Making the Grade
I very rarely get political in my blog, but I get very irritated when I hear people complain about American schools. I am married to a teacher and come from a family of educators and criticism of our education system is one area that really gets my blood boiling.
There’s a commercial running on radio and tv right now talking about how test scores are so much higher in other countries than the USA. That may be true, but the United States is the only country in the WORLD that has a true PUBLIC school system. Anyone who desires an education can get one, and conversely everyone who desires an education must be given the opportunity. In many of the other countries listed off in these ads, children are tested for intelligence and aptitude and only the best are chosen to attend these schools. The other kids are trained to be “laborers”. Is it any wonder the test scores are higher? Can you imagine the uproar here in the USA if lower level students were denied an education?
If you’re a parent and you want to see those test scores rise… spend time with your kid. Get involved in their education and hold your child responsible for getting the most out of the education that is offered them. America’s schools are staffed with excellent people who are passionate about giving your children a quality education. By allowing every person an education, the “bell curve” is going to bring overall scores down. Despite that, the United States of America education system produces many of the top minds in the world.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Amen!
August 19th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Well put Shotgun! Being a teacher myself, I know how difficult it is to get all students to pass these tests. Teachers need the support of parents to help these children do well in school. Some parents think that their children will learn simply by walking through the shool doors. A lot of parents are doing a great job, but some parents need to step up and as Shotgun says, “get involved in their education and hold your child responsible for getting the most out of the education that is offered to them.” Some people seem to have the attitude that they are entitled to the best without doing their part. People need to put in the hard work it takes to give their children the best and not just expect it to happen on its own.
While we’re on the subject, the Federal government needs to do its part and stop cutting education funding. Our great schools are struggling to stay great because they have to cut teachers and extra curricular programs, leaving our children with the short end of the stick and a less than perfect educational experience. It hurts in the short run, but it will hurt a lot more in the long run! Maybe someone can mention this to the politicians when they’re in town.