meg/Education in America
What is wrong with our nations education system?
No teacher accountability, no parental involvement, lack of discipline of our students, lack of funding, to name a few.
The biggest problem is the disparity between the inner city and suburban schools. Generally, it is the city schools that are having the problems, primarily because the wealthier are moving out of the city and leaving no tax base to fund education.
My sister told me a very interesting statistic this past weekend. She used to live in Cleveland and 60% of the people using the Cleveland School District did not own property and, therefore, did not pay tax towards the funding of the school. Now, having been to the city many times, I know that most of those are poorer children whose family only rents. But, there are some high priced apartments in the city - why don't they pay something?
I think that the way in which we support our schools need to change. I have no children, but live in a school district that is heavily taxed. The school district consistently is above the state and national averages for SAT Scores, as well as producing a high number of National Merit Scholars - something that I am proud of. I have no problem supporting something that does not directly effect me (a concept that I know is foreign to some of you reading this). It is the choice that I made when I decided to purchase a house in this district (so there goes your theory about "forcing" me to pay the taxes). Yet, I do feel that, for those who rent in the district, they should be required to pay something for their child's education. Even a nominal fee should suffice.
Pat, you said the Federal Gov't should not educate our children. Guess what? They don't. Yes, some money is funneled to the school district, about 7% if my memory serves me, but they are not involved in the education of our students.
Why do we fail in comparison to other countries public schools and yet have some of the world's best universities?
In one word, money. Those best universities are funded well, either through tuition or endowments. They are able to recruit the best professors and only admit the elite students. Yes, there are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, it is about the money.
