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There was a time when America’s educational system was the envy of the world. There was a time when America was renowned for offering children an education that allowed them to excel in mathematics, science, reading and writing. Now, unfortunately, the education of children suffers when teachers are overcommitted to teaching too many classes, or state budget cuts cause a school to get rid of honors programs or special education programs. Instead of allowing children to fail in the education system, communities can work together to improve America’s education system as a whole. Teachers, parents, politicians and administrators can take active steps to make America become a leader in the world of education.
1. Improve Advertising for Higher Education
While advertising may not directly teach high school students the math skills they need for college, advertising can help encourage more students to actually consider attending college. The University of Phoenix is a for-profit online college that has shown the power of advertising in increasing the number of students who pursue higher education. Public universities need to do a better job in marketing to students from low-income areas who may not otherwise consider attending college. By creating catchy campaigns and slogans, a public university may recruit more students.
2. Provide Students with More Incentives to Attend College
In a difficult economy, students are beginning to drop out of college due to the high cost of tuition. They are not convinced that they will obtain jobs out of graduation, so they decide to drop out of college to save money and time. Colleges can do a better job of showing the correlation between having a degree and obtaining different careers in the marketplace. One way that more students would stay in college would be through attending presentations focused on career opportunities beyond college. Public universities currently do not provide adequate information for students who want to make practical use of their college degrees.
3. Provide Scholarships for High School Students who Graduate Early
Right now, high schools in New York City and other metropolitan areas are overcrowded. Too many students attend these schools in the present moment. If fewer students attended the high schools, then teachers could focus more on helping students who require additional help. Teachers would be able to present more effective lectures without interruptions and disruptions due to crowded classrooms. One way to free up some space in high school would be to provide students with a scholarship for graduating early. A student would be able to receive money for each year that he or she would graduate early from high school and use this money for college. The benefit would be that schools would have more space for students, and fast learners could progress in their education.
4. Increase the Age for Compulsory Education
If students were required to attend school until the age of 18, then more students would be in the position of considering college or trade school. Increasing the age of compulsory education would help prepare students for success in the rest of their lives.
5. Apply More Government Funding to Higher Education
If the federal government paid for at least one year of college for students, then more students would attend college. The federal government can improve the educational system by participating more actively in the higher education goals of students.
When America’s education system is repaired, more students will feel motivated to learn and pursue goals in higher education. It is essential for the government to put more funding toward the education of students so that they can succeed in the 21st century.
Citations:
Martha Knox is a school district administrator and guest author at Early Childhood Education Degrees, a site with information and resources to assist prospective students in evaluating options for early childhood education degrees.
