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The title and some of the response leave me wondering whether errors are being deliberately committed in this thread. Is it trying to be funny? I really hope so.
I think what was meant by "helping kids solve problems" should be explored. Once upon a time, there was a class called "Home Economics" and there was another called "Shop," or sometimes "Metal Shop". It was not just baking cookies and building a bird feeder. Skills such as hemming clothing, darning socks, cooking, using household appliances correctly, ironing, setting the table... some of these aren't particularly life-or-death, but a class like this might now include insights into establishing and keeping a budget, or other related tasks. That sort of class would be infinitely more important than yet another tardy sexual education lecture. Instead of "Shop," one could learn how to properly care for one's vehicle(s), how to change a tire, how to troubleshoot common household issues, and that minor woodworking which was always a part of that kind of class.
I know what some of you were thinking as you read that, though: lawsuit! The reality is that the moment a child goofs around and slices their finger open, it's over. The teacher's career would be pretty much forfeit, the school and district would be in deep trouble, and the news would have a field day.
In established classes, there is no reward for really knowing your stuff and being able to apply it. "Why do I need to know this?" is a question that should be easy to answer. It isn't a question that should come up in the very low grades, where teachers should be providing a foundation and fueling the child's natural curiosity, not providing a slightly above-average babysitting service.
When I went to school, the difference was night and day between classes with AP or Gifted or Honors distinctions, and the few classes where I had to "mingle" with those who would not be in those other classes. It made me really wish there was an AP Study Hall, or Law Enforcement Studies, or LMS...
I respect any educator that steps back and tries to figure out what in God's name they are doing, and how they can prepare these young people in their care for both the next step and life in general, as far as their subject is concerned. The rest? My LMS teacher used to doze at the front of the class. He weighed well over 300 pounds and leaned back in his chair. Every afternoon, we'd watch the chair creak, wobble, and sway under his bulk, and place bets as to when he'd fall down. At least we honed our math skills?
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Also, yes, the scores for individual IQ tests are usually adjusted so that the average is 100. Not everyone takes the same test at the same time. Tests are not adjusted every time another score is submitted. The average IQ is, oddly, slightly above average a lot of the time. You're both right
