Four Simple Truths For Bringing America's Schools Back To Reality

Going directly to college after high school can be completely beneficial to one’s life. It is what the government encourages while in high school and can easily be accomplished. By attending college at a young age you can live the infamous college life that so many adults speak of as “the best four years of my life”. These four years can be achieved and should be enjoyed. As a young student, one can have the stamina to attend class with hours on end. As a current college student, I see many adults coming back to college because they have been part of the group that has tried to succeed while only having a high school diploma. The truth of the matter is those high school students that realize that a four-year degree in college can secure a place in life that is acceptable for them will be the ones to succeed; furthermore, these students are the future of America.

For decades, students have been told that college is the next step after high school graduation. Society reiterates this by glorifying individuals that have completed a degree and looking down upon those who do not have one. The problem is that many students have not acquired the necessary tools nor have the motivation to be successful while pursuing post-high school education. Some argue that college provides the foundation of liberal studies that will improve career opportunities. Charles Murray disagrees in his essay, "Are Too Many People Going to College." He states, "Most people should be getting the basics of a liberal education. But for most students, the place to provide those basics are elementary and middle school." (Graff, 238) This raises the question, is a four-year education the best option for all students. College provides many benefits that would be difficult to find elsewhere, such as, writing skills or cultural growth, but college is not meant for everyone. A college education does not guarantee a prosperous career, instead, gaining work experience or completing a trade school is a more intelligent option for the majority of potential students.

For some students, the question of what to do after high school may be a burden to even contemplate as it approaches quicker and quicker. The pressure to continue another four (or more) years of education after high school can be overwhelming considering twelve years of schooling has already been completed; why go right back to school again? When’s break time? Some people are simply just not ready for college and they know it, or at least until after they have had a long break or have had some time to recollect themselves. Technically speaking college isn’t for everyone, nor is it necessarily needed for a career. Luckily today, there are many other options that potential career seeking beings can get a head start on such as community colleges and trade/vocational schools. These alternatives to a four year college are considered to be a good start on a job (and maybe even a career). The best benefits of these alternatives involve the cost of attending, the student environment, and the degrees offered.

There are lots of ways to further your education. Most everyone instantly thinks about college as the next step in their education after high school. Some people just simply aren’t ready for college yet, or do not think that it is their thing. The next thing people consider is to join the workforce out of highschool. That is not always the best idea because you do not get any education by doing so. A better way to further your education would be to join the military. The military can give you education in things that no college is able to, help with expenses (including helping pay for college while you serve), and has an interesting daily lifestyle that is unique and different than college would be. The job I want to do in the military is to

economist and he stated, “We have too few college graduates,” and “We also have too few people who are prepared for college.” (Leonhardt). Many students begin the journey of college right after high school but there are many things that colleges don’t advertise to incoming students. The first is that college is an investment, not only with your money but with your time. You need to be able to devote these next four years to studying and working towards your degree which is hard to do when you are 18-21 years old because you feel invincible, and that you are in the prime of your life. That four year commitment is one of the main reasons employers look for a Bachelor’s degree because it shows your ability to follow through and persevere. The amount of work needed to earn a Bachelor’s will differ with the major that you choose, and what college you are attending, however, the sacrifice is still the same. The second thing that colleges and universities forget to mention is that it will not be easy. Again, this will be different for each major and each college but the amount of work you put in is what you will get out of college. Lastly, there is one major aspect of college that is talked about by high school teachers to their students but it isn’t advertised by the colleges. You must learn how to self-study. In high school,6 you think you have done quite a bit of self-studying and maybe you even felt like you taught yourself that whole class. It will be very different in college and there will be no one telling you what to work on in class and when the paper is

“What’s the key to success in the United States?”(Steinberg,2010), author Jacques Steinberg starts off his article “Plan B: Skip College” with a powerful question that has been asked by many Americans. Majority of Americans first thoughts would be higher education. The ideology that obtaining a degree is the best and sometimes only way to be successful in the American economy. This has been instilled in numerous children growing up. Steinberg states “perhaps no more than half of who began a four-year bachelor's degree program in the fall of 2006 will get that degree within six years according to the department of education”(Steinberg,2010). Students who tend to not excel in high school often take longer, or at times finish a higher education at all. These

More often than not, young students are taught to believe that they must go to a prestigious university to obtain a Bachelor’s degree or higher in order to have a fulfilling and satisfying career. This may hold true for some people, but others do not need to follow this same path. For students who choose a career that isn’t considered conventional or isn’t high in pay, they tend to be looked down upon which pressures them into choosing career paths that they do not have a passion for, or the skill set to actually accomplish which makes college a waste of time and money. While everyone should be encouraged to get an education beyond high school, people should be encouraged to get the education that is relevant and proper for them to make sure they are getting their money’s worth.

There are many choices and paths to choose when the time comes to attend college however, a question to ask is, is it worth it? If decided to attend college, the following decision to be made revolves around an area of study one would like to pursue and the topic of study that will be available for them. Though many can further their education in different ways, a couple of ways consist of attending a four year college (private/ public) or a community college. Not going to college at all is the other alternative, but is it really a smart idea? Most adults have continuously told young students all through high school to attend college. A student’s chance of economic success in the future can be risen due to a college education. Judith Scott-Clayton, who is an assistant professor of economics and education at Teachers College at Columbia University states, “Individuals with bachelor’s degrees earn about 60 percent more than those with just a high school diploma, who in turn earn about 40 percent more than high school dropouts.” Students who seek higher education, are more likely to experience a better future and a better life. The cost of going to college may seem overwhelming at times however, the experiences and education obtained throughout college is priceless in regards to the way one interacts with others on a global basis, has a stronger job stability, and has better employment benefits.

I am determined to be within a four year college, because if i don’t go, there will be consequences. Participating in a four year college is important to me, so i can live a decent life. To ensure my job safety only 7.2 percent of people that obtained a Bachelor’s Degree are unemployed compared to a 5.2 percent of workers having a High School Diploma(Doc E). That means I’ll have a higher chance of acquiring a job than if I have had a high school diploma. Partaking in college is also important to me because is shows a great opportunity of me being the one in control of my

The American education system has, since its inception, been subject to ridicule and disdain on the parts of many. Despite the fact that many scholars believe that the system has flaws, there has been no consensus as to what needs to be changed. Sam Chaltain, the previous National Director of the Forum for Education and Democracy and now an active participant in educational reform debates, argues that the system should shift its focus on standardization away from students and instead to teachers and schools. Nikhil Goyal, author of Schools on Trial: How Freedom and Creativity Can Fix Our Educational Malpractice, holds that we should do away with standardization altogether, giving children the opportunity to accomplish what they want with their education and allow them to flourish in a less stifling environment. Peter Gow, the author of a multitude of books about potential changes in school policy, focuses on fourth grade specifically, suggesting that a year in elementary school focused solely on cultivating reading skills would greatly benefit students in the future. Although this is a radical stance, Gow’s point remains valid; teaching

In chapter 5, Reforming America’s Schools, I learned many things that affect me as an educator. An important fact that interests me was that there are four goals that schools should follow. The first one is academic, including a broad array of knowledge and intellectual skills. The second one is vocational, aimed at readiness for the world of work and economic responsibilities. The third one is social and civic, including skills and behavior for participating in a complex democratic society. The fourth one is personal, including the development of individual talent and self-expression. This will affect me as an educator so that I can follow and do my best to complete these goals. Now I am aware of what should be done in a classroom.

When one chooses to go to college, they are investing in their future career. Once a young adult leaves high school they have a choice to either go to college or to go into the workforce. When deciding which path they will take, they must look at both the benefits and disadvantages. The advantage to going straight into the workforce is being able to immediately start their profession of choice and do not have to pay off expensive college loans. The disadvantage to going straight into the workforce is the fact that in today’s job market, there are not many high-paying jobs that do not require a degree. However, the benefit of going to college is that careers that require a college degree are often high-paying and come with worker’s benefits. College affords the student to develop and master academic and social skills. Companies and employers are not willing to invest time and money into prospects without those skills or a formal education. The disadvantage to going to college is brought upon because college tuition has doubled in the past ten years, which makes college unaffordable without being overwhelmed by student loans for the rest of one’s life (Graff 179). The differences between these two paths make the decision to go to college one of the most influential decisions of an individual’s entire life. Each of these paths have their advantages and disadvantages, but in the long run, going to college is more beneficial than going straight into the workforce.

Going into a four-year college is the best decision out of any other choices we have out there. It will give us an edge financially and be able to earn more than other people. Some students would not often consider going to college after high school and would directly join the work force. According to the article “Is College Worth It?” published by New York Times Now, “The pay of people with a four-year college degree has risen compared to that of those with a high school degree but no college credit” (1). Those who took the time and effort may get paid more in the long run. Therefore, it is not a waste of time as some of our peers say. Indeed, college is more challenging compared to high school, but we must focus on how it will give us a better life in

I wanted to be the best I could be; as a result, I found myself taking on adult responsibilities at a young age. While other kids had time for more extracurriculars, I chose to be either working, helping my parents care for my four younger siblings, or studying on my own. I was not forced to excel; I chose to do so because I wanted to do better for my family. Higher education is the opportunity I desire to combine my strengths and passions and apply it to my community. I am seventeen years old, a few months from legally becoming an adult, and my objective is to improve the world I live

After high school, a choice that many students have to make is whether to go to college or not. There are many factors that go into one’s decision. There are pros and cons to going to college and also there are pros and cons for not going to college. But the decision that will give someone the better opportunity to have a more successful life is to go to college. The money that one will earn after getting a college degree will be more than the money a person will make without getting a college degree. As our society has continued to evolve, education has become the optimal route to professional success: pursuing a degree is the best way to receive training, to gain expertise in a given field, and even to guide you and help you make choices