Education is a critical sector for the development of the US economy and productivity. Schools can be significant for the economy, but the quality of education has deteriorated. The American government has invested more resources towards strengthening the education system in the country in the last decade. However, the standards are dropping at a high rate, as depicted in the worsening performance by both low and mid-achieving American children.
The quality of education in the United States has declined for various reasons. Some education leaders are corrupt and have misused government funds directed to schools (Owens 34). The reduced salaries for teachers lowered their morale in offering quality education and maintaining quality status for schools. Technology encouraged cheating and made it easy for students to acquire false grades reducing the need to attend learning sessions. Because of racism, minority students do not have equal opportunities to study and showcase their abilities in schools (Owens 40). This has an adverse effect as fewer students are valued and provided with opportunities that impact the school’s overall quality.
There are distinct reasons why there is a change in the quality of the schools in America. One is due to the deficit in government funding to the sector and the emphasis placed on standardized testing. There is a lack of a standard core curriculum for schools and the challenges that technology has posed to the country’s education. The fall in school quality led to a lack of commitment from the stakeholders and the parties involved. Lack of finances to develop education by the government and committed educators have played a role in the poor education system in the country. Education institutions turned into a business where they serve the interest of a few individuals.
The US federal government is doing much in addressing the status of schools in the country. More schools have been opened and fully equipped to handle overcrowding in the US education system (Veniero 994). In addition, the government has raised the bar for teachers and educators to ensure quality staff is employed across learning institutions. The American government has developed policies aimed at reviving the quality of schools in the country. The state built modern classrooms in all schools to meet the educational needs of the 21st century and support the government in developing the economy.
Improving US schools needs commitment from all stakeholders that are involved in education management. There is a need to streamline schools to be student-oriented and systems focused on developing technical skills. This will help learners to achieve their full potential by discovering their abilities and skills and not relying heavily on artificial and board tests. In addition, to revive the glory of US schools, the government should invest heavily in technical learning and quality training of educators who care about the sector and are not business-minded individuals. With the modern dynamic technology in the workplace, schools need to prepare students by encouraging critical thinking.
There is an urge for divergent thought and entrepreneurial-oriented minds among the learners. Students should assimilate more knowledge to help them develop various skills that they can employ in workplaces. Education institutions should train students how to be innovators and inventors for better transition in the job market.
Works Cited
Owens, Ann. “Unequal Opportunity: School and Neighborhood Segregation in the USA.” Race and Social Problems, vol. 12, no. 1, 2020, pp. 29-41.
Veniero, Caroline A. “Education’s Deep Roots: Historical Evidence for the Right to a Basic Minimum Education.” The University of Chicago Law Review, vol. 88, no. 4, 2021, pp. 981-1024.