What does our education system need to make it better?

The question of what our education system needs is not an easy one to answer as everyone has an opinion. The education system not only involves our elementary and high schools, but also our colleges and universities. To distinguish who has the responsibility to make decisions on any changes to our educational system, colleges and universities will be separated from our elementary and high schools. In terms of our elementary and high schools, the population of each state has different needs but the overall educational system needs some consistency. Before answering the question of what our education system needs, the question to be asked and answered first is, “who should be making those decisions.”

Today we have a Department of Education which establishes policies related to federal education funding. It identifies major issues in education to focus national attention on them; enforces laws prohibiting discrimination; collects data; and overseas research on America’s schools. These are great responsibilities engrained in the mission of the Department of Education. The responsibilities of the Department of Education are important, but it also needs to be noted what is not part of the mission of this department.

The Department of Education is not in the business of establishing schools and colleges; developing curriculum; setting requirements for enrollment and graduation; determining state educational standards or developing methods to measure whether states are meeting their educational standards.

Identifying the responsibilities of the Department of Education and what duties are not a part of their mission reveals the fact that each state is responsible to establish curriculum requirements for their respective populations. It is therefore the obligation of each state to establish the changes needed for their respective education systems to improve them and make them better. Given the responsibilities the states have in this regard does not mean that the citizens of each state should be left out of the decision making process. The citizens of each state have a right to be involved in any changes in the focus of their educational system, especially any major or fundamental changes.

Our country has a rich heritage and that heritage should be a part of the curriculum of any school system in every state. Changes should not be made to alter or eliminate the events which have taken place in our history. Learning about the events that shaped our country is important so the leaders of tomorrow will understand the decisions that were made and why they were made. This might help them make better decisions tomorrow.

Another important aspect which needs to be a focus in any education system is learning about the Constitution. The United States Constitution is the founding document which puts in place the principles upon which this country is based. There has been confusion to some extent and different interpretations as to the meaning of specific portions of the Constitution, not the least of which is the Bill of Rights engrained in the first ten amendments.

Other aspects of our education system which need to be addressed involve the communication factor. Part of this involves the federal government in communication with the states about major issues in the overall education system. This kind of communication from an organization that collects data from all the states is important.

Additionally, our education system needs to provide the connection between curriculum at all levels of our educational system and private industry. There are basic subjects which need to be part of any curriculum which include, math, science, English, literacy, history and government, and possibly some foreign language. Having these in place provides basic educational needs for the citizens our country. It is not my intent to identify basic core curriculum for every school system in the United States. My intent is to offer some suggestions and why they should be a part of any school system.

Our position in the subjects of math and science has declined with respect to the rest of the world. These subjects are important in that they are involved with basically every vocation, some more than others. We need to analyze why we have fallen behind in these fields of study and make preparation to change the way these subjects are being taught, if we are to improve our position in the world economy. Another vital subject that goes without question is English. The English language should be the national language of our country, and everyone who is a citizen or who will become a citizen should be taught the basics. This is important for students to prosper their careers and in private industry. The capability to communicate effectively in America hinges on the ability to understand the English language. In these times, it is also appropriate to offer foreign languages. Our country is comprised of many ethnic backgrounds and languages, and to succeed in some businesses, multiple language ability is required. Literacy levels need to increase and a strong emphasis on reading and writing is essential.

Solid curriculum also includes comprehensive understanding of history and government. Both are important in the overall education of future leaders. Learning about the history of our country and the world, and the manner in which government derives its power from the people is important. A big portion of this involves the need to examine the United States Constitution to better understand the powers granted to the federal government and those retained by the states.

The above are only examples and/or suggestions regarding our current educational system, and where these elements are in place, it is great. It is important, however to note that these subjects be taught free from manipulation to make them politically correct. Decisions affecting these basic subjects within each state should involve the registered voters. Some may say that the voters elect individuals to make these types of decisions for them. While this is true, it is also the right of the residents of individual states to be involved with education processes involving their children and making critical changes to the textbooks/curriculum to be taught.

Colleges and universities are also not above the need to make changes in their curriculum structure. Today the needs of private industry are changing with the technological advances that are occurring every day. Schools and universities must adapt to these innovations and new realities to provide the leaders of tomorrow with the tools and capability to succeed. Failure to make these kinds of changes will impact our economy in negative ways. Schools who adapt to these realities will be in a position to be a force in our economy.

In summary, our education system spans from elementary and high school to our colleges and universities. In each of these levels of American education, changes need to be made to improve our educational system and to develop better leaders for tomorrow. Registered voters need to be involved within each state when fundamental changes are being considered in a state educational system. Changes with regards to our colleges and universities will require other approaches. Colleges and universities must consider what their prospective students are requesting and also the needs of private industry as they change.