<p>yeah… but most people expect you go to college anyway. I just feel that school needs to instill wonder in students more than generally useless knowledge. The emphasis is just placed incorrectly.</p>
<p>^Only a little over 25% of people graduate from college. </p>
<p>While wonder should be part of it, there is something to be said for basic skills as well. Foundation is needed, and that isn’t even being given everywhere yet.</p>
<p>^ That number’s going to change dramatically, say, 50 years from now. Where will the education system be 50 years from now?</p>
<p>Please point out the “basic skills” that should be taught to everybody. Analyzing 15th century literature? Finding the area under a sin curve? How is that basic?</p>
<p>^Hopefully not still screwed up.</p>
<p>Dude, how about basic math and literacy first…? Then algebra and comprehension?
When did I EVER say that 15th century literature and area under a sin curve is basic?</p>
<p>People expect that, but I guess it’s not always the reality, especially for long-time residents of Caucasian and African descent, and sometimes impoverished Hispanics. It’s difficult to stay enthusiastic and hopeful about a long-deteriorating and overpopulated education system.</p>
<p>Then why don’t we just stop at elementary? :P</p>
<p>I wish I knew the answer. Some citizens as long-term students in four-year or local colleges are in their twenties, thirties, and sometimes even beyond and they sure don’t seem fit to be there. Once again, the system enables open policy and you can return or withdraw as often as you’d like. Some people are sixteen who act three times their age and some people in their forties, fifties, and beyond still never get it together.</p>
<p>They have been thinking about snipping eleventh and twelfth grade for some states. This doesn’t do justice for those who graduated early in the past.</p>
<p>Some people never did grow up out of elementary school and I think that’s a good question, but I’m not responsible for administrating nor teaching in the system.</p>
<p>We had a heated discussion about this weeks ago in my literature class. We all agreed there’s a definitely room for improvement and most of the ambitious students in my school are left wanting more. But I’m not too optimistic about the whole system in the future (and this probably has more to do with my personal hostile sentiments against my own district and their constant display of sheer stupidity that never fails to baffle me.) It’s pretty amazing how 5 out of the 6 high schools in my area have less than a 30% graduation rate (and oh yes, it keeps declining…) and nothing really is being done about that. I</p>
<p>I genuinely believe that the system would be heck of a lot better and way up there if we considered getting rid of most teachers who simply can’t teach and shouldn’t even bother. </p>
<p>From a statistical standpoint, America’s education system is ranked 11 in the world (tied with Lituania)</p>
<p>From a statistical standpoint, America’s education system is ranked 11 in the world (tied with Lituania)</p>
<p>yes, but there are some schools that pick that up (Boarding schools, schools in wealthy areas, schools like Boston Latin etc) and schools that are on the exact other end of the scale (Public HS in say like… Cincinnati[not meaning to pick on C] or a v. rural area w/ not a lot of income +recourses)</p>
<p>Also, NCLB is more like No Child Gets Ahead if you ask me. Schools are dropping honors and adding remedials everywhere. If most of the class gets it and one kid doesn’t I don’t think it’s fair to hold everyone else back.</p>
<p>In my opinion, there are too many things wrong with the U.S. schooling system. Maybe this is just at my school but I doubt it…
For one, many schools and teachers spend months teaching to tests so that the school can just get enough money to function. That forces students to know less than they need to in order to move onto the next level.
Two, the difference between college prep. classes, honors classes, and AP classes is DRASTIC. I understand that there should be some difference but the gap between the levels at which the same things are taught is absolutely ridiculous.
Three, the American system is completely “censored.” Just because we get a little bit more blood and gore does not mean that we aren’t censored. We aren’t allowed to talk about so many things with our teachers. Like I want to be able to talk about politics and religion and art openly, and that just does not happen.
Four, TENURE. I know, I know, teachers deserve job security. The thing is though that some teachers just DON’T. Obviously, teachers are going to be on good behavior during their probationary period but after they are tenured, a lot of teachers just stop caring. Yes, there are teacher who continue to go to conferences and learn new things. But most teachers just continue to teach the same thing in the same manner year after year.</p>
<p>I don’t know, maybe I am just being negative. There are many positives to the American system, that’s true. However, my problem is that the system is at good right now but for the type of country we say we are, our standards for education should be so much better. We shouldn’t have to take money from education to pay off other debts. (coughGOVERNATORcough). Our system needs some reforms and fast. If we are really the future, then we deserve better, don’t we?</p>
<p>The main problem I have with “American education”, mostly at the high school level, is with the so-called “standardized” tests; as well as the quality of education material taught in most schools. Yes, there’s more than a significant amount of folks who don’t have much of an interest in learning and never will. Yes, there are folks that really shouldn’t be teaching or are simply not very good at teaching. However, to reduce the standards of the material being taught is simply hurting the top students–and eventually, more often than not, the strongest members in the country’s society–while doing little or nothing for the low level or average students anyway.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Make funds equitable for all schools. Some schools should not get $12,000 per student (a rich suburb) whereas another will get $6,000 (an inner-city school).</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t overemphasize standardized testing. It causes teachers to “teach to the test,” and the students don’t actually learn. They are spoon-fed information. </p></li>
<li><p>English and math are important, yes, but don’t discount other subjects. Americans seem to know shockingly little about history and civics, according to studies. Make sure all subjects are explored.</p></li>
<li><p>Do not cut the arts/sports. Sometimes this drama class or that sports team is the key to keeping kids in school.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t do social promotion.</p></li>
<li><p>Allow teachers more flexibility in teaching and stop blaming everything on them. </p></li>
<li><p>Know that students should be able to reach THEIR highest potential, but don’t expect the same out of everyone. Let those who can go above and beyond do so, but don’t give up on others in the process.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t do tracking too early. To me, that means start late elementary school. I think that works.</p></li>
<li><p>Stop sending out the message to many people that we expect less from them; expectations STRONGLY affect behavior, especially in young people. </p></li>
<li><p>While making sure everyone attains a certain respectable education, realize that education is not one-size-fits all.</p></li>
<li><p>Give resources for tutoring and other necessary resources.</p></li>
<li><p>Pay GOOD teachers more to teach in schools where they are needed. Offer incentives.</p></li>
<li><p>If there is school choice, make sure EVERYONE–not just the rich and politically connected–knows about and is able to go there.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>IDK, there’s a lot more. Obviously, this is more a list of problems and ABSTRACT (I KNOW!) ideas…but it’s something.</p>
<p>Also, I think teachers should be rewarded with a larger salary and more flexibility rather than tenure. If you make teaching a more desirable career option, you’ll likely garner a greater amount of good teachers.</p>
<p>At our school, the Pre-calc teacher only has TWO classes (most math subjects have 5-6 classes) because she is a despised person and teacher and everyone takes the course online/at community college/or at summer school. The administration has been trying to fire her for years, but it’s an ugly process since she has tenure.</p>
<p>As someone who has experienced the education system in Asia, I have no major complaints for the current American public school system except for maybe that some school focus too much on the low-achieving students while ignoring the high-achiever/gifted students.</p>
<p>^So we should leave those students behind? Why can’t we focus on ALL students…? And I am not exactly talking about it in comparison with Asia, but in terms of an ideal that we, as America, can reach.</p>
<p>The American educational system is, I have to say, one of the best in the world. Of course, that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect. The NCLB Act for one thing–it just lumps too many kids of different calibers and abilities together to learn the same things. For another thing, I just feel that everything I do in school is for a test. Everything you read in English, there will be a test. Junior Year is only for the ACT. AP classes are made for AP Exams. Math classes are for the ACT and final exams.
I have idealistic views on education, where I wish to gain education so that I leave the darkness of ignorance and bask in the light of knowledge–which is, of course, very small since our planet wastes more time on insignificant matters rather than on scientific curiousity. So when everything we do is for a test, I just feel doleful because apparently all I need to know in the class is for one or two tests.
Another thing: TEACHERS NEED MORE MONEY. They are the ones who shape the future. I do believe that is more important than entertainment or celebritrities who make millions of dollars and teachers only get $20000 to $60000 (depends on where you live).
Final note: Why does the United States even bother comparing our schools with international ones? They teach completely different things, at different levels, at different times. And the smartest kids in international schools will most likely come to the United States anyway.
Thus, the American education system is amazing but needs some major refurbishing.</p>
<p>^I don’t think it’s amazing, because it’s unfair and does offer equal opportunities for everyone. I hate the NCLB Act.</p>
<p>Teachers should be paid more. Especially to teach IN THE SCHOOLS THAT NEED GREAT TEACHERS.</p>
<p>Sorry, there’s not enough money to give. Many teachers are getting fired. LAUSD just booted some thousand last year.</p>
<p>^Obviously, if the government wanted to give the money they could make it happen.</p>
<p>A child should be left behind until they adequately grasp the topics at hand needed before they can move to the next grade. That should be included. I find it crazy on statewide tests where one section of the state you have underachievers who get 95’s on math exams because they weren’t good at the subject, but it was curved so high that some kids don’t know the basics from the start. I’m not going to lie, I rely on the end of course tests in my state to boost my math grade.</p>