Larco 1

How To Read Numbers

Hunter Larco English III Honors / Period N.2 Mr. Goldner November 25, 2013

Larco 2 Numbers: the invention of math and by association the interpretation of numbers forever enabled greater understanding of the world and its workings. However, while numbers have assisted the human race to vastly foster its knowledge, they are contrastingly harming the young intellectual community. Numerical grades such as GPAs, SATs, and ACTs, are creating an epidemic where numerical testing has become the means for determining intelligence, when human capability can not be accurately reflected by a number. In basing a system on numerical representation, the education system has potential to under educate brilliant minds. Albert Einstein famously said Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. He presents the issue that each person may not be assessed by the same skill set. However, investigating the current education system in America reveals that it does just that. In 2011, for the first time, the state of Massachusetts took over the Lawrence Public School Systems due unacceptable student performance. These schools are the least effective in the state, yet the district requires all schools to cover four subjects: math, english, science, and history. If the most low performing college preparatory schools in Massachusetts teach a mandatory four subjects, it is safe to concluded that the rest of massachusetts schools teach at least four, if not more. We are effectively assessing students based on a minimum for four vastly different subjects that explore very different skill sets. Yet students are promised the opportunity to study what they possess a natural affinity and skill towards in college, only once they have braved pre-college schooling. However, entry to college is largely dependant on one's success in prior education performances. Thus the education system stand the potential to screen brilliant minds in their field from strong education because access to targeted education is granted primarily to those who can excel in all subjects. A student who is exceptional in math stands a lesser chance in college admissions than the valedictorian of the same class who scored only well in all of his/her classes.

Larco 3 Furthermore it is unheard of for an individual to complete five majors. Thus why force students to study in five fields? A typical student has already selected a range of careers to pursue by junior year in highschool, if not sophmore year. While one may not know definitively an occupation by name, one usually can narrow down ones options to a field of study. For example, many students in Acton-Boxborough know by junior year whether or not theyd like to pursue a science career or english career, or perhaps a social studies career as opposed to a mathematical career. At this point in a students education, requiring a class that provides no interest nor future serves mostly to hinder the student. The lack of interest leads to lower grades while the extra time spent working for that class is in sacrifice of the student learning about something that interests them. While some would argue that all classes are mandatory because they teach life skills, such as algebra one, it is noteworthy that pertaining to the scope of sophomore or junior year, almost all student have completed algebra one and english one as taught by the common core. Referring back to Lawrence school systems, the average freshman has completed both algebra one and english one. After this point additional knowledge ought to be sought after by interest only, the result of which would lead to more time spent on a larger variety of subjects. The person who spends more time under the tree is more likely to be hit by an apple. It is undeniable that more time spent studying and learning knowledge that interests the student leads to greater creativity and information retention. Though because the current education system has flaws, does not mean that it ought to be removed. There are some students who by junior year do not know where their interest lies, and for these students taking the standard four to five classes is a means of introducing them to a subject which they would take interest in. Thus it is not a solution to fully change the education system, however let it be suggested that high school in particular be rethought. Students should be given the responsibility of their own education, and perhaps, in that way come, to love it. Many students distain school, and for a valid reason. It is not enjoyable to spend years studying

Larco 4 material found both unessential and uninteresting. Students often find their most invigorating classes are either those that they love or the exploratory classes they have chosen themselves. If math, science, english, and humanities were considered exploratory classes, its not inconceivable to conclude that vigor for those classes would increase. Furthermore grades would more accurately reflect a students potential, as they would no longer address a range of talents, but the talents important to the student. College admissions would also be more accurate as the brilliant minds of students that excel in a single field would now be given opportunity to display their ability and focus it, ultimately leading to greater variety and accelerated production of human ingenuity.