 Re: When to back off the high achievement path | |
I wish I had the studies readily accessible, I suppose I could do some digging and find them, but I can recall the basic ideas of them.
The first was on student expectations. A survey was given to students in college and students that didn't go to college. A huge majority of the students that went on to college reported that their parents always had the expectation that they would continue their education. While the majority of students that stopped at high school reported that their parents didn't place any importance on continuing education.
The second study was based on praising children and what we ought to praise. A population of elementary students were divided into two groups and given an "IQ" test that was extrememely easy for their skill level. When the students completed the test they were given a verbal praise. One group was told they did a good job on the test so they must be really smart. The other group was told they did a good job on the test so they must have worked really hard. They were then given another test that was beyond their ability. The group of students that were told they were smart, gave up quickly on the test and reported later that they hated this particular test. The group that told they worked hard, stayed with the test much longer and reported that it was their favorite. A third test was then give, again one that was easy for their abiliity. The group that was told they were smart tested at a lower level than the group that told they worked hard.
There was much more involved in the study than just this, but I think this helps demonstrate the conclusion. The researcher found that an emphasis on intelligence had negative effects on a student. Whenever they found a challenge to their ability they tended to give up or avoid the challenge, because their value as person was placed on their intelligence, which is something they can't control. While on the other side, the students that were praised for their hard work, met challenges with zeal, because they were able to increase their sense of worth by working harder. Their value was based on something they could control, their ability to work harder.
A third statistic, that I want to throw in is that college graduates wind up making about 16 grand a year more than a high school graduate. The difference between owning a car and having the ability to take a vacation each year. I think we all want our children to have that option.
So, I would conclude that we want our children to go on to college. And in order for them to get they need to know that we expect that of them. But, we need to change how we convey that expectation. If we focus on praising hard work and dedication our children are going to be more likely to set the challenge of an ap course for themselves. I agree we shouldn't push our kids into these courses if they don't want them, especially if the challenges that the courses make are going to reduce their sense of self worth. But, if we can create a sense of worth by saying to our kids that we love the effort they put into every thing they do they will come to enjoy challenges and seek these classes on our own. Our emphasis should never be on how much money they make or how smart they are. |