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<DIV>Jeffrey wrote: </DIV>
<DIV>Perhaps, one of the first changes could be an optional specialization program beginning around 7th grade or so, where a student can choose to focus on a specific "strand" of study (eg. science, engineering, arts, writing, etc. - depending on their interests) that would comprise most of the classroom time. If I'm not mistaken, Australia already uses a mild version of this program.</DIV>
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<DIV>Another large target is the excessive and tedious "busy work" that all to many teachers seem to rely upon.</DIV>
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<P>Having lived in New Zealand for 7 years, I can comment on the specialization High School system, which exists there. It's fine if you never leave New Zealand. The problem is once you want to study overseas. I had many friends who had kids who wanted to go to North American schools. (Especially kids whose parents were in the film/TV business -- they all wanted to go to USC, UCLA & NYU.) Unfortunately, regardless of their intelligence and test scores, since they hadn't had 4 years of math, 4 years of science, 4 years of english, 4 years of a foreign language, 4 years of social studies, etc., they were considered unqualified to even apply to lower level schools. These were kids who might have gone to some of our best schools, based on their records, but instead, they were forced to go to US community colleges and make up the math, etc, that their transcripts missed. Most either chose not to do it or dropped out after a year or two. They hated their classes and felt they should be in college, studying what they liked.</P>
<P>However...</P>
<P>I don't think forcing them to make up those classes that is a bad thing. I am a firm believer in creating a broad "liberal arts" base underneath one's specialization. And if you don't do any math past Algebra in high school, no matter how smart you are, I just can't consider you educated. Smart and educated are two very different things.</P>
<P>These kids (all of whom I liked) were not fully educated. You can't take photo journalism instead of trig, as much as you'd like to, and think you deserve a diploma. New Zealand has failed them. It's the fundamental reason my family moved back to the States: I couldn't get my kids a decent education. (It's way beyond specialization in NZ - their system is dying from political correctness and a fear of alienating anyone through lack of self esteem. No grades. No sports scores. Nada. And they are REALLY anti-intellectual, compared to the US. In the process, they have institutionalized mediocracy.) If I think the CA public system is better than the best schools in NZ, I think you may understand my dilemma.</P>
<P>For that matter, I agree with universities that have broadening, or core requirements. If it forces you to see the world in a larger way or from another perspective, it's good.</P>
<P>I do agree with your homework argument, however. And the statistics are bearing you out, as well. </P>
<P>Respectfully,<BR>PJ</P></BODY>