Those that have read my blog know that I do get on my soapbox from time to time about the state of education in the United States. I can't help but be concerned about the future for America's young adults. Too many students are not opting to stay in school to continue their education. If U.S. students continue their lack of motivation in pursuing an education, I can't help but be gloomy on America's place in the 21st century as a world leader.
Taking a different viewpoint, BusinessWeek recently posted an article on academics in the United States stating that U.S. schools are not doing that bad. The schools could be doing better, but they're not terrible. The article uses the Two Million Minutes documentary as its backdrop. The BusinessWeek author points out that academic performance doesn't always dictate the sucess a person may have in the world of business.
But things aren't as dire for U.S. students as they might appear in the documentary. As an academic, I have been researching engineering education and have taught many graduates of Indian, Chinese, and American universities. It can take longer for Indians and Chinese to develop crucial real-world skills that come more easily for some Americans. Yes, U.S. teens work part-time, socialize, and party. But the independence and social skills they develop give them a big advantage when they join the workforce. They learn to experiment, challenge norms, and take risks.
The author though does acknowledge that global competition in academics will continue to put pressure. It is how America uses it's strengths (entrepreneurship) and overcomes its weaknesses (academics) that will tell if America will remain a global leader in the 21st century.
Nevertheless, I am fascinated by the videos and interviews available via 2mminutes.com . The documentary compares the academic and social lives of students in the United States, China, and India. I only hope it becomes an eye opener for students, parents, and teachers before it is too late to change the path that many of our young adults are on right now.
Comments
Why the need to be no 1?
Hi there!
I'm from Sweden in Europe and we've probably got a situation which is a lot like the one in the US. Our children aren't up to the task as the earlier generations has been.
So what?
I'm happy for the chinese and indian children who will probably help me and you in the future. They will innovate, they will care, they will define an interesting way of life.
Why so nationalistic?
"If U.S. students continue their lack of motivation in pursuing an education, I can't help but be gloomy on America's place in the 21st century as a world leader."
How about doing it together instead? We don't need a leader. We need to cooperate.
How about doing it together
I agree that cooperation is needed between nations to better educate the world's children. However, even in a cooperation...leaders are needed. I'm not trying to be nationalistic here, but the truth is that I more likely can influence my country's own education system more than another country's education system. I like to focus on changes that I can make into reality and not just into dreams.
Here in the United States we've had a movement described as "No Child Left Behind". The goal is admirable in that it focuses on making sure we put our resources in helping our children reach minimum standards and holds the education system accountable when the students do no perform better. But an issue with this program is we've lost focus on the higher end of education. Kids that are capable of doing so much more than "average" are having less chances and less expectations put on them to excel in higher education.
When expectations of performance are lowered then people usually follow by performing less. I have two nephews that have dropped out of high school because they see less of a need to work as hard toward an education as their parents did. The end result is their standard of living is much lower and their participation in society is much less than it should have been. In my mind that is a real problem...for a family, for a country, and for the world as a whole.
"Here in the United States
"Here in the United States we've had a movement described as "No Child Left Behind". The goal is admirable in that it focuses on making sure we put our resources in helping our children reach minimum standards and holds the education system accountable when the students do no perform better. But an issue with this program is we've lost focus on the higher end of education. Kids that are capable of doing so much more than "average" are having less chances and less expectations put on them to excel in higher education."
Yeah, it the same way of thinking in Sweden. Instead of a five-point grade that we had before swedish children and adolescents have a three-step grade: good, very good, above very good (aproximate translation). Also, every child has to performe a "good" grade on all subjects. Earlier you could get 1 or 2 in a grade. People who aren't gifted for academic work are having difficulties with achiving the "good" grade and take resources from the rest. This is just one of the things that results in swedish grades going down when compared to other european countries (and theirs aren't going up, as far as I remember the report).
So I understand the problem you describe and I don't know exactly what to do when I'll have kids of my own. Elite schools only?
"I have two nephews that have dropped out of high school because they see less of a need to work as hard toward an education as their parents did. The end result is their standard of living is much lower and their participation in society is much less than it should have been. In my mind that is a real problem...for a family, for a country, and for the world as a whole."
I agree.
Public School first, but...
I'll be starting my son in the public school system as the school district we live in is rather good. However, the day my son doesn't feel challenged by the school system is the day I would moved him to a private school your version of elite schools?)
Some people complain that when you send your kid to a private school, you're paying for an education twice...one through taxes and the other via private tuition. However, I'm a firm believer that you don't abandon (financially) your public schools. It may cost money out of my own wallet, but an education is worth the sacrifice.