Education: Three Reasons America is Falling Behind

    A recent international study ranked the United States 31st in K-12 education, and showed a drop from 7th to 10th in innovation. What happened to the smartest nation on Earth, which was leading the world in education? Well apparently we've slipped, but why? Personally I blame it on three major reasons: spending cuts, failings of school systems, and apathy and failings of students.

      Government spending cuts is the largest of the three reasons.  The US is 34th in how much of its GDP we spend on education (5.4%). Seems awfully close to 31st. Taking billions of dollars away from education is illogical and hurtful to the economy in the long run. Evidence shows that children with early education are more likely to overcome poverty financial troubles after high school. Programs like Head Start do just that. They help young impoverished children and offer education that can eventually boost them out of poverty. This is exactly what we need, especially with the increasing gap between the rich and poor. So why do politicians, specifically the Republicans, like Paul Ryan want to cut from it? Ryan's budget plan would eliminate approximately 200,000 children from the program in a year, and 2,000,000 over the next ten. That's two million kids who may not come out of their current impoverished conditions. Cuts like this are just pure stupidity.

      Meanwhile, Democratic Senator, Tom Harkin of Iowa, introduced a bill designed to expand and improve child care and education for low income families. Why cut from a program that yields $7-9 for every $1 dollar put into it, according to Nobel prize winning economist James Heckman.

      More money needs to be put into college education as well. The extensions on student loan rates that President Obama signed into law obviously help college students. The law keeps interest rates on federal loans from doubling this year, a much needed thing. Obama has also expanded college scholarships, something Ryan also wants to cut from.  His budget would slash nearly $170 billion dollars from Pell Grants, which would mostly hurt low income students.

      An example of spending cuts that hits closer to home is Scott Walker's recent cuts to teachers' benefits. A gross exaggeration made by many, especially conservatives, is that teachers are reaping unfair benefits thanks to the evil union. Though these benefits are high, they are deserved. Teachers, whose salaries are nothing to brag about (between $40k and $55k depending on state), are molding the future through our children. Education is the key to any strong nation and economy, and teachers are obviously what make education possible. Though they get three months of vacation, the time and energy they put in during the school makes up for it. Teachers work for nine hours a day educating our children, then may have to spend more time at home on work. Many also spend hundreds of their own dollars on things for their classes and students that the school doesn't pay for.

      If education is what shapes the future of our nation, and determines the strength of our economy, doesn't it make sense to INVEST in it rather than cut from it. As I stated before, we are 31st, spending 5.4% GDP. However we ARE first in something, defense spending. We spend 2.2% GDP (not the most % of all nations), but 2.2 is just too close to 5.4. Another example of imbalanced spending is here in Wisconsin again. The state is spending more on prison system than it is the UW college system. Stupid spending like this needs to stop. I don't know about you but I'm not happy with 31st. We are America after all.

      The next problem involves the school systems, and in a way, society as a whole. Mismanagement of schedules and money, and students not being challenged. Schools, specifically public, are becoming more disorganized. Schedule types are changing and money isn't being spent well. A school near me has gone through three schedule changes in the last five years, and recently spent thousands of dollars on a new track and football field rather than toward much needed books and resources. This isn't the only case I've heard or read about and I know it can't be limited. A problem also lies with bad teachers. Though not many, they are a problem. These teachers, many prompted by the school, give out free rides and easy passes, as explained in the next paragraph.

      This ties in with the second part of this, students not being challenged. Schools are cutting advanced classes in order to suit scheduling as well as lack of money. Students are also being given endless chances on homework and tests. Grade scores are being dropped, for example an 88 is needed to get an A, or a just a 60 to pass. Students are being babied in order to make them feel accomplished and boost their self-esteem. This is perhaps the result of a larger social trend, in which children are being babied with things like participation or consolation prizes, and weak punishments. All in an effort to make them feel better. All unrealistic things that do not prepare them for the real world. This kind of babying in high school certainly isn't going to prepare them for college or the work world.

     The last problem lies with the students themselves. Though not as bad as the other two problems, it is still obviously something that needs to be fixed in order to fix the education problem as a whole. There is a growing apathy among the students. It has always been a problem, but it's on the rise recently. Numerous reports from teachers, specifically through the Internet have revealed an increase in apathy; students just not caring enough too pass. Some even completely uncooperative with teachers, to the point teachers have just walked out of rooms. In some cases, not to be confused with legitimately bad teachers, the schools blame the teachers; a completely unfair charge.

      This apathy most likely comes from the mentality that if they failed or find school difficult, then they should just give up now. Another reason is simple hatred of authority, and not wanting to cooperate with teachers who just want to help. Students not trying can also be tied to the many hand-outs and babying they receive from the school. They take these free passes for granted and just don't try. So when work actually does get tough, they think it's too hard for them and just take the fail. Those fails will continue because of endless chances until they finally get a D-, and the school is happy. The student, who shouldn't be happy with a D-, is even happier.

      Not enough money being put into education and failings of schools and students are what is holding this country back. All three can be fixed. Spending increases will help with all three. Weeding out bad teachers and fixing the local systems will create a better learning environment for students. And finally, changing student mentality might be the hardest task, but as I said, the reasons can be linked to the other two. If we can fix those, it may have a positive effect on student apathy. America used to be at the top of education, I think it's time we returned.