A number of precisely implemented changes could reverse trends that have caused the U.S. to lose its place as a world education leader.
(SALEM, Ore.) - These days the United States is falling behind the rest of the world in the education of its next generations. It seems, unfortunately, that about a quarter or more of US students graduate, or get a GED (if they do not drop out entirely), without the ability to read English, communicate in the language in its written form, do even rudimentary mathematics, demonstrate even the most basic understanding of how the country was founded and how it operates (civics) etc.
Kids from other nations, it seems, by the time they graduate from high school have a better, deeper and more well rounded education than US students often do who have received a two, and sometimes four, year degree from college!
Far too many students and graduates in the US cannot even explain how their own government works or point to the US on a globe, much less point to the nations we are currently sending our military personnel to fight and possibly die in. Far too many graduates are brought to tears if asked to make even simple change in cash transactions. While it is used every day by nearly everyone very few can accurately explain exactly what electricity is and how it works.
This is unacceptable and unless it is turned around the future of this nation is dire indeed!
What needs to happen is severalfold.
End the policy of social promotion, moving a kid along not because they learned but because they just got older.
End the policy where 'helicopter parents' are able to dictate to teachers that their 'little precious' be treated differently than all other students.
Have night classes available for those who due to financial need would otherwise drop out because they must work to support their family.
No welfare or other safety net programs should be available to those who drop out of school refusing to complete to graduation. If you are not willing to put in the basic effort to make yourself self-sufficient then society has no obligation to carry you on its back. This is similar to the penalties for failing to register for the draft.
The GED option must be made a TRUE equivalency. To get a GED one would be required to successfully pass ALL THE SAME tests and requirements of anyone in the mainstream educational process. It would no longer be the cheap, quick and easy joke that it is today.
Institute testing at every grade from first on up, and test all subjects. If a student's test results show them lacking skills needed for the next grade they do not advance until they pass ALL subjects. They can get a second try after summer school but if they fail this they are held back, period!
Do away with 'multiple guess' exams returning to essay responses and blank answer spots where work is shown how they arrived at their answers. Yes, this makes grading more time consuming but the multiple guess model often shows only a student's ability to guess rather than accurately gauging their solid knowledge of the topic.
Institute strict and demanding curricula. Graduation would require at least pre-calculus, algebra, trigonometry, geometry and linear algebra. Solid foundation in geography and sociology and economics. Solid foundation in history, understanding how and why events occurred not just rote memorization of meaningless dates and names. At least one year of EACH biology, chemistry and physics. Solid fluency in at least one language in use today other than English with solid written and spoken fluency in English.
ESL courses only available for two years. All students would be expected to become competent in that time period and if they fail to do so they would be held back in the non-mainstreamed (special needs) classes until they are up to scratch.
Mainstream only students capable of being mainstreamed. Those who are disruptive or whose abilities are lower to a degree that it slows the education of the rest of the class are unacceptable
detriments to the education of all the other students.
Mandate gifted student programs, access to which would be determined by the results of the annual tests.
Minimize 'extra credit' that is currently used to 'make up' for failing grades but have nothing to do with actually knowing the required material.
Doing away with grades in excess of 4.0. 4.0 is perfect, You cannot get better than perfect and extra credit should never allow such to even be considered much less actualized.
Mandate, from 6th grade on, public service hours being done by the students for the elderly, disabled and civic groups in the area of the school.
Driver education should be mandatory and paid for by the schools. It is a public safety issue that every student be capable of driving a car and to be able to do so safely with a sound knowledge of the rules and laws of the road.
Physical education should not just be a matter of attendance. If they have a specific medical issue that should be take into account but, barring glandular disorders etc, there is no excuse for a student to graduate in an obese state.
Students not planning on going to college should be presented with trade skill options including journeyman apprenticeships where applicable. All public education in the US should be publicly financed through a 2 year degree instead of just high school, alternatively through the completion of a trade skill training and/or apprenticeship for such jobs as construction, welding, auto/truck repair, computer repair, plumbing, etc.The added costs will be more than made up by the increased taxes on the higher incomes such graduates would likely get as well as with being trained for living wage jobs there would be a reduced demand for welfare, etc.
Classes in ethics, not morality, should be mandatory. Right and wrong and how to be a good citizen without religion based overtones.
Classes in comparative religions, non-judgmentally done, so that students understand the basic precepts of the other faiths so they are less likely to be swayed by the lies one faith says about another.
Classes in computer use to a functional level would be mandatory.
Classes in basic skills for day to day life would be mandatory. Credit, how to get it, and protect it and understanding it. Banking in general, including savings being an important aspect for one's safe future being emphasized. Basic intelligent shopping skills, cooking and so on. ALL students should be required to gain these basic living skills.
Classes in critical thinking and basic debating skills as well as public speaking skills should be mandatory.
Classes on basic parenting - what is expected of parents and what is expected of children, in a reasonable model not the 'parent as buddy' irresponsible model. Individuals would be free to choose other methods to raise their own kids but they would at least have had a basic training in real competent parenting skills.
Institute policy where schools are open 12 months of the year with any given student being in classes the 180 days but staggered so while some kids are in 'summer school' it might be in any season. This would allow more efficient use of buildings etc and reduce class sizes. I see no reason for schools to be largely vacant for such long periods.
Parent-Teacher meetings would be done after or before school hours not durng school hours. Education should not be disrupted by such in service days etc.
Teachers should be paid much more than they currently are. They are exceptionally highly educated and are required to rigorously continue their educations and this should be reflected in pay. They also have one of the most important jobs educating our youth, and that should be reflected as well.
Administration should be minimized to that which is necessary to do the job. The leviathanistic administrations of some schools are truly disgusting where administrators and support staff significanly outnumber teachers. This is unacceptable and is a waste of vital education resources best utilized to educate not administrate.
I fully understand that probably everyone will shriek and howl at my suggestions... the teachers, the administrators, the parents and the students. I feel that the fact that everyone will find something to not like about it shows that it should be done. Most in all sectors have become used to how things are. They have become complacent and do not want change as that would mean more work. But the resultant outcomes will be worth the added effort.
While not mandatory I would strongly like to see strict dress codes, if not school uniforms. Uniformity in dress reduces many distractions and other problems in schools. I would like to see three uniforms, if that route is taken, provided to the student by the school. Any extras or replacements would be the responsibility of the family with funds made available to assist low income families in need in such circumstances.
If all of these policies and requirements are put into place I have no doubt that in two decades the quality of graduates and workforce in the US would restore our nation to the position of leadership in the world we once held but have now since lost. The benefits will be found to have far outweighed the costs, efforts and inconveniences experienced and the graduates would have a far better mindset than they currently seem to have regarding all aspects of their lives snd their interrelations within society.
A Failing Grade for US Public EducationSalem-News.com