The average reading level in places such as the USA is an 8th grade reading level. Is it just too much to expect anyone to have a reading level that is above an 8th grade level?

yes.

are you testing 5th graders?

I wasnt able to maYk out sum of thoze werds you tiped I Iz un Amiricanz.

The average reading level in places such as the USA is an 8th grade reading level. Is it just too much to expect anyone to have a reading level that is above an 8th grade level?

Can you show some proof of that statement?

Never mind, I found it myself and you are correct. (And I'm surprized!!)

I got thrown out of a journalism program a few years ago because I told them to fuck off and that I refused to lower my quality of writing simply because other people were idiots. I then went on about how maybe the problem is that many of these illiterate retards are never exposed to anything that challenges their reading level, thus they have no need to ever improve their quality.

Then again, I said this to a prof who would constantly give me point deductions because she was too stupid to figure things out. I'd have to define simple words for her, and just gave up attempting to point out that just because I didn't use simple grammar, that did not mean that I was making any errors. I also remember having to sit in class and hear this woman go on and on about how maybe I should be writing textbooks and whatnot instead of going into journalism...

I got thrown out of a journalism program a few years ago because I told them to fuck off and that I refused to lower my quality of writing simply because other people were idiots. I then went on about how maybe the problem is that many of these illiterate retards are never exposed to anything that challenges their reading level, thus they have no need to ever improve their quality.

Then again, I said this to a prof who would constantly give me point deductions because she was too stupid to figure things out. I'd have to define simple words for her, and just gave up attempting to point out that just because I didn't use simple grammar, that did not mean that I was making any errors. I also remember having to sit in class and hear this woman go on and on about how maybe I should be writing textbooks and whatnot instead of going into journalism...


Calling people retards and telling them to fuck off is certainly a way to tout your superior intelligence. :rolleyes:

I got thrown out of a journalism program a few years ago because I told them to fuck off and that I refused to lower my quality of writing simply because other people were idiots. I then went on about how maybe the problem is that many of these illiterate retards are never exposed to anything that challenges their reading level, thus they have no need to ever improve their quality.

Then again, I said this to a prof who would constantly give me point deductions because she was too stupid to figure things out. I'd have to define simple words for her, and just gave up attempting to point out that just because I didn't use simple grammar, that did not mean that I was making any errors. I also remember having to sit in class and hear this woman go on and on about how maybe I should be writing textbooks and whatnot instead of going into journalism...

Sorry, that's just an example of poor writing skills on your part.

yes.

Correct. Hell, also at cash registers we don't expect the cashier to know the exact change, because that would be like um, 3rd grade math???

Correct. Hell, also at cash registers we don't expect the cashier to know the exact change, because that would be like um, 3rd grade math???

Well it would take too long at the checkout, counting on all their fingers and toes :p

Correct. Hell, also at cash registers we don't expect the cashier to know the exact change, because that would be like um, 3rd grade math???

I had an experience several years ago that I will never forget.

I was paying for my order at a fast food joint and the cashier had one of those registers where she would enter in the amount given her and it would spit out the change. My bill was $6.05 and I looked in my wallet and saw that that I had a $20 and a $1. So I gave her that and a nickle.

The poor girl could not figure out my change - she called over two others plus the manager to help her. Sad, very sad.

I got thrown out of a journalism program a few years ago because I told them to fuck off and that I refused to lower my quality of writing simply because other people were idiots.
You probably got thrown out on account of your extreme self-absorbed hatred that radiates perpetually in all directions.

I think part of the reason reading levels are dropping is because of the internet. Kids aren't reading as many books as they used to, but instead are logging onto myspace and chatrooms. I'm hesitant to believe it's at the 8th grade level, though.

I was paying for my order at a fast food joint and the cashier had one of those registers where she would enter in the amount given her and it would spit out the change. My bill was $6.05 and I looked in my wallet and saw that that I had a $20 and a $1. So I gave her that and a nickle.When I worked at McDonald's I had a similar experience, but I think it was excusable because it was my first day working there and the cash register had a weird interface, and I entered in the balance incorrectly to begin with. I was really stressed out, so I had to think about it for a second. I didn't have to bring in the manager or anything, but I felt stupid for not being able to do the simple calculation as fast as I should have.

The average reading level has most likely dropped since I last saw a study confirming the 8th grade level.

ABS:

The average reading level in places such as the USA is an 8th grade reading level. Is it just too much to expect anyone to have a reading level that is above an 8th grade level?

No. Because we'd expect reading level to be normally distributed about the average. In fact, there'd be a 50-50 chance for any given individual to be reading above grade 8 level. See?

I got thrown out of a journalism program a few years ago because I told them to fuck off and that I refused to lower my quality of writing simply because other people were idiots.

The purpose of writing is communication. It sounds like you were failing to communicate effectively, which one would assume is a basic job skill in journalism.

I find it interesting that instead of getting your qualification and then setting out to improve journalistic standards by example, you decided to be a quitter instead. Did you expect special treatment? Did you expect people to look up to you and bow before your (largely undemonstrated) superior writing skills?

Then again, I said this to a prof who would constantly give me point deductions because she was too stupid to figure things out.

You seem to have many difficulties relating to women.

The average reading level in places such as the USA is an 8th grade reading level. Is it just too much to expect anyone to have a reading level that is above an 8th grade level?

Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?

It would be OK, if the eighth grade reading level were what it was a generation or so back.

I had an experience several years ago that I will never forget.

I was paying for my order at a fast food joint and the cashier had one of those registers where she would enter in the amount given her and it would spit out the change. My bill was $6.05 and I looked in my wallet and saw that that I had a $20 and a $1. So I gave her that and a nickle.

The poor girl could not figure out my change - she called over two others plus the manager to help her. Sad, very sad.

So you expect graduates in a fast-food joint. Do you know the saying: " Pay peanuts and you get monkeys " ?

Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?


The current American educational system is opposed to any actual learning taking place.

So you expect graduates in a fast-food joint. Do you know the saying: " Pay peanuts and you get monkeys " ?

And you are satisified when kids of 18 cannot perform simple subtraction or addition? Strange...

And you are satisified when kids of 18 cannot perform simple subtraction or addition? Strange...

I didn't say I was satisfied. It's simply the way things are. Technology, instead of serving us, is in some sense making slaves of us. Automatic tills in shops mean that a girl only needs to know what buttons to press. The machine does the rest.

The idea that an 18-year old cannot do simple arithmetic is appaling but I don't think it's all the fault of the school. Many kids come from backgrounds where eduction is seen as peripheral to starting to earn money as soon as possible.

And you are satisified when kids of 18 cannot perform simple subtraction or addition? Strange...

To be fair, that isn't 'simple' subtraction or addition, but is the more advanced stuff that you learn in 3rd grade...

And you are satisified when kids of 18 cannot perform simple subtraction or addition? Strange...

I didn't say I was satisfied. It's simply the way things are. Technology, instead of serving us, is in some sense making slaves of us. Automatic tills in shops mean that a girl only needs to know what buttons to press. The machine does the rest.

The idea that an 18-year old cannot do simple arithmetic is appaling but I don't think it's all the fault of the school. Many kids come from backgrounds where eduction is seen as peripheral to starting to earn money as soon as possible.

I had an experience several years ago that I will never forget.

I was paying for my order at a fast food joint and the cashier had one of those registers where she would enter in the amount given her and it would spit out the change. My bill was $6.05 and I looked in my wallet and saw that that I had a $20 and a $1. So I gave her that and a nickle.

The poor girl could not figure out my change - she called over two others plus the manager to help her. Sad, very sad.


I had similar in a DIY store, a woman exchanging a lampshade. For some reason, both her and the assistant thought that the woman had tendered a £20 in the initial purchase factored somehow, and started their calculations by typing '20' into a caculator, .... they then didn't know what to do, ... I had to step in, and explain, I didn't want to be there all day.

To be fair, that isn't 'simple' subtraction or addition, but is the more advanced stuff that you learn in 3rd grade...

HAH!!! :D

Over-complex and awkward writing and especially sentences that do not flow just impede communication. If you are to reach potentially millions of people, you cannot expect them all to be sporting pipes and slippers. In summary, americans are stupid. Deal with it.

Over-complex and awkward writing and especially sentences that do not flow just impede communication. If you are to reach potentially millions of people, you cannot expect them all to be sporting pipes and slippers. In summary, americans are stupid. Deal with it.

Right - just more American-bashing.

By the way, what's the reading level in England, eh?

The current American educational system is opposed to any actual learning taking place.

:shrug: Why do they need to? Can't they just say 'fuck off', refuse to change, and quit??

:shrug: Why do they need to? Can't they just say 'fuck off', refuse to change, and quit??

No, we are not all as enlightened as ABS. ;)

Right - just more American-bashing.

By the way, what's the reading level in England, eh?

I don't know, or in fact care. I don't live in england. How's your geography?

can i ask what incentives do teachers get in the US to "teach" children with learning difficulties? My mother has a boy in her year 3 class who is TOTALLY illeterate (dont know the full circumstances but thats what she told me). She has to start from scratch with him which takes time, and she still has to teach the rest of the class as well. Whats the avage class size in the US? do you have remedial reading classes? Are you automatically equating literacy to spelling? (because they are NOT the same thing, i can sit down and read a medical text and only have to pick up the dictionary once an hour or so, but ask me to SPELL the words and well:shrug:).

I don't know, or in fact care. I don't live in england. How's your geography?

My geography is excellent, thank you very little for asking.

That was just a guess based on the line ("England ! =UK") under your screen name on your posts.

So what is it WHEREVER you care about???

can i ask what incentives do teachers get in the US to "teach" children with learning difficulties? My mother has a boy in her year 3 class who is TOTALLY illeterate (dont know the full circumstances but thats what she told me). She has to start from scratch with him which takes time, and she still has to teach the rest of the class as well. Whats the avage class size in the US? do you have remedial reading classes? Are you automatically equating literacy to spelling? (because they are NOT the same thing, i can sit down and read a medical text and only have to pick up the dictionary once an hour or so, but ask me to SPELL the words and well:shrug:).

There aren't any special incentives - but we do have special schools and classes for those with learning problems. And yes, there are remedial classes for ALL subjects. Average class size is 30 or less and many classes also have a teacher's aide in addition to the regular teacher.

Read_only im not talking about "special schools". Hell i was in reading recovery in my younger years in primary school (ok it was from a mestaken belife that i COULDNT read rather than the truth which is i hadnt found anything interesting enough to read). I was at a normal primary school. Every primary school in victoria is required to have a literacy and numeracy co-odinators who put into place programs to boost the lit and numeracy of all students. Oh and a learning imparment can be anything from dislecia (got i was hoping i wouldnt have to write that) to ADD, ADHD ect. Normal kids that have trouble learning, NOT interlectually impaired kids

Read_only im not talking about "special schools". Hell i was in reading recovery in my younger years in primary school (ok it was from a mestaken belife that i COULDNT read rather than the truth which is i hadnt found anything interesting enough to read). I was at a normal primary school. Every primary school in victoria is required to have a literacy and numeracy co-odinators who put into place programs to boost the lit and numeracy of all students. Oh and a learning imparment can be anything from dislecia (got i was hoping i wouldnt have to write that) to ADD, ADHD ect. Normal kids that have trouble learning, NOT interlectually impaired kids

Then I would have to reply - no. There isn't enough money in the whole country to babysit and work with EVERY single kid that has some slight trouble learning. And exactly what IS a "normal kid" anyway? Probably more than 90% of the kids everywhere have some sort of mental distraction at times and aren't fully focused on what they are being taught.

this is some stuff from the goverment on leaning difficulties


A pupil with specific learning difficulties is bright and of at least average intelligence but still has trouble with learning. If a battery of tests were given to such a pupil s/he would score average to high on some of them and low on others. These are the pupils that far too often get forgotten about or misunderstood. These are the pupils that need very careful assessment. These are the pupils that need to be taught differently from the norm and it is very important that the teacher understands how these kids learn and teaches them appropriately.



What’s in a name?
Is it important that we give the correct label to these kids? It is if that label tells us how to teach the kid, otherwise the labels pointless. For example “dyslexia” is a label that, if used correctly, tells us how that pupil thinks and learns. “Dysgraphia” is a label that merely tells us that the kid has trouble with writing. It does not tell us why so we do not learn how to help the kid. It’s also nice if the kid knows s/he’s got some reason for doing badly at school

Viewed on the 30\01\08 at 11:31 (http://www.learningdifficulties.com.au/articles/what-are-learning-difficulties.html)



Unfortuantly i cant bring up the DOE's policy on learning difficulties but it is part of the job of a teacher and a school to teach kids with learning difficulties. In some cases this means having a word to the teacher to sugest they get them tested for dyslexia (actually worked with an ambo who was dyslexic, he had to wear rose coloured glasses to help with the condition)

Oh and justabout teaches aids. How much training do they get in helping kids with learning difficulties? If its alot then the problem is probably that you dont PAY them anywhere near enough. I was watching a TV program on the minum wage in the US (and living on it). Do you know that EMT's and teaches Aids are both mimium wage jobs? Hardly an incentive to get the best and britest into schools

- - stuff from the goverment on leaning difficulties -- Looks like eighth grade reading would be a high bar for whoever wrote those paragraphs.

where is the parent's responsibility in all this?
I read to my kids, we went to the library, we went over their homework, I'm involved in their school, etc.
Learning doesn't start and stop at the school's doorstep.

this is some stuff from the goverment on leaning difficulties




Unfortuantly i cant bring up the DOE's policy on learning difficulties but it is part of the job of a teacher and a school to teach kids with learning difficulties. In some cases this means having a word to the teacher to sugest they get them tested for dyslexia (actually worked with an ambo who was dyslexic, he had to wear rose coloured glasses to help with the condition)

Oh and justabout teaches aids. How much training do they get in helping kids with learning difficulties? If its alot then the problem is probably that you dont PAY them anywhere near enough. I was watching a TV program on the minum wage in the US (and living on it). Do you know that EMT's and teaches Aids are both mimium wage jobs? Hardly an incentive to get the best and britest into schools

Your information on teacher's aides and EMT's is incorrect. Both are paid at above minimum wage - especially the EMTs.

Teachers DO regularly send students for testing to see if they have special problems, it's a very common practice here.

My main poit was simply that teachers do not have enough TIME to deal one-on-one with every single kid that might need it. And I strongly suspect it's that way in every single school system all over the world. Many kids do get special attention but there's just not enough time nor teachers available to go around for EVERY kid who's a little slow - for whatever reason it might be.

In that case whats the solution?

Because from what you are saying the school system is the best it can be and there is no point worrying about the guy who cant give change out of a $20 because he is just one of the ones who we couldnt get enough teachers to teach?

so the answer to the OP post would be YES it IS to much to expect a higher level and stop bitching about it

iceaura

why the hell would i waste the time it takes to write a uni standard essay for a post here? I dont have that much time

Your information on teacher's aides and EMT's is incorrect. Both are paid at above minimum wage - especially the EMTs.

Teachers DO regularly send students for testing to see if they have special problems, it's a very common practice here.

My main poit was simply that teachers do not have enough TIME to deal one-on-one with every single kid that might need it. And I strongly suspect it's that way in every single school system all over the world. Many kids do get special attention but there's just not enough time nor teachers available to go around for EVERY kid who's a little slow - for whatever reason it might be.

You forgot to mention the no child left behind philosophy that has plagued the education system for decades. Does your child not understand a basic concept that is needed to advance to the next level? Eh, let's send him to the next grade anyways, they'll deal with it then.

why the hell would i waste the time it takes to write a uni standard essay for a post here? I dont have that much time Sorry - I thought you were quoting some kind of education department government official, in a formal document.

The thing in the quote box came from the sorce i listed, (if there were any mestakes in the origionally posted line they were also my own) everything else was my own

The thing in the quote box was what I was talking about.

i made a mestake. I missread the address line, its not a goverment artical at all, ops:(

its .com not .gov (dont know how i missread that)

A Toti Publication is a small publishing company set up and owned by dyslexics in order to provide straight forward advice.
read more about A Toti Publications

read more about Dawn Matthews


Dawn had a studio in Dumfries, Scotland and also one in Perugia, Italy. The images reflect these two very different landscapes. She now has a purpose built studio in Rockingham, Western Australia and is working on a series of Australian landscapes.
read about Dawn Matthews, the artist


Viewed here 30/01/08 at 15:20 (http://www.learningdifficulties.com.au/articles/what-are-learning-difficulties.html)

My very humble apologise, the author is actually dyslexic.