Tests Show U.S. Teens Trail Many Countries In Academic Performance

[Igel]

16. Yup.

I teach a lot of high school seniors. Many just want to check off the boxes on their way to a good job, not understanding that the process of getting those boxes checked is the goal. College is another box to check off.

Many of them assume that nothing in high school could be remotely relevant to college. "I'll learn what I need in college," they say. My response is that if they don't or can't learn it when they have lots of time they have little evidence they'll rise to the challenge when the competition is tougher and the content is harder. They shrug and try to get 70/100 for my class so they can go to college.

Less motivation, less background knowledge, less resilience, less desire for academic challenge. I feel sorry for my kid, the world he's likely to live in.