Why is education in America failing?

Question

I am not saying american kids are stupid, but american students scored poorly in international tests, ranked 26th. (1st- finland, 2nd, korea, 3rd, hong kong). That is got to be something wrong with americans, or with their culture.

Answer 1

laziness,education isnt a huge topic,kids are slagging (for various reasons), schools need be more strict i think too.

Answer 2

That is a complex question; there is so much blame to spread around. Let me give you my perspective as a 20 year veteran of the classroom (in both public and private high schools).

* American culture doesn't truly value education. We value what a diploma can do for us (i.e., get us a job), but education for the sake of being educated is not a high priority. Therefore, we try to find all sorts of short cuts, like getting people to do our homework for us on Yahoo! Answers... (thus hurting our education).

* Technology has had a mixed impact on learning. While it has made some things easier, it has also led to a diminishing attention span. Kids raised on TV, video games, and the internet cannot pay attention for the lengths of time needed to truly absorb and analyze a topic.

* Too many parents do not reinforce their children's learning at home. Many of them "parent out of guilt"--they know they don't spend enough time with their children, so they compensate by blaming the educational system for their child's problems. This means that any mistake made by their child couldn't POSSIBLY be a result of poor parenting--it must be the teacher's (or the system's) fault.

* School's have become top heavy with administration. Much of this is due to the fact that schools are expected to do so much more today than they were in years past (No Child Left Behind legislation has created the need for all sorts of administrators to make sure schools are in compliance). Other "Unfunded Mandates" have also placed an economic burden on schools.

* Many teachers become overwhelmed by the system, and by having students in class who have no desire to learn. Some of them leave teaching (the average teacher only lasts five years in the classroom), while others shut down and become "robo" teachers--doing the least they can to keep their jobs. Every classroom instructor should have high expectations...but not every classroom teacher does. It is easier to give high grades (and receive no criticism or complaints) than to deal with the arguments and complaints that come from enforcing high expectations.

I think the final factor is that American society has become accustomed to a level of service that cannot be provided by public schools--too many of us expect handmade quality and attention at assembly line prices.

I Hope this helps, and I look forward to reading the other responses.

Answer 3

It's not Americans themselves per se, nor our education system. Overall, the education system is pretty good, although certain areas do need a serious overhaul. Teachers and the educational system in general are a common scapegoat. However, in the end, it is the parents responsibility to hold their child accountable for their successes and failures in school and to be actively involved in their child's education.

Therefore, it's the culture and society that are to blame. 1) America's culture is in a period of transition, due to factors ranging from class war/disappearing middle class, immigration issues, rampant consumer culture, politics, the dumbing down of mass media, etc. 2) American values have devolved...particularly expectations for parenting. As the number of lazy, apathetic parents who refuse to actually parent their children grows, the number of children who have no concept of accountability grows with them. Many children today have no work ethic, no accountability, no responsibilities. They only have a shallow, materialistic, and undeserved sense of entitlement that comes from poor parenting coupled with a runaway consumer culture. Therefore, these kids have no reason to exert any effort in school (or anything else that matters). Furthermore, the value of education isn't being instilled in children as much anymore. Hence, the low score.

Now, I'm sure these aren't, by any means, the ONLY reasons. But I believe they are the biggest ones.

Answer 4

And we in simple terms save pouring extra reliable money right into a failed device! How ignorant and stupid is that? needless to say money isn't the difficulty. i think the standard of training relies upon on 3 issues: the pupil, the curriculum, and the instructor! we could placed all our income this. eliminate each and every thing else! My little ones attended college in Japan and it replaced right into an excellent training. homes have been old and dilapidated. chilly in wintry climate and warm in summer season. No gymnasium, auditorium, landscaping, pool, etc. etc. They did have a Sandy field for recess. a reliable instructor with a reliable curriculum can tutor in a pole barn and bring outstanding pupils. Pay instructors nicely and demand effects, or hearth them! eliminate each and every of the administration, government controls, etc. permit community communities ascertain despite if or not they choose dumb pupils or not! in the event that they do, then so be it. do not carry back each and every of the scholars.

Answer 5

Education is failing in America because we have too many programs set up for non-Americans. We allow them into our schools, and dumb down the material. Basic English is not even expected; they can write papers in poor English and still get good grades because of "effort". We give too many points to "effort" instead of quality or the right answer.

Answer 6

Man in the Box: yes, yes and YES!
Our children are failing in school because we are failing them as parents. How can teachers be expected to teach when Johnny and Susie are bringing knives and guns to school?
Kids are NOT being instilled with respect for authority anymore. When I was a kid, the very thought of being sent to the principal's office was enough to make my blood run cold. Not anymore; it's seen as a badge of honor, and kids don't come up with ideas like this on their own. It's a learned behavior, or behavior born of the apathy and ignorance of their parents.
In nearly every single instance, the children that I've known who had loving, involved parents who set boundaries for them were good students. I often read about junior high-school-age kids getting into trouble when they are out at 3 a.m.: WHAT kind of parents allow this?
Another sad fact is that of both parents frequently having to work in order to make ends meet. Their kids are frequently alone and unsupervised after school and left to their own devices: who's making sure that homework is done? Kids who grow up with this kind of "independence" are unlikely to submit to the direction of a teacher...they're too accustomed to "doing their own thing".
Stop blaming teachers, people. It's hard to teach when one has to be a parent, police officer, and psychologist as well. Teachers are having to do the jobs that parents USED to do, and we canNOT expect them to both teach them and raise them for us.

Answer 7

its the culture.school is viewed as a social engagement and fashion show.most kids think if they dont do good in school theyll become an actor or singer,if they dont show interest in school the teachers see it and steer towards the kids who care.

Answer 8

Because the fundamental premise is faulty.

We're teaching children how to mindlessly absorb and spit back material, without teaching them how to think, how to reason logically, and how to evaluate issues and arguments.

So, if they run across something they cannot just parrot back, they don't know what to do....

It's a fundamental flaw in the way we teach kids.

Answer 9

Because they would rather throw some ds on that ***** and listen to their iPods.

The lack of motivation and how distracted kids are to fit in is absolutely disheartening.

Answer 10

There are far too many problems to list, but I would have to start with the NEA = National Embezzlement Association....