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For public opinion, the education system in America has failed. Children are not learning what they need to do, and what they do learn may be partly or even entirely wrong. The illiteracy rate has been steadily increasing, while graduates are failing to learn lifelong lessons that they can apply to various situations.

The system, however, cannot be wholly blamed. Education is a three-party process, which involves parents, students, and educators. One can't expect the educators to do all the work, and similarly, one can't expect the students or the parents to do all the work. They have to work together in order for the students to be well educated.

A study was conducted a few years ago by the television news program 20/20. High school students in Belgium were given the same test as American high school students. The Belgian students performed exceptionally, while the American students lagged in subjects like mathematics. The Belgian students actually scoffed at the idea that American students couldn't answer such "basic" or "simple" math questions.

However, we can only speak for a majority of the students in America, since we cannot generalize such a statement as "America is getting dumber." This majority, however, can't be entirely blamed for its own lack of good education. Some of these students may be living in urban neighborhoods that do not get enough funding, or they are influenced by outside forces such as gangs, or they may have innate personal problems that may conflict with their education.

Bush's "No Child Left Behind" has still left many students behind. Education has, in the past years, become one of the government's last priorities. They do not think that education has very much to do with future employment, and social and political situations in America. Yet, even our own values on education are being laid to rest. We are deemphasizing academic education because we don't think it is "practical" or "worth it" anymore. We emphasize the importance of experience and common sense, but often forget that the value of an academic education is the gaining of a worldly knowledge - a wisdom that is backed by both experience and common sense.

The importance of education should be emphasized if America's students are ever to get back on their feet. And, not only that, but students should be motivated to learn. A passion of learning must be instilled in children at a young age. In this way, perhaps, the education system in America may be improved.

Learn more about this author, Joan Inong.
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