Education

Articles

Education

By Tracey Stevens
Nov. 9, 2006

There has been a lot of media hype about the education system in the United States . School vouchers, public verses private schools, the teachers union, separate schools for boys and girls, how we measure up against the rest of the world, school violence and how to fix the situation.

Well, there is no one solution that is going to make all of the problems suddenly go away with the result of suddenly not getting our butt’s kicked by Asian and European students.

The end result of no child left behind appears to be that no child will be held back based on academic performance. The reasoning behind this act, as told to me, was that forcing a child to repeat a grade was bad for self confidence. Everyone knows that life works this way in that once you graduate school (and you will) you will never fail. Another problem with this approach is, this question goes out to everyone, when was the last time you were asked to provide proof of graduating high school other then applying to colleges or joining the military? Our public school system in encouraging our youth to succeed, has removed any chance of allowing them to fail. In doing so, they have provided a false sense of accomplishment.

Teachers now have to teach at the lowest common denominator. I know that every kid isn’t manufactured by a cookie cutter and that there are wide variations in ability. I’m in favor of as long as you’re making the attempt to learn, they you should be given every opportunity to do so however schools approach to slow everything down also has the effect boring some students to the point of no longer having any interest. They lose desire because school is not a challenge.

As far as school violence goes, someone alluded to arming teachers. Although this could prove interesting especially during history class and covering the “gunfight at the OK coral”, I don’t think guns are the answer. The school curriculum is “reading, writing and arithmetic” not reading, writing, arithmetic and reloading.

Then there are those problem students and what to do about them. If the school attempts to send them home then the parents threaten a lawsuit and they are allowed back in school. I agree that every kid has a right to an education however that right should not infringe on those that actually want to learn. Teachers provide the means to the right; it’s up to the parents to instill the desire to take advantage. The bottom line is teachers are not state provided baby sitters and you don’t gain knowledge by osmosis. He/she can be a disruptive influence at home and besides big bird might be on.

Schools should also be allowed to fire bad teachers. I know no one becomes a public school teacher to get rich but it appears that there are those teachers that are simply collecting a paycheck, however meager that may be. Perhaps they started off with the best of intentions and have just been ridden down by the system. Giving schools the ability to fire incompetent teachers and reward others (bonus incentive perhaps) would go a long way to insuring that our kids are getting the best the system has to offer.

Another possible solution is simple competition which could involve the voucher system or opening the districts. Give the parents vouchers that can be used at any school the parents are able to get their kids too. Open districts would work as well and do away with the government bureaucracy that would result from vouchers. The bad schools would end up losing money and either sink or figure out ways to improve and regain lost students.

Of course, the beginning solution is the parents. Parents should be involved in instilling the love of books and fanning the flames of the natural curiosity in children. Parents need to take an active role other then waiting to find out that their teen age son is earning an “A” in biology based on a special after school program. Find the best school in the district and see what it takes to get your child enrolled there. Teachers that fail or aren’t committed to teach put your child on a path of hardship that could affect them for the rest of their lives. Schools that aren’t committed affect our future.

Remember, you owe your best shot to your children as they will decide your nursing home. Ooppss, sorry, retirement village or assisted care hostel for the elderly.

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Email Tracey Stevens: phoque62@hotmail.com

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