Education vs Students

The American Education System has many flaws that need to be changed, but I believe that we must point out the good as well. First off, I would like to mention about how grateful I am to be receiving an education. There are so many people in this world that are not able to get an education like students in the United States due to family and financial problems. I cannot imagine a life without school, classes, and learning. I often say that I am done with school, and I always greet the weekends with open arms. However, I know that if I was prevented from being able to get an education, my life would be completely different, and I would not like that.

There are flaws in the education system like overcrowded classrooms, lack diversity in gifted education, stagnant school spends despite rising economic status, and many more. Schools should focus more on each individual and guide them to better paths. However, I believe that the students play a part in this as well. We cannot keep pinpointing out all the negatives and changes that must be made to the education system. Many students' minds and hearts are not focused on school. They could really care less. The problems of cheating and ditching are still very prominent in most schools. If the American Education System needs to change, it should be in the proper lessons of teaching kids the importance of going to school and letting them realize on their own about how important education is to live in this world. One can emphasize all the reasons why one should stay in school and learn such as having an easier path to get a high paying occupation or being more respected. and noticed. In the end, it is up to the individual to stand up for themselves and decide whether or not they want to pay attention and learn or simply slide by with bare minimum effort. 

Some changes that may make schools better may be the influence over kids to actually learn the content they are being taught instead of focusing on getting the good grade. Of course, getting good grades and good marks are the goals of many students, and that is not a bad thing at all. However, the problem lies within the fact that they only care about the final semester report cards. The process of getting their desired grade is more irrelevant and unimportant. Therefore, students who think like this do not learn anything in the end because they flush all the information they frantically memorized out of their brain after the test. 

Another change that may make the education system better is putting an end to sugar coating and babying. I am not saying that schools do this a lot or often. I just often see lots of troubled, bad kids who seem to not have a care in the world. They never do their homework, they often result to drugs, skip classes by ditching, and more. Next to them, I see counselors, teachers, and parents who are trying so hard to get these kids on the right track. They always have to remind them to do their homework and study for tests. I believe that this is alright in elementary and middle school, but teenage high school students should know better by now. If they don't, they need to realize on their own that they are messing up big time. Most of the troubled kids in high school probably were the same in elementary and middle school. They must have had teachers and parents always on their shoulders, trying to get them to try harder and do better. 

What do you guys think? There are changes that can be made to better the American Education System, but some of those changes can be made by the students first.

-Priscilla Lee