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hlthe2b

(112,622 posts)
15. One thing I never got over working in the Middle East years ago was the kids on the street--especially in Egypt
Sun Apr 20, 2025, 04:31 PM
Apr 2025

wanted nothing more than to practice their English with me (and yes, I was traveling/working alone) so they were not at all intimidated nor intimidating to me. They not only spoke wonderful English, knew much more than the average American about US and global geopolitics but many of them spoke two or more other languages too. Street kids--not the spawn of the privileged...

I loved speaking with them, debating with them, but I likewise felt such sadness that so many in this country were so poorly educated and even more that many were unmotivated to learn...

sigh...

Recommendations

5 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Yup SheltieLover Apr 2025 #1
The differences by race are very wide madville Apr 2025 #14
No doubt, like most problems, this is transgenerational & SheltieLover Apr 2025 #19
It's not because of race of course madville Apr 2025 #34
Institutional racism AkFemDem Apr 2025 #57
Rethug TN is ready to take control of Memphis schools SheltieLover Apr 2025 #58
Quality of neighborhoos school teaching, staff and facilities probably has a lot to do with it. brush Apr 2025 #55
Of course madville Apr 2025 #63
Post removed Post removed Apr 2025 #21
Normally I'd say "Welcome to DU" to someone for their early posts. But I'll offer you a heads-up instead: TheRickles Apr 2025 #23
Wow, really? A racial genetic component to intelligence? Where have I heard that before? FadedMullet Apr 2025 #24
Interesting input from Open AI on the subject of race, or "genetics", and reading comprehension Farther Apr 2025 #53
Interesting stuff and all from ChatGPT? I confess that I know nothing about ChatGPT but it's probably the.... FadedMullet Apr 2025 #64
Yes Farther Apr 2025 #65
In my travels... I've been in "poor nations" that have higher levels of literacy. WarGamer Apr 2025 #2
When I was in the 2nd grade I was reading at a 5.4 level DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2025 #3
I was reading above my level in grade school as well. BlueKota Apr 2025 #8
They just want to scroll videos nowadays madville Apr 2025 #12
That's great that you enjoy studying things, BlueKota Apr 2025 #13
I also read at significantly above the standard level. greatauntoftriplets Apr 2025 #59
One thing I never got over working in the Middle East years ago was the kids on the street--especially in Egypt hlthe2b Apr 2025 #15
Define "literacy." Igel Apr 2025 #16
And they want this to be even lower... FirstLight Apr 2025 #4
They Rebl2 Apr 2025 #5
Many older epic movies were written at RL8, like Ben-Hur & The Ten Commandments. I guess we're getting stupider. TheBlackAdder Apr 2025 #6
I read that here last week along with the news that we have a 21% illiteracy rate. elocs Apr 2025 #7
T💩p said he loves the poorly educated. Truth is, he loathes his rube MAGA flying monkeys. OMGWTF Apr 2025 #22
The percentage is that low, huh? Aristus Apr 2025 #9
Not true Rachel M at 6 pm Apr 2025 #10
Diving into the demographics of it madville Apr 2025 #11
Link? Which Americans? Renew Deal Apr 2025 #17
"Link?" Below "Which Americans? All of them. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2025 #18
Including toddlers? Renew Deal Apr 2025 #25
Research designs do not include toddlers in an ADULT cohort group. Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #29
He thinks he's clever. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2025 #33
I know Renew Deal Apr 2025 #39
So it's not actually all Americans? Renew Deal Apr 2025 #38
Sometimes I wish this wasn't a moderated board. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2025 #31
Proves the point -- some on DU read below a 6th grade level Ponietz Apr 2025 #35
Pretend it isn't Renew Deal Apr 2025 #36
Why the snark? Ponietz Apr 2025 #32
Thank you. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2025 #37
Deserve it? Renew Deal Apr 2025 #40
I don't want to get a hide. I see you have two. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2025 #42
Go for it Renew Deal Apr 2025 #43
Revisit the "toddlers" reply. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2025 #47
The previous answer was "All of them" Renew Deal Apr 2025 #48
Educational system should be embarrassed MichMan Apr 2025 #20
A lot of adults don't read anything not absolutely necessary, and unused skills degrade. RockRaven Apr 2025 #44
Well, that explains a lot MadameButterfly Apr 2025 #26
Very sad mvd Apr 2025 #27
In fact mvd Apr 2025 #30
We went to Aruba last month. phylny Apr 2025 #28
Many Asian countries are 90%+ madville Apr 2025 #51
When I heard that half of kids are in the bottom fifty percent, I was furious! Yes half! That's how bad it is! Doodley Apr 2025 #41
Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2025 #45
Because they want to make kids Christian nationalists. They don't want to teach evolution, black history, birth Doodley Apr 2025 #49
This chart explains a lot! And Republicans think they should impose their educatonal standards on blue states! Doodley Apr 2025 #46
And the other half can't do math. Pinback Apr 2025 #50
Yes, and prob 80% think below a 6th grade level. /nt bucolic_frolic Apr 2025 #52
America's biggest shysters The Wizard Apr 2025 #54
Makes designing a currriculum tough . Noodleboy13 Apr 2025 #56
Source? Faux pas Apr 2025 #60
I could read before I started school, Americanme Apr 2025 #61
I remember a reading comprehension program Historic NY Apr 2025 #62
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