3 ms·

Why? I feel like the burden should be on the institution trying to waste >1000 hrs per year of someone's time, rather than the person that just wants to not par

by YellOh 3y ago

Why? I feel like the burden should be on the institution trying to waste >1000 hrs per year of someone's time, rather than the person that just wants to not participate in the system.

boeingUH60 3y ago
What's the alternative for a minor who decides they no longer want to go to school? Are the parents ready to home-school them? If not...the child will fall behind their peers and become a drag on the education system, not to mention the little career prospects for people who refuse to complete basic high schooling...I somehow can't believe I'm having to explain this.
- YellOh 3y ago
  Pretty sure the generic answer is "unschooling + free range parenting" which already exists. To be more specific... read books. Get a job (maybe a standard job if 16, maybe mowing lawns if 13, whatever). Spend a day at the local museum. Hang out with your friends at the park fighting each other with sticks. Write a story. Build a table. Voluntarily take classes in things that are actually interesting and useful, and instead of caring about grades see if you can apply/expand on the knowledge. Build a fort in the woods. Learn to sew. I could go on, but I feel like you get the point. Early education is basically day care so I can see it making sense for kids that need supervision and don't have basic skills yet (literacy, skepticism). But a well-adjusted ~13 year old should have stuff to do that's way more important than school. "Falling behind on the education system" is a product of the current system, not an end in itself. I don't want to make adults that know how to sit still and tolerate the system, I want to live with people who are actively engaged with the world. A reasonable criticism of this is that very disruptive or malicious kids might get away with more BS. The school system as it currently is doesn't prevent bullying, but some of the current "enforcement power" would definitely have to deal with kids that abuse it.
  - boeingUH60 3y ago
    I duly get your point, but my opinion is that most kids aren't well equipped to learn in the non-traditional way. The current system doesn't favor everyone, but I think it works best for the average kid who doesn't have exceptional abilities or the intrinsic motivation to learn in a non-standardized way.
    - YellOh 3y ago
      My concerns would be: a) I think current schooling causes a good portion of the lack of motivation b) Most kids not caring about memorizing information about Sumer or Freud seems like a feature and not a bug [Caveat that a couple things like literacy, civics, and basic math need to stay universal.] c) I think most of highschool's value is currently sheepskin effect anyway I don't disagree that this wouldn't work for everyone. Some kids do need the structure and routine. I just am not convinced what we have right now should be the standard that's incredibly difficult for kids to opt-out of.

by YellOh 3y ago

Why? I feel like the burden should be on the institution trying to waste >1000 hrs per year of someone's time, rather than the person that just wants to not participate in the system.

boeingUH60 3y ago

What's the alternative for a minor who decides they no longer want to go to school? Are the parents ready to home-school them? If not...the child will fall behind their peers and become a drag on the education system, not to mention the little career prospects for people who refuse to complete basic high schooling...I somehow can't believe I'm having to explain this.

YellOh 3y ago
Pretty sure the generic answer is "unschooling + free range parenting" which already exists. To be more specific... read books. Get a job (maybe a standard job if 16, maybe mowing lawns if 13, whatever). Spend a day at the local museum. Hang out with your friends at the park fighting each other with sticks. Write a story. Build a table. Voluntarily take classes in things that are actually interesting and useful, and instead of caring about grades see if you can apply/expand on the knowledge. Build a fort in the woods. Learn to sew. I could go on, but I feel like you get the point. Early education is basically day care so I can see it making sense for kids that need supervision and don't have basic skills yet (literacy, skepticism). But a well-adjusted ~13 year old should have stuff to do that's way more important than school. "Falling behind on the education system" is a product of the current system, not an end in itself. I don't want to make adults that know how to sit still and tolerate the system, I want to live with people who are actively engaged with the world. A reasonable criticism of this is that very disruptive or malicious kids might get away with more BS. The school system as it currently is doesn't prevent bullying, but some of the current "enforcement power" would definitely have to deal with kids that abuse it.
- boeingUH60 3y ago
  I duly get your point, but my opinion is that most kids aren't well equipped to learn in the non-traditional way. The current system doesn't favor everyone, but I think it works best for the average kid who doesn't have exceptional abilities or the intrinsic motivation to learn in a non-standardized way.
  - YellOh 3y ago
    My concerns would be: a) I think current schooling causes a good portion of the lack of motivation b) Most kids not caring about memorizing information about Sumer or Freud seems like a feature and not a bug [Caveat that a couple things like literacy, civics, and basic math need to stay universal.] c) I think most of highschool's value is currently sheepskin effect anyway I don't disagree that this wouldn't work for everyone. Some kids do need the structure and routine. I just am not convinced what we have right now should be the standard that's incredibly difficult for kids to opt-out of.