How to Fix the Shortfalls in the American Education System - Literature review Example

THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM Proposing a solution to fix the shortfalls in the American education system ………………….. College ………………….. Date …………………. Introduction The American education system has been considered to be an elite education model because of that it provides widest choice of study options and highly advanced schooling environment. But still, the American education system is not as sound and effective as it should be (Hilliard, 1992, p. 168) because there are a number of problems inherent with the system of education. Political and social differences have greater impacts on the educational policy and thus it affects the overall standard of the education system. This research work identifies the most significant pitfalls of American education system. This paper presents the drawbacks of American education system and it attempts to propose useful solutions to the prevailing issues that are faced by the current education system. Pitfalls of American education system Inequality Race, class, gender and regional inequalities are persistent in the American education. These inequalities have been very critical in US education system because it created many challenges on policy makers and school authorities. Hilliard (1992) argued that cultural, economic and racial diversities exist throughout American schools and as a result academic achievements and degree of academic excellence are correlated with the diversity. Some ethnic groups like African-American, American Indian, and Hispanic students always experience low achievements in the US schools (p. 168). Pollard (2002) emphasized that there are overwhelming evidences that schools are differentially effective in socializing and much of these differential effectiveness is related to the students’ race and socio economic status (p. 3- 4). When the inequalities of race, class and gender became apparent among the school children, many educators have tried to address the issues and to bring strategies to solve the problem, but, their efforts have been less effective. So called remedial actions like no child left behind and special education services have been considered to be harming the children (Hilliard, 1992, p. 168). ‘When treating for a sick patient, first do no harm’ is a generally accepted medical term and this must be viewed in relation with American education pitfalls and remedies so far implemented. American school children are in need of high quality education, and they may need special education as well, but, these must be provided with no harm (Hilliard, 1992, p. 168). Pollard (2002) argued that there is abundant evidence that schools specialized to serve poor children, children of color and mainly poor children of color are especially ineffective in bringing the socializing function (p. 4). Race remains to be a significant challenge in academic success in all economic and social levels. Forcing Black and Hispanic students in to wealthy school districts don’t seem to solve the issue of their academic achievements Hu (1997). Attrition rate of teachers Teachers are to be skillful and talented. Loss of talented and experienced teachers will have overwhelming effects on the system of education as well as the quality of education provided to the children. Boyer and Hamil (2008) argued that one of the major problems that attacks the American Education system is the alarming attrition rate of teachers (p. 2). Teachers are highly demanded, but they are tied up of greater pressures and responsibilities. Boyer and Hamil (2008) presented a study conducted by Jalongo and Heider by which it was found that around 46 % of teachers in America have quit their jobs after completing five years or less than five years of teaching experience. A great majority of teachers (around 90%) are recruited each year only to replace the posts of those who left the profession due to difficulties associated with the job like difficult work assignments, inadequate resources, isolation, role conflict and class room management etc (Boyer and Hamil, 2008, p, 2- 3). This increased rate of teachers’ attrition shows that experienced and skilled teachers may leave the jobs because of the problems inherent with education system and this is a great loss of talented teachers. It directly affects the quality of the education. The amount being spent on recruiting a large number of teachers every year has become an economic as well as an education system issue in the US. Parental Involvement Education system can achieve greater excellence and fulfill the requirements of modern changing and challenging environments only if the three fundamental parties - students, teachers and parents - work together. According Boyer and Hamil (2008), parental involvement is itself a problem faced by American education system as well as a reason for teachers’ attrition rate in the US (p. 4). Even though there is good parental involvement in at the elementary level, middle school and high school teachers feel that a large number of parents of their children are not concerned about their students’ education and are less likely to get involved (Boyer and Hamil, 2008, p. 4). Boyer and Hamil (2008) reported Elish-Piper’s opinion. “When parents are involved in education, teens typically have higher grade point averages, higher test scores on standardized and classroom assessments, enrollment in more rigorous academic courses, more classes passed, more credits earned toward graduation, and higher graduation rates” (p. 5). Class room and Unmanageable students Class room plays significant role in academic achievements. In today’s world of education, teaching is increasingly becoming a difficult task and many teachers find it a difficult task to establish a better class room which is free from any unmanageable or disruptive behavior. It is not only an issue of class room controlling, but, it is adversely affects the academic achievements of all the students in the class room. Butchart (1998) identified class room discipline as the most challenging factor that impacts the overall academic achievements of American students (p. 2). Martorella and Beal (2005) emphasized that when students behave antisocial, violent and destructive in the class room, it can be frightening for the teacher who is to redirect the students in to constructive behavior. When teacher is unsuccessful, the class room becomes more vulnerable to different types of issues of disruptive or antisocial behavior that in turn affects the overall academic achievements of the students (p. 130). Proposing solutions to fix the shortfalls of American Education System Solution to inequality Out of all the problems faced by American education system, inequality remains to be a very difficult one. Hilliard (1992) suggested that valid ways to be found to diagnose the problems associated with inequality and meaningful works to be brought in special education (p. 170). No education policy including special education should harm the children as is discussed earlier. Treatment can be effective when it is provided with ‘no harm’. Based on the study of Feuerstein, Hilliard (1992) suggested that diagnostic approach and establishing set of mediation (teaching) strategies would be able to solve the problems. Clinical experiences with these strategies have yielded effective measures that are able to change the approaches and attitudes of students (p. 171). Rushing (2001) suggested that public education should not subordinate democratic principles of equity and participation to the narrow demands of global economy. The policies should also not blame victims for their educational shortcomings (p. 41). Children from poor and minority groups like African American continue to perform less especially when they are tracked in to an academically poor school. So, the policies shouldn’t harm the children. When poor children are put in to poor schools, the categorization itself is harm that they are ‘tracked’ and it may not bring much positive results. Solution to teachers’ attrition rate Teachers feel much difficulty with their profession due to high risks or responsibilities involved, class room difficulties and so forth. The easy way to solve the attrition rate of teachers is to encourage teaching profession by any means and especially by avoiding the difficulties that cause them quit the job. Boyer and Hamil (2008) recommended that teacher preparation with foundation classes can have strong experience and can provide a frame of reference for decision making. This also will enable teachers control the classroom so as to maintain good learning environment in the classroom (p. 3). Solution to Parental Involvement and classroom management Parents are to be involved and therefore any strategies to get them involved can yield better results in the academic achievements of American students. Boyer and Hamil (2008) recommended to maintain a good relation with parents through Student Information System by which there can be effective communication between teachers and parents and parents are more accessible to students matters like results, grades, attendance and discipline issues (p. 5). Better communication with parents can help teachers maintain classroom management as well. Students with disruptive behavior have to be advised, counseled, and mentored. Effective, reflective and student centered teaching are useful ways to solve discipline issues within the class room and these in turn can helps students achieve academic excellence. Conclusion It is obvious that the issues addressed in this research work like inequality, parental involvement and class room management are not going to get solved over night. They are major challenges being faced by current Education system of America. This piece of research work attempts to analyze various issues faced by American education system and it seeks to propose solutions to these problems as well. References Boyer A and Hamil B.W (2008), Problems Facing American Education, focus on colleges, universities, and schools, volume 2, number 1, Retrieved from www.web.ebsco.com Butchart R.E and McEwan B (1998), Classroom discipline in American schools: problems and possibilities for democratic education, SUNY Press Hilliard A.G (1992), The pitfalls and promises of special education practice, Exceptional Children- Vol. 59, No. 2, Retrieved on Feb 26, 2010 from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=1&hid=12&sid=43d3adc0-8a7d-41c2-8e45-df826ec1b798%40sessionmgr4 Hu A (1997), "Education and race: the performance of minority students in affluent areas refutes the prevailing educational shibboleths." National Review, Academic OneFile. Retrieved on Feb 26, 1020 from http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=AONE&docId=A19751436&source=gale&srcprod=AONE&userGroupName=apollo&version=1.0 Martorella P.H and Beal C (2005), Teaching Social Studies in Middle and Secondary Schools, Fourth Edition, Prentice-Hall. Pearson Education, Inc Pollard D.S (2002), Who will socialize African American students in contemporary public schools, (book), Allen W.R and Spencer M.B (2002), African American education: race, community, inequality and achievement ; a tribute to Edgar G. Epps, Emerald Group Publishing Rushing W (2001), Inequality and Education Reform: formulating a macro-historical sociology Perspective, Race Ethnicity and Education, Vol. 4, No. 1, University of Memphis, Retrieved from www.web.ebsco.com Read More