I have a confession
30 04 2008I entered college without much science. In fact, I entered college with virtually no science, and very little math.
My parents traveled a lot for my father’s job; until I was 13 we never stayed in one place longer than a few weeks, except for a couple of months each late summer when we returned to the family compound to help with the wheat harvest.
My mother homeschooled us children, using library books and correspondence lessons from a catholic organization. I started reading at about 4 and so mostly, I read books. When my father’s health forced him to take on less stressful work, we settled into a neighborhood and I began attending a local Catholic girl’s school. My older brothers had all left home for college by then (where their total lack of organized schooling was never a question - I have no idea what the entrance requirements were in the late 60’s, early 70’s - my brothers all became professionals, two doctors, a lawyer, an architect, a teacher, an accountant)
Apparently my lack of socialization and academics didn’t make much of an impact, I remember having lots of friends, going to slumber parties, skating parties, horse back riding parties, all the normal things girls did on weekend in the early 70’s. We listened to three dog night (one is the loneliest number!) and sang along to Rod Stewart’s Maggie May when it came on the radio. I was on the honor roll every term. I played sports. I don’t remember science. I barely remember math.
Okay, we had “ecology of Oregon” in 8th grade, remembered only because of the backpacking trip that ended the class. I took some kind of rudimentary general science in 9th or 10th grade, but science isn’t real important at a Catholic girl’s school. Lots of English, literature, and just enough math to pass whatever requirements Oregon had in 1977, the year I graduated (with honors). I never took chemistry, physics, or advanced math. I think Algebra II was it. I did take honors Latin though!
I entered college and took classes designed to turn me into an electrical tech, something I figured I could get a job doing so I could afford more school. My parents would have sent me to university but I was stubborn in a weird way and wanted to do everything on my own (and the apples don’t fall far from the tree around here, sigh). I had to take more math, which wasn’t a problem because apparently all my public school peers didn’t take enough math either and we were all in the same classes. In two years of community college I somehow battered my way through a bunch of electronics courses (with no science background) and advanced math (calculus and trig) without understanding that I was unprepared - because the classes were full and we all seemed to be on the same page academically. I passed all my courses with A’s.
I’ve always wondered how one is supposed to be prepared for a class they haven’t yet taken. If you already know the material, why take the class?
I went to work for a huge electronics company in Oregon, you can guess which one if you’d like. They had tuition reimbursement and I took full advantage, working and going to school. Somewhere along the way to what I assumed would be an electrical engineering degree, I had to take biology to complete a stupid science requirement. Biology! Ugh. Bugs and dissecting frogs. Three weeks into the course I was hooked. I quit my job at big name electronics, applied for student aid, took every biology class (and microbiology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, pre med, and pseudo science like sociology and behavioral science) class the university offered. I transferred to Oregon state and took even MORE science. I kept graduating and then going back for more, until they got sick of me and made me start teaching classes and doing research. I guess that wasn’t so bad.
The real point is, it didn’t matter if I was “prepared” or that I’d had very little science and math. I took them in college. If I’d had more math and science, I’d still have had to take them in college for the undergrad requirements. If every student in public school is so much more prepared academically, then why do they offer 100 level science and maths, and why are those classes always full? I can guarantee you this - not once did any of my professors ask me about my previous schooling - since I was in their lower level class, they assumed I didn’t know anything and taught me. It wasn’t a big deal.
And I can also tell you this - 99% of the time, I never knew my own students academic background. They may as well have all come from caves. They were in my class, and either I taught them, or they figured out the class was too high a level and they dropped down. Or it was too easy and they withdrew and took a higher level. I didn’t ask them if they were homeschooled - the only times I knew - when the student shared that info - usually the fundies who wanted to question a few minor science topics. When you get your schedules at the beginning of the term, it doesn’t tell you where the students went to school, so all this BS about public school teachers “knowing” their homeschooled students is just that - b u l l s h i t. I would venture that ALL the students I ever flunked were publicly schooled.
Educational gaps? Show me a high school graduate who doesn’t have gaps. Show me a bright student with little or no science background who can’t handle an entry level biology class. Please, if you’re too lazy to teach science to your students, find a new career. They come to you to learn, don’t expect someone else to have taught them. Biology isn’t rocket science. Okay, sometimes it is, but it’s not like it can’t be learned as easily at 19 as it is at 12. In fact, it’s usually easier.
Unprepared for college? Says who?
I just wanted to say that your post gave me hope for my oldest. She is so not college minded right now. Has no desire to even consider it. She wants cosmotology, which is acceptable, but I worry that I’ve somehow “not prepared” her enough. And now, after reading your post, I don’t worry so much.
toni
You can prepare her for college, but that doesn’t mean she wants to go. Chris had a post the other day that basically said - which makes more sense - spending 4 year and $150K on an education that doesn’t guarantee you a job, or spending 4 years and the same money setting up your own business?
They say confession is good for the soul. Well, I don’t know how it was for yours, but mine really enjoyed it! (Of course this long time lurker will just admit that she pretty much always appreciates what you write.) Thanks for the post. It was a wonderful read.
I’d rather see her set up her own salon. But not in this state. They’ll rob her blind.
toni
Wow! So theres hope for me yet? I left one of those catholic schools at age 15. That was pretty much the end of my education. We were taught to go forth and multiply and thats what I did! LOL! I did not study science after year 8, other than a lovely film fest on abortion they decided to make us watch in yr 10.
Every now and then I doubt my ability to teach my own kids what I did not even learn myself! But like you I was reading before I ever went to school and I love books. So I have been filling the house up with them! I have been enjoying learning about science with my kids. I have to admit that I am a little scared about the high school years.
I do believe that if you want to learn something, you will! You seem to be the proof of that! Now me? Im not so sure, I tend to be a tad lazy!
I have to confess too! I had to take Math 097 when I started at the community college. So I guess I was “unprepared”. On the other hand, my parents sent me over there when I was 16 and they were tired of satisfying all of my curiosity themselves … And I did end up with a science degree in the end. I agree with this post completely - why prelearn stuff you will get in college? Knowing how to learn and be a good version of yourself is waaaaayy more important than any amount of knowledge in a subject area.
I’m printing this one out. *Great* post.
What a great post. I to had to take Math 100. I get tired of hearing my kids will have holes in their education! Looking at what they are teaching kids these days in public school ,they will not just have holes, but craters!
When I was teaching, I never knew from whence my students came unless they told me. All of my lower level classes had upwards of 75 students in them, which didn’t make for much non-essential chit-chat like that. Of the smaller classes, I would estimate more than 90% were public-schooled students. They succeeded and failed — like any students do.
Thanks Doc, I’m with Frankie and am going to print this one too. I know you’re not one to want adoration but it really is great have someone who’s been there affirm your own thoughts………great post!!!
I agree, Doc, and my 15yo dd bears it out. We had done very little grammar and no post-civil war history when she took English 101 and US History II at cc this year. She made an A and a B in those classes and learned a ton. This is helping me in my lurch toward unschooling with 12yo ds.
I keep thinking about this post. If I do a Top Ten Posts of 2008 thingee next January, this is on that list.
I homeschooled in 11th grade, then went on to college. Despite having never taken “12th Grade English”, I placed right into Freshman English and got straight A’s both semesters.
A couple years later, I worked as a tutor in my college’s remedial writing classes. A full quarter of my students told me they had been in AP English only the year before.
I plan on homeschooling my kids. If they can drive a car, pay their bills and earn a living, then they’ve learned what they need to know to function.
Hi, Doc,
This is late on the uptake. I’ve been so busy I’ve barely had time to sneeze!
My experience is concurrent with yours. I went to a high school that emphasized classical topics and had poor courses overall in the sciences.
I went to college to get a degree in classical or modern languages, but fell in love with geology. And I had no problems. When I taught it was the same story.
The students who are “unprepared” who do have problems are those that refuse to understand that they will have to work a little harder if they have are moving into an upper division course without the pre-requisite courses. Those who understand this and come to office hours rarely have problems.
Like you, I’d also venture to say that most college students that have earned F’s from me were public school students. In general, failing students were either 1) in over their heads but refused to drop down levels or 2) students who had no work ethic or commitment to the class.
I hope all is going well with you!
I hope to get back to lurking–at least!–very soon.