Education In America

Oh, how things have changed since I was in school. I'm a produce of the public school system of the 50's and 60's. Things have changed a lot since I was a student, and it has not been for the better. Sorry, but the truth is the truth. Then again, the whole world has changed, so seeing changes in education are not shocking revaluation's, are they? But what I see is shocking enough for me to believe that our educational system is in dire need of a serious restructure. So I want to look at this, and give you some things to think about. First, a look at the system I was educated in, and a look at the present system. And then, the way I would structure it if I were the HHIC (Head Hippie In Charge). Don't laugh, everyone has fantasies, why can't I be the HHIC in my fantasies?

What brought on this revelation for me was my marriage. I married a wonderful lady in China. And in the bargain, I gained two beautiful teenage daughters. Songjing had graduated from our equivalent of high school the previous year, and Liu Yu was going to enter her senior year. Songjing immediately found a job in a manufacturing company. Recently, she quit that job to take a position as a dance instructor in a pre-school. Liu Yu found a job very quickly after she graduated from high school as a teacher in a preschool. This provoked my muddled Hippie mind, and the question formed in the depths and haze, is this just very good luck that both of my daughters found good jobs straight out of high school, or was there a reason that made this possible? How exciting, my mind had stumbled upon something to work on that wasn't some political of economic problem, and I was thrilled.

As I began to talk with my two new daughters, who doted on me as though I were the Prince of Posh, and my beautiful new wife, I began to learn how this was possible. It was no accident or Divine stroke of luck that both of my daughters found good jobs after their graduations. They were trained for these jobs, and qualified for their respective positions when they were in school. What I discovered was a completely different educational system. Now, you might say OK, but this is a communist country, and everybody knows that the communists take children in school and determine what their life will be at a very young age. And I have to admit that this is PARTIALLY true, but not to the extent you think. The truth is that the Chinese want their people to be productive and successful citizens, not unemployed and wards of the state, and I can't argue their position. It is also true that children in the Chinese school system are tested and evaluated at a young age. Those with university potential are directed down one path, and the others are directed down another. But the state DOES NOT decide what a child will will be trained for. The parents and the children make choices as they progress down their path.

Songjing wanted to be a dance teacher, but she realized that there were not as many employment opportunities available in that field, and also chose training in the manufacturing field, because manufacturing in China is a rapidly growing economic area. When she graduated, she used that training to immediately find a good job, and then began to look for positions as a dance instructor. When she found what she wanted, she changed jobs. YES, people change jobs all the time in China just like everyplace else. When Amy graduated, she quickly found a job in a pre-school as a kindergarten teacher because that is the career path that she chose. I don't know about you, but I find this very impressive. When a child gets their high school diploma here, what are they qualified to do? Not much!

What I see today in the American education system is antiquated and not designed to make young people employable. The truth is that the majority of kids that graduate from high school do not go on to get a college diploma. Many who begin college, do not finish. And that is OK! The fact is that millions of people are needed in our work force where a college degree is of absolutely no use. For all of you that are shocked by this sacrilege, let me ask you how valuable a degree in sociology is to an electrician, auto mechanic or truck driver. There are thousands of good occupations that do not need college educated people, and these occupations are valuable to society. But our current education system does not address this. Change is needed, and the quicker we acknowledge this need, the quicker it will be addressed, and Americans in general will be better off because of the changes that are made.

By the time a student is ready for the seventh grade, educators should be able to ascertain the potential of that student. They should be able to look at the students record and make a recommendation for their future educational path. The teacher, the parent and the child should sit down and discuss this, and make a decision on the educational future of each student. This should be a joint decision, not one dictated by the teacher. After all, this will affect the lives of these kids. Those destined for continuing education should be directed down the path designed for this purpose, and along this path, the emphasis should be placed upon learning, not just collecting coarse credits. This is important.

Those who select the path toward graduating from high school and entering the work force will have many choices as they progress. First they need to be exposed to the vast number of opportunities available to them, in the trades, service industries, manufacturing and industry etc. As they go down their chosen path, additional branches will be encountered, and again, a choice will be needed to be made. The goal of the education system should be to graduate students that are qualified to go into the work force at an entry level. Produce graduates that are employable and ready to become productive members of society. But it should not end there. As with college students, the opportunity for advanced education should be available for those who qualify and choose to continue.

College provides this opportunity, so why not provide more opportunities to students who graduate from the employment path? College students can choose to continue toward advanced degrees, and specialization in their chosen field, and those choosing employment should be no different. Let me use a boy or girl who is graduating with the skills required for entry level employment as an automotive mechanic. This is a good and respected profession. There is no denying that good mechanics are valuable in today's society. As long as we continue to be a mobile society, good mechanics will be in demand. And getting out of high school with the ability to get a good paying job is something that many graduated will choose to do. No doubt. But, isn't there more?

Maybe this boy or girl wants more? There are many paths for mechanics available. A person can specialize and choose to continue their education and training. There are so many fields out there. Aviation mechanics, with sub-fields lice jet engine mechanics, marine mechanics, diesel mechanics, and on and on. The choice to continue education and training is one that should be available to graduating students. I am sure that this continuing education could take many forms, but one form is to treat technical schools like colleges. We could offer student loans for those that choose to continue, or possibly some sort of scholarship could be available. Whatever way this is done is less important than recognizing the need to do it.

OK, so maybe you are convinced, but most likely not. But you have been stimulated to think about this, and you see that our system could be improved. But how do we go about doing something so radical? How do we take on such an enormous task with any hope of success? I agree 100% that this is, at the very least, a monumental undertaking. Doing something like this will not be easy, and it will not be quick. As to how to do it, like my Grandfather always told me, the best place to begin is ALWAYS at the beginning.

First step is admitting that there is a problem. Next we have to decide to do something about it. Admitting it involves the government, educators and parents. Employers are required when we get to deciding to do something about it. Why? Because the new system is supposed to be graduating employable people, and employers are the ones who determine the employment standards. Therefor, their input into this system is paramount to success. But the very FIRST step lies with you and me. We have to see this problem for what it is, and we need to speak out. So, whether you agree with my solution or not or you have a different solution is less important than beginning to speak out for changes to the present system. Nothing will be done until there is a demand for it. That's just the way things work.

I would really like to hear from you on this, or any other subject. Write a comment. Let's start talking.

Have A Great Day,
The Old Hippie