Do schools focus too much on getting the right answer?

I've been thinking about how we measure whether a child is actually learning.

A student can get excellent marks by remembering exactly what they've been taught. But another student might ask a lot of questions, make mistakes, challenge explanations and try to figure things out independently.

The second student might not always look like the “better” student in a traditional classroom.

Do you think schools give enough value to curiosity and independent thinking, or does getting the correct answer still matter much more?

I'd be interested to hear what students, teachers and parents think.

Submitted September 21, 2026 at 09:03AM by Spiritual_Leg6342 https://ift.tt/Mfj9blq

NTIA/ FCC virtual listening session on screen use in schools

NTIA.gov hosted a listening session with the following topics regarding screen based instruction, virtual listening session on screen use in schoolsabsolutely worth a listen. Experts, advocates, and parents giving their input. The written comment submission form is still available

• Topic 1 | Firsthand Experience with Screen-Based Instruction
• Topic 2 | Opt-out Mechanisms
• Topic 3 | School Internet Safety Policies

Submitted September 21, 2026 at 06:38AM by Proud_Performance307 https://ift.tt/xdjPEIM

White Southerners, how do you feel about the history of slavery and the Jim crow era in your states and do you think it's impact persists today?

As far as I'm aware, a lot of Southerners don't want to talk about racism or the Jim crow era, and a lot of them buy into the lost cause narrative and think the civil war wasn't about slavery, but I want to know if this is a stereotype and what the south is actually like right now.

Submitted September 20, 2026 at 01:34AM by Aggravating-Deer-545 https://ift.tt/gPua6qe

Do you think it’s acceptable for a school board member to post publicly online about wanting to move out of state?

The move would take place just one year into their four year term. For context, this is a new board member who was just appointed this year. They have already missed 5+ meetings. I personally feel this person isn’t dedicated to their position and shouldn’t be serving on the board at all. Just looking for any other insights or opinions I guess.

Submitted September 19, 2026 at 09:32AM by Potential_Source1198 https://ift.tt/tJb0IGT

If a person aspired to be the president of the United States, do you think it would matter if they were home schooled? Like would that interfere with one's ability to become president?

I'm actually curious as to whether there'd be some class of educational standard.

Submitted September 19, 2026 at 08:59AM by cherry-care-bear https://ift.tt/9aWc7Lg

WTF is going on with math?

My 4th and 5th graders who are both supposedly on par with grade level in math can't solve basic single digit multiplication from memory? Like if I want them to solve 5x6 I have to bring them 30 macaronis or they can't figure it out, what the heck is going on and why is this considered grade level? They are being taught to make a visual representation and then count one by one, that's all they know how to do. So if I give them a problem like 39x27 and a piece of paper, neither one of them has any clue how to even begin solving that problem. They both also claim that nobody has ever asked them to remember multiplication facts, and that their only testing in math has been multiple choice for the entire duration of their schooling. Why is this happening, and what is the purpose? We are fixing it at home and having them memorize their times tables, but I'm just kind of flabbergasted right now.

Submitted September 19, 2026 at 06:56AM by Thriftless_Ambition https://ift.tt/s5oyfb8

13-year-old Long Island boy with a 168 IQ gets into NYU master’s program

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/lsu-student-joe-petraro-hyppolite-genius-nyu-masters-program/

This article highlights an exceptionally gifted 13-year-old Long Island student who has been accepted into an NYU master’s program. I’m sharing it to spark discussion about gifted education, accelerated learning, and how universities can accommodate exceptionally advanced students.

Submitted September 19, 2026 at 03:52AM by foodie_2598 https://ift.tt/U0xpkQT