08-11-2016, 05:48 PM
(08-11-2016, 05:27 PM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: Yes, not everyone is cut out for College, Some would rather learn a trade.
If possible, what should happen is before the kids leave School, they should take some kind of personality test to help guide them onto a career path. I took one and mine told me that I loved numbers (which is true) and suggested that I would be happiest as either a Programmer or Accountant. So funny too, cause now I'm a programmer that works closely with accountants..
I know that there is no one test that would solve all of the problems, some people will want to be something other that what it recommends and that's ok, but the goal would be to help steer the kids in a good direction so that they aren't lost for their first year or two trying to figure out what to get a degree in.
I know I talk a lot about Germany, but learning a language leads one to learn many things about the country and culture.
Anyway, first there is Grundschule, for ages 6-12. During this time, the teachers get to know the students and their abilities and send them on to (traditionally) one of three options:
Gymnasium - This will take them up until 18 or 19 and is preparatory for university. It is focused more on academics.
Realschule - This takes a student through about age 16 and is a broader focus. Oftentimes this will lead students to a professional degree (like business, nursing, etc.).
Hauptschule - This ends at around 15 or 16 and will often lead a student towards a trade.
Realschule and Hauptschule (and sometimes Gymnasium) students can also go on to a vocational school afterwards. To attend university, you must pass the Abitur, which is administered at the end of Gymnasium as it prepares you for it, but any student can take the exam.
It is more complex than this as there are other types of schools and combination schools and what not. But I have always thought this system was rather interesting and would be great. I don't think it would work in the US, though, because too many people want to believe their child can do anything. The American dream and all that. Also, parents are notoriously blind to their own child's limitations when it comes to education, at least from my experience.
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
