You are grossly under estimating kids.
It is exactly that kind of thinking that has dumbed down the US educational system.
Most of the poorly performing students in our schools are BORED. They are not challenged by the teachers or the curriculum.
That is proven every year in charter schools around the country. When students getting Cs and Ds in class while failing standardized tests in public schools get transferred to a good charter school they get As and Bs and pass standardized tests with ease.
Same kids, just tougher classes and higher expectations from the school.
I have seen 18 year olds responsible for the care and maintenance of million dollar equipment in the military. They do exceptional work when taught and challenged. The lives of dozens, if not hundreds, are in their hands.
Yet many of them were not trusted to sell raffle tickets at a high school fair because teachers and administrators considered it too much responsibility for a kid.
We must expect more from them. I know it was expected of me at their age.
