1) Recently, I student of mine . . . .

1. 1) Recently, I student of mine . . . . 2) In the last several weeks, I overheard a student say . . . . Choose ONE of the above & supply a brief anecdote about student behavior.

2. Beginning Thoughts 1) Youth must work in order to enjoy, that nothing creditable can be accomplished without application and diligence, that the student must not be daunted by difficulties, but conquer them by patience and perseverance, and that, above all, he must seek elevation of character, without which capacity is worthless and worldly success is naught. 2) A mere life of ease is not in the end a very satisfactory life, and, above all, it is a life which ultimately unfits those who follow it for serious work in the world. 3) Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. 4)It is what the pupil can do, not what the teacher can do, that counts. . . No coach ever built up a winning team by carrying the ball himself. The pupil must by active. He must carry the ball. He must ask and answer questions. He must make as well as solve problems. He must be in the game himself, if he is to learn to play the game. He must be independently productive. He must learn to do things for himself, in a way which he has adopted for himself.

3. Is responsibility a big seller with consumers?

4. “Everybody knows that responsibility and self-reliance are qualities which, with patience and persistence, bring rewards far greater than the fleeting pleasure of instant gratification. And, frankly, that is all our competitor has to offer. We felt sure that customers would respond to our product’s image of hard work and long-term stability.” James Connell, CEO of Delayed Gratification Foods Other Products from Delayed Gratification Foods: Character-Building Puffs Health-Insurance Bills Choco-Crunchies Auto-Safety-Reminder Cakes Propie-Teez Fruit Chews: “a blast of fruit flavor that maintains a basic level of decorum at all times.” Homework-First Nut Clusters: “the candy you only enjoy after buckling down and investing in your education and future.”

5. “It is foolish for people to expect to always get everything they want right now, without first earning their reward by facing and overcoming setbacks. Yet, somehow, it appears that many of today’s snack-food consumers are looking for some sort of ‘quick-fix’ solution when they walk into a convenience store.” James Connell, CEO of Delayed Gratification Foods [Our] colleges cannot safely set a lower standard of serious, exacting, and intensely real exertion than that which is set by the school of hard knocks. The college is different, more attractive, more inspiring, more friendly; but it must not be more indulgent and easy-going, it must not have in it less of conviction and strenuousness. "The College as a Fitting School for Life," by Chancellor Elmer Ellsworth Brown (1918) Some people think grades are actually a measure of the competence of the teacher, not the student. If a teacher is really, really good, why shouldn’t we expect everybody to learn what they’re supposed to learn? Why shouldn’t everybody get an A? Rick Palmer, consultant with Center for Teaching & Learning, U. of N. C. (2002)

6. According to Stanford University’s Bridge Project (2003): Many students believe . . . Meeting high school graduation requirements will adequately prepare me for college In truth . . . Adequate preparation for college usually requires a more demanding curriculum than is reflected in minimum requirements for high school graduation. Many students believe . . . Community colleges don’t have standards In truth . . . Students must usually take placement exams at community colleges in order to qualify for college-level work Many students believe . . . It’s better to take easier classes in high school and get better grades In truth . . . One of the best predictors of college success is taking rigorous high-school classes. Getting good grades in lower-level classes will not prepare students for college-level work.

7. Students Today: Some Statistics According to the Nation Survey of Student Engagement (2004): 11% of full-time students spend more than 25 hours/week preparing for class 44% spend 10 hours or less/week preparing for class 25% of all students spend 16 hours or more/week relaxing & socializing 8% spend more than 25 hours/week relaxing & socializing Almost 40% of all students report that they earned mostly A grades 41% report earning mostly B grades 3% report earning mostly Cs or lower 1) What implications do these statistics have for teaching, learning, & education? 2) Given theses numbers, what are the respective responsibilities of instructors & students?

8. Students Today: What are they like? Much the Same? or Completely Different? Over-confident? or Insecure? Grade-Obsessed? or Grade-Indifferent? Ambitious? or Apathetic? Greatly value education? or Uncertain about education? Stressed, anxious? or Hedonistic, immature? 1) What reliable generalizations, if any, can we make about our students? 2) What implications does this have for teaching, learning, & education?

9. Many Grads Cite Gaps In Preparation How well did your high school education prepare you for college-level work/jobs you hope to get in the future? 61% 53% 46% 39% Employers estimate that 45% of recent high school graduates are not prepared with skills to advance beyond entry level jobs. College instructors estimate that 42% of recent high school graduates are not prepared for college-level classes. College students Non-students

10. College Instructors Are Harshest Critics Of High School Do public high schools adequately prepare graduates to meet the expectations they face in college In first-year classes, how much class time do you spend reviewing material and skills that should have been taught in high school? 70% Some class time Do not adequately prepare graduates 28% Very little class time Adequately prepare graduates Significant amount of class time (24%) Employers No class time

11. Few Say Expectations Were High Academic expectations of me in high school were: Expectations were high All HS graduates Below average incomeAverage incomeAbove average income CitySuburbsSmall town/rural General studies in HSCollege prep in HS 24% 23%23%24% 23%31%20% 17%30% All high school graduates College students Non-students