America's Educational System Essay

Submitted By kmurphy0053
Words: 1135
Pages: 5

The year is 2013, and it is time to face the facts; the United States of America's educational system is most definately suffering. Technology has basically replaced the need of human teachers in schools, and is evident even as young as Kindergarden children. Ipads and laptop computers have became the basics, and the useage of paper and handwriting skills have almost became obsolete. Think about it and take time to realize that without the useage of some basic skills is causing a major upset in the functional capacity of todays youth. One of the most argumentative topics today involving education is standardized testing. Is it really necessary for a kindergarded student, averaging in age from four to five years old, to have to study, learn, and prepare for standardized tests? The answer to that question is of course not. As a student of that age, more emphasis should be applied in the writing skills, reading skills, and developmental skills. What ever happened to the days of learning to write the alphabet and make letters ledgible, as well as learning the ability to put these letters together in the form of small words, sounding them out, and as a result reading these words? It has been replaced by teaching these small children how to use an Ipad and their "home row keys". At the age of ten or so this would be completely understandable, as one should have already the abilities to read and write, but for four to five year old children, this is just obserd. Forget standardized testing, and Murphy/Page 2 just teach these children the basics. There is absolutely no need in skipping the essentials at such an early age and stressing these small children by setting a "standard". While focused on standardized testing, think of the definition of the said objective. Standardized testing, used from Kindergarden to high school graduates, strives to evaluate learning according to a set "standard" applied across a broad cross-section of society. Not to be biased here, but is it not true that every region in the united states has a different style of personna altogether? Absolutely. Think about education in a different light altogether; instead of standardized testing, what about aptitude testing. It seems like it would be way more logical to test a student for his or her abilities in their strongest aspects, rather than to expect them to all be "the same". Every single individual in the world, child or adult, are equal, but that does not mean at all that they are all alike. "Education is not a one size fits all buisness, yet most of the course material for many subjects is identical and it is the presentation that differs from one classroom to the next." (Bradford) Given the above statement, think about the realization of diversity of individuals, and the impact made by trying to standardize their thinking. It is against the grain of humanity really, because if everyone thought the same way, how could there really be such a diversity in occupation? If everyone was thinking the same way, there would be no professionalism. There would be no reason to continue education, in hopes of becoming a doctor, or lawyer, or contractor, or any other specific occupationalist. There would only be general knowledge, and no hope of becoming a professional. Another topic that really needs some looking into is the use of technology in the Murphy/Page 3 educational system. It is a fact that the use of computers, whether its a laptop, desktop, or Ipad, has became the main source for the actual submission of almost all of the work completed in the school systems today. There is little to no use of pencil and paper, even though not uncommon in society, and thats a real reason for concern. Handwriting skills have value in workmanship, and as a result of not teaching handwriting in schools like it used to be just within the last decade or two, will in the end make an individual appear to be "less educated". Face it: no real