physics to get us out of such a mess….

Power grid and recursive

In no way should you read this and believe I do not think education is critical. The 3 R's are as important as they have always been and getting that right would be a step forward for a too large of a % of this nation.

[Sanbo]

I totally agree that cursive writing should be taught in schools. We are so dumbing down in the school system, also reading should be stressed more. I have a friend in NC who just recently went back to college and he said it is astounding how many students can not read, without stumbling over the words.

[kellyjam]

I think most students in America would think that cursive writing would mean a paragraph laced with vulgarities.

[The Flash]

I think the font on this forum should be changed to cursive for us that went to school before they "dumbed them down".

[manaboutown]

If today's students do not learn cursive writing how can they read historic documents such as the Declaration of Independence? What about old letters from their ancestors that are family memorabilia? I have a collection of love letters I received while dating several women. They mean a lot to me. They are ALL written in cursive. I cannot imagine they would bring up the same feelings in me if they were printed.

What a tragic loss!

[jbdlfan]

OK, for all of those discussing the "dumbing down", really?Schools are using 3D printers, building drones, growing hydroponic gardens! These are middle schools!!!!!! I'm sorry to tell some of you, the days of writing with a pen and paper are almost gone. We will be a 1:1 device educational system very soon. That means students will be carrying iPads or other tablets. They will take their text books with them everywhere. They will be wireless in every facet of their lives. In our classrooms, we let the students use their cell phones for research. In a world of instant access to information, they don't need people to deliver the information anymore. They are now being taught how to synthesize the information they find. I laugh at the idea that we are dumbing down the system when I see what kids can do with technology. The kids that some of you refer to as being part of the dumb generation; are not the ones locking themselves out of their online banking or can't use a smart phone without a tutorial. You have to face the fact that the world has and is changing quickly. I'm pretty sure none of you still dip your pens in ink or use an abacus.

[jblum315]

I do. I have a fountain pen that I love dearly. I still write thank you notes by hand.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by jblum315

I do. I have a fountain pen that I love dearly. I still write thank you notes by hand.

I also write thank you notes by hand. I hear stories from others that their kids/ grandkids don't even say thank you for gifts much less write a note.

[DaleMN]

Originally Posted by jbdlfan

OK, for all of those discussing the "dumbing down", really?Schools are using 3D printers, building drones, growing hydroponic gardens! These are middle schools!!!!!! I'm sorry to tell some of you, the days of writing with a pen and paper are almost gone. We will be a 1:1 device educational system very soon. That means students will be carrying iPads or other tablets. They will take their text books with them everywhere. They will be wireless in every facet of their lives. In our classrooms, we let the students use their cell phones for research. In a world of instant access to information, they don't need people to deliver the information anymore. They are now being taught how to synthesize the information they find. I laugh at the idea that we are dumbing down the system when I see what kids can do with technology. The kids that some of you refer to as being part of the dumb generation; are not the ones locking themselves out of their online banking or can't use a smart phone without a tutorial. You have to face the fact that the world has and is changing quickly. I'm pretty sure none of you still dip your pens in ink or use an abacus.

[skyc6]

In the school where I taught, cursive was introduced in grade 3, and if they used it..fine; if they didn't fine. They didn't spend time on it because of too much other things to teach. Same with math facts. Computers and calculaters, and phones with calculaters and texting has changed communication. If I wrote out directions on the board in cursive, they could not read it at grade 7 and 8, so it has long been lost. Geography has been dropped, with the hope it will be included in History. It is sad, but it is the way of things!

[mitchbr47]

Let the parents teach their kids how to print and do cursive writing. I wonder if there is an App for that. It isn't on the FCAT so it isn't taught.

I totally agree with what you stated. Everyone teaching today sticks to the scripted curriculum. Everything is geared for measurement on a standardized test.

[Kirsten Lee]

Teach kids how to sign their names and forget the rest. My children were taught cursive in 3rd grade and never had to use it again. My son could keyboard 70 words a minute in 5th grade. He "types" better than I do. My kids all had to do power point presentations in 4th grade. My daughter age 21 scored a "32" on her ACT with a "34" in math and yet she struggled with multiplication facts in 2nd grade. I wasn't even taught multiplication facts until 4th grade. Education is always changing.

[The Flash]

Does anyone speak with any actual knowledge of the standards taught in our Florida schools or are you basing your knowledge of the educational system on the fact that you attended school once and probably 40 years ago? Until Florida fully implements the Common Core Standards, we still have in our own Florida Next Generstion Sinshine State Standards that cursive writing is introduced in second grade and taught beginning in the third grade. People should really educate themselves before they start "dumbing down" our educational system.

[PammyJ]

I have to chime in this conversation. Education is in a pendulum swing. Colleges in the US had data to back up that US students could not compete with the students who were studying in our colleges who were educated in other countries! Our students were really good at reciting facts, but could not think for themselves, problem solve, and were not college and career ready! 46 states have adopted the Common Core Standrds, and let me tell you, parents have difficulty with second grade math, because it forces students to know their facts inside and out and be able to identifybthem visually as well as explain why they get the answer they do.. Please don't say education is dumbing down, the intensity is increasing and teachers are having to totally change their strategies and educate themselves on how to teach this way. This is a change that is for the good, but hard to understand without a bit of educating ourselves. I am very proud of the way we are going for our future generation! I support teachers and anyone in this field. They work very hard and are continuing to learn themselves, what is best for our kids!

[The Flash]

Originally Posted by Sanbo

I totally agree that cursive writing should be taught in schools. We are so dumbing down in the school system, also reading should be stressed more. I have a friend in NC who just recently went back to college and he said it is astounding how many students can not read, without stumbling over the words.

Could you please tell me why you believe reading is not stressed in schools besides the fact that a friend who went back college told you so?