The Education System in the United States

The Importance of the American Education System

The maintenance of an informed and productive citizenry relies on the system, making the future of the American education system crucial for the future of the nation. Because it determines a person's and his or her country's destiny, education is crucial to society. Education stakeholders have been debating how to improve the American educational system throughout the country's past. The question of whether the American educational system is in crisis is raised by the fact that some people contend it is flawed and others maintain it is in ideal working order. The cries for reforming the American educational system are all over the US despite many international students considering the American education. Skeptics claim that the American system of education is failing as the years go by and they blame it on mostly on the use of standardized tests in the system. With the emphasis on the use of standardized testing in all public schools, the actual knowledge and ability of students are not tested, and this affects the future education of many students. In fact, these tests are not in concurrence with the needs of the classroom behavior and skills required. Therefore, most students fail these tests despite studying hard for the exams that do not even reflect their ability but on general information. According to Sharkey, Patrick, et al., most teachers spend a lot of time preparing their students for standardized tests. This consumes more time, energy, and resources that could have been spent teaching students important subjects that could nurture in their future studies, and this makes the current American education system perilous (201).

The Role of Parents in the Education System

Apart from the blame on the standardized education, some stakeholders blame the failing education system on the flaws of the parents. According to Ravitch, parents play a vital role in a child’s education (38). Therefore, they are blamed for failing to take part in their children’s education, and this has led to an inadequate education system. The lack of parents’ involvement in their children’s education leads to underperformance because students feel unmotivated in their studies. Ravitch further reveals that there is a significant decline in parents taking an interest in their children’s studies and the outcome has been low grades for several students (47). Therefore, parents should know that they play a vital role in making the American educational system great and they can do this by getting involved in their children’s education, which in turn leads to their success.

The Issue of Funding for Public Education

Another flaw that has been cited in the US education system is the lack of adequate funding for public education. It is true that public education requires more funds in order to obtain qualified teachers and to purchase education resources. Nonetheless, many American public schools have remained unfunded or underfunded making them unable to provide the basic education resources for their students and to pay teachers, and this is adversely affecting the US education system (Mehta 105). For this reason, the US education system should be overhauled to make the education system better. This can be done by providing adequate funds for all schools so that they can acquire ample resources to serve their students. It is sad that some schools are underfunded while others have plenty of educational resources, and this makes the educational system flawed.

Proponents and Critics of the US Education System

Away from the flaws in the American education system, proponents of the system insist that it is perfectly okay because if it was not, then there could be no influx of students across the globe coming to study in the US. There are many immigrants coming to the US for further studies in the University and for this reason, Many American universities are highly regarded globally. Nonetheless, one thing that should be noted here is that the problem is not with the higher education but with the kindergarten through the 12the grade and high school education. Most advantages of the US education system favor the higher education, but the problem lies with the junior education yet this is like a foundation for every student who wishes to pursue higher education (Berliner and Glass 152).

Moreover, proponents argue that there is flexibility in the US education system. They further contend that with the current education system, students have unlimited choices while choosing their courses and majors. Most US universities offer students the option of experimenting with different courses before they decide on their major something most countries do not provide their students. This broadens their skills and knowledge in various fields of study. However, even though this is true, the cause of disagreement in the argument against the current US education system remains in the early education years where students are to pass their junior and senior high school to pursue a university education. According to Fryer, the American education system is one of the most diverse globally but again, before making the university education the best, America should consider the fate of public schools to ensure quality education for all students at all levels and not only at the university level (376).

The Need for Reform in the American Education System

By looking at the problems cited and the reasons supporting the American education system, one obvious thing is that the US educational system needs a restricting for it to be better. If the American government can work on reforming the American public education to a universal standard of expectation and achievement, then there will be quality education for all students regardless of their class, ethnicity, and race. The American public schools have always remained a requisite source of the strength of the country as they equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills they need to join the labor force. In fact, Fabricant and Fine note that the American public schools are fundamental to the American democracy and the society as a whole as they are the cornerstone of the country’s success (23). Nonetheless, due to the flaws in the education system, the current education system is failing to provide its students with the best education there could be. For this reason, many people are now questioning the value of education while disapproving the national education system. Therefore, there is the need to revamp the existing US education system before there emerges an education revolution.

The Challenges Facing the American Education System

Several problems that have been identified facing the American education system, and the standardized tests, parents’ flaws, and financial constraints in public schools are just a few mentioned. Opponents of the US education system claim that it is not flawed because America has the best institutions that have attracted several international students. Nonetheless, it is evident that the American education system is faulty and in turmoil with the several problems noted in the paper and it needs an overhaul. The US education system might be good as it is alleged by many, but it sure needs some improvement to make it better. Thence, it is crucial for the government to make education a priority by investing financially in the future of the country. This will ensure that the students get adequate learning resources and access to quality education and the teachers are compensated for their effort and time in the system. Apart from the state, parents should also be involved in the education of their children to ensure they take their studies seriously. The government has to take more responsibility in making the US education system better by making certain that all students acquire quality education in order to meet their citizens' education needs of the 21 century.

Works Cited

Berliner, David C., and Glass Gene V. 50 Myths and Lies That Threaten America's Public Schools: The Real Crisis in Education. New York: Teachers College Press, 2014. Print.

Fabricant, Michael, and Fine Michelle. Charter Schools and the Corporate Makeover of Public Education: What's at Stake?. New York: Teachers College Press, 2015. Print.

Fryer, Roland G. "Teacher Incentives and Student Achievement: Evidence from New York City Public Schools." Journal of Labor Economics 31.2 (2013): 373-407.Print.

Mehta, Jal. "Why American Education Fails: And How Lessons From Abroad Could Improve It." Foreign Aff. 92 (2013): 105. Print.

Ravitch, Diane. The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. NY: Basic Books, 2016. Print.

Sharkey, Patrick, et al. "High Stakes in the Classroom, High Stakes on the Street: The Effects of Community Violence on Student’s Standardized Test Performance." Sociological Science 1 (2014): 199-220. Print.