4 ms·

I taught at a nice middle-class school, so most of the problems you mention were not relevant there. And yet, it seemed like half of the kids' families were eit

I taught at a nice middle-class school, so most of the problems you mention were not relevant there. And yet, it seemed like half of the kids' families were either recently divorced or in the process of divorce. I couldn't really blame those kids for not paying attention to school. And this seemed like the best case, so probably at most places it gets much worse. Education has a problem with scaling, especially at the elementary level. Sometimes people figure out a nice solution, but when you tell them "great, and now do this in every village" the problem becomes obvious. But there are kids in that village, too, and you want them to know reading and math and hopefully also something more.

mschuster91 2y ago
> Education has a problem with scaling, especially at the elementary level. Not if you actually provide the money. Europe gets this down decently well - although I'll admit, in rural areas in Germany we got some serious consolidation issues thanks to urban flight. But at least our teachers are well paid government jobs and the job is decently attractive.
- vacuity 2y ago
  There's plenty of money thrown at schools in the US, but the issue is that the students that live in poor socioeconomic conditions tend to not do well. The "simple answer" that addresses the root cause would make individuals not subject to poverty and whatnot. But throwing money at institutions is already on the ropes in the US, let alone throwing money at the "undeserving". (Yes, this is a political opinion. No, do not blame me for that. Politics does not come wrapped up neatly with a bow tie in a box. If you want to debate the veracity of my claim, go do that instead.)
  - mschuster91 2y ago
    > If you want to debate the veracity of my claim, go do that instead. I'd do no such thing because you are completely correct - the only thing I'd add is that poverty, while being very dominant, isn't the only issue that desperately needs to be fixed.
- Viliam1234 1y ago
  Scaling is not just about money. It's also about teachers. You can have hundreds of great teachers, but if the entire educational system requires tens of thousands of teachers, you will end up with many mediocre ones, because you simply don't have tens of thousands of great ones.

mschuster91 2y ago

> Education has a problem with scaling, especially at the elementary level. Not if you actually provide the money. Europe gets this down decently well - although I'll admit, in rural areas in Germany we got some serious consolidation issues thanks to urban flight. But at least our teachers are well paid government jobs and the job is decently attractive.

vacuity 2y ago
There's plenty of money thrown at schools in the US, but the issue is that the students that live in poor socioeconomic conditions tend to not do well. The "simple answer" that addresses the root cause would make individuals not subject to poverty and whatnot. But throwing money at institutions is already on the ropes in the US, let alone throwing money at the "undeserving". (Yes, this is a political opinion. No, do not blame me for that. Politics does not come wrapped up neatly with a bow tie in a box. If you want to debate the veracity of my claim, go do that instead.)
- mschuster91 2y ago
  > If you want to debate the veracity of my claim, go do that instead. I'd do no such thing because you are completely correct - the only thing I'd add is that poverty, while being very dominant, isn't the only issue that desperately needs to be fixed.
Viliam1234 1y ago
Scaling is not just about money. It's also about teachers. You can have hundreds of great teachers, but if the entire educational system requires tens of thousands of teachers, you will end up with many mediocre ones, because you simply don't have tens of thousands of great ones.