Seven Reasons Why the U.S. Education System is Fail!
A Facebook post that contained simple questions for university students about historical facts, events, and people in our government was posted recently. It was amazing to say the very least. Abject failure and inability to identify any of the people, places, or events. I repeat… NONE.
The U.S. formal education system was created to provide basic education to the masses to meet the needs of the industrial revolution. It’s quite simple, right? It’s quite simple, right? Since then, there has been no measurable evolution or redefinition of the educational system. This is frightening because it will lead to the country’s failure step-by, bit-by–bit, until we become a social collection.
Let’s look at the causes and find solutions.
1. Closed for Business
Schools are dependent on community standards and financial constraints based on community support. Schools are closing at alarming rates across the country. A school closing is rarely an option that meets the needs of the community, or the needs of students.
It seems that there is less concern for the children’s education in the community than the economic needs of the school’s location or the available resources. This is what happens when the federal government is not there. They are partly to blame. While the government speaks of the need for quality, affordable education, they insist that school systems follow federal mandates that bind them to political wills. Federal support is not enough.
2. Two-Gallons of milk in one gallon jug
How many children can you squeeze into a classroom while still being able to teach effectively? It depends on whether you want to teach or provide daycare services. It’s a harsh reality, but consider the purpose of schools today. They house your children, feed them, and take care of their needs for approximately 6-7 hours each day. They provide basic discipline and food so they don’t get to go home. Yes, you must administer it. In a chaotic environment where safety is not guaranteed, teachers must discipline children. Education takes the back seat to basic needs that parents cannot or are unwilling to provide. What about education? There is not enough time to teach them, so caring for them is more important than teaching them.
Secondarily, because of the constraints of federally-mandated guidelines, the children are taught in a cookie-cutter style standard of personality-limiting, creative-minimizing and individually-restrictive processes to get them to their adulthood. Basic education that meets basic standards and performs to meet everyone’s basic needs. It is difficult because it is done within crowded classrooms, where teachers must “teach” more students than they can handle. Is that really effective?
3. Do what you’ve always done and you’ll get what’s yours!
If their parents are not well educated, how can we expect our children excel? This cycle of low education will lead to more children with poor education, which will in turn produce more children with poor education. Because of the current economic downturn or lack of opportunities, parents are often too busy to provide for their children’s education at school. Because parents lack the experience and foresight to direct a young person on the right path, it is crucial to involve them. This system is ineffective and leads to a country that will fail its students and threatens the nation’s future. It doesn’t matter if you’re poor and struggling to earn a living, or if your career allows for enough time to care for your children at home. Education suffers in any case.
4. Never Say Die!
Once, I was told I was stupid. I was once told I couldn’t learn anything because I didn’t have the ability to comprehend or understand basic concepts that normal people would know. Can you see? Today, I’m pursuing a doctorate of education. Highly educated, holding multiple degrees. Formally recognized for my teaching skills and performance as an educator. That’s it!
A child must recognize their value and worth as an individual if they are to be challenged. Every child has the potential to be gifted and talented in some way and should be acknowledged immediately and consistently. Yes, there will be failures but that is also part of the learning process. Individualized learning platforms, initiatives, and support are essential to educational success. Talented and gifted programs demand that each child is recognized and advanced for their unique gift, rather than the initiative being open to all students. If given the chance, every child can reveal their gifts. Why should we limit the potential for other children to excel simply because someone doesn’t recognize their talent? Beyond me.
Personal prejudices, as well as the nuances of economic and social availability in each school district, are behind this lack of diversity in education. It is shameful that not all students have the opportunity to be acknowledged for their contributions to society.
5. There is a Step to the Prep
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (US Education Department) reports that 80% of high school students graduate. This is a record high. It sounds amazing, doesn’t? It doesn’t, because around 80% of high school seniors can’t pass basic proficiency exams and/or read at a basic level. Their ability to comprehend and read is the foundation of a successful future. Unfortunately, it’s failing badly. We are not able to teach our children without prejudice because we have a political-correct mindset and are unwilling to admit we are failing. What’s the problem? What is the dynamic here? Standards, money, acknowledgement, and social constraint?
What will their future look like if less than 40% of graduates are able to read and do basic math? They are at best poor because they are not prepared for failure and don’t have the education to realize it. They lack the necessary skills to learn and are not ready for every aspect of their lives. This seems like a way to socialism.
6. Teacher to Preacher
There are few teachers who would be willing to give up their future to pursue low-paying academic careers. Get involved as a teacher. Teacher innovation education is becoming more tech-supported as student education. Teachers are no longer proud to be teachers. They now choose more industrial careers that use their basic education. It pays more and is more flexible. In order to provide quality education, teachers who are not qualified must be qualified. Cultural shifts in classrooms require an academic shift in recognition and use of qualified teachers, who must be able to teach at higher levels.
Distance learning allows for personalization and individualism in the process. It also allows teachers with less education to do office-like academics rather than teaching-like activities. Teachers who do not meet the highest standards of education will have students who are poor and will continue to be so. We will have quality educated people if we pay teachers more and expect them to do better. It is absurd that teachers earn nothing and ball players make millions. This one needs to be rethought.
7. Girls will be girls, and boys will be boys!
They will. Today, there is a wide gap in the gender composition of students in schools. Recent examinations of student diversity in education have shown that STEM programs are experiencing a shrinking range of student diversity. The academic landscape is changing from one dominated by male students to one that is more gender-friendly. Today, women are able to do as well or better in math, science technology engineering, and math than their male counterparts. This is a significant shift that was previously overlooked and not recognized.
Global competition demands that everyone is equally qualified to perform and defend the right to opportunity, regardless of their gender, race, creed, or social status. We must develop more diverse communities and make sure we have better-educated future citizens.
