How can we improve the standard of education in America?

Answer 1

I am an education major, currently writing a paper on this same topic. I am 40 years old and have 5 children. My oldest is 16 and my youngest is 4, so I have all kinds of experience from the parent's side. I am very involved and spend many hours each year volunteering in my children's classrooms. I also homeschool my oldest son - my point, I have lots of experiences to draw from.

May answers to this question of raising educational standards in America are not going to be popular with this crowd. I suggest a 3 pronged approach. First off, we need national standards. A high school diploma does not mean the same thing across the board. A high school diploma is a worthless piece of paper, unless the achievement that is represents is clear and the standard set high, and equal across the country. A diploma should be reserved for only those students who truly earn it - it should mean something.

Secondly, sorry folks, testing matters. Accountability testing serves 2 purposes. It allows us to make sure that students are learning the information needed to conform to the standards. The argument, "You can't make a cow gain weight by putting it on the scales" does not hold water with me. There is no way to make sure that a cow is gaining weight, other than my weighing it. (PLEASE do not freak out - I am not comparing our children to cows, it is an ANALOGY). Testing also helps us determine - as educators - if our teaching methods are successful. If something needs to be changed, let's change it! But we won't know if we are not gauging advancement.

Last, we need to make sure we are using effective teaching methods. Let's stop experimenting on our children and use methods that actually work. This will be achieved by a balance of traditional and progressive methods. Let's take out our personal politics and just use common sense. Traditional methods teach kids WHAT to think. For example, kids need to memorize multiplication tables, period. It is rote memorization and regurgitation of information. Most progressives find that disturbing. However, it is just necessary, period. That being said, progressive methods teach children HOW to think. Super important as well. Critical thinking skills are essential in turning out a well-rounded student. This might scare some traditionalists.

We need to put our heads together and take the politics OUT of education. Conservatives and liberals need to address education critically and with an open mind.

Answer 2

If you're talking about public schools, a couple of things need to be addressed. First, more parents than you might think neither discipline nor support, let alone encourage and motivate their children. In fact, the message kids get from these parents is that their future is doomed before they start and thus have no incentive to work at an education. Worse, not only won't these students pay any attention in class, they're usually disruptive, seriously distracting those who are trying. Aside from that, the schools are under pressure to graduate students. That means the curriculum suffers so that youngsters, some without ever having made a grade of 50%, despite the watered down standards, are being handed diplomas with little or no education at all.

Two things need to happen. One, parents like are described above need to be gotten involved, and shown how to discipline and encourage their kids. It's something easy to say, but very difficult, if not impossible, to do. And, two, schools need to be given the latitude to suspend students who won't try and wreck classes, and make it stick. Then, the pressure to move students through the system regardless, needs to be lifted so that schools can revamp the curriculum to ensure a quality education. If kids don't, or won't, earn it, don't promote and graduate them.

Answer 3

First and foremost, allow DISCIPLINE back into the classroom and the Principals office. (these kids couldn't care less about getting a citation or going to the office because they know nothing will ever be done).
On a 2nd offense, send them to an Alternative Campus for 1 week.
Allow the students Recess. Allow them to talk and socialize at lunch. Give them an Art class. Give them classes on Socializing and Etiquette. Quit trying to cram SO much info into them at such a young age. These poor children are getting burnt out by 3rd grade because of the standardized testing (this is also the reason for lack of skills, they are only teaching students on the tests and how to take them, no other subjects are covered until they reach that grade level). Quit passing students to the next grade level just to get rid of them. Honestly, how and why would they send a child to the 6th grade when he can't even read a Curious George Book? I don't even know how he got out of the 2nd grade!!!
Anyway, I think the biggest thing would bee Discipline. GOOD LUCK, sorry for rambling.

Answer 4

Outside the classroom. Teachers are only there to present the material. If there is no help outside the class then nothing will work. If we increase teachers wages they are not going to be smarter or become filled with better ideas on how to teach...we are just paying more taxes.

I was a tutor for city center (or "less privileged") children while I was getting my degree in college for three years. I talked and had many meetings with the teachers and they are all doing a fine job. Their desire for teaching is genuine. Many of their concerns were the children's after school life. Someone, whether it's the parents or a mentor or a tutor or someone from a charity group, has to be there for the kid after school at some point.

I encourage the person asking the question to get involved and help with this. There are many opportunities to help...charity or getting compensation; it doesn't matter.

Also, as one answer has already pointed out...the student has to have some kind of drive to learn as well.

Answer 5

Schools should closely work with colleges and universities concerning the latest thoughts in education. Teachers College/Columbia University promotes the Reading/Writing Project of Lucy Caulkins. NYC has adopted this program and it works!! It works better than 'test scores' because it teaches children to think about the written word. My district has its own philosophy about how children should be educated and I don't personally agree that testing kids (NY state now mandates rigorous testing beginning in grade 3) makes them better students. Standards are raised when the quality of student raises and that is not always contingent on the school or a philosophy of education. Kids come to school from dysfunctional families. It's hard to care about school work when you watched your daddy beat up on mommy.....or if no one cares enough to make sure you ate your breakfast or did your homework.....etc.....Lastly, we live in a society, as a whole, that does not value education. Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that says: "My kid beat up your honor student." This answer is just an overview....your question should be posted as the feature question to allow more variety in the answers.

Answer 6

that's no longer an immigration question; u . s . shouldn't convey our jobs lower back. we are in a international economic gadget and in case you're able to desire to stay right here with a severe standards of living then it may behoove you to get right knowledgeable. the international has constantly been in a state of replace. a hundred years in the past buggy whip manufacturers made good money then the common public accompanied the vehicle extremely then the horse as their favourite mode of transportation. Buggy whips are no longer any further profitable. Get with it. Improvise, adapt, triumph over, we are in a service economic gadget now (docs,attorneys, Scientists, defense force) we sell education and we invent technologies. the producing has moved to different international places and if your dream is to have a job in a production facility then you definately'll could want emigrate to international places that have those jobs.

Answer 7

Improve the quality of teachers.

Answer 8

Ensure that parents develop a stronger interest in their child's education.

Answer 9

Demand the elected officials do their jobs and come up with solutions. Make it clear to them that if they don't you will put someone else in office who will.

Answer 10

Improve oneself first!