What would you do to reform the Public School System in America?

Question

have a massive project due on march 22 in which I am creating a national school reform....

I've gone waist deep into it and I would like to know some outside opinions on what they would do, regarding absolutely anything in the public school system, such as:

diversity
taxes
busing
NCLB
homeschooling
virtual academies
vocational schools
elective emphasis
after school programs
segregation
merit consideration
a nationalized grading system
a nationalized curriculum
etc....

I'd like to hear what you have to say!

Glad to see that you guys have an opinion...keep posting!

mamabear...I am interested in what you're saying. Can you describe the rewards system a bit more to me?

Thanks

anamalsta (*sp)

The things I listed above are simply ideas for topics in the discussion, they are not necessarily things that I endorse.

But thanks for the opinon

Pfo: I actually have a lot of ideas regarding what you're saying. See my earlier question: http://tinyurl.com/2c5cre

sandy: please explain your oppinion more

Really, I'd liek as much insight as physically possible

sandy: please explain your oppinion more regarding nationalization

Really, I'd like as much insight as physically possible

Answer 1

I went to school in New York state, where they typically have good schools. One reason why is the Regent's exam, a test given in every subject in high school on state standardized subjects. Those who do not pass the test, do not pass the class. This system encouraged standardized learning and prevented students from passing if they did not know enough to at least get a C.

Surely, this would be a good idea for national curricula.

Also, getting rid of students that serve as a distraction is a must. While they need an education, if they are reluctant to take advantage of it they should not be allowed to distract someone else that does.

Answer 2

$27,000 to educate a child for 12 years sounds like a good deal when you consider that's about 1/2 of what it would cost to keep a person in prison for one year and about what college costs for one year. Your statement about it being a complete failure is ridiculous. The high school I taught at had a 97% graduation rate with over 60% of the students going on to college. Privatizing education just means more CEOs with more money in their pockets and the teachers getting paid less.

Answer 3

The ideal circumstance would be for small schools to exist, this is however very unlikely.
So what can we do to improve schools now?
Well...
1) Force students to wear a uniform. No opt-outs this time!
2) Require that English is spoken on the campus grounds as the primary language.
3) Include parents at all time. If the parents don't cooperate, there will be a fee to be paid.
4) If a student doesn't want to learn then they don't have to. Their parents will help them find a job.
5) Standardized tests that force students to push themselves academically.
6) Finally, to keep academics and politics separate.

Answer 4

#1: Instill discipline.

However, that is a by-product of far greater problems in society. Today's parents have tended to abdicate their responsibilities when it comes to instilling values in their children. It especially shows in the lack of order and achievement in the public school system. Unfortunately, public schools are about the money, not the kids.

Catholic schools educate so much better, with much larger classes, higher levels of achievement, without the grade inflation, and for half the money.

Answer 5

Privatize schools. Give State/Federal subsidies based upon the income level of their alumni....say a fractional percentage of the taxes received from each student based upon their gross income on their tax returns. No subsidies should be rewarded for income paid to the alumni by any level of government. Such a system would lend the most support to those institutions contributing the most to our economy and way of life.

Answer 6

I'm a teacher, this is what I would like.

Only kids in my classroom who actually want to learn. If a kid isn't ready to learn yet, let them go work in a job corps of some type for a few years.

Many teachers quit teaching due to low pay (which isn't really a big factor), and kids who just show so much disrespect in the classroom...all we do is babysit idiots mostly. Put those idiots out on the street and have them dig trenches and sell shoes or something until they decide that they want to learn.

Answer 7

frist have a better breed of teachers,you cant teach what you dont know.my schooling consisted of "go to libary and write me a report" i had no respect for that teacher and i am not there to teach them if you say so go to principle,so i spent some time there too.my children couldnt even speak in the halls,bathroom,or at lunch,so that is a huge problem in itself,its not natural,and its dehumminzing to students.my grandchildren are told look it up on the internet,so they get most of their schooling at the libary also cant see what we need teachers for??maybe teachers ought to think how they present the knowledge?

Answer 8

-Throw disruptive and criminal children out--it's not fair to keep them in just so that the govt and parents have a free babysitter--meanwhile no one else learns anything.

-A reward system for children who actually do their work, show up every day--on time, score well on tests, have manners, and respect for others

Answer 9

Pay the teachers and staff for the gifts of knowledge that they give to students.
Playtime is good, a student that gets exercise gains knowledge and retains it better.
If your gonna hold students by purse strings, teach them.
Nationalization is Nazi, I do not like the Nazis.

Answer 10

Add disband the teachers union