An image circulating on social media platform X has sparked a debate about the quality of modern education. The image features an 1899 test for 8th graders in rural California. Many are claiming that today’s high school students and even some public school teachers would struggle to pass such an exam.
The test covers a broad range of subjects: Math, English, Music, Geography, and U.S. History. The tasks expected of students back then were not just about rote memorization. One English question required students to write a biography of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, complete with six quotations. Math problems encouraged critical thinking through fractions, decimals, and various word problems. The music section examined students’ understanding of scales and time, while geography required comparisons of climates across American cities, along with knowledge about South America and Europe. In the U.S. History section, questions addressed significant historical issues like the Civil War and the role of the executive branch in government.
The New Republic shared another 8th-grade exam from 1895, further illustrating the stringent standards of the past. It included similarly intricate questions across various subjects. A related post from Heads Up unveiled a 1912 test that required students to define nouns and personal pronouns and delve into physiology by describing the heart’s structure and functions.
In stark contrast, recent posts highlight shifts in what students are learning today. For example, some 10th-grade English classes are reportedly teaching critical race theory, with a focus on white privilege. According to one commentator, public school systems are engaging students in discussions that center around guilt associated with their race. Further, many schools are incorporating radical gender ideology into the curriculum instead of traditional subjects.
One middle school in Alberta has faced criticism for teaching about sexuality and gender using animals. Right here in the U.S., another school hired a drag queen to present information about legal name and gender changes to children. Parents expressed alarm at what they see as a troubling trend of indoctrination rather than education.
A troubling question arises from these comparisons: Could even 20 percent of today’s teachers pass the tests from a century ago? The emphasis placed on non-academic themes suggests a significant shift away from equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for life. They are instead becoming indoctrinated into various social causes, reducing education’s role in preparing youth for the real world.
Education has historically served as a critical tool for empowerment and success. However, many now feel it has taken a backseat to ideologies that prioritize activism over academic achievement.
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