Public Schools - By Brave Humans

So, I was over at Brave Humans Blog again, and there was a great post asking about the state of public education and there is a pretty active discussion going on regarding what ails the current system. Needless to say, I felt compelled to add my $.02 and wanted to share it with you. Please feel free to join the conversation there, or comment here on your thoughts about the state of the American Public Schools

Elena,

It seems I came late to this party, but after reading (or skimming) the comments it seems that one major point is missing from this discussion. That is that the entire public school system is sadly antiquated and very out of date. The whole basis of September to June schedule is based upon a 19th century agrarian economy, not the 21st century information economy.

The semi-modern cirruculum, somewhat based upon the No Child Left Behind program, is based on teaching to a test in order to get the students scores where they need to be in order to continue to receive federal funding. This method fails to teach critical thinking and problem solving which is paramount in todays day and age. The American public school system is no longer producing the world's best scientist, engineers or doctors. Other countries are taking the lead in these fields and leaving us far behind. The idea that just 40 years ago that we were able to put a man on the moon and today we have trouble getting a space shuttle up and back successfully speaks volumes.

The solution is to review and overhaul the entire education system. This would be a complete redesign and would include a review of how it is funded, what we should be teaching, what children need to know in order to leave or graduate and become productive members of society, providing them with skills and knowledge that will be essential in the 21st century.

I am not an educator, but am a concerned parent. I want to make sure that my children are more prepared for adult life and responsibility when they graduate public high school then when I did 20+ years ago.

As an aside, part of the problem is the teachers union and the difficulty of removing a sub-par teacher because of the contract. However, I do believe that a teacher should be one of the highest paid professionals in our society, equal to doctors, laywers, CEOS and anyone else. At the core, they control the future and many great and brilliant minds (including myself) have chosen different career paths because teaching is not economically viable. If my taxes go to paying teachers salary and the teachers can show my children how to fish, rather than being given a fish then the taxes are worth it. A good teacher can make all the difference to a child. Likewise a bad teacher could do multiple harm to a childs learning and self confidence.

Finally, G-d has absolutely no place in public schools. There is a little something called seperation of church and state, and whether we like it or not, public school is a state function. If you want religion in your classroom, then send your children to a Catholic school, Bible School, Yeshiva, or whatever is appropriate for your beliefs. I have to admit I am a bit offended (appalled) that CT public schools offer a moment of silence after the pledge (don't get me started on this) to allow children to pray. But hey that is just me.