Is it California?

[Andras]

My daughter is in 5th grade and the Davis (supposedly excellent school-district) that AMAZINGLY does not yet teach my daughter ANY history and geography! I mean I understood this when she was in 1st, or second even 3rd grade....but WFT! They also do not believe the concept of homework of more than 15 minutes worth.
Now, I was educted in Hungary in the early to late 70's. It was world class education - the few things the Communists did well. They really wanted to elevate the masses and educate them. Supposedly my HS(we called it Gymnasium) diploma was worth about a decent 2 year community college degree with extra load. When I came to the US I took college for a couple of years and dropped out because it was so not challenging and went directly to mainframe assembler programming - a very well paying gig (IT). I am not stating this to boast just I am trying to demonstrate the level of free education here and in Europe. It is not on the same page, not in the same book or even the same planet. I am asking other school age parents - it is the sucky CA system or this is the same in Nebraska or other semi decent (not inner city schools). The reason is Davis rates so high is because they have a GATE program and if you are in it fine if you are not - you get shortchanged. I cannot afford private school but i am seriously considering a catholic HS if we can get her into one because I just do not think public education is worth a crap here.
Any comparisons with other states are welcome. Please, no flag waving or belligerence - trolls of why the US system is acceptable or even legal.

[Traikan]

Well I can't say anything about other states because I'm a Davis resident myself! My family moved here in 1996 and I am currently attending UC Davis. While my elementary school and junior high experiences were quite marginal, I attended Leonardo Da Vinci High School and have nothing but good things to say about it. Granted this was four years ago now, so it might have changed, but the emphasis on group projects and presentations taught me a lot of important life skills like "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

I'd recommend it over Davis High and now that I think about it, it might include Junior High now too.

[Andras]

I am glad to have met you here. Welcome to CA. I should not be complainig too much because we are very lucky to have her go to a decent school. I have found out that other states (mainly east coast) is slightly better, depending where you are (city/stetewise).
P.S. also HS are far better than the average grade schools in Davis.

Originally Posted by Traikan

Well I can't say anything about other states because I'm a Davis resident myself! My family moved here in 1996 and I am currently attending UC Davis. While my elementary school and junior high experiences were quite marginal, I attended Leonardo Da Vinci High School and have nothing but good things to say about it. Granted this was four years ago now, so it might have changed, but the emphasis on group projects and presentations taught me a lot of important life skills like "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

I'd recommend it over Davis High and now that I think about it, it might include Junior High now too.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Andras

My daughter is in 5th grade and the Davis (supposedly excellent school-district) that AMAZINGLY does not yet teach my daughter ANY history and geography! I mean I understood this when she was in 1st, or second even 3rd grade....but WFT! They also do not believe the concept of homework of more than 15 minutes worth.
Now, I was educted in Hungary in the early to late 70's. It was world class education - the few things the Communists did well. They really wanted to elevate the masses and educate them. Supposedly my HS(we called it Gymnasium) diploma was worth about a decent 2 year community college degree with extra load. When I came to the US I took college for a couple of years and dropped out because it was so not challenging and went directly to mainframe assembler programming - a very well paying gig (IT). I am not stating this to boast just I am trying to demonstrate the level of free education here and in Europe. It is not on the same page, not in the same book or even the same planet. I am asking other school age parents - it is the sucky CA system or this is the same in Nebraska or other semi decent (not inner city schools). The reason is Davis rates so high is because they have a GATE program and if you are in it fine if you are not - you get shortchanged. I cannot afford private school but i am seriously considering a catholic HS if we can get her into one because I just do not think public education is worth a crap here.
Any comparisons with other states are welcome. Please, no flag waving or belligerence - trolls of why the US system is acceptable or even legal.

no I don't think it is just California -most of Georgia's schools are just as bad