One of the biggest problems this country is failing to deal with is education. Every politician will stake their political reputation on their desire to improve education – and also how much they already have. More and more money is spent every year while the average graduating student becomes less educated with each passing year.
While there are exceptions my experience and those of many individuals I have talked to shows that the American public school system – once into Middle School and High School levels – are flat-out terrible.
In many areas, there is an overemphasis on sports and a serious lack of emphasis on academics. I personally know teachers that tutored current NFL players and actually took tests for them so they would pass. Grade point systems are manipulated to pass as many students as possible as lower-performing school systems receive less funding. In some school districts, a student cannot receive a zero for work not done. No – if they did not turn on one assignment, did not take one test – they would receive a 40 for the grading period. Insane.
As stated there are exceptions. There are some great schools out there. Most teachers do as good of a job as they can within the restrictions the school districts place on them. The are many students that graduate high school and are very intelligent, well rounded, and educated.
What would I suggest? What would I change?
To start with the video above makes so much sense. The politically correct, Liberal “no one can be offended” and “no one can be excluded” mentality has got to go. Students need to EARN that which they get. No trophy for everyone. Kids can feel satisfied they studied hard and earned a 75 rather than did nothing and received a 50.
Respect for teachers needs to get back in the schools. If kids cannot treat adults like adults then thry can go home…period.
Those graduating schools need to have a skill. I would change high school so that around 10th grade it is decision time.
You will either decide to:
- Go to college.
- Go for public service(military, fire, law enforcement, EMS)
- Learn a skill
Graduating high school fully qualified to…..drop fries or operate the drive through should not be an option.
I’ll also mention the Federal government has no business being involved in education. Where in the Constitution is education mentioned? States should handle education.
Far too many uneducated victims of the public school system are graduating today. We should be providing a well-rounded, wholesome education to today’s youth providing them the ability to succeed – rather than just exist.
Rourke
Good article with which I couldn’t agree more. Especially the last part about government having no business in education. The same goes for health care.
Right on.
I agree Rourke- there are fine teachers but many are extremely liberal- radical left.
We educated our children at home and they are successful – compassionate-human beings. College educated but able to do and enjoy manual labour.
We need men and woman to become trades proficient in all trades.
Lightning
A big problem is the government-mandated standardized tests. When I was in school, they were just a passing nuisance for a couple days every few years. These days, the curriculum focuses entirely on getting higher grades for the school on those yearly tests, because that equates more government funding. The kids are being taught how to give the expected answers rather than how to think. We also need to stop mainstreaming the slower learners. Sure, put them in the schools so they can interact with their peers, but bring back advanced, regular, and remedial classes. Dumbing down the classes for the slowest student doesn’t help anyone.
John, I would add two points to your argument. 1. If you drop out of school, you automatically go in the military or merchant marine, if the merchant marine still exists. There is no slack to allow 18 year olds to stand on a street corner or cruise the strip. Get productive. 2. Restructure or eliminate the Federal Department of Education. The state should have goals to me as far as standards only. The Fed’s should stay out of the business of education. That belongs to the states.
That’s why my daughter attends a private Catholic school.