what could be done to make american schools and education be better?

Question

im doing research on Brown vs board of education. this case led to major improvements american schools and society. and then there's a hard question: what could be done to make it even better? sine i've been only a few months in America, i don't really know much about their problems concerning education.

i'd really appreciate any ideas or suggestions.

thank u!

Answer 1

As a Middle School Counselor, I can tell you what I think and what I see from 30 years of experience. First of all, teachers are expected to do FAR more than just teach their subject areas nowdays! They are expected to do everything from crossing guard and building janitorial duties to building a child's character (traditionally thought to be a parental job, but since most do not fullfill this obligation, it now falls on the teacher to provide this guidance). Top that off with students being forced to take far too many mandated tests and meet far higher standards. High standards are wonderful to set as expectations, but that trickles down to the elementary ages.....when our children should be able to play more and be children. I realize some people will comment that today's children must be prepared to meet the competition they will come up against in the world so that's why the level of standards must be higher. I don't mean to let them play all day. I just mean when we put our three year olds in classrooms and expect them to perform at certain standard levels, it is not always going to be what is best for the child. They are only a mere three years out of the womb for heaven's sake!

I think schools should always have a fine arts and physical education program second to none for all children to participate in. There will always be math and science that keep up, but our children need to be more than wizards. PE will keep them physically fit and mentally alert. Music, Drama, and Art will keep them emotionally well rounded and in touch with their souls. Many students would not even stay in school were it not for belonging to their sports, band, choir, drama, or art department! As a wonderful PR for towns, our school boards should recognize and support these organizations as some of their very highest valued subjects instead of cutting them first thing when money gets a little tight!

Veteran teachers should be paid well for their value to our children's education! Teachers are no where near paid what they deserve which is sad when we require all teachers to have a college education! Many end up having to spend 5 years in college to acquire enough hours to complete the degree required of them. They have loans to pay back. I think it would be a great thing to pay back at least a portion of their loans for each year they spend in teaching our children...especially those who teach children in diverse or low income school systems.

I know there are many other things that will be good answers to your question, but these are the top few in my opinion! Thanks for asking!

Answer 2

First, realizing that education is not just about going to school. Education is... but not limited to, developing socially, academically, creatively, and physically. We learn more from our life experiences than a 500 page textbook that we can't apply to anything or we can relate to . If we really want to make education better, we'll do away with homework and present lessons and reading material that students can identify with and relate to. Music, dance, sports, etc are equally important in educating children.
Teachers need to do away with excessive homework or limit it to when it is absolutely necessary and beneficial. Teachers disrespect students and disrespect their time by assigning homework just because... knowing that most homework will never get a grade or be placed in the trash as soon as the students leave the classroom. And how do you know for sure who's doing the homework?
Also, children can't help the environment they're born in, i.e. households with single parents, limited parent involvement, etc. Don't penalize the child. Assiign homework that is pleasant, interesting and can be completed in 15 minutes or less. Assign thought provoking questions that encourages self reflection and discussions to produce citizens that think for self.
Special homework projects are OK within a do-able time frame.
And why assign 30 math problem when 5-7 will do? And how do you know for sure who's doing the homework.?
I'm not saying homework should never be used because it does provide some form of discipline, skill develpoment and reinforcement of skills practice, but in today's educational system it is terribly misused.

Answer 3

More advance courses.
I know there are advance placement courses and honor classes but they are still only a few in highschools. I mean we should have advancourses starting in elementary schools and to have a system that allows children to take advance courses if they show the potential and to specialize in subjects like English, Math, or History instead of taking elective courses that don't teach you much. Kids should specialize in what they love to do, not to a large extent.

Answer 4

Parents spending more time with their children!
Giving them music lessons instead of computer games.
Buy toys that support creativity, not guns and Barbie!
Reviewing the child's homework not just asking if they done it!
Parents participating in the schools decision making process!
Parents teaching their children discipline and responsibility. And holding their child responsible for his/her actions!
The latest jeans, hair color, shoes, or shortest skirt is not what school is about!

You want more progress in the schools? It has to start in the home! Some issues are, parents not spending meaningful time with their children!
Buy them instead of raising them. SINGLE parent homes! That is against nature, the child's pays dearly and in the end society suffers!
No accountable responsibility in the home.
Baseball, basketball, cheer leading before homework, music and responsibility!

Answer 5

We need to teach critical thinking skills - problem solving, drawing conclusions, logic, etc. Rather than teaching facts, information, skills in isolation, we should be teaching children to learn and think. Only so much can be memorized and remembered. One can be taught how to learn. Life-long, independent learners are what this country needs.