Mooney's Class
Edward Mooney, Jr.
Antelope Valley Press
August 1, 2005

Title: Lost Lessons

With so many demands from Sacramento piling up in our curriculum, there are a number of valid lessons that are being abandoned because of the obsession with test scores.  The current direction in our schools seems to be one of instruction following the test; therefore, anything not on the politician-crafted standardized test is considered unimportant.  Of course, that's hogwash, but such is the reality when the folks in Sacramento are determining your child's education.  After my trip to meet the governor's
staff in April, I am convinced that anyone who feels that Sacramento is really building a school system that is what's best for your child needs an IMMEDIATE wake-up call.

This year I'm going to dedicate one of my columns each month to what I call "Lost Lessons".  I need to point out what is NOT in the standardized curriculum, and what is being squeezed severely.  This week we'll start with something that I've not seen anywhere in that politician-crafted test: how college works.  I also don't see anything in those tests about how to get a job, if you're not going to college, or how to acquire job skills.  I still consider these as critical.  Many teachers still cover these items - because
they know how critical they are.  I need to hear from you teachers.

A Lost Lesson: College

Let's start in high school.  If you wait until you're a senior to start exploring college entrance requirements, or admissions criteria, you're starting way too late.  Hopefully, you seniors took the right classes and got the right grade point average.  Every college or university has their admissions requirements on their web site.  As a hint, usually the web sites have the college's name or initials, followed by the .edu suffix.  For example, my college, the University of California, Riverside, has its web site at http://www.UCR.edu.  By the way, you don't have to capitalize the name.

Now, let's say you've been admitted to a college.  The first surprise is usually about paying for it.  Yes, you've had a free ride in high school, students.  But there's an advantage to this college thing: you'll find more students who are serious about getting an education (maybe lower levels could learn from this).  You'll also find academic and schedule freedom. Many who found high school overcrowded and oppressive are overjoyed with college.  Don't judge college by what you saw in high school.  Oh, and if
you're not rich, apply for scholarships!  Get part time jobs!  Just do it!

During your years in college never forget that grade point average and credits earned are everything.  Make sure you take the right credits - classes that apply to your specific degree goal.  I advise that you take what is called the "general education" curriculum early - and decide on a major as you do so.  In college, you have to specialize in a certain
subject, but you don't have to decide this right away.

As you pass the half way mark in your program, meet with your advisor frequently.  Check your transcript against the college graduation requirements.  Don't wait until your final semester to worry about cramming in another science class.  If you're considering going on to what is called "graduate school", to earn an advanced degree, never forget that you'll need a great grade point average, letters from professors, and graduate tests.

As you get close to graduating, remember that you have to apply for that degree you've wanted.  You can't just hang around for four years and then expect to get a diploma.  Yes, I've known students like that.

Finally, it's important to know your college terminology:

AA or AS - Associate degrees - usually offered by community colleges.
BA or BS - Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science - the basic 4-year
degrees.
MA or MS - Master of Arts or Master of Science - usually 2 more years of
college; a professional degree.
PhD, or MD, or EdD, or DDS - Doctoral degrees - the highest offered in the
United States.

Never forget that the higher your educational attainment, studies have proven repeatedly, the higher your lifetime earnings.  Conversely, the less education you have the less money you're probably going to earn.  Is this always true?  No, but someone earning a good income with no education is an exception, not a rule.  Was this everything you need for college?  No!  Keep investigating!

Thought for the Week:   "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."
- Derek Bok, Harvard University president

Edward Mooney, Jr., of Palmdale, is a teacher at Quartz Hill High School and the author of the novels "The Pearls of the Stone Man" and "The Journey of the Stone Man".