Education in Our Country

     The videos point to two very distinct, but real, issues that plague the American educational system. The first issue deals with how society sees the importance of education and who should be educated. Historically, education has always been directed towards those the society deemed as “eligible” or “qualified” to achieve higher education. Often, many poorer children were not afforded the opportunity to attend school. Those who were “labeled” as dumb were not given a chance for an education. Society felt that wasting the resources and money to educate someone who may have had a lower IQ than others was basically a crime on society. Jump ahead a hundred years and the same problems are still evident. Unfortunately, new problems have also arisen. 

    We are now saddled with a government that feels an education is not worth the time or effort debate during budget talks. President Bush appeared to be headed down the right track with his “No Child Left Behind” proposals, but as with other great ideas, the energy and financial abilities just were not there.

     The political system for decades has talked about the importance of an education and that the children are the country’s future, however, when it comes down to brass tacks, the politicians fall a little short. Whenever talks of budget cuts spring up, education always seems to be one of the first on the chopping block. The question of whether an educational system should be centralized has been a bone of contention for years. The problem is who will control this centralization? Should it be monitored and controlled at the State level? If funds are received from the Federal level, should the control then be given to the Federal Government? 

     I feel that the State level should have control of the educational system within their jurisdiction. However, the Federal government should infuse the programs with funds and should “monitor” the States. By monitoring it, we can be sure that all states are teaching at the same level and using materials that are more unified in nature.

     By changing the paradigm, the problems that are occurring could be corrected and a better educational system would be in place. More serious emphasis needs to be placed on education in our country.