Education
I recently got a little note in my email arguing that an 8th grade education in 1895 was actually pretty good. I'm sure some of you have gotten it as well. If not, you can read it at Office Humor. After I read this, something my former German professor said to me bubbled up from my unconscious. Paraphrased, he said "I'm trying to uphold the educational standards of this institution by myself. It's far too easy nowadays." He was responding to a complaint of mine saying his class was very difficult for me. People always say that school was harder in the old days, my parents, my grandparents, everybody. Are we really lowering our standards? Yes we are.
In 1895 I seriously doubt if most people actually went to school. At the time we (the U.S.) were still largely an agrarian based economy (especially here in the south). Families had lots of children because they were needed to help plow the fields. This continued up into the 20th century. Many of my parent's childhood friends grew up this way. So, back then, when your parents had money (probably because they had a successful business) you were allowed to go to school. It also stands to reason that if your parents had a successful business they were pretty intelligent. So, most likely you were too. So, basically, only the intelligensia went to school back then. Or, to paraphrase one of my favorite sci-fi authors John Ringo, in referring to someone of the "greatest generation": "When he grew up going to the 8th grade was for overeducated nerd-boys."
So, yes, we have lowered educational standards in this country. We've done so that there will be "No child left behind". We've brought the bar down so that any idiot can get a highschool diploma. It's now on your list of inalienable rights. Up there with a big-screen TV and an easy job. Now we are starting to make it seem as though a college diploma is up there too. It used to be the case that a minority of people got a Master's degree. Now I hear adverts for them on the radio. Basically what is going on is educational inflation. When will it end? When I am an old man will a doctorate be worthless? Some schools don't even require Comps anymore...sheesh.
In 1895 I seriously doubt if most people actually went to school. At the time we (the U.S.) were still largely an agrarian based economy (especially here in the south). Families had lots of children because they were needed to help plow the fields. This continued up into the 20th century. Many of my parent's childhood friends grew up this way. So, back then, when your parents had money (probably because they had a successful business) you were allowed to go to school. It also stands to reason that if your parents had a successful business they were pretty intelligent. So, most likely you were too. So, basically, only the intelligensia went to school back then. Or, to paraphrase one of my favorite sci-fi authors John Ringo, in referring to someone of the "greatest generation": "When he grew up going to the 8th grade was for overeducated nerd-boys."
So, yes, we have lowered educational standards in this country. We've done so that there will be "No child left behind". We've brought the bar down so that any idiot can get a highschool diploma. It's now on your list of inalienable rights. Up there with a big-screen TV and an easy job. Now we are starting to make it seem as though a college diploma is up there too. It used to be the case that a minority of people got a Master's degree. Now I hear adverts for them on the radio. Basically what is going on is educational inflation. When will it end? When I am an old man will a doctorate be worthless? Some schools don't even require Comps anymore...sheesh.
