If US politicians were to suggest free food in our public schools, they would be called Communist, Socialist and fascist in the same sentence, because god forbid we pay more taxes to help the children of our nation.
In my opinion, the most screwed up homeland issue is Education.
Besides, when I was in school (not counting University) I would much rather have brought my own lunch to school than eat what they supplied.
In High School we had a gas station across the street, I ate gas station food like hot dogs, pop-tarts, ramen…ect for lunch almost everyday for 3 years.
Um what? I’m not seeing how free food in cafeteria’s is helping the children. You have the choice to pack, it’s not a necessity that the school give you food. Also, the average student probably prefers anything over school cafeteria food. Even if you have to buy but can’t afford, it’s already been mentioned that financial aid can be received if necessary.
But ya, the reason you can’t just say that you are unable to afford the food is because the government is aware of your households yearly income and all forms of financial aid are determined via that number.
As for Brazil. My lone mountain northwest self sees a country trying to be recognized as a global competitor, most American television that talks about Brazil is about how the Olympics will go down, how your government can showcase your country to the world as a place of economic stability (being the largest economy in Latin America) and progression and hide the poverty in Rio de Janeiro. Because as television has put it, the city is very impoverished with an almost caste like social structure.
Basically, our country is in a steady economical growth process, but we’re still haunted by a social disparity issue, coming from as remotely as the colonial times. Mind you, poverty is not exclusive to Rio de Janeiro (although drug trafficking/favelas and other social issues related to it are stronger there), and it’s actually worse (or better) in other regions of our country.
Since great part of our population is nearly completely uneducated, our public education system is a joke, and our politician corruption levels are pretty much among the highest in the world, this scenario is unlikely to change in the near future, hence why I plan on living abroad very soon, legally of course .
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not an horrid country to live in. But remember when you said (I think it was you haha) that 3/4 of your country’s population were retards? Well, around here it’s probably on the 9.5/10 margin (I don’t blame them though), and although opportunities are present, and growing as our economy does the same, they’re not nearly as promising as the ones you get when living overseas, at least from my point of view .
JohnKiller118 - your right. Never mind.
As for some of the things garthbartin said.
I agree parts of our government is corrupt, however look at Russia, Mexico, and Brazil, I would argue we have one of the best governments in terms of corruption.
Secondly, How is the average American a dumb ass? Our educational system is great, the only way your going to leave high school without a good education is if you choose to, and by that I mean fitting the stereotype of a wannabe gangster, jock, or “cool kid”. We are not uneducated, our media just portrays us as such.
Lastly, the red scare only lasted from 1947 to 1957. We don’t have any sort of “communist crusade”.:retard:
About education;
What’s American high school like and just how is the transition to college?
I attend a French high school (run by the French government) and I’m by no means an exceptionnal student, a bit better than average, “good” and following the science course.
I intend to apply for US universities since they’re the best and toughest in the world, though know deep down they’ll squarely tell me to piss off.
So I’ve started going through the process and learned about these SAT tests, I’ve found them incredibly easy compared to what we do at school, often covering topics we looked into a few years back (this is especially true in mathematics).
Does this reflect a low high school level or is it normal for most students to get 760-800? If so there’s very little point in such exams as they don’t allow the best students to stand out.
If so how can people knowing so little learn so much in higher education?
Is there an immense difference between private and state run schools? (It’s absolutely huge in the UK where state schools will most likely doooom you) Do these tests also seem dumbed down to those in privatised education?
And how do Universities tell good students (better than average- but not gleaming geniuses) with such low standard high schooling (if it’s the case)?
I am in my 3rd year at an American University studying Mechanical Engineering and Construction Management with a minor study in Legal Business Environment.
High School had it’s highs and lows, for the last 2 years of my High School days I attended 2 different high schools, because my main High School didn’t offer the course I was taking (F.I.R.S.T. Robotics) I received college engineering credits for taking this course.
My main problem with the public school system is the funding, education has taken a back seat to other non-domestic issues. My mother is a High School teacher and is constantly trying to do the best with her budget she is given, which is meager.
This varies between schools and districts, but I felt my high school was treated as a prison. I was constantly harassed by police when I would leave in the middle of the day to head to the other High School…even though it was an open campus (meaning students are permitted to leave school grounds). We didn’t have much of a drug problem as I come from a Mormon area, but it was common to find a narcotics dog walking through halls.
I feel the balance between curriculum is way off balance. In 4 years, I had one Physical Education class that was required (though I took others as electives), one Government class, one Chemistry class but English classes were all that is done is read newspapers are abundant.
Another huge problem is the US taking and mandating an Abstinence Only approach to sex-education. Very little is said on how one protects themselves from STDs and pregnancy, but instead teachers try scaring even 18 year old students into celibacy. We all know and I know from experience, it doesn’t work.
I believe teachers are one of the most underpaid professions in America. I also have a problem with how easy some people get teaching degrees. I had many teachers (young and old) who just didn’t care. In fact my Senior English class, my teacher had a student teacher (college student in final stages before graduating), the real teacher took this opportunity to never show up to school and left the Student Teacher to learn herself. Upon handing in my Senior Thesis on Renewable Energy Alternatives to the real teacher, I was docked 30% for my margins being a few millimeters off, she didn’t even read it and I received the minimum passing grade. Not once was I given the chance to have a better grade because of my research, ability to articulate points and arguments presented in my 20 page paper. It’s teachers like these that ruin many American’s High School experience.
My hometown does not really have private schools other than a Catholic elementary school. I don’t see much of an advantage to private schools, I know people who did, they don’t seem better off or receive better grades in college.
My graduating class was around 320 people, but there were almost 400 seniors.
I never took the SAT, only the ACT, which in some study areas, such as Reading and English, I excelled in, math…not so much. I guess I should have paid to take it twice to improve my score. I was accepted into my current college soon after my ACT scores came in.
No less than 2 weeks after graduating, my friend (future roommate) and I drove across state to tour our new school with Orientation. Every incoming freshman at this University is required to do Orientation, mine lasted 2 days. I was able to meet one on one with the Engineering department heads and chairs to plan out my class schedule for the Fall and Spring terms. My transition was fairly easy besides the whole aspect of being on my own for the first time in my life. It has made me a better and happier person, I wasn’t shocked at any sort of difficulty curve, but relieved with the involvement professors have with their students.
Overall my college experience has been a happy one. I have lived on campus for 2 1/2 years now. The classes I take seem worthwhile and being that I pay the professors salary, they are much more apt to helping and grading fairly. My freshman English classes were a breath of fresh air as they concentrated a grades ones students ability to articulate ideas and present a fluid reading experience rather than if they can use Microsoft word to print the format correctly.
Tuition for college is inflating at extreme rates. My school’s (American) Football team has been one of the best ranked teams in the nation for 4 years now, the team alone brings in millions of dollars. Finishing as the #4 team in the nation has caused an extreme influx of students and tuition is rising faster than ever. The campus is trying to build new facilities to accommodate but even as it stands right now, non-freshman next year will be lucky to live on campus, it’s a good thing I have a real house lined up to move into in May.
I receive very little government aide as my family makes just enough to not receive more than a few hundred dollars a semester, whereas tuition and housing costs thousands.
The government knows how much you make? Wow. I don’t think we have the same system here, you have to prove how much you make.
Well, Myth already summarized the situation pretty well. Just a few more things.
Yes, the poverty in Rio is a problem, drug traffic likewise. But you can’t expect much more from 3rd world country. China isn’t better than this. There exploration to the worker runs free, no freedom, no equality for women, the state murders babies… And wasn’t the Olympics there a success? Considering everything, Brazil is handling things very well, and a long time has passed since we had the opportunity to handle such a big event like a World Cup or the Olympics.
Also, Brazil does have an advantage: our people is happy. No, seriously, there are some researches that concluded that this country’s people is the happiest one. For instance, workers here very often don’t accept to work on holidays or Sundays even for the double. And a more or less general consensus here is that happiness is more important than money. Tourists in general are well received, and other countries, when receive Brazilian tourists, in general end up being captivated. Well, so I heard
I don’t want to look like I am trying to make a false a propaganda, I’m just giving my opinion. The only thing I hope is that the government here really don’t mess everything up for greed or for just being the bad politicians they are.
Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.
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