If I could change one thing in the primary education schools system, it would be a buy-in.  Anytime something is free, people don't appreciate it.  I worked for a optometrist who used to give free seminars; nobody would come.  It wasn't until he started charging a nominal fee that people came.  Another is example was when I was in charge of a girls camp.  The church wanted every girl to have the chance to go, so the they paid for all the food, crafts, and fees.  Thirteen girls committed to go, but only eight actually went.  To me, camp was priceless.  It was an opportunity for girls to spend some time in nature and be with other adult women who could teach them values and integrity.  The next year we asked the girls contribute $10 in advance.  We had a better turn out and every girl who committed to go (paid the $10) went. It was a small buy-in, but the girls felt  a part of the experience and contributed in other ways as well. 

For elementary age kids, the parents could volunteer at the school or pay money.  The kids could also be asked to contribute by cleaning the school ground, helping with lunch, or helping younger students. The same could be implemented in the high schools.  Students could tutor other students as their part of the contribution.  Students who were disruptive or who just didn't want to be there could choose to leave school and work.  My sister was failing school. She quit because she simply didn't care at the time.  Later she went back and got her degree.  She is now a nurse.  We want everyone to have the opportunity to have a good education, but how bad do we want it?  How bad do our kids want it?

When people have a vested interest, they are more concerned about the quality of the product. There was a time when not everyone was able to go to school.  Some kids had to work on the farm in order for their family to survive.  Parents back then had to make sacrifices in order for their kids to go to school.  If everyone had to contribute in some way to the educational system, I bet there would be more people concerned about finding solutions to the problems we are currently facing.  When people are given things for free, the care and concern is just not there.  School is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow.  Not everyone in this world has that opportunity.  

 

Education

Is the educational system in need of reform?  There are many who think that the educational system is flawed and does not help children in the ways they need.  People argue that classes are too big and the teachers cater to the average student.  I have three kids in high school who vary in their educational needs.  I have one that is bored at school because he is smarter than the average.  His tests scores are high, but often times gets D in class. My daughter on the other hand struggles because she is below the class average.  She too finds school to be boring because the material is over her head. 

Everyone seems to want to point a finger at the education system when students fail.  I read an article that examined the education system in South Korea, who is considered exceptional in their educational success.  The kids there go to school from 9-5 and then go to a secondary school from 5-10.  I'm sure this much school would make any person excel academically, but kids need more than just a classroom education--they need life.  Being in school longer may solve some problems, but there may be some detrimental side effects to removing kids from play and life.

The problem is not more school, the problem is finding a solution that works for the kids.  If children do not all learn in the same way and at the same pace, then why do we have a system that is trying to standardize learning?  The solution is not in finding one right way, but finding different ways that are right for different people.  In the public school system, children are put into grades by their age, not their ability.  This public school system is seen by society as the right way (or only way) to do things.  The options are few and sometimes looked down upon.  There is charter schools, home schools, and private schools.  Charter schools are not much different than public schools.  Home schools are time consuming and private schools can be very expensive.   Most people don't consider other options unless their children have problems with the public schools.  If there was more diversity and more options to choose from, people would choose schools that had the best learning experience.  This in turn would cause schools to be more competitive in finding solutions that fit.  Funding for schools should not be based on following some standard form of learning.  There should be pilot schools that operate in a way that is unique to the community and its people.  Parent's, teachers, students, and the community should have an input into this learning process.   


http://bid4papers.com/blog/usa-education-system/

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