The American Education System
Some say that the American Education System is failing our youth. Based on my personal experiences I would have to agree. The failure should not be blamed entirely on the school system though, because in my opinion a good portion of it relies on the motivation of the students. If there is a lack of motivation, is it because of the education system? Or is it society’s influence on our youth? I believe it is a combination of both and that both are the result of a lack of nationalism. This assumption is based solely on my own opinion and experience as I am sure there are many other factual reasons that can account for the degradation of our education.
First, my educational background; I started out at Faubian elementary school in Portland, Oregon. I was there for Kindergarten through 2nd grade. During this time I was a normal student with average grades. Then I moved to Joseph, Oregon and was there for a year or two before I started to bounce back and forth at random intervals. Everything was fine until I reached 8th grade in Portland. I found out that the school was unable to hold me back unless parental consent was given. Knowing that wouldn't happen I ceased doing any kind of school work whatsoever for the entire year. That of course was not in my best interest and I do not understand how I was allowed to continue my education. From then on my schooling went down the drain culminating in my dropping out sophomore year. I stayed out for a year working two jobs in order to support my other “activities”. I finally decided to join the Navy and in order to do that I needed to go back to school. I completed my high school education at an alternative high school that gave me a diploma not a G.E.D. I ended up graduating 2 months before I would have if I had stayed in school in the first place. Somehow I skated by and was only required to complete algebra 1, a Basic English class, and a couple of random classes. All of which I think were more appropriate for the 8th grade. I made up for the rest of the credits I needed by being a teacher’s aid and using my job experience. What I don’t understand is how I was able to graduate with such a low level of knowledge.
My lack of knowledge was a direct reflection of the lack of motivation I had with regard to school in addition to what I learned from others in my portion of society. I lived in low income housing and I think this instilled in me the idea that it is acceptable to fail. This, I believe, is a common thought present in the lower economic population, which is only exacerbated by the ease with which one can live off the government. Can’t get a job? Here is an unemployment check. Need food? Here is a food stamp card. Spend all your unemployment check on drugs and alcohol and now you can’t afford to pay rent? That’s fine; you can live in this apartment for free. What kind of example does that set for the youth that are in that setting? Sure some people actually need help and that is understandable but the amount of people that take advantage of it just boggles my mind.
Then I hear about budget cuts for schools and I am even more taken aback. How about we make welfare more selective and ensure that the education system, which if properly managed and enforced will provide the next generation with the tools for success, is given the financial means necessary. Welfare is just one example, tax loops for rich corporations, the money spent on housing prisoners for marijuana related crimes, and relief efforts for other countries are some other examples. People blame the economy for a lot of the problems with our education system. What they don’t remember is that we the people established this government and are still in a social contract that enables us to demand change if we believe that the government is failing to uphold its obligations to society.
In the end I can think of no one else to blame except ourselves. We, as the people of the United States, are allowing this to happen with our unwillingness to affect the changes that are necessary to ensure that our youth are willing and able to receive the education required to succeed. I will admit that I am guilty of this as well. I live my life and serve in the navy; other than that, unless society fails completely, I am content to let others run the show. I believe this absence of nationalism, or direct concern with the well being of the nation, is prevalent throughout society and plays a role in not only our inadequate education system but also the majority of the problems that affect us as a country.
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