Abstract

Zachary McKay

Government, Fall 2009

Abstract

7 December 2009

Information has been mismanaged as a resource in the public school system. It is the government’s responsibility to educate the population. Sadly they have failed in their endeavor and refuse to take the necessary steps to fix the problem. Over the past sixty years, in order to simplify the system, the government condensed school districts. In 1940 there were over 117,000 school districts, by the 1990s there were less than 15,000. This added to the problem of a single curriculum which meant that the school system did not improve. More problems were created because options and choices were reduced. In 1983 when student performance reached an all time low, the government implemented more standardized tests in hopes of keeping every student at the same level all across the nation. If all the students are learning at the same rate then the government can use the same curriculum. Since then student performance has not increased. Instead of changing their philosophy of every student studying the same topics in the same manner, the government has continued to make the same mistakes. President Obama is now pushing for education in critical thinking skills. He is also encouraging students to study hard and commit themselves to their studies. While these are good suggestions and encouraging students can help, it doesn’t solve the problem at hand. Telling students what they have already heard does not influence new results. According to Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That is exactly what the government has been doing for the past, nearly thirty, years. Research led to the conclusion that Americans are eager for a change in the public educational system.

The problem with the government’s plan is that it is expects students to conform to a curriculum. Schools were instituted to serve the students by teaching them, not demanding from them. Students learn in different ways and respond to different stimuli. Students learn most effectively when they are in an environment that benefits them. A universal, standard curriculum does not provide the necessary attention individually to each student. That is why a new system needs to be implemented to improve student performance. The system must provide a highly individualized learning experience for every student. The system must also prepare students for the work world and guarantee careers. The most effective way to ensure careers is to train students specifically for the work involved. Students need to have the choice to choose their futures. College should not be the only option. Apprenticeships allow students to master the skills and techniques required and start their career right away. Individualized knowledge is more beneficial in the future than a standardized, general understanding of several topics. Other countries in the world eagerly use apprentice systems. A system that allows students to choose their path, instead of demanding useless academic requirements, will be most effective in establishing strong life-long work.