Premium Essay

Education in America

In:

Submitted By rivertc
Words 1671
Pages 7
River Porras
Professor Cameron Young
English 1A
18 July 2014
17th In the World The American education system has become a laughing stock compared to the most of the other first world countries in which education is developed. We currently rank seventeenth in the world for education and are likely to sink even lower in the future should we not act on improving it. While other countries are increasing their educational spending by an average of 5%, we have reduced ours by 1%. This has shown to have an effect on our students. PISA has ranked our high school students as 31st in math literacy, which is below the international average. What the United States government should really consider doing, in my opinion, and I bet many others would feel the same, is focus a much larger percentage of the federal budget on the schools here instead of wasting such a large amount on our military forces. One of the biggest struggles people who are trying to get an education are having is actually getting to school. There is a right to education here, and the government should make it more accessible to the average student. Things like giving out bus passes would be very beneficial to those wish to pursue an education but can barely get by on their income as well as disabled students who wouldn’t be able to drive themselves to school. Also, providing more online classes would be extremely helpful to those who work full-time or have children to ten to at home. The government could also utilize some ideas from some European countries and assign bicycles that students could use to get to and from campus and classes. But, that isn’t the only issue our students are facing as the cost of college and university tuition has tripled in the last decade and our government needs to come up with a solution to making post-secondary education an affordable possibility. A viable option is the

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Education in America

...Writ 1301 Sophia Andera-Cato Education in America In the words of American philosopher Will Durant, “Education is the transmission of civilization.” To me, this quote represents exactly what education should be in every society. Education is key to the expansion and prosperity of civilization and it is what keeps us, as a human race, growing. All over the world students are learning to improve themselves to eventually improve their society. The problem here is that not everyone values the importance of education as much as they should. From examination of completion rates and analysis of standardized tests, it is clear that America is falling behind many countries, Japan in particular. This disparity between America and Japan is shown not only in academics, but also in competition for jobs. The better the education people achieve, the more advancements the country can have, and the more successful that nation will be as a whole. America needs to refocus its value on education to emphasize its importance to avoid falling behind on a global scale of educated citizens. One of the main reasons America is falling behind Japan is that the high school drop out rate in America is 1.2 million students a year, which is 6,000 students a day (The Broad Center). The fact that this many students are forfeiting their education everyday is disturbing. Students can just ease their way through and earn a high school degree; so dropping out shouldn’t even be an option. In Japan, the drop...

Words: 2459 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Education in America

...Education in America Throughout our lifetime, education will never be solved. As for education being solved, I can draw attention that education is a definite on-going problem in America, and we are all in trouble because of that. Education in America is not leading students to head into a successful future or even to succeed in school. The reality is, is that education has been slacking in being prioritized and lacking a great amount of attention to be brought about. What exactly is the cause of problematic education in America? Is it how schools are holding accountability? Horace Mann, John Gatto, and Michael Moore are all ones to support that education in America should benefit our children in it, not degrade the purpose of education itself. First of all, reminding education that its purpose is to serve a benefitting future is a difficult one to swallow, especially for the majority of those who are held accountable in schools. Like Horace Mann said, “without undervaluing any other human agency, it may be safely affirmed that the common school, improved and energized as it can easily be, may become the most effective and benignant of all the forces of civilization.” Receiving an education is good because it benefits a usage in several places in many ways. Education should bring intelligent minds to form together for a more successful future for one another. Horace Mann supports that receiving various types of education from physical to intellectual education is...

Words: 631 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Education in America

...Adedayo Ojo ENGL 1301 November 20, 2012 Education in America Education has been a prolific part of the United States of America and every other country alike. For a country to maintain vigorous economic growth and advance in technology, it has to have a respectable academic system, and the United States has done magnificently well in those areas. The country has produced many scholars with in-depth knowledge in science, technology, and criminal law, with reputable teaches that help students achieve those educational feat. But what we have seen in the last few years is that the United States has drastically dropped among countries with great students in mathematics and science. The task of fixing the education and creating prodigious professionals as it once used to be is not only the responsibility of government, and parents, but also an obligation to the students. Education has played a significant role in the achievement of the United States in its short but illustrious history. The government acknowledges the importance of high standard academic by providing schools with nice facilities, competent teachers, and grants. But most students of this generation, however, have mismanaged those opportunity. They believe that college is not an obligation, and they do not have to work hard for good grades in school; perhaps because they are not the one paying for it. Some people even consider education to be discriminatory. For example, some believe that people should be able...

Words: 1088 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Education in America

...William Smith “Education in America” Composition I Mrs. Jackson “Education in America” Composition I America’s education system is failing. There are many factors that contribute to this failure. Politics stand out as the most damaging issue. With politics of course comes money and economics. None of which help America’s children receive a quality education. Do we blame the system or our communities? Poverty, absenteeism, and lack of parent involvement also play a role in the breakdown of education. President George W. Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act. Really who would argue against a law named that. The law has a noble principle goal which is to improve proficiencies and close the achievement gap for minority and economically disadvantaged kids. No Child Left Behind also set a bar for academic achievement. The course of action to achieve these goals is where the law lacks. NCLB places an emphasis on standardized testing. States get funding based on how well their schools perform. School districts produce better results by in turn limiting the curriculum to what’s on test. Students are robbed of a well rounded education. No matter what the lesson plan consists of schools need money. Think about it, would a plumber work without a wrench? Would you see landscapers without lawnmowers? Our teachers are trying to do their jobs without all the necessary tools of the trade. Children fall behind in math because there aren’t enough rulers. Grow up...

Words: 1136 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Education In America

...Education was created for one’s intellectual purpose and academic pursuits and not as a training school for a specific career. “The true purpose of education is to make minds, not careers.” It seems that education is almost too forced now days. Now it seems that students are becoming less and less educated. Could this be the children’s fault, their parents fault or the teacher’s fault? It very well could be all three. But everything always goes back to the teachers. Education in America has dropped drastically. Why not just go back to how things were when they first came up with this thing called school? Go back to the basics, where teachers teach and student sit and learn. In the Seventeenth Century “school” wasn’t really a thing. Parents would usually teach their children things or they would pay for a tutor. The Puritans were the first to step up and say that we needed some kind of public education. Reading, writing and math would not be the only things children would be taught at these public schools, they would also be taught core values. After the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson agreed that the people needed a public education system and said that tax dollars will go towards establishing local education. Of course at this time...

Words: 522 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Education in Colonial America

...Education in Colonial America Marjorie Waloski Introduction to Elementary Education Professor Susan Bridges Abstract The education system in Colonial America is very different from the education system of modern times. Education usually began in the home and in the fields. Lower class students only received an elementary education while upper class students went on to higher education. Native American and African American children received little to no education at all. Students were not required to be educated until 1642. Teachers were known as schoolmasters and were not regarded as highly as teachers are today and the profession required very little education. The education system in Colonial America In Colonial America education got its roots from English culture. The main reason for basic elementary education was to teach the male children how to read and write so they could study verses from the bible. Female children also received elementary education that was geared towards the work they would eventually have to do in the home. Secondary schooling was offered to upper class families where the male children would learn subjects like Latin and Greek (Parkay & Stanford, 2009, p. 143 & 144). According to Peterson (1983) “Education in early America began in the home at the mother’s knee, and often ended in the cornfield or barn by the father’s side” (Education began in the homes and the fields section, para. 1). Standards and styles of education...

Words: 935 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Higher Education in America

...Higher Education In America As an international student, this topic means a lot to me because foreign students pay three times the fees residents pay and this leads to higher students loans for us. Like the Article said, “America is the home to the world’s best universities”, so tons of foreigners from all over the world strive to come to the United States to get that education. The Article states that student fees has doubled over the last few years, I personally have witnessed it increased by a few thousand dollars over the span of four years, which is why I agree that something should be done about the cost of formal education in the United States. More often than not, the first few years after a student graduates from college could be pretty rough, because they spend a large portion of their income repaying back student loans. This is why I support and strongly encourage Mrs. Clinton’s plan to cap repayment of college loans to a maximum of 10% of income over 20years and if the loan is not repaid by then, the government would pay the rest of it. This plan would leave a graduate with student loans with at least 90% of his income after paying for the loans. I think this plan would the mind of student at ease a bit and give them an incentive to study a course that actually means something to them, not just the course that costs the least. Mr. Rubio on the other hand, plans to reform educational systems by encouraging students to take up online learning as a platform. I...

Words: 450 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Music Education in America

...Hannah Meixner Kim Holcomb ENG 151 (MWF) 3/2/2012 Music Education in America The recent issue that our nation's children are being unfairly crushed under has to do with the blatant failures of our country’s educational system. It particularly has to do with about how, due to The No Child Left Behind Act, schools are teaching to the test. Now in order to get funding, schools need to have good test scores. In order to have good tests scores, they need to funnel their money into the testable subjects: English, Math, Science, and History. Thus, the arts are getting the short end of the stick. Their priorities are in the wrong place. American education is leaving the traditional, Classical way of thinking. We're getting away from the well-rounded individual. Instead we are all concerned about getting good grades, so we can get into college and major in something we hate and make money. The focus is entirely on how far can you get yourself - the American Dream has morphed completely into some money-grubbing monster. Loads of programs have already been cut, and this doesn’t exclude schools. The Columbus Symphony? First state capital to lose their orchestra’s funding. Now? Louisville declared bankruptcy, Honolulu is no more - the list goes on. Even in our own towns we see this happening. Thousands of elementary, middle, and high schools across the country have cut down on “accessory classes” as they call them, so they can focus on the core classes and “what’s important.” This...

Words: 1575 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Education Crisis in America

...Thomas 2/25/2014 The Education Crisis in America Currently the U.S. has a major problem on its hands, education today is constantly losing money while we put more of that money and time into our prisons rather than our schools. By showing kids that it is more important to be tough on crime than it is for a proper education is wrong. If these practices continue you can expect to see higher drop-out rates and larger prison populations. Education should be the U.S.’s top priority and we should take pride in the greatest education system in the world. Education provides students not with just knowledge but ethics, character development and self-esteem which are important skills for the workplace and in life. That is why it is imperative that we change our education system to a higher standard and emphasize quality education for all in the U.S. to provide a better future for all students. The U.S. is currently putting less into schools and education while putting more into prisons and defense. States are choosing to increase spending on prisons while the funding for education is constantly decreasing. “In 33 of 50 states, corrections- related costs made up a larger proportion of the general fund than in the previous fiscal year, while spending on K-12 and higher education decreased” ( Hawkins). The U.S. is silently making a decision to keep people incarcerated while caring less about a proper education. What they don’t understand is that a proper education is the key to keeping...

Words: 2473 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Essay On Minority Education In America

...United States of America is a place of prosperity and optimism. This country was built by a vast, diverse group of people. Minorities now make up about 40% of the United States population. Several problems have emerged, relating to a group of people. Minorities are failing to keep up with its counterparts in education. Minority education has risen to become one of America’s top priorities to promote a better future for post-generations. America is one of the greatest country to for a better lifestyle. Problems arise to hinder America. One of the greatest concern for America’s future is the education for minorities . Statistics have proven that minorities are falling behind in education across the country. There is a vast group of children not receiving a complete education due to low-income parents. Older teenagers are not completing their high school courses. In fact, hispanic teenagers have...

Words: 944 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Impacts on the Evolution of America Education

...EDU 576 Philosophical and Social Issues in Education Impacts on the evolution of America Education Jessica Welch September 4, 2013 Many events and individuals impacted the evolution of education. Socrates (470-399 BC) impacted the evolution of education by his method known as the Socratic Method. This method of teaching involved not giving information but answering questions with questions until students were able to come to their own conclusion of the truth. Socrates is considered one of the few philosophers who changed how philosophy was viewed. His main goal was guiding students to search for the truth and not just giving the answers. His approach made to education made others recognize what is good, real & true. Socrates was a unique teacher even though he considered his self not to be a teacher. The Socratic Method is still used today by teachers. The concept lets teachers take a back seat and lets students have take the lead by having a discussion questioning things rather than memorizing information to get a better understanding of the topic. His method makes you question everything and not just accept someone else’s version of the truth. It causes you to dig deeper and really research and think about the topic. Joseph Lancaster (1806) opened a small school in London. He offered free education to those who could not afford to pay for education and wanted to send their children. The school became extremly popular. However...

Words: 790 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Education of Students with Disability in America

...Education of Individuals with Disability Name: Institution: Education of Individuals with Disability History of Special Education In the early 18th century, people with disability were often ignored, obscured, or put to death. First efforts to provide education for disabled students were focused on students with sensory problems such as the deaf and blind. During the 19 and early 20th century, schools that were specialized in providing education to students with disability emerged in United States and Europe. The extremely published story of Helen Keller influenced the introduction of education for disabled people in America. In 1887, Anne Sullivan who was Helen’s teacher said that he will not give up in offering education to the deaf and the blind, and she succeeded in teaching a five year old Helen how to communicate (Ashbaker, 2011, p. 25). Prior to 1965, there were no free education services provided to students with serious disabilities. These students were barred from attending school. Most of the students with severe disabilities used to put up in institutions. Many students who had mild disabilities and were not in a position to complete high school without any help did not have any other alternative other than dropping out of school. To appreciate developments that have placed disabled students in normal learning classroom, it is important to understand the legislative history that led to this move. Back in 1954, there was a civil rights case that involving...

Words: 6634 - Pages: 27

Premium Essay

Education in Vietnam vs America

...Phung Nguyen English 112 D18 Professor William December 10, 2014 Education System in Vietnam versus in America “The United States system of education that has been created for students in Kindergarten through High School is the best educational system in the world. No exceptions. No disclaimers. No doubt. It is simply the best” (Pat Quinn). This means that in many other countries, especially developing countries, the education systems are still old, and Vietnam is one of those countries. Although Vietnam’s education system has improved, the limitations in cost, teaching methods and style of learning, and college admission examinations make Vietnam’s education system still backward. First, cost is the biggest difference between Vietnam and the U.S. In the United States, education from primary school to high school is totally free. They do not have to pay tuition because the government pays for them. They do not have to buy uniforms when going to school because schools allow them to wear casual clothes. They do not have to pay for transportation because they have free school buses picking up them every morning. Every child in the United States is given a free education equally no matter how their economic condition is. Pat Quinn writes: One of the factors that make the United States educational system head and shoulders above other countries is the free access all children have to an education. This access is not limited to those whose pay…This access is not limited to those...

Words: 1234 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Changing Education System In America

...kids in America do not look forward to schooling and that could affect their performance. They can try their best but it will never be their absolute best because they aren't enjoying it. Most kids in America have already lost my interest in school. It feels like they’re doing the same thing every day. Learn something, take a test and forget about it a week later. That's how school feels. Most kids drop out of school by the ninth grade and there's a reason. School is long and dull. Sometimes teachers don't even care about you and just gives you packets and pass you on. Most students in America feel this way and something needs to change. America needs changes with more teachers, needs to find a way to fix the school system and needs to reduce school time. We need more teachers in America. In America there is a teacher shortage, and it’s obvious why. Kids go through school sometimes hating their teachers. They hate their teachers because they make them do hard work and make them take test for thirty minutes in silence. Why would a kid grow up hating teachers and want to become one? Some teachers do not agree with the school system and that's why they end up quitting. Some teachers don't agree with making students sit in a class and try to make them learn for a test that could decide their...

Words: 784 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Differences in Education Between China and America

...Meng Ling Jun Professor Jami L.Josifek EMLLS 112 14 March 2013 The Differences in Education between China and America A large number of students from China are planning to attend college in the America over the next five years. However, there are many differences in education between China and America. In fact, it is hard to be successful in American college. How the Chinese student to be successful, and what are the differences in education between two countries? I think there are three differences in education between China and America ways of studying was learning, and using different languages. First, there is a different way to study between China and America. In China, students study very hard every day because they have lots of homework. However, there is not much homework in the America. Chinese's teacher thinks homework is the good way to studying, but American student doesn’t have lots of homework. Chinese's teacher always gives a student some question out of the book because this is good for the GAO KAO exam. Chinese's student buy textbook each year, and it is cost more money. In America, the teacher wants to the student read book, and never give the student much homework. If you finish the lesson’s homework, it would be enough for exam. If you read the book, you will be easy past the exam. American teacher also don’t give extra homework because they know it is enough lesson for the student today. If Chinese student wants to be successful at an...

Words: 608 - Pages: 3