With all the information we have at our finger tips nowadays, are we better off? Everything is literally a google search away, or youtube away if you want some tutorials. But yet, after looking at an 1895 8th grade test, I am not sure really are.
See an example of the test: here
A couple of questions that stands out for me is:
- Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
- Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.
- Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
- Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: Bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, super.
- Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, and 1865?
- Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
All these show, that in order for a student to pass, you need not only have mastery over theory but application. It is not just formulas to memorized and regurgitated. A student needs to show true understanding to even begin. Not to mention, after answering these questions, you have some grasp on the world around you. How many 8th graders do you know how to write a Promissory Note? Do you? How about the prefixes, or the interest calculations, can you?
So are we really smarter? Then if the answer is no. Why aren't we? It is a century later. Shouldn't we able to easily understand this and more? Especially since we commonly state with confidence that we are most advanced we have ever been.
Again why aren't we?
We have fancy schools, with the latest equipment and lots more financing, but we know less and less everyday. We have all seen the youtube videos. People don't even know the name of their presidents. Worst, they are not children, but adults. Even stranger yet, the educational policy is to make things easier so more people can pass, instead of challenging them for excellence. Actually, academic excellence excellence is looked down on in favor of entertainment skills.
Reading, the gateway to other worlds and possibilities is no longer much favored. A person would rather see the pretty pictures than read and use their imagination. So once again, are we smarter?
Thanks for reading.