Clarification needed about US education system

by ballistic 29 Replies latest jw friends

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  ballistic

  Clarification needed about US education system and Watchtower policy :-

  We used to be slightly puzzled by some articles printed in the publications such as "Young People Ask - Should I go to School?"

  because in England and most of the UK, school is most definately compolsory and enforcable by law up to age 16.

  Further education beyond age 16 is never refered to as "school" except jokingly. Further education may take the form of college, 6th form college, university and so on.

  Of course the Watchtower we were reading is primarily written in the US.

  Now here is the major problem...

  While articles encouraged US based witnesses to complete schooling but discouraged "higher education", was the same confusing use of language causing UK kids (and possibly other parts of the world) to leave school at 16 becuase anything past this is a higher education.

  If I'm right, could this explain why there is some confusion on this board as to exactly when there has been new light or not as the case may be about education. And more seriously, could this had inadvertantly interfered (sp?) with one country's children different to another.

  Any help appreciated.
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  luna2

  In the U.S. we've got grade school (Kindergarden thru usually either 5th or 6th grade), approx. ages 5 - 10 years old, then jr. high or middle school (6th or 7th grade to 8th grade), approx ages 11-13 years old, then highschool (grade 9 thru 12), approx. ages 14-18 years old. I believe you can technically drop out at age 16, but you will not have completed highschool. The WT generally recommends...or seems to...that kids graduate from high school. There is even some support for going on to trade school after highschool.

  For a period of time in the 90's/early 2000's (?) college (university) was not frowned upon as much as it had been in the past. This year seems to mark a reversal in that attitude and a college education is again being discouraged. I don't believe the Watchtower ever said that it was a dandy idea to get a college education, but you'd either hear talks that seemed to encourage it, or at least not hear as much about NOT going, which folks took as implied "permission".

  No idea how this translates to other countries and cultures exactly. I don't think the Gooberhead Body cares as long as they get the idea across for witnoid kids to put pioneering and slavery to the Watchtower first...halting education at whatever level is legal in your particular country. As long as you can read the literature and count your money into the collection boxes, its good with Brooklyn.
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  stillajwexelder

  discouraging college is basically discouraging a traditional UK university education -usually beyond 18
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  ballistic

  I want to say thanks to the person who sent me an *extremely* comprehensive answer to this.

  Also Stilla,

  discouraging college is basically discouraging a traditional UK university education -usually beyond 18

  I'm not quite with you on this. Compulsory schooling in the UK ends at 16.
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  scotsman

  Also Stilla,

  discouraging college is basically discouraging a traditional UK university education -usually beyond 18

  I'm not quite with you on this. Compulsory schooling in the UK ends at 16.

  Technically yes. Here schooling for JWs tends to end at 17/18 after Highers (A level equivelant). There was a period in the 80s when kids seem to be encouraged to leave at 16 to pioneer, but that passed.
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  under74

  Compulsory school in the US ends at around 18. School is still called school even if it's college in the US. So I think the WT was always referring to college. However...I got pulled from school in the 6th grade to be homeschooled and my older siblings weren't exactly encouraged to stay in school so they dropped out at around 16-17.

  Is that any help?
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  blondie

  Compulsory education in the US lasts until 16 or until you meet the requirements for graduation (having taking certain classes) at which time you can graduate earlier, a very few even at the age of 9 or 10. Of course, employment is not legal until the age of 15 and work hours are limited.

  Students are allowed to drop out at 16 (varies according to school district), but without a HS diploma or a GED (General Education Development certificate)), they can only get low-paying, menial jobs (sometimes that is all you can get with a HS diploma or GED)

  Compulsory schooling ends by law at age 16 in 30 states, at age 17 in nine states, and at age 18 in 11 states plus the District of Columbia. Students may drop out of school if they have reached the age set in their state's law for the end of compulsory schooling, but dropouts are not considered to have completed school and no certificate or award is issued at this stage.

  http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-struc-geninfo.html

  http://litlink.ket.org/

  The WTS does not discourage vocational training for one/two year associate degrees through the local community colleges or training through the union trade organizations, electricians, carpenters, plumbers although these programs can be 4 years or more.

  The WTS is more worried that young JWs will be exposed to evolution or philosophy and have their "faith" destroyed.

  Blondie
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  blondie

  *** g98 3/8 p. 20 Does the Bible Discourage Education? ***

  What are some potential drawbacks? These may include being exposed to teachings that erode faith in God and in the Bible. Paul advised Christians to be wary of "the falsely called ‘knowledge’" and "the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men." (1 Timothy 6:20, 21; Colossians 2:8) Undeniably, exposure to some forms of education can be detrimental to the faith of a Christian. Those who consider additional training or studies should be aware of the risk of such harmful influences.

  Moses, who was "instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians," maintained strong faith despite receiving an education that doubtless included polytheistic, God-dishonoring teachings. (Acts 7:22) Likewise, Christians today are careful not to succumb to unwholesome influences in whatever environment they find themselves.

  Another potential danger in pursuing additional education is that knowledge puffs up, or breeds conceit. (1 Corinthians 8:1) Many seek knowledge through education for selfish reasons, and even the sincere pursuit of knowledge could result in feelings of superiority and self-importance. Such attitudes displease God.—Proverbs 8:13.
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  blondie

  *** g98 3/8 p. 20 Does the Bible Discourage Education? ***

  What are some potential drawbacks? These may include being exposed to teachings that erode faith in God and in the Bible. Paul advised Christians to be wary of "the falsely called ‘knowledge’" and "the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men." (1 Timothy 6:20, 21; Colossians 2:8) Undeniably, exposure to some forms of education can be detrimental to the faith of a Christian. Those who consider additional training or studies should be aware of the risk of such harmful influences.

  Moses, who was "instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians," maintained strong faith despite receiving an education that doubtless included polytheistic, God-dishonoring teachings. (Acts 7:22) Likewise, Christians today are careful not to succumb to unwholesome influences in whatever environment they find themselves.

  Another potential danger in pursuing additional education is that knowledge puffs up, or breeds conceit. (1 Corinthians 8:1) Many seek knowledge through education for selfish reasons, and even the sincere pursuit of knowledge could result in feelings of superiority and self-importance. Such attitudes displease God.—Proverbs 8:13.
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  funkyderek

  From what I've seen of American movies and TV, Americans are required to go to high school until their late 20s or early 30s