Students Not Ready For College

So let's put them in school a little earlier because ....WHY???

Edweek had an article about the majority of U.S. high school graduates taking the ACT being poorly prepared to tackle key subjects such as math and science. In Illinois, public school kids all take the ACT now per the Illinois standardized 'prairie whatever they call it' now.

But let's assume in most other states only college prep. kids are taking the ACT. Kids who are taking the more 'advanced' courses in high school. And they are "poorly prepared" for college?!?

My same ole argument is why is the world would we want to further the apparent failure of public schools in educating our kids with more invasive measures to family life; like time away from the family? How 'bout figuring out what'll work with the kids that public schools already have their grip on between age 7 (in reality 5 with kindergarten for most) and 17? How 'bout it?
From an Arizona article that set me off about this again, regarding a task force's rather invasive recommendations:

Napolitano is co-chairwoman of a task force with ties to the Democratic Party that researched new approaches for education in the 21st century. The group concluded that American students need substantially more time in the classroom to compete with children in other countries.

Great, let's assume the teachers' unions had a hand in this. That's certainly been productive for education. (Not the industry, but education.)[sarcastic mode turned on]

The proposal calls for the money to come from the federal government but does not specify a source.
However, the task force suggested that money for the programs could be generated
by avoiding tax cuts proposed by Republican leaders,such as the elimination of
the nation's estate tax.Some of the recommendations:

• Extend the school year in low-performing schools, expand after-school programs, pay for universal preschool and full-day kindergarten and increase federal college grants.


• Develop a uniform, but voluntary, set of nationwide student learning goals, or curriculum, for core courses.


• Improve teacher training and offer financial incentives to entice teachers to work
in high-poverty schools.


•Link neighborhood schools with their communities and families by providing such things as social services, English classes, parenting skills classes and home visits.

There's those home visits again. Creepy.

The ACT organization also listed homeschoolers. Homeschoolers were 1% of the ACT taking population with 22.5 being the average ACT composite.