What is the current situation?

Time and time again, I open my mouth with dismay at the state of the educational system in the USA. Having lectured in various colleges and interacted with many students, I have always come across many under-prepared students of all races and ethnicity. I cannot say that they are unprepared for college but I can definitely say that they are under-prepared. What do I mean by this? It will be too harsh to use the word unprepared because they are mentally, spiritually, physically, and somewhat intellectually ready to start  new chapters in the college. They have a big heart to learn but they have not been armed with the necessary academic tools and foundation necessary to make them start right., which are, the basic mathematics and English skills.

The problem is more critical with math. It is a pity that 4 out of every 10 students who enter the US colleges enroll in some form of developmental education classes. In some schools, the rate is as high as 60%. After several years in the middle and high schools, one should expect that at least a student who graduates at this level will be able to do basic calculations in arithmetic (fractions, decimals, percentages, etc.). Even though many schools allow the use of calculators, many students still struggle. On one occasion, I asked a student to multiply two by three. The student took out the calculator and told me the answer was five. I told her that it was not five and she threw into a fit saying that that was the answer the calculator gave her. She had not learned to think about the meaning of multiplication in her earlier years of life. I have also seen student in upper level math classes such as calculus who cannot do basic algebra. Some of them are even math/math education majors in their senior years.

What are the causes of this big problem in our schools? The causative factors from my opinion include but not limited to:
1. Methods of instruction
2. Parental knowledge and attitudes
3. Quality and attitude of Instructors/Teachers
4. School administrators
5. Students attitudes to study
6. School environment
7. Home environment

I will be addressing some of these issues in the coming weeks, after which I will provide some solutions. Hope you will join me in this discussion!