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If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

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Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#3
It continues to amaze me that the US is so unambitious in this regard.

Donald Trump on education: http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Donald_Trump_Education.htm

His solution?

School choice, competition.

Completely ignoring what the 25 countries do that rank higher when it comes to education.

Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#4
post #2

For anyone wondering what VIPKid lessons look like, here is a sample demo of one from their Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it5fb0KlUjU

It's interesting how overly animated he is given that the student is not a child, but you can tell that she is pulled in by all of that energy. But if you look at other videos you'll see that most teachers are a little more contained (and maybe sane-seeming): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swc0RTrxjpw

The one thing, I saw that in their teacher training they aim for a 70/30 ratio of student to teacher speech and I haven't found any videos where that was the case. Though maybe it is only for more advanced students.

Overall a really nice platform though!

Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#5

It continues to amaze me that the US is so unambitious in this regard. Donald Trump on education: http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Donald_Trump_Education.htm His solution? School choice, competition. Completely ignoring what the 25 countries do that rank higher when it comes to education.

Our current regrettable situation originates in a century's worth of extremely ambitious educational systems design. Taking a step back from such things doesn't seem like all that bad an idea; we've had enough schoolmen on horseback to last us quite a while.

Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#6
> In the U.S. and Canada, teachers are often underpaid—and many have quit the profession because they couldn't make a decent living

Is there a source for this? I often hear similar notions lamenting the demise of US education spending but from what I can tell, the US spends more than most other countries per student. And spending has been growing in practically every respect

> This graph shows that average education expenditures per pupil (for fall enrollment) rose from $3,400 in 1965 to $8,745 in 2001. This graph shows that spending on education from all sources—local, state, federal, and others—rose from $249 billion in 1990-91 to $442.7 billion in 2000-01 and $501.3 billion in 2003-04. This graph shows that the federal investment in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act rose from under $2 billion in 1966 to $15 billion in 2000 and $25 billion in 2005. [0]

Perhaps teachers are underpaid, but where is the money being spent going?

[0] https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/fed/10facts/edlite-chart....

Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#7
post #6

> In the U.S. and Canada, teachers are often underpaid—and many have quit the profession because they couldn't make a decent living Is there a source for this? I often hear similar notions lamenting the demise of US education spending but from what I can tell, the US spends more than most other countries per student. And spending has been growing in practically every respect > This graph shows that average education…

I thought it was telling that in 'Breaking Bad' the chemistry teacher needs a second job at a carwash. And nobody seems surprised or finds it odd.

Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#8
post #6

> In the U.S. and Canada, teachers are often underpaid—and many have quit the profession because they couldn't make a decent living Is there a source for this? I often hear similar notions lamenting the demise of US education spending but from what I can tell, the US spends more than most other countries per student. And spending has been growing in practically every respect > This graph shows that average education…

Administrative staff and sports, I think.

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2016/09/20/the-highest-p...

Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#9
Good story about Cindy Mi transitioning her business to online, and also the teachers in the USA now getting 20+ dollars an hour with remote flex time work. Off topic, but as a computer programmer I have been hired twice in the last ten years by customers in China: I told my friends I was trying to reverse the balance of trade imbalance . Anyway, even with the time zone differences, it was fun.

Re: If the U.S. Won't Pay Its Teachers, China Will

#10
post #6

> In the U.S. and Canada, teachers are often underpaid—and many have quit the profession because they couldn't make a decent living Is there a source for this? I often hear similar notions lamenting the demise of US education spending but from what I can tell, the US spends more than most other countries per student. And spending has been growing in practically every respect > This graph shows that average education…

Not only is that money not going to teachers, but you'd still have to adjust it for the cost of living and availability of social support, for it to be meaningful.
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