Problems of Education System in the US - Essay Example

? Education Education takes many forms in society, and it does not necessarily mean that must be based in a school. Education is aformal term used to describe the process of learning that goes on in schools all over the world thus; it would suffice to say that the most critical component of education is learning. Learning takes many forms, and it is determined by the aims and goals that necessitate learning. Education does not have a definite timeline because learning is a progressive process that starts at the beginning of life to its end. Education can be achieved through teaching which involves being introduced to theories about things work and practical lessons where an individual gets the hands on experience. In ancient times, learning was through observation and participating in exercises that were meant to impart the necessary skill, and through discourse where the theory and principles were conveyed. In today’s world, most of the learning takes place in classrooms where there is a dedicated and elaborate education system devoted to imparting knowledge on a wide range of disciplines. Education takes place in schools which on operate on different curriculums depending on the societal and economic demands of their country. Education in the United States of America is based on the P – K12 system, which is an expression from the shortening of the kindergarten years of 4-6 years through to twelfth grade for 18-19 year old children. This paper aims to discuss the problems coupled to the education system in the US, and give opinions regarding solutions to the current problems. Education in the US is characterized by an elaborate system of learning aimed at imparting skills, knowledge and habits to the country’s future generation from the preceding generation. Education is aimed at changing the way an individual thinks and their perceptions of different features in their environment. It is based on learning through experience, which has a formative impact on the way one thinks and inculcating values in children that make better citizens. The education system in the US is an integrated system that covers the formative stages of education in preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary education. Each stage is designed to enable the students handle and excel in the preceding stages through to their lives outside the education system, to the world where they settle into different careers and professions. A good education system is one that imparts the required knowledge, understanding and skills that are relevant to the world that the students are exposed to after finishing school. Education in the US is based on a twelve-grade system that is completed over a period of 12 years after which students graduate (Yanushevsky, 2011). They are then faced with the option of advancing their education in tertiary institutions or entering the labor pool for employment. Tertiary educational institutions like colleges and universities are progressively becoming a necessary requirement for excellence especially in employment careers. In the US, central and local governments are responsible for the provision of education by playing the critical role of financing the education system. Authorities have made it a necessary requirement for all children to receive an education by enshrining it in the laws of the land as a basic human right. The success of an education system is pegged on the ability of the key players in the education system to coordinate their efforts to accomplish educational goals effectively and efficiently. The key players in the US education system are the students, teachers, authorities, parents and society. The fulfillment of each key player’s role ensures that the whole education system functions properly and accomplishes its objectives. The education system as any other system is a team effort, and failure by one of the key players results to a dysfunctional educational system. The problems plaguing the education system in the US is caused by inefficiencies of the key players, which contributes to a decline in the quality of education. When the quality of education in a country if negatively affected, it affects all sectors of life. The US education system is faced with the problem of teacher attrition rate which according to Mooney et al, this is a major factor that negatively impacts on education quality standards. Teacher attrition rate is the increased proportion and frequency at which teachers are leaving the teaching profession for other career options and professions (Mooney et al, 2010). This has been largely attributed to difficult work conditions, reality shocks, role conflict, isolation and inadequate resources. Attrition rates are especially high in new teachers who in most cases are unable to cope with the reality on the ground in classrooms and schools. This is because the actual teaching is different from their experiences with theoretical and practical models when going through their undergraduate teaching course. Measures should be put in place and implemented to ensure that there are support structures to help teachers handle and go through these difficult times. Teacher attrition negatively affects students’ performance because divert resources in an effort to retain and maintain teachers in schools. Most of the times, these resources are meant to provide learning materials and investigate, in technology, to improve educational standards (Lunenburg & Ornistein, 2007). Support structures should be composed of fellow teachers and professionals with the relevant skills to help them solve work related problems. The government should focus on formulating policies that will streamline the educational sector by setting up proper support structures for teachers, which are lacking or ineffective where they exist. Parents and society have an obligation to ensure that they provide required conducive environment for effective learning of their children. The society has contributed largely to the decline in educational standards by failing to play their role of enforcing the values of education in their children. A change in attitude towards education in society should be encouraged it helps change how students perceive the educational system and its objectives (Smith, 2009). Society should be encouraged to highlight the benefits of education in life instead of concentrating on the problems. This would work towards the gaining the education sector more support from the stakeholders who invest, in the sector, thus availing it the needed resources to improve its effectiveness and efficiencies. The government’s mandate, in the provision of education services to its people, is coupled with a myriad of problems. The government is unable to appropriate sufficient financial resources to fund the improvement of educational quality standards because of misplaced priorities. This is occasioned by political interference, which makes it difficult to implement policies meant to address the inadequacies of the education system. The government should structure the education sector in such a way that its functions are affected or influenced by politics. This would ensure that the implementation of policies beneficial to the sector is carried out effectively. Students, who are the key components of the educational sector, need to have sufficient and effective resources, at their disposal, to give them the opportunity to realize and maximize their potential and abilities. There has been an increase in deterioration of students’ attitude towards education, which negatively affects the goals of education. This has been caused by changing circumstances in the world brought about by unstable economies and living conditions. The notion of the purpose of education should be changed to encompass more than a way of securing employment and making money out of opportunities it presents (Smith, 2009). It should be focused on making students understand that education makes them better people to self and the whole society. As mentioned earlier, it is the society’s duty to mold individuals who are receptive to the educational system and its objectives. Support structures should be put in place, at home and in school, to help them solve problems amicably when they arise. Tackling the problems that plague the education system in the US will see an improvement in the learning process standards. This is achievable through efficient and effective coordination between the key players, which will lead to the realization of the sector’s short and long term objectives. It is the duty of all members the American society to embrace and encourage an educational culture in their thinking and actions. References Lunenburg, F. C. & Ornistien, A. C. (2007).Educational administration: concepts and practices, Volume 13. 5Th Illustrated Edition. London: Cengage Learning. Mooney, L. A., Knox, D. & Schacht, C. (2010).Understanding Social Problems.7ThEdtion. London: Cengage Learning. Smith, W. E. (2009). Restoring Honor to Public Schools: A Teacher's Vision for American Education. R&L Education. Yanushevsky, R. (2011). Improving Education in the US: A Political Paradox.Algora Publishing. Read More