You can't escape it. The US Educational System is in its own Great Depression. Teenagers are less motivated to go to college, and some teachers are less motivated to teach. It's everywhere.
The problem is being blamed on inner-city schools in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The buildings are in rough shape, the teachers are severely underpaid (and sometimes under-skilled), and the students are under-motivated.
The No Child Left Behind Policy was no help, either.
While the huge inner-city schools are failing and becoming unaccredited, the suburban schools are thriving. They have visible arts funding, visible science funding, and visible EVERYTHING funding (I find it quite unfair). Yes, due to the NCLB Policy, many of them are becoming unaccredited - this is because by 2014, every single student who takes the test must pass the elevated standards of 100%. Yes. 100%.
In the exurbs, however, one would expect a better school system due to the higher class citizens filling the population. That's unfortunately not how it works. Some schools are small enough to fit the entire district in one building. The students receive a great one-on-one attention from the teachers, and an almost nonexistent dropout rate. But is the education a world-class one?
Not in the least.
Let's face it; a diploma from South Nodaway R-IV High School is not as recognizable as one from Maryville High School, which is not as recognizable as one from Blue Springs High School, which isn't as recognizable as one from the Missouri Academy of Science, Math, and Computing, which isn't as recognizable as one from the Barstow Academy.
Here's the basic question: Why do students have to pay to get a world-class education, but those who can't afford it just get tossed to the side?
I feel as if I have crossed the rant-line and would like to hear the input of others on this almost ignored topic in politics...
I have to agree with a lot of what you said. It's difficult to understand why there is are such inconsistencies in education based on location. One would think that, because of smaller and more personalized classes, the students from smaller schools would be at an advantage. It just doesn't make sense. I don't think it's fair that kids who want a higher level of education should be held back because of financial issues. Education is just one of those things that needs to be addressed. The issue is how to take care of the problem in the best possible way.
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