Recently, something was brought to my attention, again. The way we teach math is different, than the way math is taught around the world and, throughout time.  Many other countries have their own techniques and, don’t use graphing calculators. Vedic math (an ancient Indian system) actually simplifies large numbers and Vedic math can be used when tests are timed and calculators aren’t permitted.

If you’ve grown up in the U.S. then you’ve heard how low we all score, compared to other countries- a real beat down to hear growing up.  The reasons seem to be centered more around public policy or the family dynamic.  Reasons like, kids are ill prepared for school, teachers need more training and they lack passion, our kids are lazier, school funding lacks, etc.

Then there is the Common Core system.

But, then I started thinking about and recalling other things…different pieces to this puzzle.

Math isn’t just math- It’s an academic subject in which many industries want involvement.

I have heard that math, specifically, is being taught a certain way (in this country) to prime kids for a very specific industry. The argument is that kids should practice the basics in certain industries as a future workforce. Computational thinking is one area of interest.  Other professionals argue that the current academic curriculum isn’t preparing students for any job (maybe more biased opinions from people who see that their industries aren’t being represented, in public schools). Looking at the big picture, American education is an industry and everyone seems to want a say in how/ what students are learning.

I wonder if it is possible that the understanding of mathematics isn’t about everyone scoring well, and maybe that’s why low test scores continue to be low test scores- our kids are purposefully learning something different and were never going to test “well” on standardized tests- Testing might be important to the individual school (for funding) but, test scores are ultimately not a part of the bigger agenda.

Is it possible the people who design the curriculum (along with higher administration) knew what to anticipate?  The rest of us have been left in the dark with only test scores to evaluate whether our kids are getting anything out of school.

What are these academic tests not testing?

If you have traveled or know people outside of this country, you can more easily see that American culture is…different…in a different kind of way… to start, here are 3 areas to compare:

-Work Ethics (I have always thought this was a strange pairing of words)- Generally speaking, our job titles are everything.  We even introduce ourselves by talking about what we do for a living. Strange, to me.  I’ve never felt defined by work.

-Mental process- look at how we teach in this country and compare it to the ways other countries teach. This deserves its own conversation.  The methodology taught in schools  matters because, this is what kids see for nearly two decades.  Other people are deciding how our kids are influenced and what they will be suited for, later.  If you want, you can do a search online to get some idea of how different math can be country to country. I mentioned Vedic math, above.  I should add, that no, I don’t think that makes any country better or higher. We are just doing things different then, comparing our kids…

-A sense of how we fit in the world (or do we even consider other nations, generally speaking).  Compared to other nations, we are fairly isolated.  We really don’t see first-hand how we impact other countries and their resources (like sourcing their water and bottling it to be sold in our grocery stores, for example.).  We also blindly support the Department of Defense.  I know vets younger than myself, who no longer vote. American civilians clap for heroes, but some of these heroes don’t want to be a part of it, because of what they were made to do- things they’ll never talk about…civilians and politicians may automatically say it’s in defense…

Our schools are lacking, but our nation is…strong, on top? For now?  How does that all go together?  We test very low (which is meant to show aptitude? Yet, we work well, create a strong economy and are considered a powerful country? 

I know, we say education is all about getting the right job (I mean that’s why we go for higher degrees, right?) But, is there something off?  Is there a conflict of interest or not?

Yes, industries change and we all adapt accordingly- this isn’t new. The issue is people may be evolving to fit industry. Rather than industry evolving to fit us.  It’s not like industry is meant for well- being, necessarily.  Wouldn’t things be more balanced and fairer for all people, if it were about well-being?

Meanwhile, we are all still debating why our American kids aren’t learning, or “can’t compete”.  We argue over the ‘right’ politics to solve a problem, that may not even truly exist (if we were actually taught less convoluted methodology).

I don’t think the problem lies with the kids, the type of parents, the type of teachers.  The more I hear, the more I think there is something else happening… subjects taught in school aren’t just subjects to teach. They are another way to turn people into commodities, while preaching “You can do anything!” “Do what makes you happy!” Like as if education is set up that way…Personally, I don’t want my boys to be bred work horses for whichever industry has influence on American education- because that is a false freedom.