2 of 99

Write now Article Tools

I am an educator with three children who have graduated from public schools, and who all at one time attended a private school. Although born in Michigan, I was educated in Canada. From both an educator's prospective and a parent's perspective, as well as the perspective of a foreign-educated individual, there are several things that come to mind on how to improve the United States education system.

First, teachers are not respected as they are in other countries, and this has a detrimental effect on learning. In Canada, I called my teacher either "Sir", or "Madam", and they were always treated with respect. Disciplinary issues were negligible. I never saw or heard a parent blame a teacher for their student's failure. In Michigan, where I student taught, I had a mother tell me that, as the teacher, it was my responsibility to see that her child did his homework. I could do many things, but as a teacher, I could not make him do his homework. As a parent, that was her responsibility. Parents in our society need to embrace their responsibility for their children's learning, and not blame anyone else. Teachers do have power to help children learn and ultimately graduate, usually when they fill in for lack of parental support and encouragement, but it is still the parents role. Teachers also need to have the ability, and parental support, to discipline a child, and to create an appropriate, non-distracting learning environment. Both students and parents need to respect teachers.

Second, we are making education far too complicated. 100 years ago, a student learned to read, write, and do 'rithmetic very well. It was the Little House on the Prairie concept. They had a slate, a chalkboard, and a desk. Memorization was key. Learning the basics well was key. I recently was shown an 8th grade exam from the 1800's that I'm doubtful our current high school graduates could pass. We need to focus on the bare bones, making our younger students capable and analytical readers, as reading is the foundation for all learning, and able to do math in their heads. Remember reciting the multiplication tables over and over again? At least, I did, in Canada. Instead, so much time is spent teaching the non-basics, including technology, to elementary students that high school students cannot read well, or do math, or retain much about politics and geography. So much time is spent in high school just re-teaching students what they should already know. We try to cram too much non-essential

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Ideas for improving the United States education system?
We want to hear your view. Write now!