English essay topics and writing approaches

America Does Not Take Education Seriously

This paper presents a detailed examination of the belief that America does not take education seriously. The writer uses past and current examples to outline the proof that education is not being taken seriously in this nation. There were four sources used to complete this paper.

For many years now parents of America's public education students have demanded change. The movement has come about as the understanding takes hold that America takes the public education of its students less seriously than other nations in the world do. Americans are known throughout the world of having the easy life. Other nations are often amazed at the free time Americans have, the happy go lucky attitudes and the carefree life of the youth that live here. With that comes the laxidasiale attitude about education. While America wants to stay on top the economic race the lack of education that the nations' students are receiving threaten to leave this nation in the dust in the future. There is mounting evidence that America is not serious about education and that evidence is causing a grave concern for the future.

THE SCHOOLS EVIDENCE THE LACK OF CARING

One of the reasons the nation has gotten lax in demanding a better educational system is the fact that there is very little accountability at this point. The constitution of the United States provides each child in America with a free and appropriate education. Since its inception the public school system has created a type of monopoly in this country. Because it is a single system, that is overseen by the federal government and the states and local governments also have input (Allen, 2000). Over the years it has become apparent that the public school system has become stagnant and part of that may be due to the fact that they do not have any competition. We do not take education seriously when we do not strive to push the nation's students to the highest limits they can reach. We are constantly giving students and teachers more days off during the year than ever before (Allen, 2000). We also continue to lower the standards by lowering the bar that students must reach to succeed. In more recent history the nation has begun demanding better school systems.

Accountability means that schools should be measured by their performance. It means that staff rewards should be based largely on the progress children make when they are under the teacher's instruction (Allen, 2000)." However, currently there is very little that causes forced excellence in education. Teachers who attain tenure are safe from being let go almost regardless of the job they do.

There are many measurable indicators that underscore the fact that America is not serious about education. One of the most tangible bits of evidence is offered by way of standardized test scores in many areas of the nation. The results of educational neglect are staggering. Today, nearly 70% of inner-city and rural 4th graders cannot read at a basic level (Armey, 2001). "

Public schools are not threatened by bad performance. The states do not take education seriously and it shows in the sliding abilities of many schools in America. It is something that needs to be corrected and something that does not always show itself until several years go by, but it is something that must be addressed (Public, 2001).