I like it very much. Yes, students are very confused. It means that the nation is confused.
John Altounji One size does not fit all. Social promotion ruined Education. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Edward Schlesinger Sent: Saturday, June 08, 2013 2:06 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:52901] My reply to Mr. Gallagher. Here is a copy of my response to "Supporting American Choices on Measurement". 8/Jun/13 Patrick D. Gallagher 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1000 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1000 Mr. Gallagher: I am writing in response to the petition I signed on We the People. These are my thoughts on "Supporting American Choices on Measurement." Your response sidesteps an important issue that the United States lacks in trade, education, and sciences since we as a nation have not fully converted to the International System of Units since the 1970s. If you state we are bilingual as a country, inferring that most citizens of the United States have the same proficiency with USC and SI units, this statement is false. Students are particularly confused especially if they don't go to college where the metric system is an integral part of the sciences. One day, while I was at the grocery store, I saw a group of high school students whose assignment was to bake a cake using metric units. I overheard them discussing what container of milk to buy to have 6 cups of milk but they didn't know what that was in metric. I pointed out to them that for liquid measures; there are 250 mL in a cup. After making that calculation, they asked me how many milliliters are in a liter. If they knew the metric system, would they have to ask that? I know that since the 1890s U.S. customary units are all defined in terms of their metric equivalents. However, dual labeling does not help consumers or industry become familiar with using metric units. My observation has been consumers ignore metric units and figure price per oz. I understand that most consumers do not comprehend gram weight on the nutritional value label even though something as common as the one-cent piece is weighed in grams. The many countries that mandate the use of the metric system by law have had an easier transition than the U.S. and our voluntary system. South Africa and Australia come to mind as examples where the government put resources into education and manufacturing for a quick and smooth transition. How much money is wasted in building cost because the trades have not transitioned to metric? Successful use of a system of weights and measures is an all-or-nothing proposition. The so-called "choice" we have in this country, is holding us back and making us out of step with most other nations. It simply will not work in any meaningful way if I use customary units outside my home and metric in my home. Sincerely, Edward B. Schlesinger Edward B. Schlesinger -- Sincerely, Edward B.
